Mayor Leman >> here. Item number three, if you want to join us for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item number four is approval of the agenda. And I wanted to add two items for council consideration. One would be uh discussion on data centers and the other on flock cameras. And the the goal here is and we could possibly put it on consent to to direct staff to bring these back at a future meeting to have discussions about both one at a time but them two items. So no action tonight. um the council wants, we can put it on the regular agenda and then say what I just said or we could put it on the consent agenda which is directing staff to bring these two items back at future meetings to have a discussion. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I would be accepting of that if you're looking for a motion or you want to wait for other business. >> Well, do you Mr. Reynolds, do we need to put it on the agenda and can we put it under? >> You know, essentially council gives direction. However you want to do it is fine. We'll bring it back. We'll uh have an opportunity to to research both issues, prepare uh for testimony for council, and then can move it forward. It it doesn't even really need to be on the agenda itself. If it's just you can just say, "Hey, >> do this." >> All right. Do you Is that okay with council? That's fine. >> Sure. >> All right. >> Got it. >> So, so item number four, approval of the agenda. Any changes to the agenda from staff? >> Nothing from staff, sir. >> Councel council contra. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Is there a second? Mr. >> I can second that. >> Discussion on the motion. >> Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. Consent business. Any changes to the consent agenda from staff? >> No, sir. >> From councel? >> No. >> Wishes or counsel? Mr. Lara, >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Is there a second to that motion? >> I'll second it. >> Council contrarus. Discussion on the motion. >> Discussions. Seeing none, I'll Mr. Reynolds, would you please read the consent agenda? >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. These are the consent agenda items for Tuesday, August 18th of 2026. 5A authorizes final acceptance and payments for the CSH 101 and Shannondoa Drive intersections improvements. 5B is a renewal of lease for archery range. 5C is surplus property. 5D is your monthly financial review for July of 2026. 5E is a donation of code enforcement equipment. 5F is a lateral police officer hire. 5G is the Minnesota Department of Human Services provide opioid epidemic response services grant program application. 5H is the Department of Justice Community Policing Development Micro Grants Program application. 5I is SER surplus property as well. 5J approves parking restrictions on DIS Drive and Secretariat Drive. 5K approves plans and authorizes bidding for the Minnesota Riverbank stabilization improvements. 5 L are wage adjustments for LEALS sergeants. 5M is the approval of the August 4th, 2026 city council minutes. 5N amends city code section 151.002 and 151.007K related to the definition of cannabis cultivator and indoor cannabis cultivation and manufacturing uses in the highway business B1 district. 5 updates the forestry manual manual and 5P approves a temporary liquor license for BHB2 LLC doing business as Badger Hill Brewing. >> Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. We do have a motion and a second. Any discussion discussion by councel? Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I opposed. Motion passes. Item number six is public comment. If you're here for an item that is not on the city council agenda, now would be the time to speak to us and please come up to the table, state your name and address if you want to give that to the city clerk if need be. And we do have a timer somewhere here. Good evening, mayor and council members. I am here tonight to ask the council to authorize or request an independent investigation into the Shakabe Police Department's handling of my cases, obligations of selective and retaliatory enforcement and possible misconduct in the preparation and reporting of police cases involving me. I am not asking the council to determine whether I am guilty or innocent of any criminal allegation. I'm asking for an independent review of whether our police department is applying the law fairly and following proper procedures. For approximately a year and a half, there has been an essentially identical restraining order situation involving multiple people. Yet, I have been the only person who has been repeatedly cited for criminal contempt of court for calling police while the other two individuals have never been charged for this. Um, I have in my hand two letters from Judge Charles or um, yeah, Charles Weber that state that there is no order that says we cannot call the police. Every call that I have made to the police has been in good faith. I was told by a sergeant from the Shockby Police Department that I am being retaliated against for calling the police. One example that I was charged with contempt of criminal contempt of court happened on July 9th. I called the police after an individual that I have a restraining order on approach me and put a high powered leaf blower up against my head and turned it on. I believe this manner in which it was being used presented legitimate safety concern. The officer ultimately hung up on me rather than properly addressing my complaint and then charged me with criminal contempt. More recently, this other this individual who I have a restraining order on came outside actually this week yelling at me and calling me a crackhead. I had a witness who could corroborate what happened. An officer from the Shaki Police Department refused to take that witness's statement. Meanwhile, I've been repeatedly subjected to police reports that I believe are false or misleading. I have been forced to pursue matters through the court myself because I have not seen comparable enforcement against people making these reports. So, I filed for contempt of court because there's been multiple false police reports being made against me. Five in one day by one individual, three within three days but with this other individual. Police scoffed at me and didn't take me seriously when I asked them to address this issue. Um there's another example that um these individuals that I have this restrainer order on, they recorded me walking with my phone in front of me. Um, I was alleged to have been recording these people based on how I hold my phone. I am not restricted from holding my phone outside of me. These individuals prove to the police that they violated the restraining order. >> If you could wrap it up that time is expired. >> Okay, sounds good. Um, I will just end with I just want to say um directly to Mr. Laura that I as a um that I would hope that in the future that [clears throat] you are not going to make public statements disparaging people. >> Yeah. Let's let's not have personal attacks against others. >> Personal attacks have been made against me online by Mr. Laura. >> No, they were not. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh and if I could just be clear, Mr. Mayor, on one uh issue in regards to what Miss Kyle had talked about, currently she has 14 active cases and 11 cases under review for a 20 total of 25 cases in Scott County. Mr. Solless has 16 active cases and nine cases under review, which is also a total of 25 cases in Scott County. And Miss Fox has no active cases, but have nine cases under review as well. So, uh, clearly the PD is not choosing sides in this incredibly ridiculous situation. >> Uh, Mr. Ronald, city attorney not here tonight? >> No, sir. >> Okay. All right. If there This is item number six, public comment. If you're here for an item not on our agenda, now would be the time to come forward. If we could reset that clock, please. My name is Juan Sales. All of you know me as Juan Carlos. Mrs. Kyle filed a false identity in order to get me charged with harassment. I have all those charges based on Juan Carlos fruit of the poisonous tree which they arrested me and violated my due process. During my jail time I again I stated that I have no food for 24 hours, no water for 24 hours. Actually no food for 48 hours, no water for 24 hours. Deprived of medical attention. Deprived of sleep for 24 hours. They bang on my door every 15 minutes. All I'm here to do is to uh explain myself and let you know that I'm innocent of every charge. The person that you keep charging is Juan Carlos. I am not Juan Carlos. I am not the criminal on that. I asked the city to look into that to clear me of any crime uh and basically walk away without prejudice. I also wanted to ask the city to please remove the video of Jessica on June 2nd where she uh claimed that I was a criminal. I assaulted people. I've been getting death threats. I still continue to get death threats and this has put my family in danger. Thank you very much. Thank you. This is a public comment portion of our agenda. If you're here for an item not on our agenda, now is the time to come forward. Hello, my name is Brian Toddger. I was born and raised in this town. I'm 50 years old. Um, I'm friends with Jessica. I've been in the very beginning involved in this. First time I met Mr. Solace or whatever his name is, which yeah, you guys should probably look up if you can. He put a spotlight in my face while I was trying to back up and drive away. Started yelling obscenities at me. Other than that, he's been in front of my pickup. Mr. Lara, he has actually been stopped in front of my pickup to let to keep me from leaving. At one time, he stopped me with a wheelbarrow and an axe. I called the Shopee Police Department. They showed up 15 minutes later, asked me if I wanted to press charges. I said yes. Then they came back another 10 minutes later and said that they're signing it up to the county attorney, city attorney. He threatened me with an axe. This is the stuff that he's been doing. And these are the things that the shop police department has not been paying attention to. I'm a civilian. I went there to move her garbage cans in. I didn't say a word to him. He walked out of the house. Police asked me, Officer Ivonne asked me if I wanted to actually uh press charges. I said, "Yeah, they wouldn't let me threat me with an axe. Threatened to [ __ ] me up." >> Language. Kids might watch this. It is taped and played online. >> That's what he said. This has been Yeah, this is a big mess, Mr. Reynolds. But uh how would any of you guys like to live next to somebody like that? Jessica's been there for 15 years and somebody moves in and you got all these problems. If you go right back to the very beginning of this when he was blocking the driveway, the police should have done something right there and said, "We can't even get emergency vehicles through. This isn't even safe." They didn't. They just let it snowball. It's almost like It's almost like you want us to fight it out. Now I'm involved. I'm worried about the police. They treat me like crap. Now, it's um I know there's money to be made in criminal activity. It goes right to the courts and into the county and all the calls going into the Shockby Police Department. I'm sure they don't mind uh asking for more money when it comes to the end of the year for a bigger budget because they got 400 calls this year out of two people that just don't like each other. I really suggest you guys all walk down there and take a look at it. Look at what happened to the town. People are laughing. You You think it's a joke? It's not funny. This sucks. It's my friend. She's a single woman. I'm embarrassed for all of you. Thank you. Thank you. Public comment portion of the agenda. If you're here for an item that is not on the agenda, now would be the time to come forward. Anybody? Seeing no others. Item number seven, business removed from our consent agenda. There was none removed. Item 8A, overview of our 2027 preliminary budget and levy. Finance director, floor is yours when you're ready. >> Sure. Uh good evening uh mayor and council members. Uh so tonight we have a budget work session to provide an overview of the 2027 uh levy and budget. Uh generally speaking, we've inputed uh all the numbers and information we can uh but there's still some moving pieces. Uh so numbers could change from here, but we'd like to get uh council input at this time. Uh so this is not the city administrator's recommended 2027 preliminary budget at this point. Uh so you can just think of this presentation as here's where we're at currently. Uh generally speaking, our budget objectives remain unchanged from the fa past few budgets uh which include continue to be one of the lowest taxes uh tax communities in the metro uh and continue to grow the value of existing. >> What was that uh Nate? >> Uh we are are one of the lowest tax communities in the >> one of the lowest tax communities. >> Wow. I never heard that before. [laughter] >> Thank you. Uh so um and also uh continue to grow the value of existing properties and new properties. Uh we continue to be transparent and make decisions with the future in mind uh to ensure the city's ongoing ability to provide quality services at a reasonable price. And uh as we go through the budget process um information from tonight's uh presentation and as we go through future presentations, they'll all be on the uh website uh for public view. Uh and then our taxpayer receipt tool remains available as well. um where you can go on our website and get a itemized receipt of what your property taxes pay for. Uh providing high-quality service is the foundation of a healthy and growing community. Uh those high-quality services uh drive growth as more people uh and businesses want to be part of our community. Uh population growth drives growth in real estate values, whether it's new development or uh rising demand of existing inventory. Uh that growth in re real estate values ensures um rising tax revenue which pays for the inflationbased cost uh increases of our high quality services uh with a very minimal impact in very minimal impact on our property tax rate. Uh this cycle is the foundation of our annual uh budget development and helps identify and explain influ influencing factors. Uh our role and city council roles in the in the cycle is ensure we're providing those high quality services. Uh influencing the mix of uh property types between industrial, commercial, and residential uh and commercial and determining the appropriate balance for how uh services are paid via taxes, user fees or other revenue sources. Uh we all have the ability to choose where we uh where we live. So having a strong infrastructure, safe neighborhood uh and amenities uh make our community desirable. Uh here's where we're at today again with a few items. Um still being a work in progress. Uh in a total we are at a 2.44 million increase uh or 8.65%. Uh I can start with what's not changing. Uh no change in the capital improvement levy. Um the expectation uh is funding the funding needs would be provided through a bond sale later this year. Uh and then no change in the EDA levy. uh for what's changing. Uh I've actually broken this down into three pieces or three items um that I covered in the budget memo and we'll cover tonight. Uh within the general fund, the first uh significant driver of cost and levy impact are changes to the fire department uh and implementing the two fully staffed uh fire stations with 247 365 day a year coverage. Uh I'll cover that um separately from the second item which is all other items that impact the general fund. Uh and then the final item being the debt service levy. Uh of the 8.65% levy increase, three and a half% is for fire services. Uh 1.22 for debt service and then all the other changes across the various departments is 3.94%. Uh so wanted to start with the transformation of fire services. Uh separating the investment into um fire services from the incremental budget costs from the various other services the city provides. Uh we now have fully reached our operational goal of uh transitioning from a hybrid volunteer response model uh to 247 coverage at um both fire stations uh which uh has uh substantially increased response uh uh capacity and reduced response times. Um for an example being able to respond now to uh multiple incidents at once. Uh we've significantly enhanced command and operational safety uh through the reorganization. We established uh battalion chief and captain uh structures uh which brings uh dedicated supervisory oversight, structured incident command and enhanced response time to active emergency scenes. Uh we've also been able to leverage uh the federal staffing for adequate fire and emergency response grant award, otherwise known as the safer grant. Uh the 2.63 63 million in federal support uh helped uh subsidize the baseline for hiring um 12 new uh full-time fires firefighters that were hired back in March of 2026. Uh the safer grant award um is distributed across three years uh runs from March 26 to March of 2029. Uh and does require a progressive local match, 25% in years one and two uh and then 65% in year three. Uh, city council did approve a budget amendment um when we accepted a grant that utilized a fund balance for 2026 to cover the city's share cost. Uh, the 2027 budget now integrates the secondyear grant match uh and then localized operational costs into the ongoing levy. Uh, in addition to the 12 grant related positions, um, city council authorized three additional full-time firefighters uh to complete the necessary station shift schedules. A significant portion of those full-time costs were um offset with a reduction in part-time personnel. The 27 uh fire department budget um accounts for uh the cost of living adjustments, anticipated market rate adjustments for union contracts, related fringe and benefits, operating costs related to the staffing of the additional building, and then a proposed uh dedicated vehicle for the battalion chief. >> Mr. Lara, [clears throat] >> uh Mr. Reinhardt. Um, under revenue, uh, state aid, fire, I'm noticing it's going up $70,000. Is that something that we're allowed to go after? Is that something that increases yeartoear? >> Yeah. So, it'll be based on on personnel. So, that's why we're estimating that increase. So, there it is partially offset because there used to be the a supplemental aid that would be passed on to the fire relief. now that we're no longer a fire relief that we won't get that supplemental 2% aid, but based on the increase in staffing, that's kind of where that um that state aid comes in. >> Any questions on this page? >> Yeah, I'll just make one more comment on that. So, that it's basic it's an estimate right now. So, they don't provide some of the other state aid type funds. They'll you'll know the amount right now what you'll get next year. Uh with this one, um we won't know until the end of the year. Um, so it's kind of a best guess, but um, based on our staffing, that's where I believe we'll do it. >> And this is a separate from like your state aid, highway, road dollars. >> Yeah. So, they'll, um, they'll offer state aid for both police and fire to help cover some of the costs related to their pensions. And that's basically a calculation based on again personnel. Is the overtime cost is that just fire or >> Yeah. So this whole slide here will just be the fire department. So this is fire department only. >> So wasn't the idea of having two separate stations with rolling shifts to not have overtime or is that if case something happens outside the norm? >> We will always have overtime, Mr. Mayor. um just because at our current staffing levels, if we added a couple more that would decrease overtime, but right now we're at minimum staffing levels and when we have someone go on vacation or someone go on medical leave or have any other type of absence, this has to be covered by overtime. Um we're working very hard. I've had discussions with Chief Simon about this uh about lowering that as much as we possibly can. We will continue to work on that in the future. Uh and my hope is is that uh uh we can we can get it into an area that uh is a little more stable than what you're seeing right now. >> Okay. >> Continue. >> Um kind of the next piece here. The city currently has two outstanding bonds that require a debt service levy. Uh the 2016 abatement bond which was issued for community center and ice arena and then the 2022 um improvement bond which was issued for street reconstruction projects. Uh last year, city council approved uh the use of fund balance to eliminate the debt service levy on the 2022 A bonds. Uh that required debt uh service levy for 2027 is 344,360, which is a 1.22% levy increase. >> And until we know where we're at at the end of the 26 year and what might be under spent, we don't know if we can do that again or not. Um, I mean that's something we could we could look into using fund balance for this as well because I know we had some carry forward from the previous year. Uh, my thought behind that and um, you know, kind of open for this discussion is uh, if we're moving forward with issuing a bond sale that'll impact the levy for 2028, this might be um, a way to kind of step into that and then maybe we're better off buying that down if there's um, available fund balance. Um, so you're kind of just stepping into it over a period of time rather than having even a bigger gap by using fund balance for this, >> but happy to look into that if that's something council would prefer to do. >> Anybody else? >> Uh, and then here's a summary of changes impacting the 27 preliminary levy in comparison to 2026. uh for the general fund. Now, this excludes the all the the fire department. Um all these um I'll again touch on more detail in the upcoming slides. Um but the past couple years we've been able to offset um some of our cost increases through uh nonproperty tax revenue. Uh this year it's a little bit to a lesser extent about 340,000 in additional revenues um but a decrease in transfers. Uh so really try to limit the operational expenditures as much as we could this year as a result of [cough and clears throat] not having something else to pay for those increases. Um the city is projecting um overall net increase of 343,000. This would be in non-propy tax revenues. Um rental housing rightway um engineering and grading revenues have been adjusted based on actual revenues over the past couple years. um these uh these fees right away engineering and grading revenues, they're offset by um an increase in contracted services. Uh so pretty much netneutral. Uh we utilize those revenues to pay for um consultants um to do thirdparty inspections and oversight for those specific services. Uh the city has not been [clears throat] uh granted delegation from the state which is required to complete healthy and safety health and safety inspections of our hotels and restaurants. Uh as a result, the restaurant licenses and inspections revenue along with the cost of the the position has have been removed from this budget. And then building permits um they've been strong over the past few years. Um it the forecast for 27 we're assuming um kind of steady residential units being added similar to what we've seen last couple years, but less activity in commercial development. So uh that would result in a net decrease of about 280,000. What the what was the one-time adjustments for 224,000 on this previous slide? >> Yeah. So, I'll I'll cover each one of those specifically. Yep. >> Um just make [clears throat] sure I got where I left off here. Um here we go. Um so, uh we have budget a net decrease in transfers of 150,000. Uh so these transfers to the general fund, they help pay for operating costs that otherwise would be levy funded. Uh staff recommends uh utilizing 300,000 of fund balance from the city's self- insurance fund to offset um costs associated with the increase uh in the employer share of health insurance premiums. Uh this is a decrease of 50,000 from what was used last year. Uh we continue to explore um the potential implementation of a health insurance pool with uh Scott County and a partnership with neighboring cities as well. Um but that will not happen till at least 2028. Uh the original funding of 600,000 was set aside in 2017 um when we first started exploring self- insurance options and we believe there would still be enough um money available if we do a transition in 2028 to provide those startup funds. [clears throat] U moving on to expenditure changes. Um like most other cities, operational costs are being uh primarily driven by personnel. Uh wages and benefits account for about 70% of the city's general fund costs. Uh the city does have five unions, patrol, sergeants, captains, fire, and public works. Uh 27 uh budget is built uh on the assumption that unions and non-unions will see an equivalent 3 point 3.0% cost of living adjustment. Uh at this point, uh health insurance premiums for 27 are unknown. um preliminary numbers or the numbers this budget is reflecting um are an increase of 16.3%. That was based on uh data as we explored um the the pool. Um it was based on that data that those um those numbers. Um however, we should get our renewal rates this week and should be able to adjust that um either up or down depending on what that comes in. Hopefully down. Uh reductions to the wage budget include election judges. Next year will be a non-election year. Uh the health inspector costs, as previously mentioned, we'll hold that position vacant until we receive uh delegation from the state for inspection. And then workers compensation rates. Um we continue to see a decrease. Well, I shouldn't say continue. Last year we saw a decrease. This year we're also seeing a decrease. Um so we've adjusted those numbers as well. Um there's currently no new proposed um positions in the 27 budget um which is intentional. So from the beginning of this budget process, um that was the direction we provided department heads that we weren't adding any new positions to help um kind of offset some of the budgetary needs we knew would go to towards the fire department costs. [clears throat] Um so and here um I've listed out operating adjustments that'll kind of continue to the future years. So this will go in the budget and those stay in the budget as we move forward. Um so during the early stages of the budget process, we identify in um any significant budget adjustments for 27 uh which is typically any any line item that's over 10,000. We've asked department heads to provide those any significant changes. Um then uh for operations um finance staff as finance staff we review and department heads uh we review software contracts and include a forecast for utilities and fuel. uh based on a city-wide perspective. Uh so then we're able to adjust these numbers consistently across the organization. Uh in the past, we've um estimated what we'd uh anticipate for line item bud line item bud line item budgets and then put a placeholder in um kind of at this time. Uh this year department we we had them complete their um line item budgets. Um so there's no placeholder or wiggle room that we've added to this budget as we move forward. Shouldn't uh rightaway professional services and engineering professional services, shouldn't them cost be borne by the permit fee? >> Yep, they are. So, um and maybe I didn't do a good job explaining it, but that would ex um where you're seeing these increases in revenue. They're basically going towards the contracted services. So, you have both the revenue and the expenditures being added net neutral, but wanted to show show that. So when you look at the engineering budget and you see their expenditures go up, just take those two items there, the 250,000, you know that those are being offset with the revenue. Um so um yeah, so I already talked a little bit about the engineering professional services. Those are being offset with with the fees that we talked about. Um software includes uh contractual increases along with um software we previously purchased uh using um money from the tribal funds but we've now incorporated into them as ongoing costs uh within the police department. Uh that other category um I know I always get questions on that because nobody knows what other is right uh but that's basically just a lump sum of all other changes across the departments excluding fire. Um there's no individual line item that really exceeds 15,000. So it's a lump of all the you know two more pencils here you know extra thing here but um across all all divisions. Um and then for uh contingency typically we we budgeted 100,000 contingency as a line item. Uh last year we did include an additional 85,000 >> [clears throat] >> uh for unknowns related to fire staffing. The 27 budget um sets the contingency at 50,000. So it's a in total a reduction of 135,100. Uh so the city utilizes internal service funds to accumulate funds to purchase um the replacement of city equipment and facilities. Uh the funding sources are annual rents which is basically internal charges to the appropriate departments. Uh the equipment rent um increase is both a result of new equipment being added um as well as um increase in replacement costs year-over-year for vehicles and equipment. Uh 20-year equipment replacement schedule. Um, always want to point out is uh within the capital improvement fund, but that identifies all city-owned equipment, useful lives and replacement years and costs. Uh, building rents, uh, we set that with the intention of providing uh, funding for major maintenance projects, uh, roofs, boilers, HVACs, etc. Uh, but not necessarily funding the full replacement of new construction. Uh, the rent increase there is a result of um, projects related to the aging of of city buildings. Um, and then inflationary costs for those projects. Uh the annual costs for those various internal service funds are um again calculated um based on estimated useful life and and scheduled replacement dates. Um we've further reduced those just based on what we have for fund balance within those funds to help kind of minimize that impact. Um allocations to the fire department represent about 46% of that total increase. [clears throat] Uh as a result of added equipment um and also personnel kind of comes into play as well. um specifically with technology rent where um we now have more software licenses, more computers for the additional personnel. So they receive a little higher allocation than they would have in the past. Um the net amount um outside of the fire department would be 68,500 for other departments. >> The information technology for fire department [clears throat] is 20,900. is that I I I know there's future changes coming in some of that radio technology and all that stuff. Um yeah, so the the big one there is um just think of your personal computer that you'd have at your office desk, right? You've got a Microsoft software license. You've got a computer to replace. You've probably got a tele telephone, even though I'm sure they share some of the phones, but it's those type of costs that are >> okay. for being applied. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Um and then um so I mentioned earlier that um we did sort of put a soft freeze on adding new employees with the 27 budget. Uh however, we we did feel obligated to show um a request for council consideration um since public works does make a a pretty solid case. Uh so this currently is not incorporated but certainly willing to add um with council direction. Uh public works is requesting uh an additional employee to assist with maintaining streets, utilities, parks, uh storm water systems and public facilities. Uh this position would be split with sanitary and and sewer utilities. So it would limit the levy impact to about 50% of the full cost. So of that 104,000 you can think 52,000 would be levy funded. Um, city definitely continues to experience growth resulting in a significant increase in the workload for the public works department. Um, we've added a considerable amount of lane miles, uh, new subdivisions, trail segments, uh, municipal facilities, parks such as parks, uh, and expanded utility infrastructure. So, despite the growing inventory, um, staffing levels within the public works um, haven't increased at that same rate. >> Mr. Lara, Mr. Mr. Reiner, the 104,500, is that the total amount including benefits? Your total comp the total compensation? >> Yes. >> Answer. >> Okay. >> And and and just to be clear, um this is not the administrator's recommended budget. Uh and I may very well include this in the budget. uh if we continue to work to bring the numbers down, I think it's incredibly important that this position be considered. Uh and essentially what happens right now, if you think about it, we haven't added a public works employee for some time. Uh and we have been growing. And so let's just look at snow removal. After we have our established routes completed, then whoever is completed first goes to the new areas and starts working on those. And so we have, you know, a rolling end of the day, end of the the the event uh uh operation to try to get all of the extra areas cleared. It's not fair to public works. It's not fair to those uh uh uh residents that are on in these new areas. And I'm very seriously considering, you know, if we can continue to work this budget down, including this into what is officially brought forward to council. >> Question I had is it talks about 50% split with sanitary and uh storm. What uh how many do people do we have working in them areas right now dedicated just to that? >> Um I I'd have to look it up but maybe Bill knows off the top of his head. Mr. You mean >> I'd have to look at the budget exactly but it's roughly five of the maintenance workers. >> Okay. Are they split also? [clears throat] >> That'd be storm and sanitary. >> Right. This says sanitary and sewer, but I kind of took it that to mean storm and sanitary, but >> are them current positions split? They they plow streets, too, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. So, are is part of their wages paid out of the fund that they're if they're doing storm or they're >> it's more on numbers. So, like I don't know if you remember I'm just going to make this up there. Five are under sorry two are under storm, three are sanitary and five are under street but they all plow streets. >> Okay, >> that makes sense. >> Yeah, I guess what I'm asking is how how are their funded are they funded from >> and actually just to clarify when they do work in those sanitary or those storm or sanitary they code their time sheets to that >> and it's build toward that fund. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. That was my question. >> Mr. Whitey, >> typical snow event is that u an overtime situation. >> If we have a 2-in fluffy snow, we can get it done in about 8 hours. That's been increasing because of the, you know, the neighborhoods. Each route has been absorbing more and more and more. Um, I would say 8 to 12 hours anything over two inches if we get a super storm you know 12 to 16 >> I understand there's a lot of variables in the statement but uh clearly you know this is position would absorb some of that concern not all of it but some of it >> probably the biggest number and this is just center line miles we look back about 10 years we've added like 30 miles of just center line and when we say center line it takes two passes each way So again, what we've noticed is each route, you know, takes, I'd say, a couple hours longer now than it used to. >> There's no doubt we've grown those streets. >> Well, and that new growth also has new revenue coming in to pay for these new positions. >> I don't want to fall behind. >> Should >> I don't know if you remember, we did add a another plow truck a couple years ago. We just got it in um this summer or earlier this year. So, we will add another route. We haven't added an additional route in over 10 years. >> I remember when they redid our streets and they narrowed them up. They said it would make less passes. Did that reality come to light? >> It's close. The old part of town where they narrowed them up. It's close, but we still have to hit that second time. >> They leave a little bit for the homeowner. >> Works works better. My wife parks off the street, too, I'm sure. [laughter] Sorry, honey. Yep. >> Thanks, Bill. >> There's no parking tickets or a dead giveaway. >> Go ahead. >> Sure. Um, yeah, I don't know if you have any more comments on that slide, otherwise I can I can move on. >> Um, so on uh just one slide here on the EDA, um, we'll present the full EDA budget at the um to the EDA on September 1st. So, we'll we'll be back to the EDA with a the full budget. Uh the EDA levy is subject to a limit of point um 0185% of the city's estimated market value. Uh the EDA levy cap for 27 is uh 1 point almost 1.6 million. Uh so the levy being proposed is well within that cap. Um the EDA levy uh differs slightly from the general fund levy um that it gets applied to all taxable properties within the city including properties that are currently part of uh a tax abatement or a tiff plan. Uh the EDA levy is um also um shown out separately from the local um separately from the city general fund levy. >> Uh uh for the go ahead >> questions I have is is the 0.185% market value does that include the new value in tiff districts? >> Yeah. So it's estimated market value not taxable market value. So it would be all value. >> Okay. And then is the EDA levy spread out onto tiff districts also? >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> And does that money come into the EDA or get refunded back? >> Um so that money will come to the EDA. >> Okay. >> Yep. Um yeah. And then as as I mentioned earlier, um no change in the levy from last year. So, we're proposing a 550,000 uh EDA levy. Uh the city's taxable market value is 8.98 billion uh which is an increase of 333 million or 4.3% from last year. Uh res residential saw the largest increase in market value at 5.7%. Uh new construction accounted for about 43.3% of the increase in taxable market value. Uh and then one slide here to touch on residential property values. Um just to provide some overall context. Uh as you can see from the chart, 93% of residential homes um saw very little change in their values plus or minus 5%. Um but we do have 849 homes that saw their values uh rise by greater than 5%. Um and then these numbers are provided from the county. Um I had looked back um because I'm always curious to see um how the numbers changed from the previous year. Um, but I looked back at last year's chart. There's 290 more residential properties than on this same chart they provided me last year. So, >> do we know the valuation of the property, the 8,347 properties affected in residential, high-end, low-end, middle of the road values? >> Um, no. So, this would be all all properties. Um, so it could very well be a mix or it could be, you know, maybe a certain value type. Um, I don't I don't have that information. I could certainly ask the county to provide more detail if you'd like me to. >> Yeah, I'd be curious to know. >> Sure. I already just writing myself a note so I don't forget, but I can do that. Uh, this chart is uh comparing the city's tax capacity and tax rate um over the past 10 years. I guess it's just the tax rate over the past 10 years. I did change this slightly from the chart I used to have. Uh including the 27 uh estimate based on where we're current what the current budget is plus the um market value that we have today. Uh the one item not reflected is the distribution of fiscal disparities. Uh we have not received that amount. Usually I get that towards the end of August, but that'll also have an impact on the tax rate. Uh but based on the preliminary assessment value data, um the levy as it stands today, we'd see a slight increase to 30.49%. 49%. Uh the chart above um or shown here provides uh information on the median value home and city property taxes paid since 2022. Uh the orange bar and the amounts on the left axis represent the median value home. Uh the gray shaded area uh on the right axis is the property amount paid on that median value home. Uh and the value over the past year uh increased from 361,300 to 375,300. It's a $14,000 3.9% increase um for the median value home. Um so incorporating both the market value change of that home uh as well as the estimated tax rate that equates to about $101 or 10% in property taxes. uh absent any change in value. Um so if the um that same $361,000 home was $361,000 this year, um that homer could homeowner could expect a $54 increase or a five or a 5.4% increase. Uh and then for reference, when we talk about a 1% uh increase or decrease in the city's levy, uh that amounts to approximately $11 on the median value home. Um this slide uh is from last year's budget presentation. Um unfortunately not really updated because it's no information or newer information has been provided. Um but it shows Shakabby continues to be one of the lowest tax communities in the metro area. Uh there are 32 cities in the metro uh with population 25,000 to 100,000. um based on Met Council population estimates uh and then using the um property tax calculator provided by the League of Minnesota Cities which is still using 24 data but hopefully be updated soon. Uh we are the are the fourth lowest. So unless you're in um Maple Grove, Plymouth or Chanhassen um you're paying one of the lowest taxes in in the metro. >> Chanhassen is lower. >> Correct. even after their big builds. >> Again, this is 2004, so with their >> more recent uh >> facility improvements, that may change. >> 24, not 04. >> Yeah, 24. Sorry. Yeah, I was a lot younger back in 2004. Um, >> please. >> Uh, so this slide has been updated for this year. Um, so this compares the cost of uh services of a $350,000 home uh utilizing 5,000 gallons of water. Uh so the city obviously provides all the services that you're aware of plus two utilities which would be sewer and storm utilities. Uh so it's a comparison of those city services plus sewer and storm. Uh the annual cost for uh Shakabe um is the lowest of the pure comparison cities at $1,296. In comparison the other cities range from 1562 to 2422. Um so no one really wants to see a cost increase. Um but would um we would still remain you know below our comparable and surrounding neighboring cities when it comes to the cost of city services. Uh and a big piece of that cost of course is being improved service with uh from the previous year with the um enhancements we're making to fire services. Uh here's the schedule mainly for reference, but we'll bring um the preliminary levy, proposed preliminary back in in in September. Uh that'll have to be approved by September 30th. Um which will be which will basically set the maximum property tax levy that we're able to levy for 2027. Following that, we can always decrease the levy. We won't be able to increase. And then the notices that are sent out by the county, that'll be based on what's approved for the preliminary levy. Uh, so I'll kind of open it up for any um input or discussion that you might have. >> Who's first? >> I don't have any questions. >> No, >> obviously. I'd like to see us continue to try to lower it as much as possible. >> Absolutely, sir. Uh that's always my goal and as you know I take pride in being a fiscal conservative and we will continue to whittle this and find the changes we can to make it as low impact to the uh property taxpayer as possible. Well, does does anybody know how Chan Hassan is able to do that with lower J calling said maybe they they don't have a police department? >> I think they're working with the county sheriff's still. >> That's correct. They don't have their own police department. [clears throat] They contract with the county. >> Do they I would think they probably still have enterprise funds like we do, but >> contract >> with the county. >> And if you think about it, public safety is over 50% of our budget. So, >> okay. Um, >> they probably get one of our checks for fiscal disparities. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Well, we know Prior Lake does. >> Uh, where are we? Number nine, leazison and administration reports. Jay, >> 198. Um, I think most of us were there. I think all of us were there for 19 night. That was a great night. Uh, went through a lot of my little freezies. uh probably a hundred. There's a It wasn't even that hot, but uh it was a popular item and uh got to visit some uh great parties. So glad to see Shaki uh stepped up again. It was on a different night than usual. We had to rearrange a few things, but uh still a great turnout and a good time. So I'm glad to see Shak still active in that. But other than that, that's all I have. >> Thank you, sir. Councelor Confras. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um so not really liaison but I did a lot of um different activities. So on the six I went to the root beer um root beer floats with our active adults. Um I attended the um Xavier Gan Gillan sorry where he um in memory of him there was a sign that was hung outside of the aquatic center sauna. On the 7th I attended the summer um the summer carnival. Now, I have to do a huge shout out to both our community center staff and park and wreck. That day, it was raining, and I mean raining, and they did amazing. They were all soaked, but rain or shine, the carnival went on. So, great job. I was super proud of you guys. Um, and there was a lot of kids and parents, so way to go. Um and then on the 8th I attended the NLP PAOA. That's something I've joined with um our it's the national what is it? National Latino Peace Officers Association that I'm part of and I just like going to hear how our police department works um in this you know um chapter and the things that they're doing to help out. Um, I know they're working, some of our officers are working with the um, Navidid with this shop with the cop. Um, different events and I know it comes back to our kids, our our community. So, that was really cool. Um, they're also doing the I was going to say it in Spanish, the backpacks, mochilas, and and the school supplies. So, that's that's something that I was super excited to to go see um, go listen to. Um, what else did I do? On the 11th, I attended the bricks, the bricks and the people, the workers and the early shakipi at the binict team. That was pretty cool. Sorry. Um uh just to hear this history of Shakipi, you know, our bricks were always listening to just hearing and and and trying to find those bricks are are pretty cool. [laughter] Jesse was at um what was it a >> I was at the J was it uh St. Jungle Man and Ann's festival and they always have a brick on auction and I always try to go for it. >> So that that's something cool. Um also did the night to unite and that was pretty cool. I had tons of kids too. Um just super happy to hear the community. The more I always try to see like what is it that we're doing wrong or or what's happening. It's always the positives and I'm super proud and just listening to the comments that I get from the constituents. They love Shakabe. They're here because they love Shakabe. And you ask them how long have you been here? It's three, six, you know, a year, two years, whatever. And they're still here. And they said if we wouldn't like it, we would leave. So it's like just to see them here, I'm super proud. So way to go, Shakipi. And then, um, yesterday I did the ebikes in the park at Jackson Commons. Um, you know, you you hear the mixed reviews. Kids are super happy. They want to, you know, be riding them. But then par you know not parents but other people who are walking joggers are just asking how are we making these writers accountable and and it's a fair question but the but the answer is if we catch them it we will make them accountable because I know there was comments you're not doing anything you're not but we're we're doing our best we're trying to catch them is a different story. Um and last but not least I did a 10 the 10th Avenue safety analysis. It's just in the view we're working on. It's not a project that's set yet. And that's why we're doing this. You know, constituents want to know, want to hear, and we put these together for people to come and give us their comments and their concerns. So, that's what it's for. And we were there last night, too. And great conversations. So, Shakabe, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Lara. Uh, Thursday night I got to um I got to see the a different part of Shockp this year. Normally I was I'm in like the presidential neighborhood and this year I got to go to the uh east side of town in the new parts which was really interesting and I uh would ask the uh residents how long they have lived in Shakpi and I was getting three months, four months um and I was asking them well where are you moving here from? Bloomington. So, uh, one St. Paul, but, uh, >> crossing that river. >> They're all crossing the river over here. Um, let's see. And then yesterday, I did also attend the 10th Avenue open house. Um, great conversations. Um, very positive, um, feedback towards the uh, project. So, um, I guess the the number one comment that kept reoccurring was um, the assessments and how that's all going to be done. But, I mean, that's fair. Uh, fair question. Um, Alex, how long does that survey open for? >> Uh, thank you, council, mayor and council. Um, the survey is open-ended, so we're going to keep it open on our website. You can visit the engineering department page on the city of Shaki website and go into city projects and find 10th Avenue and you can continue to fill out the survey and we'll collect feedback. the assessment policyy's been the same for at least 25 years and uh it's a 10-year payback if they choose that route. >> So, I invite you to go and fill out that survey if you haven't done so yet. I I I'm pretty much on that road daily. So, um I give my feedback and yeah, that was >> a lot of questions about that 10th Avenue project. And when I [clears throat] mentioned the 33 roundabouts, that was not funny. Did you think that was a >> joke? There are no roundabouts planned. None. [laughter] >> Thank you, Councelor Lara. Uh I I too attended the Xavier Gillan memorial at the community center. Um their family donated to the sauna refurbish. Um it's a sad story and uh it was really nice that they made a nice sign, attached it to the sauna. Um person that made that sign is a friend of mine. did a nice job. It's stainless steel and powder coated. So hopefully with the environment that it's in, it lasts for a long time. And if it doesn't, he reassured me they'd fix it up for you. So my best goes out to that family. I know what their struggles are. August 6th, uh staff and I had a joint meeting with county and various communities, fire dispatch discussion. Um it's kind of a new working group. We're just kind of brainstorming through some of these concerns that might pop up later and getting ahead of it if it's if they do pop up. And I know there's some communication issues. Uh different departments have different operational ways of doing things. So trying to figure out how the dispatch can have one format that works for everybody, I guess, to be efficient with tax dollars. um August 13th night to unite. Always a good time. Weatherwood cooperated well and we got to do the uh Huber Park free band in the park that night also which happened to be one of my favorite Mitchell Hall at Tennessee Trio Johnny Cash. So that was good. Uh a lot of good commas across the community so that's always good to hear. Uh kids were having having a good time. That's always good to see too. 16th went to the amp, watched a concert as a fan and kind of looked at it from a different perspective. >> How'd it go? >> Kind of looking at it as a, you know, council member, person, mayor, whatever. Um, the operational issues we're all looking at and tweaking as we go. uh sound quality, traffic, you know, you kind of just look at all of these things from a different perspective when you're on this side of this DOS watching this come together and uh yeah, you know, we've we've got some work to do finetuning and we knew that uh we're 90 days into it, right? And uh you know, we know the first season is going to be the opportunity to really fine-tune and and we're slowly doing that as we go along. One thing that we adopted tonight was some parking restrictions in certain areas that are hampering some of the flow. So, we are doing not too bad on that front, too. So, it was loud from my seat. Uh but the report that came out said it was within the guidelines that we follow. So, um I don't know how it could be loud. At my age, I'm starting to lose my hearing, so I really should be hearing it, right? But you could feel it for sure. Um what else do we have going on? 10th Avenue. You know, one of the questions that I get about 10th Avenue, and I wanted to share this with staff and specifically, is if you look at a map, um 10th Avenue from Marshall Road to 69 connecting to 169, um it's, you know, it's a it's an arterial route, >> you know, and Verling could be that, but it doesn't make that same easy connection to 69 and 169 to get onto the highway. So, I I think as we look at what we do with 10th Avenue, I think we need to keep that in mind that it does move the traffic from Marshall Road to the other side of town pretty easy compared to Verling. Um, and what is it we're trying to accomplish? Are we trying to make it more of a a neighborhood type street and then move move the major movements from across town on Verling or do we want to keep it as the main mover east west um but add the safety components needed with the schools and the pedestrians and the bike route and all these other things. So, I just thought I'd bring up I thought it was some pretty good comments um that I've received from various folks in the community. So, >> yeah, the whole focus is safety. I mean, we have >> three and a half schools if you count uh the junior high >> uh in that area. And so it is it is the route where >> the majority of our schools are >> y >> uh congregated and the whole idea is to I mean it's a safe route to school program otherwise we wouldn't >> be looking at this and and you know we don't have the funding for it yet either >> right >> you know ultimately what we're doing now is planning and uh trying to secure funding in the future but uh Eagle Creek is also a major thoroughfare and a major uh route and we were able to restrict that and still have traffic flow on it and um and it's less of a residential area than 10th Avenue is. So, >> yep. But I think the connection to 69 169 is pretty critical, >> especially in the future when we're going to need that capacity. >> Okay. Uh any report from administration? >> Uh no, sir. >> Okay. >> Thank you. One other quick thing I forgot. So on Sunday I did attend the 2026 um Shakupi Mwakit Tinsu community. The Washipi >> was >> Yep. >> So that was pretty cool. And it it I remembered right away when you said you could feel it. I could feel that the drums. Those drums go straight up my >> I've been to so many of them over over the years. Um >> forget >> the pow, you know. Um >> very special event. My wife and I pulled up Friday at 6:45 and got some calls that and we ended up didn't we didn't even get parked. We had to leave for some family stuff, which is unfortunate because we were really looking forward to it. I did notify the middle right right away that I had to leave. So, apologize for that, but I've been to many of them. It's an awesome event. Their their history, culture, and heritage is pretty cool if you really look into it. The uh learned from them a long time ago. The cattails, the roots. It's like a potato. You can eat it. It's good. It's good, too. All right. City bill list 9A. Any questions on the city bill list? >> No questions for me. >> 9B. News and announcements. Mr. Lara, take the first one for us, please. Oh, sorry. >> Hubert Park movie night. Parks and Recreation is hosting three free movie nights in Hubert Park late summer, early fall. The next movie is scheduled for Saturday the 22nd. The movie begins at dusk. They are free and do not require registration. Bring your chair, blankets, snacks, and enjoy. >> What are what are the movies? >> Uh the 22nd is Hoppers. >> Hoppers. >> Hoppers. Oh, I did see that from here to here. >> Council contra uh community center annual maintenance. The community center will be closed for its annual maintenance week August 24th through the 30th. During this time, the community center will be receiving and installing new weight equipment and deep cleaning the pool and facility. The ice arena will be open normal hours during maintenance week. >> Thank you. >> Look, thank you both. >> Need to be cleaned. >> Item number 10, other business. Any other business? Mr. Reynolds. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to give council notice that uh we will be bringing forward our emergency management plan to you for review and approval, but we will not be releasing that out to the public. You will receive the full copy. We will have our memo which will outline generally what it is and what's lo and what's in it. But for obvious reasons, that will not be a document that will be made totally public. >> Correct. And will that meeting portion be closed as allowed under state law? >> Uh I don't think we need to close. Okay. As you know, as long as we talk in general, uh and if you have some specific questions, we can uh address those >> um offline if we need to. >> Okay, >> that's [clears throat] all I had, sir. >> And a general for the general public emergency management covers like what do we do if a tornado comes through and there's catastrophic damage? What kind of plans do we have for Tra train derailments. >> Train derailment. >> Train train derailments. Yep. That's another one. Major flood, etc., etc. All right. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. Any other business from council wishes of council, Mr. Lara? >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn to September 1st, 2026 at 7 p.m. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and second by councelor Contrarus. Discussion. Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. We are adjourned.