Order standice for Are there any changes to the agenda? >> Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion to approve agenda. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I have two presentations. We'll start with fire relief. So, the fire relief tonight is um presenting making formal presentation of their uh donation of gambling dollars to the city in the amount of $180,000 and representatives of the board and the fire chief are here tonight to make that presentation. Jod's the president of the fire relief and she's here to make that presentation. >> So, we're here tonight to present this to you guys. Well, if if Jod's going to be overly modest, I I have to point out that the fire relief um has annually for a a very long time uh made donations to the city uh for capital outlay purchases and other various purchases for the city. Um half of our regular capital outlay budget is supported through donations from the fire relief on an annual basis. and they've made substantial donations um over the years which have covered things such as replacing our SCBA equipment, buying smaller vehicles for the police department and so on and so forth. Um and the fire relief not only makes donations to the city which benefits not only our residents but the other citizens and residents within uh the fire district. Uh they also make donations within the community generally. They support youth organizations. um they provide scholarships uh in both school districts and a number of other items. And they're always looking they're always looking at ways in which they can um leverage those gambling dollars to provide a benefit to the community. >> Yep. Picture. >> Maybe if we could have the council come around front here and with the members of the relief board so we can get a picture. I think it's good to promote the good that they do within the community. Day one. >> Sure. There we go. >> Smile. >> Thank you. One, two, three. Yes, please. >> Before we go, invite you guys. Um, next week we're having a presentation. We've been working on a photo wall and we're going to have our current members and retirees down this hallway. the fire. Um, so you want to join us next Thursday at 6:30 and we've invited all former members. Um, we've had a really nice response. So, it'll be really exciting to see everybody put some pieces together. It's actually years. Thank you. presentation photo after my remarks and then we'll take general remarks right before you certificate. So, I have been um nominated uh to start with the initial remarks um related to uh recognizing uh Rich Reing's service to the community. For those of you that aren't aware, um Rich uh has will in 2026 is no longer the city engineer. This is his last meeting in the big chair, >> just engineer >> um for the city. And uh um we're gonna tonight we're recognizing his service to the community. Um as it seems to be happening too much in recent years, we're recognizing contributions of individuals who spent years in some cases decades serving the city of Ela New Market. And while they are followed by very competent individuals, Jay, Luke, um it is appropriate to recognize those that help the city become successful and the thriving community is today. Too often they don't receive the full credit they're due in the thick of the moment while they're doing the job. Tonight, we're recognizing Rich Reing for to over two decades of exemplary service as the city engineer. Rich started working with the city in late 2004 as the assistant city engineer and became the city engineer in 2007. And I've had the genuine privilege of working with Rich for that entire time. In a city that's seen and is poised for growth, the role of city engineer is vital. Uh and in a small community, your consulting your engineer is essentially an extension of your staff um and a vital member of your core team. In this role as the city engineer, Rich has been involved in the planning, design, implementation, and/or serving as the city's representative in nearly all of the projects that have helped shape the community over those two decades. And he's also been involved in the development of plans and tools that we've used to make decisions and shape the future of the community. The more notable, and by no means a comprehensive list includes the school road and utility improvement project that extended infrastructure and roads out and allowed us to get an elementary school in town. the Elanoo Market water system interconnect, the County Road 2 reconstruction and downtown force main project, development of the public works campus, including the public works shop and the water treatment facility, the 2019 and 24 pavement rehab projects, the County Road 2 and 91 roundabout, the downtown New Market Street and utility reconstruction project, the Met Council interceptor, Woodrest Pressure Sewer System, the Interchange utility extension project, the East Water Tower Reconditioning Project, and I just bring that up because Rich went so far in that project to build a toss scale papier-mâché model to assist the council making decisions about decaling the tower. Um the improvement project improvement projects in the majority of the city's park system review of of a dozen platted developments both residential and commercial that resulted in over 500 new housing units and currently a number of others that are in process. the 2030 and 2040 comprehensive plans, 10 capital improvement plans, the creation of the public works coordinator position that helped lay the foundation for the development of the public works department we have today, and the initial development of the utility fund model, which the city uses in its current form today in our analysis related to water and sewer um funds and setting fees. And for many of these, the impact was greater than the project itself. So, for example, the school road project, as I mentioned, allowed us to get the elementary school in town. The interchange utility extension project allowed us to lay the core um the foundation of the core infrastructure that we need for development along the county road 2 corridor out to the interchange for decades to come. All of these projects will leave a legacy that will have a positive impact on the community for decades to come. And through this, Rich was always the consmate professional. And what do I mean by that? It means more than being a competent engineer. It means telling me, our staff, the council, what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, even though it would be easier. Putting the city, his client, before himself or his firm, even though it would be easier. His calm demeanor, respectful of all, whether it be a smallformational discussion or meeting with over 100 people, even when there are those at those meetings that don't extend the same courtesy. his willingness to step a little outside the box of traditional engineering role if that's what we needed as a city. He viewed the community resources if they were his own. And there was his ability to articulate complex topics in a way that were understandable. There's also the things that most did not see because they occurred outside of public meetings. Working to find solutions that might be outside the box. Making sure stakeholder interests and their perspectives were considered in the process and the final decisions. his thoughtfulness, considering outcomes intended and unintended, his desire to teach and educate, not just provide an answer, and his genuine ownership in the community. And while we can speak about Rich as a professional, we would be remiss not to speak of his qualities as an individual. He's been a positive influence on the culture of the organization, he has genuine concern for others. And last, but not least, his dry wit and his dad jokes, which have now become famous and are now required of the new replacement city engineer. Did you say dad jokes or bad jokes? >> Interchangeable. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, in short, Rich, thank you for your service to the city. And I know that there's other individuals that may have comments as well. Is there anybody else that has things they'd like to say? >> Right. Um I don't have anything prepared, Rich, but there's a couple things that um come to mind when I think about you or meeting you and I was um early in my career here. I remember going to probably one of the most terrible public meetings that I have ever been at and you were the presenter. you were the only presenter and the crowd came out with pitchforks in a way that in at that time 25 years I had never seen and uh you just were cool as a cucumber like it wasn't even happening and then you know the next day I remember calling you saying you know how horrible that was and you're just acting like it was another say um just always understanding people's emotions and um there's a lot of emotions that go with this job. Working with the public, it's not easy. You know, changes aren't easy. Um, another time I remember specifically is um, we interview every so often for city engineering jobs and um, so Bolton and Me had to reinter um, in that interview because you I could see the compassion you felt for the city and your job. Um, it's just been great working with you. I know it's not over, but um, it's been it's been great to get to know you as a coworker and friend. Thank you. >> Um, I would say that in my almost 20 years here, you've been here the whole time. Um, and I don't think I could remember a time that you did not respond to a phone call or an email within, you know, minutes or hours at any given day, no matter what was going on, whether you're overseas with your family or whatever. It's been like those are you are, you know, an extension of staff and it's been really good. And, um, I know that even after you're done, I'll probably still call you and ask you about something because there's a lot of knowledge that is sitting next to me here that you just can't put on a map, you can't write down. It's just all that knowledge that you have. So, um, thank you. Feel free. >> Yeah, >> she's not going to answer anymore. >> We just won't get Bill anymore. >> I got the transfer to loop button on my new phone. >> I have some remarks. >> Can I just say >> Sure. that in addition to all of the duties, you are also the wallet finder. And I will forever be grateful that Rich found my wallet in the ditch because Bolton and Mink Cleans 91 and I left it on the hood of my car. >> Um, so it was returned with everything in it even though he was very concerned >> by the by the state of the wallet. And I'm very appreciative of your wit and your your even keel and of course the dad jokes. I don't think they're bad. >> So Luke, good luck to you in filling these shoes. >> Yeah. No, I I mean I've learned so much. Uh, and it may not always appear as though I know anything, but I I like I just think back to starting, you know, 11 years ago or whatever, and just how much over time and and you present it in such a way that it it helped those of us that aren't engineers, that don't know anything about roads or sewers or any of that kind of stuff to like start to make those connections. And I appreciated that. And that to me was felt and seen through public hearings and and open houses and stuff like that. It felt like there was just such an effort put into taking it from a really complex topic and making it actually understandable. So those of us that don't get any of this stuff can make sense of it and try to make decisions based off the information that is incredibly hard to understand sometimes. Um but then the only other thing I would say is like you feel like any other staff like I would never like it's your your staff. You're you're an Elcon market employee. I I would I always forget. I don't think that you would have other cities that or other things that you're doing outside of this work because you're so knowledgeable. So, you know, as Corey said, like you can send a text or an email and you follow up and take the time and the effort to do it and like that is so incredibly appreciated and valued and like makes doing some of this stuff a heck of a lot easier. So, thank you. >> Thank you. I'm going to piggy back off these guys, but I mean I like the fact like when I started I knew nothing, but you always had an ear and you always could dumbify it down for me so I could understand it. Um, so I appreciate that and I've learned just a ton from you and I just we're going to miss you. We wish you the best. Um, don't be a stranger. Thanks. >> Can I say something? >> I'm richest partner. So when that act so cool means Okay. When he comes home, he gets stressed out. thinking about it. >> Sorry, >> part of the job. But he cares a lot. I would like I don't see. >> Thank you. >> Just so that the audience isn't looking at my backside, I'll I'll speak from here if that's okay. Um and I just a few brief things, but um this is um this is serious a serious time. Uh, anybody that's watching the news at all feels the weight of everything going on. Um, just today I saw an article. Now there's a new apparent issue with cheese. Have you heard about Show of hands if you heard about this so you and I won't spread it. Anyway, that's that's the last dad joke you'll hear from me. Um, just a couple things. Uh, I heard a lot of nice things here. Uh, and I appreciate that. Uh, I want to make sure everybody knows that it's not just me. I have a um a good-sized, well- reggarded company that I work for. I'm proud to tell people that I work for Boltman Mink because of the uh depth we have in the ability to serve cities. And I especially want to call out some different departments that don't get a lot of mention very often that help Luke and I do this job. One is surveyors. Um the company was actually founded. One of the partners was a survey. One surveyor, one was an engineer. So the surveyors, they're on the job from the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. They're the guys that get an assignment like, "Can you go out in traffic, 10 degree weather, open 55 manhole covers, figure out how to see down this dark hole, and tell me what's in there." Um, and they just go do it. No engineer is going to do that. That's, you know, it's cold. It's the the surveyors, um, they have a tough job. They're out even right now surveying. If they have to get a shot and chop ice, they chop ice to get the ice out of the way so they can get their uh shot on the ground. They do all the preliminary uh surveying, not just the shape of the land and the site features that are there that have to be mapped so we can design around them, but also figure out exactly where the property lines are so we keep our project within bounds. Then we design the project. We bid. Then they go out and they pound hubs this long into rockh hard ground so that the contractor so they I I just want to make sure they get even though none of them are here. Maybe some of you are surveyors. I don't know. But at least the council and the staff know those guys are very important and work hard and I just wanted to recognize that. We also have um GIS people. They are taking over this industry at least mine. We there wasn't a no such thing when I started. Now everything is GIS. All the maps that we prepare, all the data storage, all the analysis is all done by GIS people and they are actually very helpful in organizing stuff. Um you're aware of all the investigations we're doing into private wells looking at, you know, and there's a ton of data. They're managing all that by logging it to each site. They can create maps. So, that's been a big change in the industry and I appreciate those guys. You've worked with our environmental people. Um, not always dialed in to each community because they serve so many communities. Their job isn't to communicate with you. Exactly. They're to communicate with me and to keep me out of trouble. I love a big idea and I fall in love with that idea and I want to carry it through. But they are the guys that will say, "Well, you better think about this. You better think about this. We better analyze this to keep us out of trouble." It's a very important job. So, the guys that design your lift stations, water towers, water treatment plants, all that stuff, uh, are a big help to what we do. Um, transportation guys, planning highways, interchange funding stuff, you know, I don't have that expertise. I rely on them to tell me, you know, why can't we have this kind of a ramp? Why do we need There's people that know all that stuff. Traffic issues. You've all been through. We need a stop sign. You know, I've had to learn that. But we have a whole cadre of people that that's what they do for a living is how to handle this traffic problem. And they've been helpful. Who am I missing? Luke, >> we have water tower people now that >> what's it? >> Oh, environmental. Yeah, the wetland people. I mean, Rene loves Dan Donire because he knows everything about wetlands and there that's a a big issue that wasn't around. So, I'm taking too much time. The broader point is it's not just your city engineer. He needs a lot of people. And I don't want to forget to our admins um that can put out a mailing of a thousand pieces in a day. That's a a big job that has to be well organized and and they're set up to do it. And they help a lot with just making sure things go where they're supposed to. I'll leave that behind now. So, uh, the main thing I really wanted you to know is that in my entire time working in Elco Market, I've always felt valued. And that is not always the case. There are clients where you're treated like, you know, the exterminator. Come in, do your quick thing, and get out of here. And then they quibble over the fee. Um, I've always felt like my um, and not just professionally, but my expertise, my advice, my work was valued. Um, I mean, money is important. We got to, you know, make sure that's right. But it was about, you know, we really appreciate this information or how you handled this. Um, and I've said a few times over the years, a kind remark after a tough meeting is really nice. It makes a lot of what just happened go away. Even if I still go home and stew about it and I've planned for it for three days, those kind words really matter and you guys are good at that. I appreciate that. So, thank you for always making me feel valued. that starts with staff primary comes from but the people that hire and oversee them is the council and so you've been a part of that and the people that elect you are part of that that's community at large so you're a reflection of that so I'm taking away that this whole community has valued what we've been able to do over the years and I thank you for that and I'll never forget it oh you might want one last opportunity to ask me any questions. So, I am open for that if if anybody has any and it could be about anything. >> Rich, do you want to come up? >> Come up. >> Is there a check? Anybody first? City of New York recognizes richings exceptional professionalism. Your technical expertise and a steadfast commitment to maintaining and improving your contributions have had a lasting and positive impact on our community. The city, the city council and the staff express our sincere appreciation for your commitment to public service. If anybody wants to help themsel or water, help yourself. Shall we proceed? >> All right. Is anybody here for public comment for anything that's not on the agenda? Uh consent agenda. Does anybody want to pull anything out of there? No. Uh can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> I'll motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I uh no public hearings, general business, local baseball. Uh Brandon will give the presentation on this item. >> Yep. Tough act to follow but I will try. Okay. So, uh Elco baseball property line. Um, so I want before I begin, I want to say that Elco Base representatives are here for questions. Um, Brad and Terry Frederickson right there. So, um, we'll definitely be wanting to hear from them later as well. Um, so this discussion was prompted as part of a larger conversation regarding what the city is going to do with the old police department building. Uh, one of the recommendations that came from the old PD study work group was to allow Elco baseball the opportunity to move the property line. Um the graphic shown on the slide outlines the parcel that the city owns in red. Um you can see that the red line intercepts the baseball field and that there are multiple structures owned by Elco baseball that are located on city property. Um this recommendation was led by the Elco baseball representative that was part of the old PD work group Brad Fredson. Um Elco Baseball would like to reconfigure the property line to fully encompass the field and their structures. Uh so the city and Elco baseball currently have two agreements relating to these properties. Um a lease agreement and a license agreement. The lease agreement is a 30-year term uh that was entered in 2004 and expires in 2034. Uh Elco baseball pays no rent to utilize a city property. Um the lease agreement gives them the right to access their property through city-owned and allows them to construct and utilize structures on what is technically city grounds. And the license agreement was originally entered in 2014 as a five-year term and has been automatically renewing for one-year increments annually since 2019. This agreement is specific to the use of the parking lot that's located on city property and allows Elco Baseball to access their site and to use the parking lot on game days. So, uh, this slide shows both the current alignment and the proposed alignment of the property line. The current line is shown in red on the image on the top right and the proposed reconfiguration of the line is shown on the image on the bottom left. The location of the proposed property line was decided on by staff because it's the most logical location for it. Um the proposed location would allow Elco Baseball to have the entirety of the field along with all their structures um on their own property while also having the old police department building, historic Elco Park, and the wellhouse remain on city-owned property. Uh this image helps illustrate which structures I've been talking about. Um the highlighted line on the graphic represents the current property line and as you can see a portion of the ball field, the bleachers, back stop, dugout, deck, concession stand, and grandstand all sit on city property. This graphic also shows the parking lots, but I wanted to clarify that um they are owned by the city and the use of the parking lots by Elco baseball is addressed as part of the license agreement as I just discussed. Uh the parcel where the LPD building is located is owned and maintained by the city of Elanu Market um making it a public asset. Reconfiguration of the property line would constitute as a transfer of property. Uh the city attorney made the determination that since this land is a public asset um that in the event of a sale, the city would be required to sell it for fair market value. staff doesn't know um doesn't have information on what that price point would be as we're waiting to have this conversation to see if the city council um has interest in reconfiguring the property line before taking more of staff's time. Um and as you can see they would um need multiple um required documents. This is just first shot. They could potentially need more, but um they would need an ingress and egress easement, multiple variances, and either have the license agreement remain or a variation of something similar. Um that's the end of my presentation. Um staff is requesting a recommendation from the city council regarding the reconfiguration of the property line. and I can field any questions. And Elco baseball, if you wanted to say a few words, feel free to stepped up to the mic. >> I don't know. It's okay. We can start. We built the field. It was built originally. was kind of called 1985 was the first time we went to the state tournament. building. Right now, we got one of the best baseball parks in the state of Minnesota. A lot of improvements. We want to do that. We're just saying it would be it would be nice to just have everything on our property. We have no problems with the way it is. We have to do a lease, you know, for 25, 30, 40. I don't care. That's fine. I just think it' be easier if it was in our name and move it to where our current fences are. I said we have no problems with So far, everybody in the city's been really really open. We got some major improvements. We want to do what started this. We want to do a brand new bathroom underneath our grand city and ask for approval and make sure we get everything. We just come and talk about the property. We've never talked about that before. So, want to know what you guys think about it. Uh We would have to do >> extend. >> Yes. Yes. >> So to the term of the lease, um the current lease expires in 2034. There isn't an automatic renewal. The original lease was in 2004, was reworked in 2014, and even in 2014, that was 20 years away. The city wasn't 100% sure what they were going to be doing with the old PD building. What the city was going to look like in 20 years was a little bit unknown. And the assumption was if we needed to extend the lease further down the road, we could do that based on where things are today. We're now more than we're about eight years out from >> That's why I thought we get started right now. >> Yeah. Um, so, so there there would be a possibility to extend the lease, but as it sits now, the lease just expires in 2034. Um, based on recent work, uh, the work that Brandon referenced related to OPD building, it's the current expressed intent of the council to continue to own that property, refurbish the building, and the ball team's not going anywhere. So, the current circumstances aren't expected to change in the near term. So the council could consider a an extension to the lease at any time between now and 34 2034, but it might make sense if that's the route the council wants to go to do that extension sooner rather than later to provide a level of certainty to the ball team before they make significant investments. That would be an option. >> And what does the process look like if they stay in the lease but still renovate the bathrooms? Like do they come to us for approval? Is it like an addendum in the lease? >> Yeah. So, we would just need to name it in the lease is another item. They're require the city's required to approve any improvements by writing. So, really, um, Terry needs to come and say, "Hey, this is what we're proposing to build." And the city could do it. It'd be up to the city attorney as to whether or not we should do an addendum to the lease or whether or not it would just be something otherwise documented. It might be easier if they're doing something like that. If we were if you're going to extend the lease, I would do I do it as a package at at that time, maybe. Um, but I don't know, Andrea, what would you recommend? >> No, I would recommend an amendment to the lease if you're going if you would allow the bathrooms to be constructed there to reflect that. Um, and then it would be up to the city whether they want to extend it or not as part of that lease amendment. I mean, and I assume that the preference of the team is to well, it is to to move the property line so that it just cuts out all this administrative bure bureaucratic stuff uh to allow for that. And there's steps that would need to be taken prior to that, which to your point, we have time, so we can work through that. Um, you know, if the bathroom happens before that, we can adjust the lease and do whatever we need to do to facilitate that. But have we started to look at like property value or what what we'd have to determine fair market value because obviously we can't just give it away. So we'd have to kind of determine what that looks like or >> so normal process if you're going to be just selling something like that out is you would get the property appraised. So you're talking potentially thousands of dollars um depending on the nature of the appraiser. Usually you know you can get a house appraised for a few hundred bucks but if you're doing commercial appraisal and I can tell you this is there's no real great comparables. it's going to be a more difficult job. You could be talking several hundreds or a few thousand dollars. Um the property as it's transferred, we'd have to receive fair market value. So it' be the value of the land plus the value of the concession building. The grand stand is owned by the is owned by the ball team. So you'd have the value of those structures um in addition to whoever would be bearing the burden of the cost. Um, typically if we're conveying something to somebody, they would bear the cost of that. We also have to work through how other items are handled. So, we have uh the parking situation. Um, is the license agreement still sufficient or do we need to have a lease or an easement or other terms with regards to handling the parking? Um, if uh you don't have the least act the lease mechanism provide access, you'd need ingress and egress easements. There's a cost. Uh you have to survey them. You'd have to develop legal descriptions and then you have to pay for the legal drafting and filing of those items. There's also the cost associated with um with the process of moving the property line. It's not great. It's mostly internal under uh Renee. Would it be an administrative lot split essentially to move the line or would it require a platting process? >> So that would be much less expensive and a lot of that would be internal costs. Um so there there's while not millions of dollars but there there's costs and process um associated with it. U it it does beg the question if the ball team is able to accomplish everything that it needs to and has reasonable assurance that it had its investments are secure in the longer term. um they would be able to achieve that under the current cost other with no other cost than what's currently in the lease agreement which is participating in the share of the parking lot which would occur either way. Um otherwise there would be costs incurred uh with this process um to move the property line >> and uh subman government costs a lot of money. Uh, is there an potential impact to the old PD and what we're thinking about with that? If we were to keep it the same, move it, does it impact what they've been talking about as potential recommendation? I mean, what we've been talking about in the group? >> Yeah, good question. Uh, the short answer is no. Um, so in prior memos, I indicated that it might increase cost be based on firewall protection or one or two hour walls or whatever. But um after speaking more with the building official, he essentially said that um regardless of if that property line is there, he would have to treat it the same as if there was a property line there. Um so we're going to have to do those. The wall is going to be more expensive regardless and the movement of this property line will not add or decrease any cost from what we're doing at the OPD. >> Is there pros to the city to move the property line? reasons why we would find value in going through this process or paying for these things. >> Um, I don't see any advantage. I personally see the lease as being more flexible than moving the property line because now you're starting to put things in more firm now you're in easements and ingress and egress easements as opposed to a license agreement or a lease where you can modify things um more easily. And while it's administrative, it's a lot it's it's a lot less hassle to do it that way. It's more flexible. The downside if I was in the ball team and Terry and I have had a conversation about this is uh this council I can see them having a concern that this council and past councils have had a great working relationship with the ball team. But if I'm the ball team and I'm making an investment and we plan to be there in perpetuity um what is the level of assurance that some future council is not going to be less collaborative um in the future? So, um, if if that's a concern, uh, that that might be a concern, but there might be a way to address that through the current arrangement. Um, uh, if you're talking about advantage, disadvantage. I mean, and the only thing and maybe I'll let you respond to to I mean, hearing all of that, you know, trying to understand why we would as a city or why I would want to support something that, you know, the city would have to front or pay for a lot of this, put on the taxpayer and and things like that. Unless, you know, you guys said, "Hey, no, we we'll cover all those costs. We'll front it and or we'll pay for it." And I mean, then that backs me off of the if there is no upside for the city to do it, then why would we want to pay for it? Why would we want to go through the process? because I can understand your perspective. I mean I would want it all that way too. Um so I mean I can get that side of it but asking us and and we can debate about the reasonleness of the costs of all these fees and all this junk but um it is what it is. So then you know just asking the city to pay for that I'd have heartburn doing that but I can understand exactly where you're coming from unless there's more concerns that you're having or worries that you might have. Just like you said, I'm worried about my grandkids and their grandkids in the future. I mean, we got we got across the street. They're on church property. Who knows what's going to happen? I'm sure they like their property, too. One day, we're done. >> So, this is the only baseball we have in the city of Elus. lot of teams on there. We just want to make sure that stays I mean, you know, if and if we don't go that route, I mean, I do agree with trying to firm up or legaly, however Andrea can put the perfect words in there so that no uh more crazy council can come in and screw things up and take things away and and disrupt things, but it might not ever give you the level of assurance that that you want. So then I'd throw it back to say, you know, maybe there is a proposal you could come back with that, you know, alleviate some of the cost burden piece. And >> yeah, >> one of the things we do about $7,000 back to the city. I don't expect that to go any lower as more people are moving bars and restaurants are getting busier and busy all the time more >> not to I don't know I don't know what the cost are by any means that >> and nor do I mean that's where it'd be helpful to kind of I mean and was trying to add up the numbers as you guys were talking about them, but I don't know if this is $5,000 or this is $50,000 or six figures because then it changes the dynamics all around. Um, and I mean, if it's only a certain number, whatever that is, then maybe it's a we're talking about something far too long. Uh, but the what you just said too is like I don't want to diminish the value you bring to our community as well. and the the piece. I mean, it is so flipping cool to have two baseball teams, two parks here in this community. Um, and like County Road 86, we uh uh are the we picked up that park and so our family does the cleaning of that park or whatever. So, it's like our kids have grown up. We go to we go to the police station park and we go in the batting cages uh in the summer with the boys and stuff. So, um, there is absolute unquantifiable value that you bring to the community as well and seeing all the cars along the street there on game nights and stuff. I mean, there is something to be said about that. And where do we split that cost, share that and share in that because we wouldn't want to lose I wouldn't want to lose it either. So, >> I think that's easil easil easily agreeable to to explore splitting a cost. I think that's reasonable. >> I'd be interested in finding out what the the fair market value would be looking into this coming back. >> There will reasonably be an expense to that. >> Yeah. >> So, if if the council wants us to pursue that, given that there is an expense, I would like a council motion on that if I could. I was going to say so moved, but I don't know if that was enough from what you said. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I mean I think that you guys bring a lot into the community with different baseball field or baseball teams coming in, you know, and a lot of them probably go to the bars or have dinner or whatever it may be after the games and you know and it also just brings the community together. There's you have a big crowd at your games. people want to come here. Fox 9, I don't know what everybody else did, but we made $21,000 that night. We had a free charge, but our beer concession stand,000 went to the end for breakfast. So, you just have to wait. Nobody cared. was there. >> Could I just reiterate what I think I heard and make sure that we're all on the same page? So, um, council has authorized us to go ahead and have some expense and go for an appraiser, see how much the fair market value would be, um, and also gather costs on our end. what would be to make the other things happen if necessary >> maybe just some best guesses you know reason obviously >> right just to get a sense of scale >> y >> okay and then bring that information back to a future meeting >> and if I could some of those costs can be addressed as part of the purchase agreement >> the survey costs um who does the variances and who pays for those costs so some of those costs would not necessarily be the cities that could be all negotiated as part of the purchase agreement if that's the route you go >> and I don't I know if you have like a cap of like absolutely not, but that might be something to think about as we as the city staff dives into. >> I don't I don't know what the cap is. I don't know. It's pretty important to us. I'd say it's probably land. I don't know what >> Well, before you say anything out loud, which I would if I were you, like I would just I mean, let I think first step is let's get this number back because then we can respond to it as a whole. we can get an idea of some of the numbers and then make decisions that are good for all parties. Yeah. >> Well, we paid $2,000 for 2.7 acres that we have and they told our commercial money was part of that. My dad was part of that way. All right. Well, thank you. >> I'll be in touch with you guys. >> All right. Report administration. >> I have nothing specific. >> All right. >> Public works. Curry. >> I have nothing. Chief >> uh officer Chase Meisner started this week. Um so we are excited to have a new officer on board as we start as we try to continue to get up to our full authorized staffing level. Um hiring process is still continuing to not go well, but we at least got chased so far. So we're excited about that. That's it. >> All right. Fire is coming and gone. Engineering There I don't have it at my fingertilities. community development. >> Um I do have one uh report under community development. Uh the city's planning commission is seeking feedback from the city council regarding um the topic of residential lot sizes. I'm going to display uh I don't have a PowerPoint prepared, but I'm going to display a map and then later some housing styles as I um talk through this issue. Um if you can see the this is our comprehensive um plan map um the city's adopted 2040 uh future land use plan. So reviewing the city's minimum lot standards has been an objective or a goal of the planning commission for the last couple of years and um they're just moving that forward now. The city currently has three zoning districts that allow single family detached residential development and those zoning districts correspond with the light yellow and the and the bright yellow that you see on this map. Um the city's uh staff recently um in the fall of 2025 uh conducted some research regarding the topic. We researched a number of other cities um what their standards are for minimum lot sizes. We also sought uh individual feedback from various builders and developers uh regarding the topic. Um some national builders, some small developers. Um and uh the conclusion of the the research was that cities in the south metro um are really developing lots single family lots that range from about 40t wide to 65 ft wide. Um some were being approved through PUD zoning which is a special zoning. um and others have amended their code to allow the lots these lot sizes by right. So about half of the cities surveyed um and I'll just mention those cities quick. Bell Plane, Carver, Cottage Grove, Farmington, Jordan, Lakeville, Lansdale, New Prague, Prior Lake, and Shakipi were the communities that we looked at. um about half of the cities had amended their codes to allow uh different lot sizes by right and half were still processing um this lots by the use of PUD. So, at the at the November planning commission meeting, the commission did um decide to recommend one uh change in uh the R2 zoning district to allow um a 65 foot wide lot by Riot and reduce the front setback from 35 feet to 20 or 30 feet to 25 ft. uh which is very consistent which with the lot sizes that have been approved uh most recently in Parkway Meadows and Highlands at Eagle View and is uh under consideration in um Eagle View Meadows um Boulder Heights. Um but there was another potential change that was discussed and that was reducing lot sizes in the area that is shown in bright yellow on this map. So that's our medium density zoning district where we're required by the Met Council to develop that area at five to 10 units per net acre. So those are going to be your areas that are, you know, closer to your county road corridors and then your density gets um lot sizes get larger typically as you get away from those major road um transportation corridors. And that's how our comprehensive plan was set up. So, um, at the commission there were, uh, there were some, uh, so back up a step in that area today by right, you can plat a 65, uh, I'm sorry, a 60 foot wide lot by right and the front set back there today is 25 ft. Um, there was some discussion at the last meeting of reducing that lot width by five feet or maybe further, but that was the discussion at the meeting. Um there were some commissioners that were in favor of it, but it was not a consensus and it there was quite a lot of discussion on it and at the end of the day the commission really wanted feedback from the city council as to whether they'd even support um reducing that lot size by right or if the commission or the city council would prefer to continue to review those smaller lot size requests by PUD. that does give the city more control in reviewing a development. Um, so I think that wraps it up. I did, um, I'm going to also display some pictures of homes so you can get a visual of the homes that would fit on the the various lots. Okay, the first um set of pictures here that I'm going to display um these just happen to be submitted by uh one of the developers that we're working with. The homes that you see on on this slide would fit on a 65 foot wide lot. and also shown here. So, these are really uh homes that are very similar to what is being built in our community. Today, we see a lot of the standard two-story homes with threecar garages. I'm going to move down to some elevations that uh house styles that would fit on a 50 foot wide lot. Um that's what's shown here. You you see one uh with a two-car garage, one with a threecar garage, but very little house showing. Um these as well are would fit on the 55 foot wide lot. So um there is option for a two or three car garage there. And now we're going to move down to um the 40 foot lot. uh these homes which really are strictly twocar garages and very little house showing adjacent to the garage um would fit on a approximate 40 foot lot. Um so I think the question here and our planning commission chair is um in the audience tonight because she was here for a meeting. So it's um um I'm glad she can hear firsthand the discussion by the council. But uh bottom line is we're looking for some feedback on whether there'd be any support from the council or if we should keep the R3 district medium density district at at a 60 foot wide lot. >> These photos don't really represent how close these houses are together in 50 foot 40. Yeah. You know, you have to walk sideways to get between them. >> I wish I guess I wish that would have been a representation. Um yeah, I there is some housing developments here. It you know because they are aerial view it is a little a bit hard hard to see without going on a field trip. >> Yeah. >> So what are the Renee? What are the um what are the current stand what are the current setbacks and what were the setbacks that were discussed by the commission? Would those be changed? >> We haven't discussed any changes to a side setback. Our side setback is 7 ft. Um there is interest in by some builders that have suggested five feet. I have not heard support from the planning commissioner or the council for uh reducing that 7 foot set back to sides. So to five feet so we've haven't discussed that. >> So the lot size wouldn't affect the distance between >> the houses. >> So they're two separate discussions. I think they're two separate discussions and that uh I'm we haven't presented the question to the commission or the the council at this point on whether you want to reduce the side setbacks from 7 feet to 5t. >> Today our standard would allow 14T between the houses and that's pretty much what people are building at. >> So they are asking us to go from 60 feet to 55 ft. They're not asking you anything. >> Well, I mean that's what I mean they're asking they're consider possibly going to 55 ft which those first few houses would not fit on there. Correct. >> Correct. >> Given the split on the commission, they felt it would be best to get some direction from council. Um, you know, if there was a if there was a a strong majority or a consensus, that would be different. But they're split on the topic. And while there might be a majority um they felt it would be appropriate to get feedback from the council um because if they're split the council might be split or the council they don't want to spend the time on developing an ordinance that might come to the council and have >> you know not lack of or would have lack of support. So >> and Kate my right my opinion is that may maybe we should take this discussion of 55 ft just out of the equation. Do you period do you support going to a a narrower lot by right and then the commission can figure out what that might be? I mean I am always interested in finding more flexible less bureaucratic ways to uh just build more housing that's appropriate for the community. So, I mean, I I I couldn't say, you know, one way or another, and this isn't going to help you, Nicole, and and commission, but I trust their discussion, too. And if something's brought forward as a recommendation or doesn't make it past the planning commission, um I mean I guess I defer a lot of that initial feedback and suggestions because you it's just it's another part of the process and it's more voices of the community and there's public hearings and and things like that related to it. But generally high level philosophy is the more we can do to give more flexibility and we we still have it in PUB stuff. And so there is some already inherently built in, but I mean I still think we as government get in the way far too often um for certain things. And we people can disagree with me, but we need more diverse housing options available in communities that people can actually afford. And by us continuing to put up more barriers or not even consider reducing barriers, the cost is going to continue to go up and we're going to continue to zone people out because they can't afford to live here or those that have lived here a really long time won't be able to downsize and buy something smaller because nothing exists or it's not affordable when they sell their current house. So, I mean, I just my head always goes there, but I mean I don't have a specific number or anything that I'd go down to or whatever and defer to the commission on that. It would appear the trend, correct me if I'm wrong, is to a smaller lot. It's just kind of what I've seen in these new developments. So, like you said, is opened up. Sure. >> Can you go back to the full map? >> Yeah. >> And it's the dark yellow. Thank you. Sorry. That's okay. The uh planning commission will be holding a public hearing uh next week on uh lot sizes in the light yellow area reducing from 70 feet to 65 feet. >> Yes, absolutely. Uh, I think you should come to the podium and can you make um can you make sure that microphone is on if you're up there? >> Okay. Can you hear me? All right. Um, so yeah, there was a lot of contention between smaller lot sizes and keeping it the same or doing the POD. So, I appreciate all the comments and the feedback. Um, and I understand getting more diverse housing and more affordable housing. One of the big questions I had at the U planning commission meeting was um what is affordable housing? Even with smaller lot sizes, they're still building really large homes on them. They will expand to the the property lines basically, right? Or the setbacks. So, taking that into account, are smaller lots going to increase the affordability factor or not? Um, and how do we mitigate that if that's a possibility? I'm not sure. I have so many thoughts on this. Um, so I can see the smaller lot sizes and the benefits of it because it is a trend. Um, I know people in the community want more green space. I know that's a huge factor. Um, because they like the small town feel and not the big city feel. I see that comments about that a lot. Um, so I guess another reason for this discussion is just to kind of get broad perspective of other people's thoughts and opinions so we can bring it back to the planning commission and have a more in-depth conversation or discussion about it if that makes sense. >> Thank you. >> Well, and I think it will be fun maybe isn't the right word, but the public hearings and and to get that feedback I think will be incredibly helpful. uh depending on who shows up and you know what voices are actually present but um I feel like it's pre premature to start talking too much about it until we get some of that feedback and and but I'm I'm always open to different creative ways and getting out of the way especially if we tend to default to PUD anyway. So, if it's ultimately going to uh likely go one direction, then how can we make it easier to go there to begin with to potentially cut cost to potentially, you know, be able to provide more options, which you're 100% right. It doesn't mean they're going to. And they just might build 50% more, you know, ginormous houses that nobody can afford. Um, but that's the market, too. So, So, what we decided is we're open to discussing it. >> Okay. So, you haven't shut it down. Um, >> okay. >> So, not No. >> Not known. >> Any further discussion on that? >> Okay. >> Um, can I just want to add two things? Um, just updates that happened this week. We did get a re receive an official application for a concept plan review of what we're calling Boulder Heights South. It's the next uh property to to the south. So that will be on the February planning commission meeting for review and requires annexation. So we do a review before annexation. And then we have also received the official application uh for resoning and preliminary plat approval for Eagle View Meadows which is the Sullivan property. The annexation is now complete. It is in the city limits and that will also uh be a public hearing at the February planning commission meeting if we determine the application to be complete. We haven't we just received it yesterday. >> That's all I have. >> All right, moving on to parks. >> Um the minutes are in your packet. Um we're doing we're working on a lot of different stuff right now. It's a you know the first of the year so we got the 2026 budget at our hands. So um if you have any questions I can answer them. But there's a lot in the works right now and a lot of good stuff happening with our parks. All right. CC easy. >> All right. We met on Tuesday night and we went over recapping the tree lighting talking about next year. Um, very large possibility and Corey might be able to help with this one. Um, the tree is going to have to come down that is currently being lit and so we were talking about bringing in a different tree. >> Sure. Um, >> a mobile tree. >> No, like a a larger coniferous tree. >> Um, so it would be a true Christmas tree. >> Um, bringing one in um to help with the tree lighting. Uh, what else? Let's see. Whoops. The art boxes at the tree lighting were a huge hit. We are looking at possibly for 2026 making it a family fun night. So, it would fall on a Thursday night instead of a Saturday night. Um, and incorporating a little bit more to it so that it is more of one of our Thursday night family fun nights. Um, then we al started talking about Easter and that's coming up on the Easter egg hunt is on March 28th and we are now going to have it start at 9:30 in the morning. Um, and just start to talk about fire rescue days planning. Oh, and the big thing. Sorry. Um, I know this is what you were waiting for. It's right here in my hand, too. Uh, the letter, if you want, we can have Tom send it out that they can look it over. Um, the CCEC is sending a letter out to all of the organizations that have helped with the CC in the past. And then there is a questionnaire that's going to go with it that's saying, are you still interested in being part of CC, do these times work for you? Sorry. Do these times work for you? And um hopefully we'll get answers back to help us figure out how we want to build the C cce to incorporate more people helping with events. So everything in a nutshell, >> that was the best CC report we've had in a really long time. >> No, it's not. What changed? No, thanks. >> You're the rep. >> No, you gave very good reports as well. I kind of missed you because I thought you were going to be there with me. >> I was, but I was at the chamber dinner. >> Oh, okay. >> Sorry. >> No, I get it. >> All right, moving on. Scale. >> Um, the executive committee meeting, um, Amanda attended as her first time. So, I'll let her give the report. >> It's escaping me. So, I was glad that you jumped in. >> No. Um, >> my notes are in my >> uh most of the discussion was lining up uh the agenda for both the executive committee and for the general membership over the next couple of months. Uh there's also discussion about um officers for the organization and nominations for it and what that process would look like. Um it was actually kind of a very low-key beginning of the year type of meeting. So, So, I don't know what I'm in for, but >> service delivery. >> Um, service delivery is yet to be held this month. Um, so I'll have a report next time. >> Who wants to make the uh official I35 announcement? >> I know it went out in print and all that. Yeah, I couldn't remember if we did at the last meeting or not, but um the city has been officially awarded a $7 million grant uh from Mindot for the interchange replacement. It's earmarked for the year 2030. Um we have a lot more money to try to find, but um it's a great start. It's really exciting, I think. And um we'll have to work with Scott County to figure out how to move engineering forward this year or late this by late this year. Uh I also did apply for a grant for the engineering but we were not successful in that. Uh had it estimated at 1.5 million. That was our grant application on that. Uh put a press release out to the New Prague Times. I sent an email press release to the Lakeville Sun and um we uh KCHK radio played the press release for a few days. So >> So >> and it's 2030 because I would 50 to be done first. Correct. >> Is that right? >> Well, the the application cycle for these grants are are multiple years out. So we were applying for that cycle. Um, realistically that's the time frame where the counties indicated that they would be able to bring their share of the financial resources to bear. But even considering that, we still might be looking at up to a few tens of millions of dollars we still need to find >> for the project. Um, a specific budget hasn't been sent because the engineering level the level of design on it has not gotten to a point where they can get those types of of estimates. Um, and people spitball the range. But the reality is we don't know for sure. The reality is it's it's going the overall project is probably going to be at least a few tens of millions of dollars. >> Yeah. The the New Prague Times did call and said, "Well, what you know what's what's the total amount?" And I didn't even want to give a a range or a number or range because it's been since 2015 since we estimated it. And um we're not even in the ballpark. We really just need to reengineer it. >> And what can the seven million be used for? doesn't have to be. It's just the construction. >> The up the upside is that um for the people that have been involved in these types of projects many times um once you have a level of committed money, it's easier to get other money. Um nobody wants to commit money to a maybe project and this gives it a little bit more um certainty and so uh generally speaking it's it you're more successful in seeking other types of money. The reality is interchanges today are funded through multiple pots of money. It could be this program. It can be a corridors of commerce program. Could be TED. Usually all sometimes all of those. Um you'll have local jurisdictions. Realistically, we're not going to be paying for a significant portion of the interchange. It's going to be the county and mind and other pots of money. But we may have we may have obligations related to ancillary improvement stuff that's off the interchange at intersections or approaches that would normally be the local cost share or our local intersections that may be required. And those are the things that'll get vetted out as we get closer and and that design work >> is done. Yeah, we have a couple of programs that are we're kind of watching that we think we're going to qualify for, but when the grants are, you know, sometimes they change the criteria for the grant in each cycle. So, uh we won't know quite yet. Um, Bolton and Mink has a whole division that, you know, works on this stuff. So, they're um aware of, you know, our award and that we need to keep looking for more money and uh as the award announcements come out or as the announcements come out for um applications, we'll be working hard. >> But I guess it's sufficient to say we're not done advocating. And so the public should continue to >> we're just beginning >> like but use this as a catalyst to say okay we're on somebody's radar. Uh somebody's finally starting to recognize it but that doesn't mean we let off now. We need to probably push harder now to you nudge it all the way >> to use a a bad analogy. Before we were trying to get in the game >> and now we got a chip in a chair and we're in the game. Now we have to now we have to just get to the end. >> Yeah, this has been a really long effort. I mean, kudos to Tom. You know, Tom said when he started going to meetings, they didn't even know that Elqua New Market was in the metro area. Um, you know, didn't even know where Alan New Market was. So, the fact that we've continued to try to raise awareness about our intersection, our interchange, and what a vast area it serves, three over 300 square miles and continued um freight. In fact, the our um our grant that was received was a freight grant because of the amount of uh industrial traffic that's starting to come down from Lakeville. Um that's how we got this pot of money by proving this is a freight route. This is a freight grant. >> Awesome. >> Maybe one last item. We have to point out that even though we were the named applicant, this application was a joint effort between Scott County staff and and Renee. uh to pull together and get submitted. And we anticipate that future efforts will also be joint. It just whose name is at the top of the sheet might change. >> Um nothing to report on that. It's out of season. That'll be starting again and actually not too long. So Right. Any discussion? >> I have one thing before Josh starts talking. Um, I was contacted by a business owner who has um who was contacted by the city, but brought to my attention that the mobile food unit, so food truck ordinance that we have um what we have in there is that they cannot operate on the same property more than seven consecutive days or for 21 total days during any calendar year. Um, so I'm asking if there is an appetite to I don't think that the more than seven consecutive days needs to change, but I would like to know if there's appetite to increase the total number of days during a calendar year that a food truck can operate in city limits. >> So there is some statutory language related that to 21 days related to operation at the same location. We're currently seeking clarification as to does that mean location is jurisdiction or location on a specific property. And so that is that's state statute. So that would be a limiting factor regardless if it's limited to a single property 21 days and the ask is just to allow it to be more than 21 days anywhere in the city. That might be an area that the city could provide greater flexibility. >> I almost thought that's a state statute that says it can't be anywhere in the city because that'd be as and it be something that we could fix though, >> but that seems >> it's a specific property, but we we want to make sure >> that would be a funny one. >> Yes. >> Can I just I want to add um a little bit that uh the the food truck ordinance was established since I've been with the city. If you recall, Haley worked heavily on that. I recall discussion um at from the council that was here at the time. there was a a concern about existing brickandmortar businesses and you know somebody setting up shop permanently and um you know the challenges with uh maintaining brick and mortar and the competition associated with that. So I think the timing and the time limitations also had something to do with that >> and I think thank you for bringing that up because I think that's a factor that we need to consider this particular example which I know we don't want to cater to one example but is that there is no brickandmortar competition at this time. So that is another factor to to bring in to the discussion. >> Is this something that the council we've obviously done a little bit of um investigation after being made aware of it by the council member, but is this something that you want us to investigate maybe under a future report? say, "Hey, here's our here's what we have found and here's what options are available to you." >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Josh, >> uh, no. So, just >> anyone else? >> Yeah. No. Uh, you know, as Rich alluded to earlier, I mean, and I don't know what you were alluding to, but just the way you said it, there's a lot going on. It was >> cheese. >> True. All the way back to the cheese. No, there there there is a lot going on. Uh and and you know, tonight my my thing isn't an issue with any particular agencies or anything like that, but anything I can >> space between us though. There's a whole room here. >> But you know, we we we just it's hard because we live we live in a a community and and our it's like our second or third line in in our vision statement. uh talks about I'm getting there will foster a friendly and social environment that supports a safe, vibrant and welcoming community. The community will be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and built on genuine relationships. Um so that is kind of where my head is is based in. Um, and this could go sideways really quick and so I can appreciate uh not wanting to make this political or whatever, but it just is inherently that. Um, but we are seeing our community change uh in a very positive amazing way in my opinion. Um, and I mean I think it shows in the data I was looking at um the Met Council's uh they have the demographics and things like that. Just from the the American Community Survey, the one that was done previously to the most recent one, our diversity in our community went from white alone 93.64% to 80.71%. I mean, so that's just in a, you know, a four-year period of time. Uh, and so I think we're seeing our community evolve and grow and diversify and for all the amazing things that that brings. Um, and then with everything going on, um, you know, it it's it's easy to but hard to ignore the impacts that we're seeing on people. And this was front and center uh, for us in Alcanoo Market on Friday the 9th. um when you know got a phone call um saying, "Hey, we we have folks in visiting us in town, aka we had ICE uh enforcement uh officers utilizing the back parking lot here to set up and stage uh for, you know, doing their work and and and please like none of this is to disparrage anybody. uh chief knows and the the police department knows how grateful we are for the law enforcement, the PD. I mean, we've supported and I think that hopefully that's been felt over the years. So, um but February 9th, get that call and in my brain, you know, we knew at that point there's a lot of stuff going on in the Northfield area. There was some recent activity down there. Logically, it makes sense perhaps that they use Elanu Market as a staging area to jump on and off the highway before they go to go grab folks and then bring them up and and detain them or whatever they do. Um, but then come to find out a little bit later uh that uh they actually went to the construction site of the second phase of the apartment building. um and uh were seeking went to drove right up on private property of the comm of of the the site to chase down uh an a construction worker that was working there that day. Now again, I'm not going to assume a whole lot of things in this, but you know, according to the police report, uh, you know, some of the things that are important to me, uh, is it h the time that it happened and the day that it happened, uh, kind of reflects some of the concerns that I've been seeing, uh, with other activity across the state, across the metro. Um, so it was about 3:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, uh, sometime in that afternoon window, just shortly before school was getting out at Eagle View. Um, so they chased this individual or they whatever they approached the individual. However, it went down. I wasn't there, so I'm assuming already. Uh, the individual ran uh and um fled from the construction site, went to a lower level apartment building uh or a lower level patio. Uh was probably frantically trying to get in to h to to get away. uh was able to break in, get through the door that uh I think was locked um and was according to the police report cowering on the floor uh basically begging the the person that was sitting there who must have been terrified themselves uh uh to to please don't let them get me or or you know hide me or let me hide or some something to that effect. Um, so I mean there's so many things that just like I don't want us to stick our head in the sand down here and pretend we live in a bubble uh and we're not impacted by any of this. I also don't want to and I know we don't uh our police department has very clear lines of jurisdiction what they can do, will do, need to do, can't do, all of that stuff. But what really like pissed me off was the way in which this was another example of things going sideways very quickly and then my brain goes to all the things that could have gone wrong that day at that time. This individual could have fallen off the construction site, could have had a nail gun in their hand, shot somebody like I can just think of all the individual catastrophes that could have happened at that moment. Um, but then I think about, you know, my second grader who's at that school along with all those other kids that could have been driving on the bus. If this would have happened a half hour, 45 minutes, whatever later, we'd have had a stream of school buses driving by that specific place and witnessing this chaos or whatever it was. And as we've seen, things have gone sideways very quickly in some of the other situations that have happened. And you know, people could have been running across the street and a bus runs them over. Uh or god forbid bullets start flying and now we got bullet holes through school buses or through the apartments or the town homes or the the businesses are right there. So, I mean, it's just I don't know what the point of me bringing this up really was uh other than to acknowledge that it is existing and like I worry about the impacts it is having on our community. um take out all the other crap that we have no control over. Um I went and talked to uh the folks at Alberta's and um let me stop before I say this though. My wife walks every single day uh like AC around town. The construction sites have been empty. Like the the workers that have that are supposed to be building homes for our community are not here. I'm presuming in fear of uh being another target of of one of these situations. Um and you know, again, politics aside, some will say, "Well, they're just going after the criminals." We know that that's not true. So to say that they're only detaining and going after non-citizen illegal uh folks like they that that they're scared. And um you know, talking to to some folks in town, they they were worried. They have all their papers. They have all their legal stuff. They but they're not white like me, and they don't have a name like Josh. And so they're scared of what might happen uh when they get questioned again. Uh they they've already been questioned once. This person had a surgery lately uh recently and his wife was concerned that if it went sideways, he'd get drugged into a car, thrown to the curb, and now he's permanently seriously injured. Um, and those are are business owners. Those are are people in town that are building homes, working in our community. Um, and many of them are our residents as well. And I don't care if they're our residents or not. I mean, we should be welcoming and and open to anybody that comes into Elen Market. Again, I don't know uh what the ask is or the, you know, plea to to do something differently. The last thing I want to do is put, you know, our staff in a spot because when I got the phone call, I I'll be open and vulnerable here. I I told Tom like next time that happens, I'm going to drive my ass down there and I'm going to start calling people. But that too wouldn't help. that would cause our staff to be in a in a in a harmful situation. It would potentially bring more problems to an already volatile situation or potentially volatile situation to put our police department in a bad spot. Um, and I just I don't know how to help and I don't know how to to to lower the temperature anywhere uh to to to just I don't know. And it just it kills me that we can't do better in so many ways. And like I don't know, it just and now when it's having an impact, it was easy for me to ignore it. Uh again, being white, driving through places that I have no business driving through if I was not me, uh without any fear. And that like it makes me sad that I'm so naive and ignorant sometimes that uh like I didn't factor some of this stuff in. But then it was right there in front of my face and you know like what are we going to do as a community when something bad happens? We are a growing community. We're going to have lots of construction sites down here. I absolutely understand that they're back, but they were out a week over a week to get new uh new staff down here. I haven't looked. Maybe they're all white staff. I don't know. I mean, how how how not good is that that we have to uh you know create an environment that I don't know. So, I rambled. Uh, I had to get it off my chest. So, if nothing else, thank you for letting me get a therapy session in. But I hope we can do more. I hope we can, you know, lead in some sort of way. That's something that we've always said is, you know, we want to lead as a community, as a city, and we're not afraid to say uncomfortable things. I mean, most of us are sitting here in a position of privilege and like stuff that is not in any of my control or our control. And like I want I just I want us to do better. And and if there's more direction that you need, chief, for us to continue to support the police department, um, man, I could ramble all night because, you know, I was even looking at like our ordinances and and and things like that, you know, or or communication and direction that the police department, you know, has is are we going to stop when criminal activity is happening to other residents, other folks in town, even if that criminal's activity is happening by a federal agency staff person or in officer, will we intervene or will we sit back and watch? And I I don't know what the protocol is. I mean, we'll at a very minimum, which I don't even think is acceptable, we'll document it. We'll follow up and whatever, but if if we see would we maybe it's a question, I'll shut up. If if if a situation was happening, are there are there points in it that the police department would intervene in a situation if it was getting out of hand? if people were being put in harm's way, regardless of who is putting them in harm's way. >> So, the main thing is it comes down to federal law enforcement and we can't do that. Um, we're not allowed by statute. We're not we just by law, we can't do that. We are peacekeepers. We can keep the peace, protect people, protect property, and that's our involvement. Um, that's the stance that all other law enforcement agencies in Scott County have been taking and that's would be ours as well. We're not going to chase down their fugitives that they're chasing. Um, if there is any kind of protesting, as long as it's legal, we would stand by or not even go there. Um, if there is illegal activity happening that's state statute or city ordinance, we would enforce that. If there's rioting, looting, um block blocking city streets, things like that, then we could enforce. If they ask for our assistance, which they haven't with us, but they're constantly asking for it with Shaki and other cities I hear on the radio. Um it is generally only we need help because streets are being blocked or because you know agents are being attacked, but it's not because they want our help into doing anything else besides that. Um, the only way that I could see our officers stepping in is if, like I said, if if federal law enforcement are actually being assaulted, you know, that's different because that's any law enforcement, right? If that's State Patrol, that's DNR, the Scott County Sheriff's Office, if we see other law enforcement agents like I mean being truly assaulted like life, their life is in danger, then we would step in because we would do that for any law enforcement agency. I'm not talking about throwing snowballs or things like that. you know, we're not stepping in. We're not having anything to do with that. Um, and vice versa, if there was a federal agent that was appearing to, you know, take it to the point where they could potentially kill someone because they, you know, maybe they're assaulting someone and it's gone too far. We have a obligation to step in in that case just like we would with any police officer. You know, DS escalation to a point where it's now become illegal, then yes. But short of that, no. We will have no involvement with them at all if we're called by anyone. That's just the stance that we have to take because that is federal law enforcement action and we're not allowed to interfere with it or to do anything with it. >> No. And and I appreciate everything you said. I I think and we've only had one as far as I know one uh daytime situation here and hopefully it'll be the last and and hopefully like that is it. Um so I'm just again maybe making again something out of nothing. Uh I mean I know it's not nothing but making um I I just want us to be prepared and think through when or if the next thing happens and maybe there'll be more restraint uh again on to all parties. Uh but again, I can't say what I would do in in a place of absolute and utter fear, especially if I don't believe that I'm doing anything wrong. And uh now all of a sudden, you know, I don't have the the the police officers that I know by face, that I can see their face, that I can interact with, I can see their name, I can see their badge, all that stuff. Um you know, I tell my kids all the time, you you stay away from what appears to be trouble. you get a group of folks coming up to me. I don't know if they're legit or not. And I'm not going to assume that they're legit. So, I I would assume that, you know, the police department may get calls if they are come coming if they if it does come back into town and knocking on somebody's door. I mean, our residents should call the police if they don't uh I'm putting it out there. It may be not it would not be a recommendation by the police department, but >> we certainly can go to the scene and can confirm that yes, this is an ICE operation and that's about all that we could do. Um, if the person's calling 911, we could call them back or talk on the phone and say yes, that does appear to be ICE and that would be our involvement. Um the the thing that I would strongly recommend to encourage anybody is it's no different than if we say um local law enforcement we say you're under arrest. You have to do what we tell you to do whether you agree with it or not. If we say you're under arrest, that's it. You can have your day in court. Um you can bring it up in in any number of ways that you didn't agree with that. As soon as you are told you're detained, you're under arrest, you have to come with us. When people fight, that is when the problems really start. That's when the physical things happen. That's when people really get hurt. Um, we encounter that all the time. When we tell people they're under arrest and they fight with us, um, you don't have a right to to challenge that. If law enforcement official in their capacity says you're under arrest, even if you don't agree with it, you still have to cooperate because otherwise that's how people are getting hurt. Later on, you have your opportunities to sue or to have your day in court or to whatever. And I know that's probably not popular if you're someone who's, you know, dealing with ICE and they're at your door, but that's the only thing that we can advise. And if you are going to protest, if you are going to monitor, if you are going to do anything like that, do it peacefully and legally, if you do it beyond that, then they have that authority to do what they've been doing. Well, and I I guess the the the only thing I would push back on or or or not even push back on, just like I believe, and I'm not an officer, never been trained, don't know anything about anything about it, but there there has to be reason and probable cause for you to you you couldn't just walk up to me right now and say, "You're under arrest, Josh, and then I run and then you chase me." That's not going to happen. in immigration, they are because it's federal law, they do have more power to do that than we do. They absolutely do. And you might not agree that are like that, but they do have that power. The Customs and Immigration do or we don't because that's state statute. That doesn't they don't allow us to just go up and ask someone for their identification without pro without reasonable suspicion or reason why we're doing it. They are different. That's the difference between federal law and state and local law. >> But I guess my point was like you got me scared there for a sec. Like this new guy Chase is going to come up and he's going to, you know, throw me in cuffs or arrest me just because he can and I'll have my day in court. But so I mean there are different standards. Sure. Um and I think where I have significant concern and now we're creeping into the political stuff is it doesn't feel like uh based on a lot of the reports and you know that's all over the place you know that standards, laws, anything really matter at this point in time. If I am black, if I'm a different color, if I have a different name, if I have, you know, anything that sets me apart from almost all of us in this room. Uh they would be targeted immediately. Uh is how it is feeling. And perception may not be 100% reality, but it's damn close in this situation right now. And I think that's where we have to be, especially in our seats of privilege, starting to call some of that stuff out. And you know, I go back to and I'll be done. Uh that person, I don't know him. I part of me hopes he was a criminal and deserved whatever, but the very high likelihood based on everything that's been going down is he wasn't. He was probably a husband, probably a father of some kids, probably working his ass off to put food on the table, building homes in a community that he may not even live in. And we benefit from all of that. And now, you know, he disappeared. We'll never hear of what happened didn't happen because there doesn't seem to be any process related to that. And the person that had their apartment broken into, they will never get any repercuss or any anything to resolve that likely. Uh, you know, I said they were going to come back and uh talk to him about the broken door. They never came back. I mean, and that's just the the irregard for the chaos that is being caused in our communities that we have some control over. We may not have all of it. Um, but I got a 16-year-old driving now, and I don't need some some folks that think they're above the law driving through, running stop signs, trying to do what they need to do, uh, and nailing my kid. and and and so there's a lot of things that have like come into the the emotional spectrum here and I just I had to call it out. We have to be aware of it. Again, I don't know if there's anything probably nothing we can do about it, but uh to have the discussion and acknowledge it and gosh, I just hope we get to a better place and we can start to lower the temperature in so many different ways. So, thank you for indulging me. Uh yeah. for the reminder of our community values. I don't want to say that and I just want to say I appreciate your passion in many things but even when we disagree >> anything else moved >> second I