Uh, welcome to the October 7th, 2025 council meeting. I hereby 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 at the city's website at weisetta.org. Public comment during the public forum and/or public hearing portions of the meeting 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 on the cable channel. You'll be asked to unmute, turn your camera on, and then you may begin your comments. All public comments must include your full name and address. The first uh item uh is actually the swearing in of our new council member. And so we're going to do that first. And uh our new council member is Dan Cook returning uh to office after a five-year uh break. Uh he was appointed in our last meeting which was two weeks ago and we will do his formal swearing in so that he can act on the city business and I would ask uh Dan to approach the dis and our interim city manager will swear you in. And then we'll take a brief moment to take pictures for Dan and then we'll move on to the next agenda item. Let's make sure that everybody can hear that. Okay. For the city manager, this is always a kind of a fun thing. We don't often uh get to appoint our bosses, our leaders uh to a position. So, I'm excited about this. Are you ready? >> I am ready. >> Okay. I'm gonna break it up as much as I can. >> All right, please do because Yeah. >> I state your name. >> I, Dan Cook, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. and that I will faithfully discharge >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of city council member >> the duties of the office of city council member >> in the city of Weisetta >> in the city of Weisetta >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you John. Come up we'll take a picture up front with you Dan and your family and then the council will join for a brief picture and then we'll move on. Yeah, I've got my family representative of my lobby. >> Your consiliary. >> He's only lived in town for about 55 years. >> Yep. And then what about we just get the council to join real quick and and Mike and Aurora someone can grab your camera one more picture >> we don't have a picture of the council now we do >> yeah well it doesn't matter >> noic Welcome. >> All right. Thanks. [Applause] Okay. Well, we won't even sit down. Um, the second item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. If I could ask everyone to stand if you're able for the pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America >> and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> All right, the next item is uh roll call. Uh let the record reflect that the entire council, including our new council member, is present. Um earlier this evening, the council participated in a workshop and discussed the following items. We received an update from staff on the Weisetta Bar and Grill remodel project, and we had an update on our council interim city manager uh and permanent city manager recruitment and placement process. Um with that, we'll move on to the agenda. The next item is to approve the agenda. I need a motion to approve the agenda as is or would anyone like to make changes? >> I'll make that motion for you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Okay, >> that passes. The next item is the public forum. We've got several items for the public forum which is both unusual but very special because this is one of my favorite nights where we talk about new employees swearing in uh new firefighters. Um so uh and also we're going to uh recognize one of our longestablished businesses tonight. So the first item on the public forum which a lot of you are here for is the swearing in of firefighters James Botham who I believe is a legacy uh firefighter meaning multiple generations. Mickey Leas, am I saying that correctly? A nod from somebody. And Cooper Rasmus, uh, city manager, will you do the honor and with, uh, Chief Clafrick or taking us through the swearing in of these new firefighters? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council. I'm going to let Kevin introduce each of the firefighters. I'm going to wander over there uh, to swear them each in. I believe he's going to go uh, one at a time with them, and then we'll have a group picture afterwards. Nope. >> Just push. Huh? >> Thumbs up. >> Okay. Uh, good evening, mayor, members of the council, and I just want to start out by saying thank you for allowing us to be here. Uh, this is doesn't happen a lot, but it's nice when we get new people and we can come over and do this. So, thank you for allowing us to be here. I want to say thank you to members of the public that are here and I want to say thank you to the other firefighters that are here to support these three new guys. Uh we've been doing this for probably this is probably about the 20th year. Uh the way the system works is we hire they uh they get hired, we put them on probation for one year. During that year, they spend a lot of time going to school, uh, firefighter one, firefighter two, hazmat, uh, EMR class, things like that. All in all, it's about 225 hours. Uh, so the very first year is a uh kind of a busy one for them, but once they get through that, they become certified Minnesota firefighters. So, as uh the interim city manager said, we'll I'll call them up one at a time. Uh I'll read you a little information about them. We'll swear them in and then uh we are going to let uh they get to pick who pins them the first time, which glad I didn't forget. So, uh >> did you leave the ring? Yeah. First, if I could have uh James Botham and his dad, Brian, come on up here. So, just a little information about James. Uh James lives in Weisetta with his girlfriend Sarah, their puppy Ember, and their cat Finch. Firefighter has always been part of James life. His father proudly served on the fire department for over 35 years, including time as an officer. Uh, growing up around the fire station, uh, and seeing the dedication of the department inspired James to follow in those same footsteps. He first joined the fire department in high right out of high school in 2008 where he served he was with us for four years before taking time to focus on personal growth and new experiences. In December of 23 2023, James returned to the department with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for the fire service. Uh firefighting continues to be his true calling. James is actively working toward be a goal of becoming a full-time career firefighter. Outside of the firehouse, James enjoys being outdoors, hiking, traveling, and spending time at the family's cabin. We're proud to have James back as part of the Wisetta Fire Department family and look forward to his dedication and heart he brings to the team. Get out of your way. >> Ready, James? >> I'm ready. >> I'll ask you to raise your right hand, please. >> I state your name. >> I, James Botham, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. and that I will faithfully discharge >> and that I will fa faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of firefighter >> the duties of the office of firefighter >> in the city of Weisetta >> in the city of Wisetta >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Congratulations [Applause] [Applause] if you just want to step over there. Okay. Next is Mickey Leas if you and Samantha want to come up. So, Michael Mickey Leis grew up in Plymouth as part of the Weisetta and has been in the Weisetta community his entire life. He is the son of Scott and Marilyn and brother to Jack. Mickey and his girlfriend Samantha currently reside in Weisetta. Mickey attended Weisetta High School before continuing his education at De Moines's area community college where he earned an associate of arts degree and played college baseball. I think that's the reason why Jaime didn't want to play the game this year. >> Woo! Touche. Uh he later graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul with a bachelor's of arts in sports management, continuing his baseball career at the collegiate level. In add in addition to serving in the as a volunteer firefighter for the Wisetta Fire Department since April of 2024, Mickey works as a property manager for boulevard management and advisory in Minneapolis. Mickey also serves as an assistant varsity baseball coach at Weisetta High School, having previously coached at Edina High School for the 2022 to 24 seasons. A team player at heart, Mickey is passionate about community, teamwork, and continuous growth. He is honored to be officially sworn in as a member of the Weisetta Fire Department and looks forward to continuing to serve the community he calls home. In his free time, Mickey enjoys spending time outdoors, weekends at the cabin, coaching and watching baseball and cooking and sharing good food with family and friends. Mickey Leas, ready? I'll ask you to raise your right hand. I state your name. >> I, Miguelas, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of firefighter >> the duties of the office of firefighter >> in the city of Weisetta >> in the city of Wisetta >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Congratulations. [Applause] She's gonna get you. Sorry. [Applause] Okay, last but not least, Cooper Asmus. [Applause] Uh, Cooper has lived in Plymouth the majority of his life while spending a little time in Minnetonka with his mom. Uh, Cooper grew up with his mom and dad, Colleen, and Joe. Cooper has four siblings, Emerson, Eastston, Porter, and Vincent. Uh Cooper's pretty sure he has Vinnie convinced to become a firefighter. Uh Cooper attended Weisetta High School, graduating in 2024. Uh Cooper played hockey for Weisetta for 14 years while attending the Weisetta schools. In his spare time, Cooper likes to spend his time with friends and family. He also loves being on the lake, going to the cabin, fishing, hunting. Cooper is very excited to serve the city of Isisa for the next 72 years. I I guess it's just many years. So, >> ready for this, Cooper? >> Yeah. >> I state your name. I, Cooper Rasmus, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> and that I'll faithfully dis discharge >> the duties of the office of firefighter >> the duties of office of firefighter >> in the city of Weisetta >> in the city of Wisetta >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Congratulations. [Applause] [Applause] Kevin, do you want to do a group picture up here or? >> Uh, sure. I I was just going to say that I told all three of these that they'd had a chance to speak. >> Love it. >> And all three of them told me absolutely not. >> Okay. So, uh I I don't know if I think we'd be doing good to get them up here for a picture and probably not speak, but >> fair enough. >> Anyways, uh >> they report to you, Chief. So, >> defer to your judgment. >> We we we can take uh just a couple minutes to do some pictures. Uh but on behalf of the fire department, I just want to say thank you for allowing us to be here. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and just before we break for pictures, uh it's not lost on me that we have two legacy uh representatives, which speaks volumes to uh the legacy and the service uh and the dedication that our fire uh team has to Weisetta. And thank you for answering the call. And what what does that put us at in terms of number of people on on on call now? >> We're we're at uh 27 of 30. >> Very nice. We're we're uh we're authorized to have 30. We're at 27 right now. >> Okay. Before we break, anything that anyone else would like to share with the group? >> I'll just say it looks like my number is still not at risk. >> We're getting there, though. >> Fair enough. >> Uh and just one thing I did forget to bring up, but I do want to tell you, I don't know how long your meeting is going to be, but most of these people are going to leave and we're going to go over to the fire station and have cake. If your meeting gets over early enough and you still see vehicles over there, feel free to come on over and have some cake. >> Very nice. Well, I I don't think we need to take a recess, but just go ahead and gather and take your photos. We'll get out of your way and and allow you to do that. And then just kindly ask that when you're done with that, if you guys are conversing, just do it in the hallway because we have other business to to get on to, but take your time and get get the good pictures. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh, well, James is returning. >> Cooper's dad is has been there for 9 months. >> 27 25 years, something like that. So, >> I remember Cooper from >> 19. Uhhuh. >> What's your name? >> No, you know, we we've been really >> lucky. Nice to meet you. I've always wanted to be nice to each studio. >> Maybe one of these wives that girlfriend. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you. Great. Now we got >> smile Cooper. >> That's a >> thanks Mike. >> Hey brother, sister. Congratulations. Mayor, can I make card for you? >> Oh, thanks. So, we'll we'll hit you last >> because we got two more to do. >> Last as in in this segment. Not last last. >> All right. Thanks again. If we can just take our conversation into the hallway, that'd be great. And across the way. Appreciate you all. Save a piece of cake for Molly, please. [Laughter] Okay. Uh, so we still have two, actually three more items on the public forum. The next is the introduction of a newer employee, Haley Head Bloom. Uh, and I believe that's going to be done by uh our head of community development, Mr. City Manager. Correct. >> Okay. Mr. Alex Sharp. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, typically the introduction would be hopefully the first time where a employee does a presentation or comes before city council. However, as the council has been able to see from Haley's uh exemplary abilities already, she's had to fill in for me already at the last council meeting. So, Haley, if you please join us up at Truly, I mean, you can call me for it. travel, you know, across multiple countries and come back late. Um, Haley has been with us for a number of months now and her history is uh in both public and private. So, she received her uh she has her undergrad and masters in landscape architecture and originally started with the city of Plymouth around four years ago. She then transitioned into the private landscape architecture market. uh this was an attractive thing through the interview process as one of the things that you will see out of uh particularly younger uh entries into this field is the inability to read a site plan and this has been something that has been just a godsend for me as we've come into this is that Haley has been able to step into a role that can be both uh dynamic and everchanging and very difficult to read these site plans navigate the public process go through a presentation and essentially a book report every couple of weeks and do so flawlessly. Um, she's been a great hire and I want to uh hand off the microphone for Haley to provide a little bit further introduction about herself. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Thanks, Alex. That was really kind. Um, I will keep my my introduction a little short. Um my like Alex said, my background is in landscape architecture, but I did have some introductory um exposure to planning with the city of Plymouth for a bit and the city of uh St. Paul. Um I am excited to return to local government um especially in a community like Weisetta that I'm familiar with. I grew up in the city of Minnetonka, so in and around Weisetta a lot. Um, some additional personal connections is that I worked at a local restaurant in Moisetta for I think three years during undergrad. Um, and I have a sister that lives in Moisetta as well. Um, so it's exciting to be somewhere that I have some personal connections to and personal familiarity. Um, yeah, I started at the beginning of June and everyone's been really welcoming and accommodating and kind and supportive. So, uh, there's a great culture here and I'm excited to establish some roots and be here for a while. Um, the other thing that I'd like to take the opportunity to address is my little elephant in the room, I guess, um, shortly after accepting the role I found out that I was expecting. Um, so I will be on leave this winter um, beginning probably at the end of the month. We're getting pretty close. Um, so expecting a baby boy soon. Um, and then I'll be back in the spring. So, yeah. >> Well, welcome and thank you for those introductory remarks. Any questions or comments from my colleagues for um Haley? >> Awesome. >> Well, I I will just say um you know, despite your slacker boss who didn't show up for work, you uh you stepped into a a complicated situation and a high pressure situation two weeks ago and you executed flawlessly. >> Thank you. and uh now you set the bar pretty high for yourself. So, but um supreme confidence that you are going to be a strong contributor to our planning department and and you're very welcomed and congratulations by the way uh on on the baby boy to be and and uh we look forward to meeting your extended family when you return but you know you'll still be with us for a few weeks. So, thank you. >> Yeah. Awesome. >> Any other comments? >> Okay. Thank you. Uh the next item on the public forum is um presentation of our exceptional customer service award uh to Youngsteads by Sarah Caliber from the Wisetta West Chamber of Commerce. I believe uh city manager will tee us up and Sarah you'll be coming to the DIS, right? >> Yeah, I think you've teed it up already. So I'll ask Sarah to come to the dis and uh present this evening's award. >> Not yet. When it turns green, it works. There we go. Super. >> Green is good. >> Green is good. Uh, mayor, council members, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for the time and opportunity in the forum. Um, you mentioned setting a high bar that Haley had done. Well, there are a lot of businesses in this community and particularly members of the Weisetta West Metro Chamber that set the bar quite high. We are excited to present this award to Youngstats. Mark and Steve, if you'd like to come up, I'm going to just share a few nuggets. I know that it's been a lot of public forum tonight. >> Oh, take your time. >> A few nuggets from the nominations because the nominations are from patrons. They're not they're not from other chamber members. They're actual customers. >> And one of them commented that these guys have kept their 2006 Toyota running. Now, why you want to do that to somebody, I don't know, but this person is very proud of that. And then another one um mentioned that they had had six different cars serviced over their tenure, always all with youngst. And Steve and I shared this or earlier today a little bit about his dad and they've been a longstanding member of the community. So on behalf of the Weisetta West Metro Chamber and Business and Estate Adviserss, we are delighted to recognize you with this exceptional service award. Mark Steve, congratulations. >> Thank you. Mark, you >> can we steal you for a quick picture? You want to say a few words? >> Sure. Why don't you say a few words and we'll we'll pause for pictures. So, the thing that I try to do is when you come into my store, and I know a lot of you, I know the mayor, I know Dan, I know Mike, I know a lot of you people here. And um what I try to do is I try to to I'm going to learn what your first name is. And the next time you come in, you're going to be greeted with by your first name. That's important to me. I think it it puts people at ease because let's face it, when you come into the store, you're not there because you want to be there, right? You need some help. And that's what I'm here for. And I've been I've been working for Youngst over 22 years. >> And we are a family-owned company and our logo is our family serving yours. And we I take that to heart every single day. So that's where I am. >> Well, thank you. I mean, I I don't know how many years I've been coming into your store, but but probably the whole 29 years I've lived here. And uh I don't even want to think about how many different cars have been through that uh bay, but uh uh everything you said is true. And uh you you you all are pillars in the community. You're often the first to step up to sponsor things, community events. Um you know, and you're a key stakeholder and have been for how long has your store been here? 40, 50 years. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we appreciate you very much. Any other comments from from my colleagues? >> Okay, we'll pause for a quick picture and then we'll move on to the next agenda. >> No, stay right there. We can come right in front of the dice right here. It'll be a little bit better. >> Or you can even do it from here. Yeah, this is better. >> You got to get the Instagram worthy, right? >> Yeah. There you go. to see you guys have one. >> Thanks, guys. Thank you. appreciate you. Thank you. Good to see you. >> I got to come in with my trailer next week. We're done with Banani. So, Next. >> All right, guys. Let's go. All right. So, we're just going to keep moving on. Uh, Mr. City Manager, do we have anyone on teams? And we do have one public forum. I would ask Dan Gustoson to post the DAS for your comments, please. Thank you. >> Um, mayor and council, Dan Gustoson, 1040 East Circle Drive in Weisetta. I just wanted to um bring your attention to a small but um uh important problem that I encounter every day as I leave Coldwell Banker at 235 East Lake Street. and that is that there is a parking sign uh along Lake Street that blocks the view as you in between Cowell Banker and Ventana uh and makes that uh left turn uh kind of dangerous uh in my opinion and particularly you know when I'm driving a small or lower lower car my little convertible I can't see um in an SUV I can kind of see probably in a big pickup truck or >> you need to go to young studs >> yeah I really do need I have a car there now. Don't don't get me started. So, uh and congratulations to those guys. They they do great job. So, but I just I wanted to um have the city put that sign on their list of things to look into and u you know, always trying to propose a solution. You know, there's a lamp post there that you could put a blade sign or something on that would um get it up out of out of people's vision. So, just just wanted to point that out. Thank >> Oh, thank you for that feedback. Um, Mr. City Manager, we'll just log that as a something we'll look into. >> We will. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um, next is new agenda items. Uh, for council, does anyone have any new agenda items that they'd like to bring up in the future? >> Okay, hearing none, I'll move on to the consent agenda. Uh, I need uh a motion to approve the consent agenda. And on the consent agenda tonight is approval of city council workshop and regular meeting minutes of September 9th and September 23rd, 2025. Approval of the check register, approval of municipal licenses, adoption of resolution 402025, appointing Aurora Joerger as interim city manager. And that it becomes effective >> tomorrow. Uh approval of our joint powers agreement with the Miha Creek wershed district, approval of a purchase of a replacement generator for the city hall campus. So with that noted, I would accept a motion for approving the consent as is or making adjustments. >> Uh so move, mayor, >> I have a second. >> Second that. >> Second with Mr. Cook. All in favor say I. >> I. Okay, that motion passes. We have no official public hearing items tonight. We'll move on to new business. We have one item on new business tonight and that is to consider approval of the proposal from MGT Impact Solutions LLC for executive recruitment services and authorization of the execution of professional services uh contract by mayor and interim city manager. So I'll just uh perhaps provide some context for this agenda item, Mr. City Manager, since this is somewhat of a a council function and anything I miss, I'll let you fill in the details, but I'll just >> I'll let this first slide go up because you're probably going to cover a couple of them. >> Yeah. No, actually I was just going to give the context for this item and then you can give the background. So, uh, back in July, um, after our then city manager resigned for another community, uh, the council formed a work group comprised of, uh, council member Sorenson and myself to address, uh, two things. one uh the interim city manager uh process which which is bearing out the way that we outlined it in in July and then to work with the interim city manager to canvas a a list of resources for placement for our for our permanent city manager position and working with outside council to make sure that we designed a fair and equitable process to all internal and external candidates. Um that work resulted in uh five respondents coming back to us which then our little work group met to shortlist to three and then four council members um interviewed those three finalists and preferenced one. Um, and so tonight what we're being asked to consider is uh we had a workshop earlier tonight to make sure that uh our discernment process was was fully articulated. Everyone had a chance to talk about pros and cons and whatnot. Um, and then bring it back for formal action tonight. And the action we're looking for is is formal moving forward of approval of of of authorizing staff to finalize a contract with MGT. With that, maybe you can fill in a couple of the details I may have missed, Mr. Interim City Manager, and then we can move down our process. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh the mayor has touched on several of the items Jeff left in uh July. Uh I stepped in in July as well. Uh we started this process for the executive recruitment search in early August. He mentioned there are five firms that we uh researched. Those five are listed on the screen. Uh subcommittee as he mentioned of uh council member Sorenson and Mr. Mayor uh narrowed that down to three firms. And as he mentioned, four of the council members were able to participate in an interview process on September 26th. And based on the consensus of that interview panel tonight, uh before you, we're asking you to consider the proposal from MGT Impact Solutions. >> Okay. Um their proposal includes several steps to get us through that process. That process will take approximately 90 to 120 days. Uh I've listed out some of the different items. The first item is obviously creating that position assessment and advertisement and brochure which then would go out. Candidates apply. They're evaluated. Uh recommended candidates are then presented to the council. an interview process is uh set forth and then ultimately uh we would appoint a candidate. Let me back up one one important piece in the bottom corner. Uh the fee for this proposal is $26,500. Uh the reason that I bring this forward to you tonight is based on this approval, there may be additional services that may be requested as part of the overall discussion or negotiation with MGT. We would like to make sure that we incorporate those as we move forward with that contract so that our attorney and MGT are aware of scope of services in its final uh plan. Uh so if you have any additional services that you would like to consider, I would ask you to discuss those and ultimately we would ask for an approval of the proposal with those additional services and authorize staff and the city attorney to execute a contract which would then be signed by the mayor and the interim city manager that I'll stand for. >> Yeah. Questions of staff at this point. Okay. I'll bring it back to the council for discussion. um uh you know who would like to start or weigh in with their point of view on this? >> Mr. Senson. >> Yeah. I mean I just you know to remind everyone uh the reason we're talking about this tonight is because we decided at the start of this transition process that we would um go go through this process and look for some for some consulting help. and going through the process. I think they uh MGT submitted a very compelling proposal. Um they um they uh one of the things that was I think most impressive is that they have local leadership that knows our market and our community, but they have a national presence behind them. So uh I'll be supporting this uh proposal tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Sorenson. Um Mr. Pesh. >> Yep. So I have a little bit different view uh and my comments will have nothing whatsoever to do with the qualifications of the firm or the services they they can provide. We have uh slightly different information now than we did a few months ago uh when we were first contemplating this. But to me this the city is not just a city. it is part of our community and there part of the culture I believe is that we have loyalty to the people that work here. Um I have seen nothing but the greatest of professional uh services provided by the entire staff from top to bottom and uh I don't see that we need to spend this money now when we actually have internal candidates that I think would be very very qualified. Um loyalty goes both ways. you know, we expect and hope for loyalty from the bottom up, but I think there's also loyalty from the top down. So, uh, for those reasons, even though I understand that there are values to, you know, having, um, options and, uh, considering some bit of due diligence to see what's out there, I still feel like, uh, we have a very welloiled machine here in the city. uh we have uh people that have really done a great job for the city and I just don't think we need to spend $30,000 or thereabouts when we're trying to find ways to to uh limit our budget as it is. So, I will be voting against this. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Pleish. Uh other comments or or input? >> Go ahead, Miss McCllum. >> Thank you, Mayor and um staff. And also a quick thanks to Council Member Sorenson and Mayor Mullen for um putting a lot of time and thought into these um this process and how giving it that much consideration and that weight I think is appropriate for what for what the role is for the community and um the culture up here at city hall. So, um, I I hear I have a lot of the same sentiments as Council Member Plekish, and I I really am grateful to him to for calling all of that out in terms of loyalty going both ways. Um, I was part of the group that did uh interview these three kind of finalists that Council Member Sorenson and Mayor Melon put forward to us. And um while I I can see it both ways, I I'm going to adhere to the plan that we created uh 90 or so days ago and just feel confident that MGT is the right organization for this. Um they were one of the few they were the only ones who I think really understood uh Weisetta and even brought up some of our local parks and they just were really specific. So, I'm I'm confident that they they they get us and um I'm excited to um have some some new permanent leadership here in the city. So, thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Cook. >> Yeah. Um I I appreciate Council Member Pleish's comments and um and and agree with a number of them. Uh I however as council member McDonald just stated um we're kind of I'll adhere to the process and continue down the process. I was part of the interviewing uh a couple weeks ago and we'll echo the sentiments uh uh about MGT. Um they were the most prepared, they were the most knowledgeable, took the time to understand. I mean they they knew about Weisetta. um as council member McDonald mentioned like they it wasn't just a fiveminute read of our website and our mission and values. It was a deep dive and deep understanding of who we are. Um I think this process there are some benefits to this process of um and uh looking at internal and external candidates and I think um I'm confident that this process will help us pick the best candidate for the position which is an extremely important position for the city here. >> Yeah. No, thank you for all those pros and cons. Um you know uh for good or for bad in the 17 years I've been doing this is my third city manager search. So, I've actually been through this twice previously. Um, you know, if you think about the standard package tends to be community engagement, recruitment and placement, and then some sort of organizational scan or assessment. And with that filter, um, I felt that MGT uh, offered the right balance, a little bit lighter on the community engagement, heavy on the organizational scan, and very credible uh, recruitment and placement. in in my general business philosophy and government philosophy for top positions uh whether it be police chief, fire chief, uh city manager, my personal perspective is that it's always best practice to go to the outside and encourage uh viable internal candidates to apply. And often times in that process, an internal candidate is preferenced. Um not always, but often, but that's the whole reason why you make that scan. And and it is a high-profile position. um you know in the 17 years year years I've been here this will be our fourth city manager which actually you know compared to other communities is is not that bad actually um the average tenure is three to five years um in the role um we're a special community and uh we have sophisticated and high expectations uh at every level of our value chain um in our stakeholders that we serve staff the public businesses etc and for all those reasons um I support this process going to the outside um and then also So with that encouraging internal candidates to apply for the position, we do have uh you know some very uh important valued internal candidates that I hope as they go through their discernment process will opt in and compete for the job. With that I think I hear a consensus to move forward with this contract. Um and I would accept a motion to approve the proposal from MGT solutions and authorize uh our our uh uh mayor and interim city manager myself to execute this agreement. Reason why it's goes that direction is as we all know this is somewhat of a unique situation within our charter. This is one of the few well it's actually the only hire that the council makes and for that reason we had this committee and and have this process that reflects that unique situation. So with that, I would accept a motion to approve the proposal and authorize the execution of professional services agreement. And then I have one comment that I'll add on top of that once I receive that motion. >> Mr. Mayor, question. Do we need to include in that motion the additional services? >> Well, that's where I was going to go. So So as the um sort of preamble sort of stated, uh I'd like to keep it clean and neat and tidy and say, "Hey, authorized to do this." And then we in our workshop, primarily I uh want to advance a comp and class study. And based on advice we got from staff, I think we could take that as a second staff direction to authorize the new interim city manager at her discretion to determine if MGT or other resources would uh you know do the comp and class study. The only thing that's changing would be advancing the timing. So it's budgeted for 26. it was going to be done anyway. All we're doing is just asking the interim city manager to pull that forward and contract for it. So it to me it's a motion for this and then on a you know if you go back a couple slides I think the last one right here. Now where's the one where you you call the question about uh additional services >> right at the top. >> Right. So so there you go. Um that's how I'd like to take it down. Uh Mr. for outside city attorney. Do you have any guidance on that? Cuz this isn't a contract. We're authorizing you to go negotiate a contract. >> That's right, Mr. Mayor. And I guess the point of clarification I'd like is if you go back one slide there, we'd be working on from our standard professional services agreement that we have as a city that council is very familiar with. These would be the key terms that I would incorporate into that including the fee. So, as I hear you, mayor, that that additional piece of the comp study, interim city manager uh Jagger would advise on whether that's something we could do in addition to this or we could do it using other resources. >> So, we would empower her to uh in addition to this process to make a determination, a professional recommendation to council if if this firm or other resources that she's aware of. All we're asking is pulling forward the commencement of that work. >> Right. Right. Uh in the in the six uh items here we see on the screen that would be inclusive in that 26500 fee. Right. >> No, it would be in addition to so we would have to add add. So let me see if I can provide you the right com. >> Yeah, I I think I hear you on that. >> Yep. So we had a compent class study. It was scheduled for later in the year. because of this hire, I'm I'm just asking it be moved up and just authorizing in the same way we're authorized to negotiate this contract to empower interim city manager Jerger to determine if this firm or another firm would be part of a package. They'd come back to us and say it's MGT or it's >> XYZ firm and then bring both contracts back or one contract back for final approval. >> Fair enough. I got you on that. >> Okay. So with that, >> and to answer your question, uh, city attorney, these six items all are 265. >> Right. Right. So, I'll I'll accept a motion to authorize staff to work with the mayor to initiate a professional services contract with MGT and authorize interim city manager Jagger to make a recommendation to council if we would be tacking on the class and comp survey study to MGT or another resource and bring one contract or two contract backs for consideration and approval. So, I would accept that motion. I'd make that motion. >> I have a second. >> Uh second, mayor. >> All in favor say I. I. >> Okay. Um wait. >> Do you want to register? >> You normally ask if there's any nays. >> Well, do we have a nay? >> Nay. >> Okay. Thank you. Um so that's been moved and seconded and approved. And now we'll move on to the next item, which is the city manager report. So before we uh get into it, I've got two I guess in the spirit of recognition, two Wisetta milestones to recognize tonight. Um first is recognizing 20 years of service uh from the Lake Minnetonka chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Um since their founding of this chapter in Weisetta in October of 2005, this chapter has been an invaluable asset. They've worked tirelessly supporting patriotic, educational, historic preservation projects across Wisetta and the surrounding area, including the widely popular uh flying pancake, you know, event. They also um are working with us to put together a ceremony to represent our 250 year of our country next year. Um, so with that, on behalf of the city, I want to extend my deepest thanks to this chapter for their 20 years of dedicated service, support, and outstanding contributions. Um, and we will be uh passing along an acknowledgement to them via US mail for that. The second is the Forsome, a greater uh Weisetta area business is celebrating this month 90 years of business. Um, the history of the Forzam clothing store is deeply intertwined with the city of Weisetta. The Engle family has owned and operated the business now for six generations. The business was founded in 1935. Uh the Forsome was established as this little clothing store on Lake Street and the original founders were four teachers that left the teaching business and they played golf and that's why they call it the Forsome. Um they uh they located the store in 1952 uh to 12 and 101. Then moved into the Bay Center in 1967. Another interesting thing is another Weisetta institution started within the forsome's four walls. Bob Shoe Repair was actually original part of the Forsome um and opened in September of uh 1972 and then um rolled out of the forsome and became Bob Shoe Repair in August of 1983. Another long-standing Wise Out of Business that I didn't even know until I was doing my research was originally part of the Forsome. Um the Engle family and the Forsome are intertwined. Um Ron and Lucille England Engel both passed on uh bought into the business in 1955 with Ron becoming the manager and partner. He became the sole owner and um a second generation was passed on to Gordy Engel uh a 70year Wisetta resident um uh Weisetta native um you know playing and coaching football was out of high school. He also along with somebody in the audience here was the co-owner of the Weisetta Bay Center um for a period of times before uh selling it to Presbyterian Homes. And at the time that was a major major major transitional gift to to help the Weisetta move through a very challenging time during the Great Recession and the town will be forever grateful to the Methunberg and Engel family for for helping us through that. a third generation uh now runs the business with uh Gordy Gord's children Nicole, Carrie, and Michael who are now on staff there. They did depart from Weisetta Buu in 2009, but um they they're right up in Plymouth and and uh they're they're an enduring legacy. Uh the Engles operating a business for 60 years and a business being open 90 years is truly an amazing accomplishment and both organizations will be receiving a brief proclamation from the city. So I know both all of us join both both those organizations in continued success and their contributions to Wisetta. With that I will turn it over to the city manager. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh and congratulations uh to both the Daughters of American Revolution and uh the Forsome. That's awesome. 90 years. I didn't didn't know it was that long. Uh I just have a couple things. Uh the first I'd like to congratulate Aurora on uh the interim city manager. Congratulations. Secondly, for those of you that haven't uh let Kathy Lervig or myself know, if you'd like to attend the chamber person of the year lunchon on Thursday, please let us know. I'm sure Becky would still let us register. Um so, if you could, if you haven't, just let me know either way. Uh the second or the the next thing I'd like to remind you of is the city's showcase event. used to be our public safety day or touch a truck day. It'll be next Monday at 4:30 right out here in front of the city hall and fire station uh buildings. Uh we'd love to see you there. Bring your kids, grandkids, etc. It'll be a really fun day. Hopefully the weather will hold out. Uh and lastly, I want to say thank you to the council for giving me the opportunity for the last three months. It is uh been a treat. I would I will say it's been awesome to bookend the last three months with short meetings. I I don't know what happened in between. Um but uh I've learned a lot. Uh I appreciate your patience and your trust and your confidence. Uh so thank you. >> And that's all I've got. >> Thank you. Um, I'm sure we'll all close with some some affirmations for your service, Mike, but just want to open it up to any questions of the city manager. >> Mr. Puckage. Yeah, >> one u I was just curious. It's been many years now, but what's going on with Meridian Manor because it just seems like it's been dormant for too long. >> Yeah, I'll give a quick update and I'll uh if I miss something, I'll let uh Director Sharp add in. Um, we did grant them an exception uh in late August. >> Extension extension uh in late August uh to their application that would have expired in September. That extension uh was conditional on the fact that they pay their past due bills uh by the end of October and to date they have not yet paid their bills. So we are uh awaiting uh either payment of their bills or the end of October for uh how to move forward. >> So what happens if we get to the end of the month and they haven't paid their bills? >> Then their extension is nullified >> and what happens to the project? >> Project approvals would become null and void from that point on and new application would be received. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um any other questions of Mr. City Manager at this point? So, uh, Mike, uh, how many years have you been working at the city, including, you know, when you started at the at the counter at the uni? >> Uh, I'm in I'm in my 36th year. >> Yeah. Well, I I will uh say that uh your uh exemplary service the last 90 days and stepping up and helping steer and lead and provide continuity and and structure to our staff and the council was exemplary. And uh uh very much appreciate your service. And you know, as we were reflecting in our workshop, we we all were walking through somewhat of an unusual experience, right? Um not bad or good, just unusual. And and I think everyone, you know, including Aurora and everyone up here, I think did our best to to handle everything with transparency and and as much certainty as we could offer uh both the two of you as well as our greater staff. And so I just want to thank you for for your service, Mike. uh you know you guys have worked together for five plus years so it's not like it's you know a big change you're just you know passing the baton like a race you know and and I know the city under Aurora will continue to run flawlessly as we also start our process uh I guess effective tonight on on placement but I would open up to my colleagues to offer any other comments before we move on >> I'll quickly uh show some gratitude for Mike Kelly um stability is was was it was just a really nice warm feeling in the in and and a little bit of navigating some unknowns. So, I thank you for that. I found a lot of comfort knowing that everyone in the organization knows you. So many of our residents know you and you just know this town so well. Um, I also wanted to say thanks for um, everyone's grace like the mayor said. Um, sometimes conversations can be uncomfortable a little bit and and you know, but they're they're necessary and the grace you all have shown has been um, really admirable. So, thank you, >> Mr. Cook. Yeah, I'll um echo some of the sentiments that have been shared, but also I mean for as long as I've known you, um you you've always stepped up here at the city and done what people ask of you, and it's not just your knowledge of public works. I mean, you've got a deep knowledge of the entire city, and you're just such a huge part of it. So, thank you very much for um for acting um with with um I guess with integrity and grace and um making it easy for the transition to you and now the transition to Aurora. And so, thank you. >> You're welcome, >> Mr. Sorenson. >> Yeah. Um, so Mike, I remember back 90 plus days ago, we were all in a situation of losing our pro our city manager, uh, our deputy going on attorney leave and we had about two weeks figure it all out and and through a lot of discussion with you, you know, I think we came up with the best solution that we probably that that we possibly could have. So, we appreciate you uh stepping up. Uh, it's been a heck of a busy summer, right? So, we kind of ran you through the hoops. uh quite well I um I think but um I just want to you know thank you for your service and um I don't think we missed a beat the whole time which is uh quite impressive. So thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I feel compelled to say something now >> but um no I don't need to add to any of what was said but it kind of feels like this is a retirement ceremony. I mean, you're going to be here tomorrow and the next week. So, you know, uh I would say that the what happened here with you, the few months and all that is just an example of what I said earlier in the agenda is we have such a great team here in the city from the two people, three people that are sitting here. Uh I see the police chief back there. We have such a great city here from top to bottom and we're so blessed to have you and so blessed for the community to have you as well. So, thanks for all you've done. >> You're welcome. I I will say it has been a busy summer. Uh I have informed Aurora that I will be taking a vacation in a couple weeks. Um uh it is strategically between council meetings just in case. >> But uh thank you for your kind words. Uh I I didn't step into this position for the huge pay that it worked out to be per minute, hour um or the extra hours. It was done by this side of the DAS. >> It it was done for staff uh it was 100% done for our staff uh to provide some normaly and uh consistency and familiarity. So thank you. It's it's not a goodbye. I know that some of those did sound like it. I will be here tomorrow. >> Excellent. Excellent. >> Thank you so much again. >> Okay. Uh is there anyone on teams for public forum? >> There is not. >> Hearing that I would accept a motion for adjournment, please. So move, Mr. Mayor. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> We're adjourned. >> All right.