Bayport City Council — Transcript
Monday, July 13, 2026
Public Confidence and Mayor's Accountability
City Operations and Project Updates
2027 Budget and Financial Planning
Anderson Elementary Playground Future
Votes (2)
Public Comment and Mayor's Statement on Personal Conduct
The public forum provided a platform for residents to express concerns and support regarding Mayor Michelle Hanson's conduct in relation to her husband's past criminal case. Critics highlighted potential reputational harm to the city, while supporters lauded the Mayor's dedication and clarified her non-involvement in the criminal matters. The Mayor addressed the council and public, explaining her prior silence on legal advice and unequivocally denying any involvement in her husband's case or fraudulent schemes, reaffirming her commitment to Bayport.
Resolution Adopting Consent Agenda Items 1-17
Moved by Ethan [00:10:56] · Seconded by Katie [00:11:00]
The City Council considered and adopted a resolution for 17 consent agenda items. A specific point of discussion involved correcting the amount for the legislative services agreement with Lockridge Grindle and Nauen from $40,000 to $35,000, which was an accidental error in the packet. All other items were approved as presented, covering various financial, operational, and policy matters.
Notable Quotes (5)
severe reputational harm caused by the mayor's ongoing refusal to issue a statement denouncing these crimes or publicly clearing her name regarding the fraudulent billing records.
I believe there's been transparency throughout this whole process. And Michelle has not been charged or convicted of any crime.
There's been no criminal complaint. There's been no issue raised by the court in St. Croix County about anything that Mayor Michelle did.
You deserve to hear directly from me that I was not involved in my husband Ben's criminal case. ... It is clear from the investigations that I was not involved in my husband's case or any scheme to defraud the funeral home or Alice and Alice Peterson's family.
the agreement that's included in the packet, um has a a number or a Has the wrong amount for the amount for the uh service agreement. Yes, it should be 35,000.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved for September 19th event.
Approved for August 8th event.
Renewal approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Renewal approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda with a corrected amount of $35,000.
Approved for submission as part of the consent agenda.
Subject of a grant application to the Metropolitan Council.
Renewal approved for the police department as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approval as part of the consent agenda.
Approved by the watershed meeting; city staff are working on the city's 2027 budget.
A local consultant was hired to update the existing plan.