I'm on a live mic. >> Okay. >> 644. >> Where's the full agenda? >> The full packet >> on the website. >> It's on the opening page under the table. >> I just >> Is would it be possible to push the whole table forward about six inch >> only if these guys go out so I can see you >> that or something? The wings have to go. >> That's fine. Like that. Okay, >> that's all. That's great. Thank you. Thank you. >> City council agenda. >> City council agendas >> right down there. See the first one. >> That's only two pages. >> Yeah. >> And then across from it is the that's the agenda. And then across from it are the notes. So go back. >> Oh, >> those are the minutes. >> Like every other city does it. >> 12. >> All right. I'll take you off speaker and uh this work. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. Yeah, if something comes up, um, >> you guys didn't believe me. >> I think it was a text. >> I believe too. I didn't see it. >> Obviously, you won't be on speaker. >> It's 6:45. >> Going. >> Um, we'd like to call the meeting to order. >> Um, the first thing on our agenda tonight is the Truth and Taxation public hearing. Uh, would anybody like to speak uh during this public hearing time? Well, first thing you should do is open the public hearing. >> Oh, I'd like to open the public hearing. Do I need a motion to do that? No. >> Okay. >> You're meeting. >> The truth and taxation public hearing is now open. Would anybody like to speak? Anybody? Seeing no one going to close the public hearing. Um, next up, so Alan, do we have to um do we wait till later to pass the budget or do we do it now? >> Because on the affirm final 2026 budget and tax levy. >> Yeah. Section B, u Madame Mayor, are uh in your packet. There are two resolutions that we'd like you to pass tonight. Um they aren't numbered, but they are in your packet. And one is, and these are essentially ratifications of what you did before. If there's any changes to the budget, we can talk budget first and then levy second because that would make sense since one drives the other. >> Correct. >> And so if anyone has uh I would just suggest that you take up the budget and see what everyone thinks about the way it's scheduled now. Uh it is up on the Elmo for everyone's benefit at home watching. >> Okay. Um I do have one um item on the budget that I would like to look at and that is the special revenue fund. We after speaking with the doc association um we do need to keep the special revenue fund the same as in 2024 and 2025. Uh we cannot raise that >> because they've already paid the fees. Correct. Already anticipated the fees. They set their fee in September and so we need to wait until the 2027 for that rate to go into effect. So, >> well, I wouldn't take that. Okay. I guess you could take it out of the You're not That's not levy money, though. >> No, that's not levy money. >> That would increase the levy reducing that. >> Well, we're talking also about the budget affirm final budget. So I'm just saying >> yeah we can adopt the final budget with that removed but then we leave the levy the same. >> Yes. Correct. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. Anything else? I move to adopt a resolution adopting the final budget for the municipal operations of the city of Birwood Village um pursuant or with the amendment just proposed by the mayor. >> Can I get a second? Bridget, all in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none, motion passes. >> And first off, who's the second? Bridget, >> what I thought and could you articulate the amendment just briefly? I was pulling up what was being discussed on the Elmo. >> Certainly. Um the special revenue fund. >> Yep. >> Which is driven by the duck association fees has to remain the same as it is in 24 and 25 because they've already set their rates for 26. So it will go back to we have on our budget $14,500. >> 14,000 even. I think >> 500 is the proposed >> and so you want it back to 14. >> That's right. >> Okay. >> But as Ryan said, um it doesn't affect the levy. >> Could we read off since you've got it in front of you, I think we need to read off the levy amount in dollars and cents. Um the total levy for 2026 is $712,0007 $712,794. Okay. So, are you ready, Ellen? Are you I'm not I don't mean that in any sort of I just want to wait till you're >> I know not in a metaphysical sense. >> I'm ready right now. Yeah, I I don't want that to come off as hurry up. I want it to come off as I just want to pause while you're doing your notes. So, >> I appreciate that. >> Okay. So, I will move to adopt um a resolution adopting the final levy on real property located within the corporate limits of the city of Birwood Village pursuant to filling in the amount um in the now therefore re >> m >> be it resolved section just read off by the mayor. >> Could I have a second? Before you do that, I know I got here a little later, but I thought I made it by 6:45. I thought it was >> It was >> okay. Um, >> you want to take the uh podium if you get recognized by the mayor so we know who's talking. >> Um, so my qu to jump to the end. I had more things I was thinking of saying, but >> excuse me. Could you um state your name and your address, please? >> Larry Walker, 4020 East County Line Road. >> Um we've lived here 50 years now, so seen a lot of budgets. Um my question is how do you justify I think you reduced amount by tiny amount from what was in the newsletter but that amount was a 15.7% raise over last year and last year was the highest budget we ever had by far. So, where is all that money going, I guess, is my question. >> Would someone like to answer or would you like me to >> answer? >> Okay, sure. >> Well, um I was on the council last year, too. So, the major items that update the um levy last year was the police, fire, um ambulance, emergency services. They all raised their rates significantly up past our um any grants we received. So, all of that went up. We also had the lift station that required fixing. We did have to cover a portion of that. So, that went up. We had quite a few water manes that broke and we were no longer covering that amount. So, you'll notice on your water bill, we took a portion of that, but the amount that we had budgeted for that went up. >> We also had another one that was a big one. Oh, we finally put into the capital improvement plan a plan to actually cover road expenses because we never had one before. We're budgeting for >> And how much is how much is that? >> That was >> from last year >> the previous year. Um we had used up all the budget that we had budgeted for. I think we had done a h 100,000 for the roads, >> right? But that wasn't in >> it wasn't going to capital improvement. This time we did include capital improvement to plan for future expenses so we're not having to hit everyone every single time for larger projects. >> Yeah. So this year's big raises were, as Kathy said, in the capital project fund. There's $20,000. So additional because there's no balance in there right now. And that money is specifically for um infrastructure work in the city. So that's just like a like I don't want to say a savings account, but it's in there to do big projects. >> Yep. Um, we also, um, what we heard from residents is that they would like the city maintained better. And so we put an extra, what is that? Uh, $20,000 into our maintenance staff so we can hire part-time people in the summer to come out and, you know, maintain our city properly. >> Oh, and snow plowing. I forgot. Snow plowing. >> Snow plowing. >> Snow plowing's huge. plowing went up $30,000 this year. >> Really? And why is why is that? >> Because they gave us a different rate. >> And who who does snowplow? >> Uh we have >> it's Bright View. Same company we've had. >> Same company we had last year. They raised from 24,000 I think the previous year to 48,000 last year. And then this year they made it 70. But that's assuming that we have less than 30 inches of snow. >> Yeah. They went to a tiered system. >> Y So they changed how that uh went and when we tried to get additional we're such a small city that we don't we unfortunately don't bring out the big dogs. >> So that's unfortunately that where we are as far as services. >> So there's no fluff in there. It's just total for road maintenance >> and for infrastructure improvements. >> It it like when you really look around a lot of things have been neglected for many many years. A lot of the storm water runoff, all the things are clogged. No one's been taken care of any of the coverts or or anything. So, that stuff has to be has to be maintained for it to work. >> Yeah. I'll I'll just point out on the radio today, I happened to hear the average increase in property tax taxes across the state was 7%. Mhm. >> Your raise is >> 15.3. >> Yeah. >> But you you have to remember our our budget's so little even u any increase is going to look big compared to our total budget. >> What's our total budget? $700,000. >> 700,000. >> So I mean if you know your larger city with millions of dollars. >> So M or no sorry Minnotonka they're a huge city. They raised their taxes 20% and they have huge property taxes for theirs. So I know that offsets ours a little bit as far as like some of them are you know 3%. But we just have such a small population that it increases quite a bit unfortunately. >> The other thing lost a little bit of revenue that that's part of that. The other thing I'll point out is the county which must be living with some of the same parameters as you are only raised there between 3 and 4%. >> So you know it it's a lot. So my taxes are going up approximately $300. Your raise will be 90% of that. >> Right. >> All right. That's a lot. >> The other thing, if it's helpful, is on your um uh proposed taxes on the back of it, it shows the various cities and their increases or decreases. So, there are others that are as high as us and there are others that are lower, but might be helpful information. But and I mean I really don't want you to think that we take that decision lightly to have to do that. Like I don't want my taxes raised either. You know, it's not but and I think we've um like Jen said, there's not a lot of fluff. We're already kind of to the bone here. >> Some of it we're actually under the budget that we've received. So um none of us wanted to raise taxes any of the years. I'll just share my story from 40ome years ago. I was in the barber shop and I was much younger man. I was a older man getting his hair bitching like crazy about taxes and he went on and on and on and finally the barber said to him said, "John, you you can't be bitching about the taxes. Yes, they're going up, but the value of your property is going up, too. If you sold it, you get a lot more than you paid for it. He said, I don't want to sell it. I just want to live in it, but if those taxes keep going up, I can't afford it. And we're on a fixed income. So, it, you know, it's gets to be a challenge. So, >> do you know about the county program where if No. >> Okay. There's a county program where your property tax rate can be reduced by half or 40% something like that if you qualify. It's a really easy form to fill out if you go to Washington County. >> Is that in addition to getting my homestead or whatever it is, >> right? It's in addition. in addition. So they um if you make below a certain amount of money per year, then they will adjust your um property tax. >> Okay. So Washington, what did you call it? >> Washington County. >> Yep. >> Property tax. Yeah. >> Tab. >> It should be on the back of your property tax, too. It explains it a little bit on the back of that um tax form. Or did we? We didn't get those yet in the mail, did we? Um, look at your tax. >> Are you talking about >> the tax bill from last year on the back it'll say that >> c senior citizen property tax deferral? >> No, I'm not talking about that. >> Okay, >> that one counts too though. >> Yeah, you can also I don't do that one either. >> Well, you can you can also defer >> that with county >> Washington County senior >> citizen tax. >> Which which one are you talking about? I don't know what it's called, but you have to go on the website >> on the Washington County um >> their their tax I think it might be truth and taxation there too, but they have a tax page that you can look at and there is one for um >> senior deferral will usually find it. >> Fixed income and disabled and needy. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. I will I'll look them both up. >> Yeah, >> just so you know, like I'm mad my taxes are going up too and I voted for it. >> Yeah. So >> I'm not mad because I don't I'm paying taxes for something that's worth it >> myself. >> Well, thank >> thank you for coming in. >> Yeah. Thanks, Larry. >> Especially on a night like this. >> Holy moly. Yeah. >> Did you walk down here? >> I did. >> Careful in the roads. >> Very dangerous. >> Yeah. And I hope you know we all know you, but the camera doesn't. So, I wouldn't have asked you to identify yourself. So, okay. >> Just so everyone's paying attention, we've got a a motion without a second at this point >> to approve the levy, >> Bridget. All right, >> you got it. >> Okay. All in favor of approving the levy? >> I >> I Any opposed? Hearing none, motion passes. Um, next on the agenda is a public forum for the delinquent utility billing. So, I'd like to open the public forum. Would anybody like to speak um on behings? >> And I'm sure before that you wanted to close the meeting regarding truth and taxation. >> I already did close it, but then we let Larry speak. >> Yeah, we let Larry speak anyway. >> You can't close the meeting before you took the final vote, >> didn't we? Did we close the hearing? >> How do we fix it, Alan? >> I'll close the meeting. >> Close the meeting. >> Gotcha. Can I get a mo? All right. Okay. >> Can I get a motion to close the truth and taxation hearing? >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? Opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes >> to adjourn twice tonight. >> Gez. Yeah. Really? Plus, you know what I Never mind. Let's go next. Forget anything I said before. Approval of city council agenda. That's next, right, Mr. Canrude? >> Yeah, I know you're testing me even. So, yeah, I'm keeping you on track. So, >> I know you are. >> Got an agenda. I've got some additions after you take anything from the from the rest of the group. >> Off um the DNR specialist due to weather was unable to make it. He will come in January. So, >> you want that moved then? Oh, sorry. Break it from tonight. All right. Oh. and Marcia is no longer coming. So, the staff report would be done. >> I was going to say if no one else is going to bring it up, um Marsha, your uh controller uh treasurer person uh for the same reason as the DNR representative uh declined the invitation to attend. Uh she'll be happy to come in uh January, assuming everyone wants the same presentation. So, I'd ask that that get removed from your agenda. >> Anything else? All right, with those two amendments, can I get a motion to pass our agenda for the evening? >> So moved. >> All second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Hearing none. Motion passes. >> Don't change your minds. >> Jeez. Okay, now I think we're going to open the public forum. Alan, do you need to take the budget down? >> Yeah, I can now. >> Okay. Um, is anybody here to speak for the public forum? I apologize, Alan. I just scrolled right past those two agenda items. Sorry about that. >> I know you're just testing me. >> No, I'm not. I'm just I just scrolled too fast. Um, would anybody like to speak for the public hearing? The public forum? No. Okay, public forum is closed. Then we'll move on to the delinquent utility billing public hearing. Public hearing on utility billings is open. Would anybody like to speak on those billings? Anybody? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing on the delinquent utility billings. Um, Alan, do we need to do anything else with that or is that just a form that we fill out? And >> Well, at this point, Madame Mayor, there's a resolution in your packet certifying the unpaid charges for collection. And so, that uh unfortunately, we didn't get around to numbering the packet because your city administrator doesn't know how to do that yet, but that's coming. So 2026 is a going to be a good year, but in your packet is a resolution talking about that and your list of delinquencies that still remain as of the printing of the packet. >> Got it. >> So we would just ask a staff a motion um approving that resolution for that purpose and with those delinquencies. >> And again, if they get paid before the end of the year and don't get certified, there won't be any interest, etc., etc. It's detailed in the resolution itself. And so if citizens have questions, of course, or residents rather, they can come and ask. So, we'll be taking checks and money orders until the end of the year. >> All right. Can I get a motion to approve the resolution and the the billing for the end of the year? >> We need to conduct a public hearing, though, right? >> We just did. We just did. Sorry, I'm zoning, I guess. Okay, >> we can do it again. >> Um, no, that's okay. >> All right. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none, motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Boy, fits and starts tonight, huh? All right, so our presentation was cancelled for this evening from Paul Burr. Um, our staff reports from Marsha, that's canceled as well. Um, is do any of you have anything to report or Alan? Do you have anything >> as far as staff goes? Um, I did ask Bright View about uh anything that they wanted to share with the uh council and of course they're talking about fits and starts. Of course, with the advent of sort of the way winter has kind of hit, it made it a little rocky. So, a new crew and some equipment that's now placed here. Uh, I called in a salt job in the middle of the night last night to get ahead of what was coming. And so, we'll just try to monitor these things. I mean, if it's that kind of winter, it's just going to take a little bit more diligence. And so we just ask that uh residents be patient. You know, we have turned the trigger back a little bit from 1 in to 2 in to try and save some money, but we can always call in and since they have equipment here, we can um we can call in whenever someone thinks that it's required. So, >> you know, let's kind of gauge resident feedback in my view on the snow and and I know there were some complaints and if we have to dial it back, you know, I know there's some obviously, you know, some sensitivity to tax bills and I think we should do our best to keep that down, but where we have to like I'm willing to come into a special meeting if we need to things get to the point where we're just not keeping up. So, >> y >> I think we need to personally I think we need to spend um pay special attention to Wildwood um where the malicees live. It's so hilly over there that gets hard to get up by you Kathy trying to get out up lake and also um >> push the up or USPS up uh on my way here >> and and Birchwood Lane. >> So, Cedar going up the hill up here. >> Yeah, that's right. couldn't make it. So, >> right. So, you're not getting mail today. >> You know, the the 2-in trigger was a good idea to save some money, but we do I think our number one priority is safety. So, we we really do need to monitor that. >> And that's why I called in the salt. >> For what it's worth, for everyone looking and watching at home, the last two events um basically in between the major event wouldn't have even pulled a 1-inch trigger. So, it's important for everyone to realize that even if we did have that more robust contract, they wouldn't have come out. >> That's right. >> So, it's important, but of course, even with 3/4 of an inch when it's heavy and wet, you know, it's going to get compacted and that presents those problems. So, I live close by. So, you know, I kind of used my Spidey sense last night and just used the top of my car to say, "Hey, because I knew that the Bright View guys would be keeping an eye on it." So, >> um, it's going to take, I guess you could say, the village proverbally to, uh, watch over it, especially when we get these near freezing events like this. It's just going to be a mess. >> And I was thinking even to maybe designate designate somebody to report to the city on road conditions because, you know, I've been driving around, but I don't often get to every road, you know. >> Yep. It would be nice if we had a resident that would just say, "Hey, you know, we need some salt at this intersection or whatever >> in a respectful manner." >> A respectful manner. >> We could send them. >> I'm happy to be that collection point. So, you know, however it gets to you guys, get it to me and I'm happy to call it in. Bright View has been very responsive. So, they are really engaged. They do have people who are out driving around when these things happen just to gauge because they are sort of, you know, spotty. Just like in the summer you get the popcorn cells of rain, we get the same thing now with uh with snow. So, >> yep. you know, in your Thursday note, you could just ask people >> to be spotters and to call in. >> Okay. Because like Alan said, Bright View is very good. They're very responsive, but if we don't know, we can't fix it. >> Yep. >> You know, so >> Yep. And of course, we have equipment here. So, thank whoever for allowing that because they were asking and obviously it helps mobilize when they can keep a big piece of equipment here, too. So, >> it'll be next year before Allen and Ryan are the plow guys. >> Those jackets. >> So, anyway, I will keep giving feedback to them. We'd have a we had a few um lanes that didn't quite get cleared, so we called those in and u we had some folks complaining because snow is being piled up. You know, a good reminder is, you know, the rightways are designed for that. So, I mean, that's why we have right away that goes off of the roadway to pile up snow. So, that's just going to happen. So, >> okay. Um, I guess, yeah, I don't have anything more to report either. So, can we move on to city business then? Um number one under city business action items is the second reading on ordinance amendment to the city code regarding parks. Um so I'd like to open the public hearing on that ordinance. Is would anybody like to speak on that? And madame mayor, for what it's worth, before the throngs of people rush the stage, um there is a nice summary that's been provided by Al Mitchell, uh detailing what those changes are. There's an resolution approving the ordinance changes in your packet. So once the public hearing is done, uh that's all there. There's also a summary of that ordinance that needs a separate vote. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Seeing no one that's here to speak on that, I would like to close the public hearing. Um, would someone like to make a motion to approve the amended ordinance? >> Uh, I move to adopt uh Oh, I'm on the wrong page. Maybe somebody else. >> Um, >> the resolution approving the ordinance amendments. >> Yep. For the I I can make a motion to I'm confused. >> Approve the uh ordinance amendments for the city park regulations as they relate to budgeting and fees. Can I get a second? >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Hearing none. Motion passes. Um, we need to also authorize the summary publication this ordinance. >> Wait, >> wait. >> I thought I heard the word fees from you, Kathy. >> Yep. This was the >> regard. Is there something in the parks section regarding fees? >> If you scroll down, the park had uh parks committee had provided an action plan of their first tier, second tier, etc. That is part of their ordinance uh approval thing that they had in there >> and they're not collecting money. They're just showing how they're spending the >> special. >> So, okay. So, this I see. So, the Oh, so this relates to >> if you're playing along at >> clarify. Okay, got it. All right. Yeah, sorry. the page numbers are. Well, if you need some help with page numbers, I can come show you, Alan. Um, >> page 18 and then 19 is kind of their breakdown of >> Oh, yeah. I I looked at it. I'm just get having a little trouble tracking the agenda pages. So, a little patience I appreciate. So, okay. >> They did a great job of laying all of this out. >> They did. >> I want to vote for it. I just want to >> like to scroll. >> You get it right the first time is all. Yeah, that's fine. Um, just tell me when to vote. >> Could I have a motion to um to authorize Yeah. publication the summary publication? >> I will Kathy >> move to uh adopt that summary publication for the works. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed hearing hearing none. Motion passes. All right. Um Kathy, number two, consideration of park budget and projects. >> Yes. Um so they've uh page 21. >> If you're going into that one, that is a breakdown of the top um projects that the parks committee is planning on working on. I did want to mention, if you didn't notice in your newsletter, that the parks committee is planning on um using a portion of their parks budget to remove a problematic large tree from a park or easement. and they asked for um people to offer uh options for parks projects, but they want to uh potentially do an adopt a park um project in their system. So they would like people to respond to their email which is parks at city of Birwood with uh if they would be interested in doing an adopts a parks system and then if you have want to nominate a specific tree that is a problem within the city's property to be the tree that is removed >> as your final portion of that email. So that is something that is on here where it's a $2,500 where it's the Pauly's Park large tree removal that's listed on here. So, that's just a fun little fact to go with that. But, this is kind of just a breakdown of the things that they know about at the moment, >> right? >> Um, they obviously want people to let them know if there are anything that you run across that is dangerous or anything like that should be notifies uh the city for maintenance right away, but anything that is a long-term project um can be brought before the parks committee and their meetings are at 6:30 on the third Tuesday of the month. Yeah, you guys did a great job on this. >> They're they're a fun committee to work with. They really good work. >> Yep. >> Um, does anybody have any questions for Kathy >> or Bridget? >> Or Bridget. Sorry, Bridget. >> I'll share. >> Okay. If not, um, let's move on to number three. And number three is the second reading on ordinance amendment to city code regarding fee schedule. >> Again, >> this is the one where we need to adjust the >> or not levy, sorry, >> special revenue fund. >> Special revenue >> for the doc. Can we do it for the following year though? >> Yeah, just I think >> we could just put the date. >> We we already put in the effect we can just put in the effective date or we can do it. It would I think it would be better to just do it now so they there's lots of notice. >> Okay. >> Um >> so beginning what and that would be September 2027 >> after the docks come out, right? >> Yeah. That's when they approve their >> that's when they do their budgets in September. >> They announce the fees in September. >> Okay. >> So I guess be but before I make a motion with that amendment, are there any other comments on the fee schedule? before somebody makes an emotion with that amendment. It's and I I guess I should say I I went through it again and there there is one thing I changed in here and it I bumped up the engineering fee to Marcus's current hourly rate which is a a little bit higher than it was when we initially did the fee schedule. Um, I think that was the one thing that I kind of surreptitiously changed, but everything else should be pretty much in line with the markup from last month. >> Where would that be? >> Um, if you go down to engineer, consult or review land use plans, inspector other services, Marcus is now 165 an hour. >> Okay. I did want to ask and I just haven't had a chance to go and look. Do we have all of these items that have asterisks next to them defined as to what that actually means? >> If you There should be down in the footnotes down at the very bottom of the fee schedule >> that there's a state sir charge for double asterisk and an escrow for city permitting for the single asterisk. And if we got to three asterisks somewhere, we might be we might be missing that. But I think we just have one and two asterisks. And some things have both one and two asterisks, >> which is not confusing at all. When you >> The one that I always have to look up is the street vacation application where I'm just What is that? >> That's a good Allen question. >> Yeah. So, do we have all of the different code like line items for our fee schedule on the website now where you can look up what each one of those sections includes? I would have to check. I haven't been to that part of the website, but >> why don't we get past this and if they aren't, they will be. >> All right. >> And we'll update accordingly. >> It was on the previous website where you could search them, but I haven't found. >> Okay. Yeah. I just haven't gone there. I'd like to open the public hearing on the the ordinance amending the city code regarding the fee schedule. Um would anybody like to speak on that? Okay, seeing none, close the public hearing. Can I get a motion to amend the ordinance? I move to adopt the ordinance amending the fee schedule. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none. Motion carries. Um the next thing we need is a motion to authorize the summary publication of this fee schedule. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I opposed. Hearing none, motion passes. Okay. On to number four here. Um number four under city business action items is consideration of install of installation. Um an agreement with Excel for two street lights along county e county line to illuminate the lake links and sidewalk area. Alan, do you want to speak about that? Yeah, I can try to set this up and I apologize for not having a short memo on the issue, but this was a request from township. Um, if you guys remember back when they put in the trail, we had to um essentially adopt something of a maintenance agreement so that we're responsible for our little section of the trail, which basically is from the edge of Birwood down to the to the turn, as I call it. And the map kind of delineates that. the township wanted to light that area of course um for pedestrians and bikes and whatnot. Um from that corner from Fisner up to the basically where the trail turns off um Excel had apparently proposed a couple of lights there. So one's right at the corner and one's up from there south um as as the crow flies. And so the township approached us and since they were in Birwood's jurisdiction and Excel is charging obviously for the installation of the poles and just a very little bit to manage them and and keep them on. Um they approached us and said, "Do you want the polls?" Because of course they couldn't commit to that and just send us a bill. And so that's how this kind of got to us. And it's obviously a little late in the game, but uh at least we can see what we're getting into. And so they ask is, "Do you want the lights? And if so, uh, you can see what the budget would be to do that. So, I would bring it back with something more formal with Birwood, um, sort of more properly delineated, but I have to start the conversation with you guys at least at this point and see what direction you want to go. >> Hey, go ahead. >> We do. We know the budget. Is it in that print? I'm not seeing it. >> It's $128,000. >> Yeah, for all of the lights. >> That's for all of it. Yeah, about 10% of that >> would be what? >> Yeah, I think it's 20,000 for us for those polls. And I think let me just pull up the email from the uh township representative. Again, from my perspective, it would be a separate agreement. So, the numbers would be there. So, it's really a question on principle. Do you guys want a couple lights there in on Birwood territory? If you do, then I'd bring it back and you could see the specific numbers. I mean, >> I would like the specific numbers I'm approving if that would be at all. >> I agree, Kathy. >> I guess if it's $20,000, I don't need numbers. >> I was thinking the 13 was their portion and then we'd have a two separate. >> I've just never noticed if it's dark there or not. I run there at night and there there is a stretch where it gets a little like oh maybe I shouldn't be running here but but it it's it's a county road like it's not like you can call it Lakeland's trail through there but it's >> not really a pedestrian trail. >> It's kind of a it's kind of a county road. >> Do they have they have watchman's there? Right. The overhang arched >> lights. Maybe we should just look at it. >> There is one of those at the intersection because I know that that's a fairly problematic intersection, but I don't know about it down further. >> And the cost share, just so you're uh just for the FYI, two of the 13 according to Dale at the township would be 19 basically 19,800. And then according to Excel, those run about $6 and change um a year for maintenance. >> So that'd be the hit. So >> So tell me that. Say that again. Come again. >> No, you come again. I I didn't hear you. >> The cost per pole or for the two polls would be about 19,800 >> for the install and setup. >> A lot of money. >> I don't think we have 19 our budget at the moment. I and like I said from someone who runs by the lake at night like I I'm trying to like basically once you get up to Birchwood Lane that's all illuminated already and it's only between Birchwood Lane and Birchwood A that's like a little >> I think there is a watchman there. >> Yeah, I think so too if I remember right >> shortish distance. Yeah, I would think that the only one that would make this is just my perspective and I'm like you, Ryan, I bike a lot, so I'm in that corner. Yeah, >> the corner might make sense right by Fner. Just take one of them. >> But I I I think there's something there already, isn't there? >> I I'll just say like I run at like 10:00 at night, so it's as dark as it can be. >> And once I get on the trail, like >> you're fine. >> I'm fine. I feel like it's like safe going. That's why I run that way because it's it's already lit. Yeah. >> Can somebody make a motion to authorize 10,000 for this? Because I'm not anywhere close to that. That just seems like >> I mean, if this were $1,000, I might look at it, but this is $10,000. And >> I think it's I think it's too much. >> It's way way out of line. And I mean, I guess I just don't I can't take this out of the picture of even considering what the lighting is like down there when I hear the number $10,000. You know, >> do we have any money left for a Lake Links grant? >> Yeah, that would be that would be the thing I think that would be worth looking into is if there's some money in a Lake Links grant or something for something like this. >> They have a project, you know, but >> list of things. It's going to take $70,000. But >> yeah, >> what I would suggest is that we all go look at it in the dark because safety is something that we value for the community. And then next time let's talk about it. >> That's that's fine, too. I don't think there's any urgency with the holidays. So, again, this is something to put it on your radar and someone let me know when to bring it back. Um, if you're just going to say no, I think I can just communicate that. But, um, if you guys want even one of them, I just assume I have something more formal in front of you. >> Well, I'm very skeptical, but I think I think Bridget's right. We need to do our due diligence and look at that. >> Fair enough. >> If it's 10,000, who knows? Maybe Lake Links would say, "Okay, we trade something out." >> Or maybe we need some volunteers to install some of our Lake Link stuff and then use 10,000 for lighting. >> The the monthly fee is very reasonable. I mean, once we once we pony up the 10 grand, it's six bucks a month, right? >> How do I get these lights for my house? >> Wouldn't that be nice? >> Okay, then. So, what I'm hearing is you guys want to punt it till next month and we can all go on a field trip to check it out. >> Star portion of the budget would be nice, >> but don't go tonight. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Not go tonight. >> Okay. Why don't we um >> That's why I didn't make you make make any decisions because this is really just to sort of start the conversation. >> Why don't we put it on the agenda for January then, please? Thank you. Um okay, where are we guys? Number five, discussion of Halls Marsh plop matter. Mr. Henkins, you're up, man. >> Yeah. So Kathy and I went to the to the Rice Creek meeting and I I guess one of the things I felt like is that including for me there was not a lot of kind of understandable background information on Halls Marsh. And so I just wanted to kind of do a review of that and understand where the history was on this and and figure out what you know based basically as a whole council kind of align on a path forward here. And so it's in my view this is a pretty complex issue. I tried to kind of go through here. I made a couple of recommendations, but I I kind of realized I've been looking at this as I did this without necessarily understanding all the details here. And um I think it's just worth, you know, one of the things Rice Creek is offering us is a workshop to basically to discuss a study. And actually, I have a copy of the study here. This is a study. It's called the water treatment performance improvement feasibility report. And this is something they did up on Bald Eagle Lake where um they have those Shunaman Marsh or whatever it's called and they wanted to improve water quality there. Um and so they're discussing something like this with respect to Halls Marsh whether that would be a reasonable option for us. Um, I think this might be a way to kind of move the um, you know, the Hall's Marsh matter kind of forward and and bring this to a little bit of a resolution. Um, having said that, I don't necessarily want to push people into anything that they're not comfortable with. Um, I propose some steps forward here. Rice Creek is proposing a workshop. And one of the things they might discuss at the workshop is whether this this a study of this nature would kind of be a way of bringing the matter with them to a close. Um I do think >> what's the nature of that study? >> The nature of the study is basically it what's that? >> Nothing. Sorry. It studies phosphates and heavy metals and a bunch of things up in this Shunaman marsh and it what it really does is actually really cool. They do this analysis and they come up with basically a dollar per pound of phosphorus removed. And so what they found here and I don't remember what the amounts were the amounts were like $600 for one method and 900 for another something like that. They basically and that I mean 600 bucks to remove a a pound of phosphorus is a lot of money when you think about it, right? >> And so they have economical ways to remove phosphorus in there. >> Yeah. And so that's kind of what they're kind of what they're talking about here is they have they don't have economical ways. And that's basically, and if you want my my opinion of this, that's basically what you you you can do the study on Hall's Marsh, but that's likely what you're going to find is that there's no reasonably cost-effective solution except for one, and I'll tell you what that is in a minute, to um to kind of reduce the phosphate levels in Hall's Marsh. The the options are expensive and pretty limited. Um, the one option that I think is feasible is is street sweeping and increasing street sweeping in certain targeted areas appears to reduce the cost per appears to be a reasonable um affordable way of actually removing phosphorus from the marsh. So that's kind of the >> tell you why >> um because a lot of people use it in fertilizer >> not a lot of people around the using fertilizer. So we'd actually have to have the people around who have beautiful green lawns >> and reduce >> and so you know so there are certainly some limits here. Um I think we are what I would like to see I think is the workshop with Rice Creek seems like a reasonable thing to do. >> I agree. >> Um I would like to get alignment from the council. um at least on what we're seeking out of a workshop. Um >> could I make a related comment? >> I happened some years ago to be at a White Bear Township meeting. White Bear Township has 100 ponds and they have a major budget allocation to clean 10 ponds a year. So I'm just thinking about knowing anything about this topic. They must know a lot about it because they've been cleaning 100 decades. >> They do it through the Rice Creek Wershed District who is the group we're working with on this one. So hopefully we would be able to do something. >> But they would have different situations, different options. I mean they must have we have one >> pond >> that you're worried about. They have 100 >> so they must have come across everything imaginable. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So this study I I I like that this idea of a study because we don't know what's in the marsh. We don't know. We don't have any data at all. So, if Rice Creek were to do a study like that, it would at least give us a baseline of what we're dealing with in Halls Marsh. >> Once we have that baseline, um then we could figure out how we're going to move forward from that. Um, and I think that the more we talk about it, I think we uh hopefully we what we want all of us, including the residents, we want to have the marsh cleaned up, right, and preserve it, keep it clean once we remove the toxins. So, I guess it's just getting to that point like how are we going to get to that point? And I think that workshop might allow us, we can sit down to write with Rice Creek and say, "Hey, listen. This is what we as Birchwood would like. How are we going to get there?" >> Ryan, I read this paper, I think, three times. >> Yeah, me too. Isn't it awesome? >> And it was so well done. >> Thank you. >> But I agree completely with your points on the workshop. I also think there's no downside. Alan, you might disagree in uh seeking a legal um uh opinion from the attorney general. Um so I would go forward with that. Um and then if we get that study done, then we know where we are and what our next steps are. Correct? So those would be the first two things that we should do. I think it's Yeah, I think it's worth doing that. I I think I don't know. I I'd like your opinion. I think it might be worth holding off on a legal opinion until after a workshop. I mean, I think we have some time. What do you think, Alan? Um, and revisiting that. I think if we really knock it out of the park at the workshop, maybe things are good there. Um, I think you might be able to go into a workshop with a little more certainty if you at that point. Um, but I'm fine. I'm fine with, you know, but >> the one thing I was confused about, Ryan, was um this and I can't remember what you called it, but the like the neighborhood group that's going to manage this. I know that's not >> the lake improvement district. And I think we have to see whether that applies around a marsh because a marsh is different from a lake. But I do think we need to find a way to kind of what I hear from people is I know Johnson's are really frustrated like I feel like we need to find a way maybe this isn't it but some sort of a vehicle for the people around Halls Marsh you know Kathy you know maybe that's your um something you're interested in to kind of have some more agency in the management of that area. So, and there are legal ways of doing that, but >> maybe we don't need >> for those people. >> There is. Yeah, those would form and that's something we would work with the county to kind of form. I think we could come up with such a district that would even have legitimacy to probably pursue grants too. >> So, doesn't a lake district it doesn't that isn't that a taxing district as well >> that can't Yes, it's a taxing district >> to raise money >> right to our people. Well, we aren't there yet. I think we should I think we should certainly do uh you know, meet with a group and see where we can go. And I think this one's a really good >> I agree. >> I have thoughts about this whole document if you don't mind. >> Go ahead. >> Um one is that you've cut me completely out of this system that I've been working on for three years. I'm pretty upset about that. Um secondly, you referred to the reason that we want to clean up or remove um invasive species because we don't like the aesthetic. Has never been the reason. It has always been for water quality. Um so that's upsetting. I also don't feel that the people who live directly around the marsh should be financially responsible as the only individuals for cleaning up the marsh when none of them personally had much to do with it. and the city is the largest land owner around it. So um uh also you didn't consult Alan or Marcus who are the other people who've been working on this for three years and I appreciate that you filled out the document but I do feel like the rest of the people who have been working as a team it's not a committee of one and this was very upsetting because it cut out all of the information regarding the things that we've been discussing and talking about. So, this would have been nice to have this come to us to discuss prior to being in the packet. Um, with that being said, there's some great ideas in here, but it's also it wasn't brought in front of the group that has been dealing with this to bring it in front of the committee or group. And it looks like you've been reaching out to Rice Creek Wershed District and got a response from them directly, but didn't include any of the information regarding what you had asked them. Um, so I feel like I've been cut out of something that I've worked very hard for, which is very upsetting to me. Um, I have forwarded you the information from uh Steve Mccomomas as of today. We got a response from him regarding testing for various things on the marsh, storm water conveyance from uh the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. I forwarded you Jay Rig Rig Riggs information from the Washington Conservation District. Um, none of this was consulted to the group that's been working on it and though there's some good information, it's frustrating. That's my thoughts. How would you like to see this moving forward, Kathy? >> Um, I do think we need to have another meeting regarding the group that's been working on it to discuss the recommendations from the other agencies. The DNR also owes me a call. So, I have some other irons in the fire regarding that meeting that we had in November >> that I would like to discuss. Every agency is a slowmoving process, so it takes a while to gather information. I would like to have that discussion prior to meeting with Rice Creek Watershed District because we should be discussing all of this information that is our strategic plans or decisions prior to making it a public information for other agencies. So, that's kind of where I'd like to go. Can we make that happen? I I mean I think the problem here that I see with the kind of the ongoing investigation is this is stuff that's kind of all been gone through and you know it I I would suggest we schedule a meeting for late January um with Rice Creek Watershed study schedule a work session for late January give you know a couple a month and a half here for Kathy to kind of wrap wrap up the loose ends. Um, you know, I would kind of like to see I know and I appreciate your work on this, Kathy. Um, I'm trying to move beyond some of the, um, contention that's been going on with Rice Creek a little bit here. And, you know, it's not so much that you're not being included here. It's just that I think it's important >> I think it's important to include the whole council um you know in the discussion going forward here and I think we're just kind of including everybody. So um I'm h having said that I think giving some time is fine but I think would it be reasonable to just set up maybe a late January workshop with Rice Creek. You can do your due diligence. we can incorporate some of that into the strategy at the workshop and kind of move this forward toward a resolution. And >> Kathy, what information is still outstanding? Like who are you waiting for? >> Um, I'm waiting to hear from the water quality specialist at the Department of Natural Resources. Um, that's the biggest one. Um, every agency I've talked to, they have said we should be working with Rice Creek because they're the ones who manage this and should know how to take care of a maintenance plan, which is surprising because that's the thing that they claim they can't do. So, um, all of the agencies that I've talked to have given me various information that I'm I'm not a specialist. I would like Marcus and Allen to be reading that information and giving their opinion and info on it. Um uh several well uh Bill M Cole from the pollution control agency gave me the full water u wetlands document that pulled out the information was specific to wetlands. He's like this applies there's no reason it shouldn't apply but we've been told by Rice Creek multiple times they're like this doesn't apply. So there's some some information that doesn't make sense. So that is what I want clarified by these organizations and that's why I would like to talk to the department of natural resources >> prior to >> so I'm just trying to figure this out. So if you once you get that information from the DNR, >> would it be possible for you and Alan and Marcus to sit down and go through that information >> and I and maybe at the end of January we have a workshop on it and then we push off Rice Creek until the beginning of February. Let's do let's >> that way you can >> we can get your stuff together present to the whole council at a workshop >> and then we can talk strategy once we have all the info that would be good hand. Would that be all right? >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think >> well thank you for doing the research too. >> Yeah, thank you Kathy. I I really do feel strongly that this stuff needs to start moving through the council and that's what I'm trying to do here um to kind of because one of the things I've seen at Rice Creek meetings is Um, you know, the council isn't aligned on these issues. And, you know, we have to kind of pull the council into alignment before we can even start to have a reasonable a reasonable discussion with Rice Creek. And that's, you know, what I'm trying to do here. I put a number of options into the paper. You know, this isn't the final thing, but like and I'm fine with people, you know, saying, "Well, I want this way. I want to push it that way." That's fine. But I really do think if we're not going to have a task force, it's really important to to kind of coales the council around this because this is a, you know, this is an issue that's been very focused on Rice Creek, but this also has a lot of um, you know, implications more broadly for Birwood and for our relationship with Rice Creek and for some of the funding there. There are some complexities and, you know, I just think it's good for the whole council to kind of keep on top of all these things. So, disagree that the whole council should be involved with this and understanding it. But given the fact that Kathy has worked three years on this and has known >> has built up so much expertise, I don't think it's the right thing to go boldly forward without bringing that >> expertise. I agree and I would ask her to, you know, kind of bring that in as a council. >> Um, but my understanding was, um, you know, Rice Creek was reaching out to me for specific reasons there. So, thank you. >> Well, would that timeline work though? Can we stick with that timeline? >> Like you, Kathy, and Allan and Marcus meet in January. >> Council has a workshop the end of January and you guys can present, talk about Ryan's options, your options. I I totally agree we need to be on the same page. >> There's no point in continuing a discussion with Rice Creek unless we come with a plan >> and let me reach out too. So on behalf of the city. So I mean all of this will be driven by what Rice Creek can do in their availability too. >> They didn't copy you on any of the emails that they sent to Ryan either did they? >> I don't think so. I mean >> I just sent the president of Race Creek a thank you email. So >> yeah I've seen I mean I don't think any of this matters as long as the goal if the North Star is cleaning up the marsh then that should be the focus. So >> no and I agree with that. I'm just I'm not a fan of having information coming from Rice Creek for the the council that has cut out all of the people who have worked on it for three years. >> That's fair. >> Switch. >> So, let's not do that anymore because that's why we've been working with seven different members of Rice Creek is because they keep on switching our contacts, which is why it's taking years. >> And I understand everyone's frustration. And I think when Kathy and I brought this forward as a way to sort of try and manage the Mars, um I certainly am not one to throw other government agencies under the bus, but this slowdown, but I'm about to, but um this was slowed down because of the maintenance agreement that really was being kind of slowwalked or at least that was the perception. And I will say that there are a lot of other actors that had to be part of this. So there had to be input from White Bear and Mameida, etc., etc. So it it did slow the bus down and we had a pretty good traction there for a while and then it just kind of slowed to a stop and so to Ryan's point apologize for that but there wasn't any update to bring the council because nothing had happened >> and then all of a sudden here we are. So >> Ellen, could you reach out to Rice Creek and just kind of float the idea of early February to them? that >> what I'm saying. In fact, I'm going to caption this in your minutes just so you know that simply we're going to move the matter to a more focused assessment uh on the phase regarding Marsh Health and next step for rehabilitation and plan a workshop for early 2026. That sounds unfair. >> That sounds reasonable. >> Obviously, they'll be invited. >> Does that work for you? >> And we did, of course, um just so everyone's aware, um Ruth and Bud, the Jensen wanted to be here. uh couldn't uh they had sent some uh um some other personal thoughts to sort of revisit what they did last month with their presentation. So uh they're still laser focused and obviously we appreciate their attention. So >> yeah, obviously we'll be inviting them to the workshop >> and I'm sure they will love to be there. >> So unless there's any vote to be taken, that's how I'm going to leave it in the minutes. So stay tuned next month and we'll hopefully have a plan for when we can do that. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss on that? Anybody? >> Well, Alan, can and this is me being new to this whole situation and I find it to be a very confusing situation, this whole Marsh thing. Is it possible that staff can put together like a working file of all the information that that the group has collected so far and the work that you've been doing just so we can see a timeline of >> on the city side? this document. >> No, >> kind of does cover most of the information. The information you got from Bud and Ruth, theirs has been a >> a live document. We'll go with that. >> Sure. >> They added to it. And then the other information we have from the city is just the email. >> But having the city putting together a document, would the document that Henkins provided suffice or would having the city put together like a working document of the timeline preserve perspective? >> Yes. >> Well, I'll answer this a couple of ways. And I'm coming from a government perspective where >> like I want something like super official saying, "Hey, this is what the work that the city's been doing XYZ since this date and here's who everybody we've reached to and here's the dates and everything." >> And the best I can do is promise to look through and see what sort of people who have been sitting in this chair have documented before because I don't know how much attention has been paid from downstairs to this issue. >> Be careful. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I've certainly been involved in I'll just call it the task force. This is back when Justin and Kathy and I were meeting with the district and whatnot. And that does go back three or four years. And so those were just sort of episodic little meetings that we'd have towards this flop agreement, the maintenance agreement. >> And so I don't know how much attention was being paid. I don't know if there was any sort of timeline being kept. I would agree. Ruth and Bud probably have the best working knowledge of sort of how this has gone over the years, but our participation has really been, hey, here's the latest version of this maintenance agreement. What do you think? >> Yep. >> Basically. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Bud and Ruth's document that they sent that timeline of the all of the things. None of it's wrong. >> Nope. >> I wrote up a brief one that you guys got last fall and of course I appreciate Ryan's effort. That's obviously herculan as far as tonight goes. So, um, we are building a file and I'll start one if there isn't one, but I just can't tell you what the city has for records on it. >> Okay. I'm not crazy for You understand where I'm coming from on that? >> I understand government. >> There you go. >> It all started in 1976. >> The bsentennial. >> Yes. When the marsh was donated to the city. >> And it only went up from there. >> Uhhuh. >> Went downhill quickly for >> Are there any halls left here in Birwood? Well, there might be through marriage, but none that are >> not that I'm aware of. >> And I knew it was donated, but um someone probably knows and probably getting off subject here, but uh what did they own aside from the marsh? What was their property? Where do they live? >> Anyone know? >> No. >> I I mean, I thought they owned that property, I assume. >> Well, I figured that, but I mean, they must have had one of the houses somewhere. But that's an interesting, you know, there's old censuses and if somebody's ambitious, I'm not sure I'm that ambitious. >> I'm not either. >> I think it's in that Centennial book, actually. >> I was just curious where their actual house was since they >> No one owns a marsh without living there. >> Centennial book. >> Okay. Well, thank you for all your work, for your work. >> Yeah. Thank you. So, >> we're going to get there. Um, number six is discussion of proposed compensation and or benefits for perspective and existing city staff. Alan, >> thank you, Madame Mayor. This was uh left sort of in a general posture for you guys. Obviously, I'm new to sitting here. And in the audience, we have Chris, who's one of our um folks that's considering a position to help us out in the office downstairs. And of course, part and parcel of that is uh compensation. And so, you've got staff that's currently uh compensated and seem to be happy with that. And so, quite honestly, I have no idea what to offer Chris. Um she had brought up benefits in terms of health insurance, things like that. And certainly, I as someone who's going to be downstairs, I'm curious about that, too. And of course, I can't offer myself anything. And because of that, I also don't feel comfortable offering Chris anything as well. So, kind of need to have a free form discussion of what you guys want to do about that or if you want to just uh send it sideways to a smaller group and talk about it offline. >> I guess I would make a couple remarks. One is I would be more than happy for the personnel committee to kind of make a recommendation and I would just you know think something is reasonable. I also know I think I sent Jen a link at some point. The League of Minnesota Cities has it. Yeah. And I don't know if that's good or if it works. And it doesn't sound like you don't shake you're shaking your head like that didn't work. >> We don't have enough employees. >> Okay. >> Is the minimum. >> So I think something needs to be I mean I'm fine with doing some health insurance stuff and I think that's good. Um let me know if I can help. But >> I know Teresa is looking into it. She's um waiting for a quote to come back. So >> yeah, she has a broker that she worked with in the past. So it's just tough when you're only talking about a handful of folks. Even if you want to start an entire program, of course, it would have to be offered to all the employees. So, you know, there is that, too. So, I'm probably the person that knows the least about this stuff. So, I'm not much of a resource for you, I'm afraid. You know, but before I can in good faith offer someone a position, it's important to know what we can offer them, >> right? >> We're working on that. >> So, >> so I I know Teresa and I spoke about it today and she's just waiting for her broker to get back with her with numbers. So >> what's the total number of employees? Do you have to work a certain number of hours to qualify for? We don't know. >> Okay. >> For what? >> Or health insurance andor benefits >> to be part of a group health group. I think that the magic number is five. >> We have >> two not Marsha doesn't count. >> Uh no, she's a contractor, I think. >> Well, not to solve for it here, but um couldn't we just decide if we don't have enough group to subsidize a certain portion for everybody and then they go out and find their own insurance >> and that's kind of plan B is just doing it as a HSA sort of flex account >> right >> I thought HSA would be a really good option and just >> and it might be the only option when you've only got a couple >> right because we don't have enough people >> but again this was just about taking it someplace so if that's where you want to do it then um we'll just work with the personnel committee and go from I mean, it's certainly worth exploring. I think >> you think, Ryan, >> I feel like health insurance is tricky. >> Yeah. >> Isn't it though? >> Yeah. >> That's why it would be easier to pay for the >> seems like get the finance guy on. It might be a good idea. Well, my whole thing is I think all health insurance should be abolished and everyone should just pay free market for health for healthare. But that's just me. But I I >> universal, but I don't think we're getting that either. >> Yeah. Um No, but I agree. I think that we need to figure something out and if HSA is our only option that go down that road just because of our >> small >> Ellen in your in your familiarity with other cities like it just seems like this is normal thing that cities would provide to employees isn't it health insurance to a full-time employee. I can only go from my last experience which um I was essentially paid a dollar as a salary employee so I could be part of the group health and yeah it was pretty it was a standard part of employment so I'm not going to speak to myself but I will say that as a city to be competitive right and I know Chris has worked for Ramsey County and I'm sure it wasn't even a it wasn't even a question it was just part of employment so if you're going to remain competitive and get talent then I think it's a conversation that you kind of need to So, so that so Henkins, you sent Jen a link about I'm guessing some sort of League of Minnesota pool. >> Oh, what's >> Yeah, and that's a small group pool and again the we don't meet the magic number to be able to take part in that and that's administered through the league and recommended by them. So >> yeah, there has to be a ton of cities who don't have enough people. Wonder what >> right is that a pool is like >> the magic number is it like five where we need to add our maintenance staff as >> dollar salary employee >> we have zero >> just five people who want to be part of the program >> and so you've got folks that are getting their health care from other sources right so there's more than one place to get it so you've got some that just have Medicare and don't need it or people who have spouses that have >> I don't think we're going to figure this out right now >> um but I'm I guess as a matter of principle I'm fine with >> expiring >> being a reasonable employer. >> You know, it might be worth talking to some of the tiny cities and seeing what they're doing and seeing if they could come together to make a group. >> Wonder if you can do that. >> You've got your willies that probably have a couple, you know, Grant has like I mean Grant, Willie, do they all have a single administrator and >> I don't know, not too many other folks that run the show. So, >> so maybe that's another way. >> Yeah, can make some calls. We can start a new group. >> Why not? >> Anyway, I'm just going to put assigned to personnel committee in the notes. Is that fair? >> Sounds good. >> Okay. >> Does anyone want to say hello to Chris? >> Hi, Chris. >> We would like to get her. So, I mean, she's here because I invited her to come and meet all of you to uh at least understand what she'd be getting into. >> How are we doing? >> Yeah. I'm surprised >> our interview wasn't going that great. >> Okay, then um let's move on to the consent agenda. Um I have an amendment. Um late breaking news here from Theres. We have um these bills that she would like us to approve for payment. Um, I'll just pass this down to you guys. It's all Bright View. It's uh Bright View LRS, which is portable toilets and >> few additions to the uh basically be in the treasures report otherwise. So, >> right and the solar here. You guys want to take a peek? So, that would be the addition. Oops. B. >> Yes. To be >> solar or not. And then available in the back of course. >> Oh. Oh, I see. Walrus >> otherwise she has >> walrus solar. >> Otherwise, she has to wait till January. >> I didn't see. >> Want to pass it down to Kathy and we'll pass it this way. >> I can find out later. >> I don't know. But I've got I'm going to type USS Walrus Solar into one of the image generation things and see what I get. >> Um, also there were some errors on the city calendar for next year. Um, and those have been fixed. The schedule of regular council meetings was fine. The 2026 schedule of official city holidays had some errors. >> Yeah, loosely put the dates were correct, but the days of the week, >> the days of the week were in. >> So, if it's the fourth of something and it said Monday last year, it needed to say Tuesday. So, those have all been corrected. There's a corrected copy in front of you, too. So, those would be the two that I wanted to pull out to amend. Um, anybody else have anything? >> Trump's birthday. No. >> Your mic's on there. Okay. With these um two additions, can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So, moved. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Hearing? None. Motion passes. >> Okay. So, we go to the announcements and upcoming events. Um number one is Marcus and Mayor Rice Creek Watershed District Project update. So Marcus and I um you guys approved last month um Marcus's hours to work on a storm water grant for the city. So we've moved forward with Rice Creek on that. Um they're working in Paulie's Park and doing soil borings. So once this I think it's Will from Rice Creek has been out there. Um, so once they do all the soil borings and get that data together, we can move forward with a project um with Rice Creek. So hopefully that grant will come through for us. Um, also I know Kathy this isn't on here, but you asked about the lift station. >> Yes. >> What uh what happened? >> Um the are you talking about the control panel or the money? Uh well both actually. So okay had mentioned uh I had asked if we had gotten the money back from the EPA because we hadn't as of last month. >> Correct. >> I wanted to update that because it wasn't in our group. >> Right. So we we have everything. Um we've been re reimbursed from the EPA for all of the expenses except for 22,000 which was just in the email today. So um Marcia is the one responsible for requesting that money from the EPA. Um, so I'm sure she just saw it this afternoon, so we'll have it tomorrow. Um, but that's it. Then we're done. Um, and again, that's just 22,000, just $22,000. Um, so that project is complete. We did run into a little hiccup over there. Um, Randy Foy, I believe, or was it Brian McGinness was reporting the generator Brian >> that the generator was running? >> It was. Yeah. And so apparently the wiring was had to be swapped out in the control panel. No, in the control panel and it's fine now, I guess. >> So this was >> it was rewired and um I don't know if they did it, but they did authorize putting a box on there too to secure it. >> Was this a snafu when they wired it in the first place? like I know I shouldn't say snafu maybe, but um is this a little like an issue with when they fired it in the first place that it wasn't done quite right or it was just something went wrong or we don't >> as the exact same question and it still seems a little unclear. So, uh the Kodiak people I think went in and >> they took out the put it back together and >> do we have to pay for it or does this come out of the construction contingency? >> Find out. I mean those are the questions that I these things just got done like last Friday. I have several more questions you've already thought of, too. So, >> good. >> So, yeah, there was the only the only question was um whether or not to secure that um apparatus. So, we put a $480 box to cover it up and secure it. And so, we'll see what the uh what the power system people come back with as a bill. So, there's some question of who's responsible for it and and what not, but um I said we'll just monitor it. So obviously we've got some ears out there to listen to see if it's still um functioning the same way. And so it got an all clear from the from the folks that that took it apart and put it back together. So it's I guess not tested yet. >> They're still time will tell. >> They're still monitoring it, >> but apparently the generator has gone off. So, >> do we have a an alert of some sort that gets sent to an email address or the city or something that tells us when the electricity has been cut to that and it goes on the generator so that we >> um I've heard see that I've heard from um White Bear Township Public Works when the generator not the new station but when the generators kick on at Dwood they get notified. >> Get a notification for the new one as well just so that we don't have to >> I would imagine >> I would think that would be cooked into it but yeah >> I mean I get a notification in my house >> or do you just hear it? >> Yeah, >> I think that's what Brian was saying. It's kind of loud. >> It's Yeah, I can hear it in the house if I Yeah, if I don't tune out. So, >> but you know that's again we need our residents to notify us of those things. So >> yeah, and thank you to Mr. McGinness too for making us aware of it. Otherwise, that thing would still be just tripping on and off. So >> So we we really need to rely on on them. Um before we adjourn, I do want to publicly thank Barton Winter again for his work on the hockey rink. Um he opened it Sunday. He was out there. And in fact, I had him provide someone shoveling my way here. >> Well, it's because the snow blower broke. So, we need to figure that out for him as well. Um, but he did provide me uh a schedule of flooding and I can't put my hands on it right now, but it was he's been out there 13 times. So, he's been doing it at midnight and 5:00 a.m. and a thin layer, you know, and so >> we send him. >> Looks great. >> He did a really nice job down there. >> He really did. >> Looks good. >> The best I've seen ever. >> Might have to give him a plaque. I know that be cute. >> I'd like to do something for him. >> Maybe he becomes the Fourth of July >> the Grand Marshall. >> Grand when we do our submit for for names. That's a good one. >> It's a great idea. >> But anyway, I just wanted to publicly thank him again because >> been doing just a fabulous job on that. >> Good choice. you know, before we we um wrap up the meeting, it really does bother me that when I look at the statement of re receipt dispersements that um year to date, we're at 458,000 against a budget of a million. So, in a month, we're going to get all of that paid out. And then the same thing goes for the um or paid in. And then the same thing goes with the dispersements. We're at 543. >> Part of that was that EPA thing you're waiting on. >> I just see year to date through July. >> No, it's it's um page 63. >> 63. >> I just think something is wrong. >> Well, that's the EPA grant had to be paid back. So that's the 400. And what was the amount? >> 560. So, I'm off 560. >> I thought we had gotten the Rice Creek 100,000 separately. So, it was >> Oh, yeah. You could be right. That's right. >> You could talk to Marsha and and just ask her why this is the case and are we going to be at budget at the end of December? >> I will. >> Thank you. >> Whenever I hear back, obviously, I'll let you know as soon as possible. So, >> it just doesn't make sense to me. >> Oh, one last thing. Sorry people. Um, did we last month did we set a date in January for a workshop like January 6th? >> Yeah. >> 6. >> Could we instead of calling it a workshop, could we call it a special meeting? Um, simply because I won't be around for the regular council meeting. And that first council meeting in January is the one where we get committees and we do the whole shebang with the publication and all of that. >> You want to do as a as so that we can do that? >> Yeah. As opposed to calling it a workshop, can we call it a special meeting so we can make decisions >> and put some of that that would be done. You would still keep your the meeting on the 13th. >> I think that's a great idea. >> Sure. >> Is that all right with you guys? >> Yeah. What would you like then to I mean I'm happy to work with whoever about moving whatever but at some point it becomes silly to have a regular city council meeting if we're going to move a bunch of stuff. >> You have to have it because the treasur's report won't be done by the 6th. >> Got it. >> So the third you have to meet any >> whatever we can then. So >> fun fact it's also epiphany that day. the sixth the 13th >> but I will recaption it as a special >> so we can do business. >> All right. Anything else? Thank you guys. >> I move to adjourn. Do we do it or we already adjourn? >> An announcement quick before >> uh the community club has their winter party on January 3rd 3rd. January 3rd from 300 pm to 5:00 pm here. Um, it will have snacks and you can come and visit with your neighbors. We did hire a band. You've heard of the Mother Band. They were a White Bear Lake High School uh trio that has been featured in the White Bear Lake um newspaper and also on several local publications. They're going to come and perform for the first hour and then a TBD either quintet, quartet, something orchestral potentially for the second hour of that to come and visit and chat and enjoy some crafts and snacks. This one is open to all ages. Please come and enjoy um here at the city hall January 3rd from 3 to 5. >> We really need to promote that. That would be really fun. >> That would be fun. >> Y >> if you want to put that in the city notes too. >> I will. I was trying to figure out who our second act is before I >> Okay. >> All right. >> Have a couple groups of students that are auditioning apparently. So, >> competition. >> I I so like the way you've repositioned that or the committee's reposition that I think it's really nice. >> Yes. Um our Santa retired if you were wondering why he's not coming. Um he he did retire. It's also in January, so that helps. But if you do need a free Santa, Fair Lake still has their Santa that is at their winter weekends thing. So take advantage of that one. Wines are not horrible. Know that some people came here for Santa because it was free to take pictures. >> You can do that there in White Bear as well. >> So just stating the obvious, it probably would be a really nice thing if all of us could be there. >> Yeah, it would be lovely if there will be here enjoying and bringing some snacks. I can bring some snacks, too. >> The band should be a lot of fun. >> I can eat some snacks. >> All right. Well, we have a motion on the table. Can I get a second? >> All in favor? >> I motion passes. We stand adjourned. >> Thank you, everyone. >> Do you move it? >> Who move to adjurnn? >> Ryan. >> Okay, I didn't hear you. Sorry. >> Alan, can you do me a favor?