Okay. Welcome to the August 6, 2025 city council meeting. I hereby call the meeting to order. Members of the public may attend the city council meeting in person or may watch or listen remotely by viewing the meeting on channel 8 WCTV and at the city's website weisetta.org/wctv. Public comment during the public forum and or public hearing portions of the meetings may be provided in person at the meeting in advance or by logging into the team's call and raising your hand during the public hearing. When your name is called in the meeting, you will be seen and heard in our council chambers and the cable channel. You will be asked to unmute and uh turn your camera on and begin your comment. All public comments must include your full name and address. Next item is the pledge of allegiance. I would ask you to stand if you are able for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Uh next item is roll call. Uh let the record reflect that the entire uh council is present. I also will note that the council participated in a workshop earlier this evening and discuss the following items. Discussion of short-term rental ordinance, discussion of Clapric Park construction uh mitigation or changes and uh as always discussion of future f council topics for workshop. Uh that's now in the record. Uh, next item is to approve the agenda. Uh, may I have a motion to approve the agenda as is, or would anyone like to make changes? >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. Okay. That moves ahead. Next item is on the public forum. We do have one card tonight. Um just as a reminder when your name is called um and you're interested in speaking come to the dis uh state your name and address indicate if you're representing a group and limit your comments to uh 3 minutes. Um so uh I do have a public forum uh request from Mark Sherry if you could address us please at the dis and just maybe just make sure the mic's on. He's probably going to check with you just real quick. It's not on. Got it. Thank you. >> Name and address in three minutes, sir. >> Thank you, mayor, and thank you, city council. My name is Mark Sherry. My address is 1053 Lake Street East in Weisetta. Um I attended the workshop earlier and I just wanted to make a couple of comments. I uh I didn't know what to expect. While I've been to a few city meetings, I don't make that a routine. >> You're not alone. What uh what I tell you is I very much appreciated the conversation and you know this is a this STR is an emotional topic and you're either uh very very much on one side or another depending on where you're living. And for full disclosure, uh I live right next door to a STR. I live right next door to a forplex that is um a rental apartment. And I live right next door to um to a long-term rental as well. And I just think uh the conversation that took place, how you went about it, the and mayor, I have to give you credit because you clearly were uh illustrating where your position was, yet you let the conversation take place. I know this is a topic that uh that you're all thinking about for the residents of the city really, really seriously. And I wanted to say I also think it's a very serious topic. And I also think that it is a big part of who Weisetta is. We're residents for 10 years now. Uh we love this city. We love it more now than we did 10 years ago because of everything the city council has done. And so more than anything, all I wanted all I wanted to do is say thank you for the process. >> Thank you, Mr. Sherry, for your comments. Okay. Um any other cards come in either on teams or here? Okay. Um, new agenda items. Uh, so does anyone have new agenda items at the council level that they'd like to bring up or add? I'm sorry. Did you >> Mr. Ryer, could you explain the process of how to be heard at the um at this public hearing? >> Oh, sure. >> Yeah. So, so just so so people are clear, if it's not on the agenda um listed, it's a white card. If it is on the agenda, you fill out a blue card, hand it to staff, and then we'll match that to the item and then allow you uh public commentary on said item. Is that clarify it? >> I believe so. Thanks. >> Okay. So, we'll we'll make sure that you're heard no matter, you know, no matter what where it came in the process, we'll make sure that you heard. >> I don't I guess >> the white card. Yeah, it's okay. Take your time. We got nothing but time. It's okay. You're You're welcome. And you know, we're glad you're here. Okay. So John and Chris Sable 663 Bushway and this I will I read it. What does it say? >> Public safety please uh address the dis and you have your two minutes because it's not on the public safety >> sabis. Yeah. Go ahead. Thank you. Welcome sir. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um >> name address. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor and city council. Uh John Sab John and Christine Sabis at 663 Bushaway Road. Um we're here tonight just to um make the council aware of our continued concerns of uh public safety along Bushway Road and Highway 101 as well as Eastman Lane. Um the speeding uh and and is just seems to be completely out of control and we just do not see any visible enforcement um in this area. And we really believe that um just an upgraded uh visibility by uh the police department would be a welcome um uh addition to our neighborhood. Um in addition um I I'm always reminded when I enter Weisetta that we have a public ordinance against uh noise and it's strictly enforced apparently because that's what the sign says. I I would be really interested to know how many citations uh we've issued uh the city uh enforcing the noise ordinance. Um we notice uh so many loud racing cars coming uh right by our house and I'm just uh curious to know if it is in fact being enforced. I think it goes in line with the discussion around the Lamborghini uh dealership and it's just simply not the vibe we're looking for here. Um, so in terms of the residents here, um, you know, trying to clamp down on the racing and and the loud, uh, noise and exhaust that these cars and motorcycles, uh, have would be, I think, a very welcome, um, uh, change, uh, or or uh, visibility in terms of enforcement. I think all of the residents would welcome that. So, that's my point. >> Yeah, thank you for your input. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Uh, I just will note that our our police chief is present and so she's acknowledging your testimony about this issue. I would also ask our city manager or police chief to comment on the new ordinances we've put in place as of May 1st to try to address the noise issue. You're not alone in expressing your concerns about it, nor are you alone in expressing concerns about speeding. So, if you could just uh articulate for the public the new ordinances that we put on the books to address specifically noise from cars and motorcycles or or Chief Baker, whoever is the right person. >> Either one. I I can start and if I mess it up, then Chief Baker can jump in. Mr. Mayor and Council and Mr. Seavis. Um uh we have enacted some new ordinances particularly related to exhibition driving. Um we understand that that comes with a number of things whether it be noise or speed. Um, I I will comment that uh we have areas of town, particularly our downtown, where we've been um pushing a little bit harder to make sure that those items are enforced. Uh it doesn't mean that we're giving up on other areas of town. So, we appreciate the comments that you're bringing forward. We can look at those. Um but those new ordinances went into place in May and we've been pushing hard to u make an example of those that we do catch when we catch them. It is a challenge. A lot of times we'll get a a complaint and by the time we get there they're gone. Um but that's why we've been doing some additional enforcement particularly along Lake Street and your comments are noted and we'll make a point to try to address some along Bushway Road in Eastman. >> Yeah. And just to quantify this for you a little bit, the the specific net change is if you have a second offense, it's a $1,300 fine and a mandatory court appearance. So, we we did put some teeth into this ordinance and I know Chief Baker having ridden around with her last night all around Nanite. This question was asked and uh in some parts of town people are noticing a change from the tickets we are writing. We've got work to do and it takes a while for those repeat offenders to understand that, you know, we're pretty serious about it and if you do it and you do it twice, it's not going to be uh pleasant for you in terms of financially and a mandatory appearance in front of a judge. So, uh, not to say that it addresses your concerns, but we've taken steps. >> That's great. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thanks for your comments. >> Okay. So, um, I'm going to bring it back. We just finished five again. I'm going to go to six. Uh, back to council. Does anyone have any new agenda items that they'd like to discuss in the future on this agenda item? Okay. Hearing none. >> Um, real quick, mayor. Um, I know in previous noisy, busy summers, um, the police chief has come up and give given us an update on where they're at in terms of public safety. I would respectfully request another one of those so that when we're asked, we're um, more specifically outside of city hall, we can provide better better and more up-to-date data and um, take that feedback. I think that's an excellent >> bring that back to the police. So >> that's an excellent suggestion. Anyone have just one second. Anyone have any objections to the suggestion? Then I'll let you comment, Mike. >> Okay, Mr. City Manager. >> Mr. Mayor and Council, I'll let you know that we are planning on having that public safety update at our next council meeting on August 19th. >> Well, there you go. Look at that. You're clairvoyant. Brilliant. >> Wow. >> Now, that service, >> it was a setup. >> All right. Thank you, Miss McDonald. Uh moving on to the consent agenda. Um on the consent agenda tonight is approval of the city council special workshop meetings of July 8th, 2025 and city council workshop and regular meeting minutes of July 15, 2025. Approval of the check register. Approval of municipal licenses. Approval of the change order for city hall window replacement project shades. Adoption of 27205 accepting a donation from the Weisetta Lions Club. and an adoption of resolution 28205 extending PUB general plan and PUD COP for Westway condominiums at 2011 Lake Street East. That's a lot. Uh is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented or does someone want to pull any of the items? Mr. Pleish. >> So move, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Uh do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Okay, that passes. Uh, next item is public hearing. We don't have any items on the public hearing tonight and believe it or not. Uh, we don't have any items on the new business. Uh, so we will move on to uh the city manager report. Before we do that, I have just three general comments before I turn it over to you. Um I and maybe others on the council have uh seen an uptick in complaints uh probably to police and directly to council members about disruption from construction activities on homes and and it went from a trickle to a crescendo and obviously there's two seasons of Minnesota winter and construction. But there are some areas of town where there's a lot of density of stuff happening where the contractors, the builders, the remodelers are being incredibly disrespectful um to the people that live next to there, blocking them in, blocking them out. And I've personally had to mitigate even a fist fight. So, um, just ask that we, um, you know, put more attention to that and and use the tools that we have to help builders and their contractors be good neighbors in a place that they're our guest to build in our town and stop this nonsense. So with that, um my next item is I just wanted to acknowledge uh because he wasn't here last time, um we did announce uh Jeff Parkhill's departure at our last meeting only because of regular cadence and notice and and such, but I wanted to give uh Jeff in his own words on the record a chance to just say something because we kind of jumped you before and and you knew it was happening, but I want to give you the mic just to in your own words indicate, you know, where you're at and your status as we look to accept your resignation and and move forward. >> So, um we have been uh my wife has been commuting to a job on the West Coast since last August and our daughter was finishing high school here and she's going off to college. So, now it's time for us to move there and um so that's what we're doing. We um plan to we chose not to sell our home because we plan to spend uh probably end up being snowbirds um between here and the West Coast. Uh so be here in the summer going forward. Um so we and I mean we just couldn't see leaving Weisetta permanently. It just wasn't something we've never been happier here than anywhere else. and we've lived in several other places. So anyway, that's where we're at. Um I did not want to or intend to leave council early, but it's kind of the way these things worked out. So it is what it is. Um this will be almost eight years of service, uh planning for five and council for three. um I was going to keep going, you know, if if I continued to get elected or I'd just go back to planning, whatever. It was great. I just loved it the whole time. So, um seeing like we did tonight uh at the workshop, it was like putting on planning it was seven on and council it was five. And I'd come in with not really sure what I wanted to do, what the decision should be and what's the right decision. and you put five or seven people in the room and usually came up with a really good decision and fair and just. And the other thing that I'd comment on is that um the decorum here in Weisetta is so pleasant. I mean, people are respectful and kind and supportive and the staff is so great. Um, you guys set us up so well for all these things that we have to make decisions on and so it's just been a great experience all the way around and I'll have more to say at my last meeting. That's the gist of it. >> No, that's just fine. Thank you for those comments and thank you for your service. And we are planning uh an acknowledgement of Jeff in September between Mike and myself and Jeff and we'll work out that date and forum um and and make sure the public is all invited to celebrate your service to our community, Mr. Parkill. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you for that. Um the last thing is just uh because uh we often get questions about this, we we are about to launch our our city manager search. Um and uh you know internal candidates and external candidates will be considered. With that, I'll turn it over to uh Mr. City Manager for your report. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh good segue for me. Uh as I just wanted to give you a quick update on the city manager recruitment itself. Uh earlier this week, I sent out an RFP to several recruitment firms uh to get proposals from them uh for the services that you suggested as we move forward with this process. Uh those proposals are due August 25th. We'll review those and hopefully have some decision points in September. Um any questions on that uh before I move on? >> Council questions of interim city manager. >> Okay, I appreciate that. Uh, I do want to acknowledge two kind of community events. First of all, we held our first Sunday music in the park this last weekend. It sounded like it was extremely well attended. Nick Keyser mentioned that uh we probably had around 200 people that attended. So, with that, I want to say that there are still three more Sundays in August and we intend to have Sunday music in the park, whether permitting, uh, on the great lawn at the Prominade uh, property. Uh, and then lastly, I want to acknowledge our fire department and police department, our staff members, our elected officials that all participated in night to unite last night. I also want to thank the the block party hosts that uh invited us all to their neighborhoods. I think there was good conversation. Um, it's been a long time since I've been on those tours and it was extremely gratifying to hear uh directly from the public. Um, and I think we all had a pretty good time. I know there were a few snafoos uh with some scheduling and unfortunately some people parties ended up being smaller than we thought they might, but we made it all work. So, I just want to say thank you to all of those that participated, residents, staff, elected officials alike. And that's all I have for you, Mr. >> Any questions of the city manager, interim city manager? >> Okay. Other do we have any comments or any uh any any inbound from anyone on teams? >> We do not, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. So, I would accept a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting. >> So, move, Mr. Mayor. >> Second. >> Second. >> Further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> The meeting is adjourned.