I'll charge it. >> Good evening and welcome to the Newport City Council meeting. Today is Thursday, November 20th, 2025. We'll begin the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Will staff please call the role. >> Council member Schmidt. >> Council member Sumner >> here. >> Council member Ingamman >> here. >> Council member Taylor >> here. Mayor Elliott >> here. Here. Thank you. Next on our agenda is to adopt this evening's agenda. Are there any changes? >> Hearing none. I'll move to adopt. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion from council member um Sumar and a second from council member Ingamman to adopt the agenda as presented. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed the agenda is adopted. Next, we have a an update from Washington County Commissioner Carla Bigum. And so, Carlo, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Council, for uh giving me just a couple minutes here to do an update with some very exciting news that I'm sure you've already heard of, but we want to get it out there. Um, I'm excited to share that uh the advocacy of the Red Rock Corridor and just a lot of appreciation to Council Member Taylor who is the not only the vice chair but just an incredible leader on the topic um and advocates and the city. I know the city of Newport um sent a letter in support, but we are excited to share that there is a new east west route connecting the Woodlane Woodbury stop coming down here to the Newport Transit Center. We're reopening. Uh and uh it'll go on 494 west to the Mall of America and to the airport. That will start December 6th and that route is number uh 3:45. It'll be on the hour um starting from 6 until um late in 6:00 in the morning until late in the evening. Um and we are having an open house uh at the transit center on the 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 and um just really want to lift that up. We're going to be continuing to push that on social media to get people there and um get attention to that. But um this is a big deal for the residents of the east metro to be able to have public transportation access to the airport. We've never had that and so it's um amazing and I'm just very proud of the um collaboration that we had to get that done. Uh another update which is very exciting. Um there the county invests money um to expand existing circulator um service through darts and that's only in Cottage Grove right now. Well uh starting in early 2026 it will be coming to Newport uh and St. Paul Park on Thursdays and it is going to um it's going to be once a week. Um we are working with darts to continue. They have a little bit of a um issue with um uh workers and workforce and stuff like that. And so it's it we um we're going to uh be dealing and working with them to see if we can't kick it up a notch. Um but it will be uh going uh Red Rock Square of course, Newport Commons, Red Rock Manor, and then you know it'll be able to stop anywhere along those routes. And so if you think about the Newport Center, everything like that, um I just uh this has been a long discussion I know with the mayor uh um to increase service and accessibility. Uh we talk about this so frequently and um appreciate uh her leadership on this and just working with us. Um and uh I'm really proud that the county can dedicate this fund for that. We do get um money for um the sales tax for transit and half of that goes to transit, half goes to roads and bridges, which brings me into the next subject that I told the mayor I would talk a little bit about. Um so next year when we go into our capital improvement plan, um before that we are going to be having some very uh earnest discussions about how we pay for our roads. Now we know that Bailey needs to be done and expanded. Um early estimates are that that's over a $50 million project. We also have County Road 19 where Tanks uh is located. Um because of all that development uh we are that is already happened but will be happening in that area. Um County Road 19 needs to be expanded. And then if you'll remember out on Manning Avenue by um Oakland Middle School, that is also a very congested area because of the growth in Lake Elmo. That also is over $50 million project. And um we need to have a very earnest discussion to maybe weigh that sales tax dedication higher to roads and bridges so that we can meet the needs of um the growth on the infrastructure. So, I will certainly be pushing for that because the sooner I know we could get Bailey done um the better and um so uh and Newport is growing extremely fast as well. And so um that is a top priority. It's a top priority of the county as well when when we do this. So I just wanted to let you guys know that that that's where my focus will be is to try to get the money to get some of these big projects off cuz cuz um you know we have we have to keep up with the growth. Um the next topic is the food scrap program. So um I just want to lift that up and um as this holiday season is coming uh please go to foodscraps.com and we will get you signed up. You get your bags and um get a container. It's free. Um and it'll be helpful uh to keep that and divert that out of landfills. Both Ramsey and Washington County are part of that. We're at 12% between the two. Um, uh, three4s of our county, uh, Washington County is enrolled in the program, uh, for the communities. The northern part of the county will get eligibility, uh, mid next year. Um, Newport, I'm proud, uh, 9% which is fantastic. And so, we just got to keep, um, getting people to sign up for that. And want to thank Council Member Ingamman for his, uh, leadership and contributions on the recycling and energy board. Um and uh you can pick up a lawn sign to promote the food scrap program at our recycling energy center. Which brings me to the next one. [laughter] Um Christmas lights and batteries. Please, please, please recycle them um appropriately at our uh environmental center. Uh it keeps our uh neighbor just down the road here at the actual recycling and energy center um safe so that uh council member Taylor and his wonderful crew don't have to go there and try to put out a fire because a lithium battery or something went kaboom. So we um need to get those out to the environmental center. The batteries go and the Christmas lights. Um, and then I just wanted to uh lift up uh that you know the county was able to put 250,000 into uh our local food shelf. So both friends in need and basic needs received um money for that because of the increased demand. They both reported to me um that they are at over 30% uh increase in traffic and most of those are firsttime users of the of the um program. And so while the SNAP program benefits have been turned back on, it does not take away the need and the u pressure of the food insecurity that our neighbors uh may be experiencing. Um something that is near and dear to the U mayor's heart is a a holiday train which is coming I think on the 13th of December. It's a Saturday um about 4 o'clock. So hopefully folks can join us there because that benefits the friends in need food shelf as well. So and that is it. Mayor, I appreciate your your time and um don't want to take any more of it up, but I can stand for any questions. >> Um well, thank you uh for coming out and providing that update. And um we do have some starter uh kits at city hall here if someone wants to get started before uh reaching out to the county to get bags and the buckets. We've got the buckets here as well. So, you can get started on that pretty easily. It's a very simple program. tie up the bag, throw it in your trash. That's it. >> Um, so yeah, you've got a lot of projects going on. And then I just wanted to follow up. Is it just lithium batteries that you want people to recycle or are there other batteries they should >> Well, lithium are the ones that really cause the the big problems, but all to the to your point, and I appreciate you saying that, all batteries are to be recycled properly, and that is at the environmental center. They just put them in a bag and when you go out there to to drop that off. >> Great. Other questions for coun uh council member sum. >> The additional sales tax is devoted for transportation. Is that local >> and dedicated to local projects only? >> Yeah. Yeah. That can go that's assigned by us. Yep. Uh by the county and then that um appropriated not assigned appropriated by us. Yes. And again half of that um is to transit half to roads and bridges. >> Correct. Okay. >> Yep. And then Met Council pays for all operations. So like the gold line which now this um line that starts on December 6 that will connect directly to the gold line. The operations of that are 100% paid for by Met Council which was a change as of 2023 which freed up uh transit money um for the county as well because we originally until that law changed we had to um pay operations along with Ramsay. >> Okay. Thank you. That's >> Yeah. Other questions? >> Well, thank you very much for uh coming out tonight and it's always great to see you. >> Thank you, Mayor Council. >> Next in our agenda is public comments. This is where members of the public can address the city council about any local government topic that's not included on the regular agenda. This is limited to concerns which are relevant to Newport affairs, policies, or practices. We ask that you come to the podium and clearly state your name and address for the record and to limit your comments to about 3 minutes. Generally, the council will not take any official action on items discussed at this time, but we'll refer matters to staff if appropriate. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak during public comments? Come up to the podium. Stephanie Buju. My name is Stephanie Schroeder. I live at 1159 Fth Avenue. I am the South Washington County Indigenous Education Coordinator SLdirector. Um we are starting to have some programming here in the school district in particular in Newport. Um and we want like to extend a welcome to these events so that you can help show our indigenous community members that um that you are here in full support of our programming and our people. >> Well, thank you for letting us know and that you're able to do a little bit more work within the Newport area. Thank you. My name is Barry Hand and I live at 333rd Avenue. I sent [clears throat] you an email about a week ago. So, we had an event there at the Newport Library >> and we had over 100 folks in attendance and it was really well attended by Newport residents. I wanted you to hear a little bit of the original language of this place of Newport. If you look on the sign, it says founded in 1837. I'm going to tell you why. That's because 1837 Dakota Treaty. That's when Newport was founded and that's when these lands opened up. And so, we had a lot of young people there in attendance. quite a few over three hours and first event and we didn't have any of our electeds present. I'd encourage you to come. I'd encourage you to come as our electeds. Our young people didn't see anyone there. If you can't make it there, maybe a letter of support. I was a deer hunting opener. I didn't go either. [laughter] I had some ladies here I kind of boss to. But you do important work and this isn't a criticism, but I want to make awareness. uh and in emails sometimes they don't come across uh maybe how spoken words do but uh so I am the program director for a new kodapi uh my director is Shelley Buck she's currently running for state house here in Woodbury um there's a lot of our people that here that live in Newport and we're going to be doing more events and we'd love you for you to come there's is it's it's a good time and we usually have pretty good food so with that I want to invite you all to come to our events if if you can. If you can't, I get it, too. Um, but maybe let the kids know and the community know that that they're seen. Thank you. >> Thank you, Barry. I did have friends that were able to attend, so um I think they enjoyed it. Go ahead. >> Um, Maria Bonia, 6846th Avenue. And, um, I just kind of wanted to echo that that uh, I was also at that event and I was part of the organizing committee. And it while it was disappointing to not see any of our electeds there, I just wanted to speak a little bit about investment. And the reason for that is because um I'm a public servants servant both in my professional capacity and also in my personal life. And um you know as a person in in that role we talk a lot about like um place building and specifically here in Newport you know we're a very small community and we talk about a lot about like you know building up the community. How do we do that? How do we bring more people in? Like how how do we attract retail? And I think a big part of that is is place building. And um when I've see folks like that are are champions for building community, I really I mean I think it's important that as electeds that that that we see the value of you know investment um because not not all things um especially when you know when you're trying to build community and bringing in food things like that that takes that takes money. I mean and that's just the reality of it. So, um I know that the the Newport um library got some funding to be able to to do some uh community engagement events and maybe that might not be there in the future, but I just wanted to kind of put it in your ear like the importance of um investment. It doesn't have to be vast um but a little goes a long way. Thank you. >> Thank you so much um to all of you. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? AB >> I I'm not seeing any movement in the audience that that looks like it's an approach towards the uh podium. So I want to thank you for your comments. Um it was uh fun to hear your the native language being spoken and to hear more about the event that day. So thank you very much. Um with that we will move on to the consent agenda. Do we have any changes to the consent agenda? >> Move the consent agenda. [clears throat] >> I'll second that. I have a motion from council member Ingamman and a second from council member Sumar to adopt the consent agenda as presented. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. The consent agenda is adopted. Next we'll move on to the engineers report. We have uh our city engineer John Herdigan with us this evening. >> Good evening mayor, members of the council. Uh three items for formal consideration and a couple updates. Uh first item is our 2025 street utility improvements project. Uh Meyer Contracting completed the last uh or the second lift of pavement on Second Avenue. Uh they're essentially done with the work that they can complete on this project. Uh aside from some of the work that's in conflict with the pipeline on 17th, uh there it potentially will be able to install some of that storm sewer that is in the unimproved portion of the rideway, that portion between Cedar Lane and the river. Uh we're working with uh Circle K, who owns the tank farm just to the north, on making sure that we can route around their facilities. Uh uh pending that uh that coordination, that work may start in early December. Otherwise, we'll see that area be pretty quiet here through the winter. um probably beefing up some of the um traffic control in that area, making sure that uh folks are um be able to get around uh while Matt and his crew uh plow the plow the street for the winter. Uh there's a uh partial payment application that Meyer submitted. Uh it's payment number five. Uh to date, the contractor has completed just over $2,330,000 worth of improvements, less than 5% uh retainage that we're holding on the project and the previously paid amount. Uh Meyer is requesting $19,59429. We'd be looking for council to consider authorizing that partial payment number five. >> Thank you. Um any questions for John on this? I'll move the authorization to make that payment. >> Thank you. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion from council member Sum and a second from council member Ingamman for partial payment number five in the [clears throat] amount described by our city engineer. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. >> The partial payment is approved. >> And just one uh minor update again on uh on their 2025 street improvements. Uh Meyer had uh requested to get uh paid for some of their materials that they have purchased for the project. Uh they're currently stored on site. The contract does allow them to get uh compensated. Uh we had asked for uh for documentation to justify the cost for that payment. They're working on that. Couldn't quite get it into this payment application. So we'd appreciate consideration at the December 4th meeting uh once we have that documentation. it would be an off-schedule payment, but they do have quite a bit of uh resources uh dedicated to those those materials. So, they had requested that payment. >> Okay. Thank you for the heads up on that for next meeting. And I know there was some concern about uh clearing uh snow removal on the gravel portion of that road, those uh few blocks. They're going to end up being gravel uh over the winter. Matt, do you have any um any insights on that or anything you'd like to share? I know we talked to a number of people in the neighborhood, but not everybody was probably able to make it. So, >> right, we're we're still kind of waiting um going back and forth to figure out what how it'll end up >> uh for the for the winter season. Um there's a chance it'll be a a one-way street down there. Um so, if that's the case, we'll have traffic control up and just ask people to have patience and and drive carefully in that area. um you know, anytime it's gravel, obviously it's not uh um a little little tougher driving conditions than a paved road with curb. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> And we can send some notification out to to folks once we finalize that that plan and we we reach the point where we we're, you know, definitely not going to be able to do any more improvements and then have that formal plan so we can get that communicated out to folks. [clears throat] >> Yeah, I think they would appreciate that. Thank you. My next item was the water system uh interconnect project. Uh A1 uh excavating has installed both the uh pressure reducing valve at the uh storage tanks in Lovelin Park as well as the metering manhole. Uh they again they've also uh stabilized all their disturbed areas. So the project is looking in really good shape for winter. uh they're going to be planning to return early in January to install the flow meter and that's pending the uh installation of the electrical service from Excel. Uh they are working with the Cherrywood developer uh to bring the um the new electrical service into that development. So we're we're riding on those coattails. So, we're a little bit at their uh at their mercy for schedule, but uh we anticipate that coming in hopefully in the latter part of December here or early January. Uh so, looking at likely a startup sometime in that in that March time frame when we can get the meter up and running and then start providing uh providing that water from the interconnect. >> Okay. >> Uh >> nope, I just said okay. [laughter] Uh uh A1 has uh submitted a third partial payment application. Uh they at this uh point they've completed about uh $1.27 million of improvements less the 5% retainage and previously paid amount. Uh A1 has requesting $256,78423. We would request consideration of partial payment number three. I'll move a second. >> I have a motion from council member Ingamman and a second from council member Sumner. Um any questions on this from anybody? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Those opposed and the partial payment is approved. >> And last formal item, a payment for Loveland Sport Court reconstruction. And the city's currently holding 5% retainage on this project uh which is about $15,000. Normally that retainage should be reflective of the of the work remaining. And really the only thing that they have to do is to touch up some uh boulevard or some area restoration work in the spring that didn't take. So, we felt it would be appropriate to reduce that retainage and hold uh 1% which is a little over $3,000 uh through the spring and then once they get that work done, we would uh issue final completion. So, we had uh Winberg had requested a fourth payment partial payment application uh in the amount of $12,605 which represents a reduction in retainage from 5% to 1%. >> Okay. Not just an even 12,000. [laughter] >> That's not what my spreadsheet said. Sorry. >> I hear you. The numbers are the numbers. >> Um, any questions on this? Need a motion. >> I'll move partial payment number four for $12,605. >> I'll second with a question. >> Second. >> Hang on. I have a Okay. So, I have a motion from Council Member Taylor and a second from Council Member Ingamman. Questions? Council member Sumar, >> do you think that that amount of retanges is enough to get them to come back if they have a problem? >> I believe so. >> Okay. We've had problems with tidying up by some contractors in the past. >> We also have we we have the ability uh well, I'll I'll leave that. I believe that they that's enough retainage to to bring them back. We have we have uh bonds as well for the project. um and uh payment bonds and performance bonds that we have as levers if we need to. But I I think our experience with this contractor is is good. And >> that's the other thing that we've had >> prior engagements with these guys and they they've worked well and hopefully they'll want to work with us in the future. So >> I just know that there were a few things that didn't get done in the past with other contractors. But if if your judgment is to support this, I fully stand with your decision. >> Thank you, Council Member. Well, and I'm glad we'll see a a freeze thaw cycle, too, um before we end up returning all of the retainage. So, that's good. Any other questions? So, we have a motion um on the floor. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. And partial payment number four uh >> to reduce the retainage is approved. >> And then two quick updates. uh Cherrywood development. Uh if folks haven't been up in that area, it's changing very rapidly. Uh concrete curb and pavement is complete on all of Century Avenue. The first lift, uh it's also about 400 ft of curb and pavement have been extended into the development. Uh most of the grading work is all complete and the contractor plans to continue to work on utilities till they get to winter conditions. So, they're hoping they get another 2, three weeks of uh of utility work into the development. So, it's uh it's exciting. It's looking very very different up there and uh different in a positive way. >> Great. >> Last one, our third avenue improvements project. We're nearing completion of our design for that uh project. Uh we are targeting a neighborhood meeting to bring folks in to get their feedback. Uh likely the week of December 9th. I think we're we're shooting for the Wednesday um to uh have that open house here in the uh fire uh the fire training fire hall training center. Um that would be the 10th. Um and we'll get notification out to both the council as well as uh anyone that's uh impacted by that that project, directly impacted. >> Great. Um yeah, thanks for giving people kind of a heads up as to when we're going to do this. And I think uh we had the public hearing. This is the time when people, if you want to come in and individually talk about your specific property and what's going to happen with your specific property, any questions you have, anything you think that might be a little more unusual, um, that we want to make sure the engineer and the construction group is aware of, this is really, you know, where we get to learn about all the nuances that are going on, um, once we've put together the initial plan. So, uh, feedback from the public is very helpful at this stage. So, anything else? >> That's all I have. Mayor, >> any questions for Mr. Herdigan? >> Thank you. Uh, moving on, we have the superintendent of public works report. Um, Matt, >> good evening, Mayor Elliott and council members. I have one formal item for consideration. Um, Met Council is again offering uh private INI grant and they need a resolution of support from city council in order to accept our application for the private INI grant. So Joe and John and I have worked on this and uh put together a resolution 2025-79. um it won't guarantee us any money, but uh we can't be um considered without it. So um this year we are applying for 642,000 for the private INI portion um which could be applied to both Third Avenue uh 12th Street and any other private improvements that we do through construction. So this is different than when we do city uh property, correct? This is private property. >> This is only usable on private property. Correct. So >> Got it. >> Well, anything we can do to help uh reduce costs for uh members of the public and certainly 1.5 million can go a long ways uh to helping with that. So thank you for pursuing this. Any questions on this? I'll move the uh resolution 25 or 2025-79. >> I can second that. >> Thank you. Any discussion other than you can tell them we really are excited about it. [laughter] >> No city gets more excited about [clears throat] I than us. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed >> and the resolution is adopted. >> Thank you. Uh a few updates. Um we have finished sweeping up leaves uh for our first pass through. Um we we plan to fall back and do some of the worst areas that uh um obviously there not all the leads have dropped by the time we're sweeping, but um we'll fall back and and hit a few more of those spots as uh as time allows. And then also a reminder of the um parking ban overnight, you know, especially when there's a snow emergency, but from no November 1 till April 1 from 2 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. no on street parking. Um also a reminder, don't plow any snow out into the street. You know, you're uh it's against the law. If you damage someone's vehicle or cause an accident, you can be liable for that. Um, and it also makes it tougher for us to do a great job in cleaning things up. So, uh, with that, I'm happy to stand for any questions. >> Hearing none, uh, thank you for that report. Um, so next on our agenda is a close session item. So, I'll move that, uh, to after the mayor and council reports. And so, we will move directly at this time into mayor and counsel comments. So, um, many of you have seen some of the posts out there on Facebook regarding Cottage Grove and their EMS or ambulance service. They've got some decisions ahead that they that they need to make. Um, the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements aren't really keeping up with their costs. I do want the public to know that we've had multiple meetings with Cottage Grove starting in December of last year. And at that meeting, it was myself and our administrator and our fire chief. And you know the comment they talked a little bit about their losses but that any funds from Newport would uh be helpful. Uh we met again on October 7th. That was with our full city council, the mayor of uh Myron Bailey from Cottage Grove, another council member and uh several members of their staff. And following that meeting, we directed our city administrator to uh negotiate uh with the Cottage Grove administrator on that contract. Um they had one meeting and uh before they could have a follow-up meeting, uh Mayor Bailey invited myself, Mayor Frankie from St. Paul Park and Township Chair Phil Depri to a meeting. Um he uh talked about a 2025 the contract that we were given um was for $49,000 40 $49,000 um to be paid in 2025. And this is well after, you know, our budgets have been approved and our levies had been done and uh $53,000 roughly $500 for 2026. After 2026, the contract states that Cottage Grove has the sole discretion to set rates and that we agree to pay whatever amount they request. So essentially a blank check is what they were asking for. At this time, Cottage Grove is really looking, I think, at three options. One is to ask the communities to pay to help offset. Um they can contract out uh the three communities to another ambulance service or they can continue with their uh current model. Cottage Grove cannot drop communities. Um so we will always have an ambulance service. It may look a little different. And know that in the event of an emergency, most likely the first to arrive will be a deputy from the Washington County Sheriff's Office. And I think a lot of times second is our fire department will show up for medicals and between these two there are AEDs available and some med some basic medical training. Um so I do want the public to know that as a council we're taking this matter very seriously and we respect the position that Cottage Grove is in as they make decisions um moving forward. So, that's uh that's my comment on what's new in in EMS. I would also like to let the public know that um I we got a chance to host the uh members of the Minnesota House Bonding Committee here at our city hall and about 10 members were able to make that presentation where I was requesting state bonding funds for influent infiltration and this is sort of in preparation for the 2026 uh legislative session. So, it it seemed like the presentation went well and they were very receptive and we just appreciated them taking the time to come um out to our building and learn more about what's going on in Newport and about our community. I also was invited to attend a Veterans Day event at Woodbury High School and I just want to say that the ROC there did a really great job of hosting that event in the school and recognizing um veterans on this really important day. I was also able to attend um Congresswoman Angie Craig's honoring public safety champions event. Um she is recognizing our now former fire chief uh Steve Wy for his 39 years of fire um service to the city of Newport. So I thought that was wonderful that they are are recognizing what he's done. And then yesterday the Met Council had a Met Council on the road event and I was invited to be um part of one of their panels. Uh water is a local priority. So I was able to talk a little bit about PAS and inflow infiltration and our our location to the Mississippi River at that event. So lots going on in the last couple of weeks and um to just update everybody on. So um coming up next, Council Member Ingamman. Uh, I have nothing. Uh, Commissioner Bingham covered everything. [laughter] >> She did a nice job. >> Yeah, Council Member Taylor. >> I mean, I would just add like on that route 345 that this was an idea that came to it was it was a study that came to the Red Rock Corridor Commission February 24. You know, you get a lot of studies to have that implemented within within two years is amazing with expanded service beyond what was introduced at first. and she deserves a lot of credit for pushing that and champing that behind the scenes and I greatly appreciate that. So, >> well, and I think um Sue Vento was our former uh Met Council rep and it's really this is a a Met Council project and I know both Commissioner Bigum and myself were pushing her to push the Met Council to do this route and it just made so much sense to be able to get people places. So, I'm excited for the community. I'm really excited for the community to have this happening and and thank you to Council Member Taylor for his work on this as well. Um it's great to see a dream actually uh happen. But and you know it's interesting you say like in two years this is really fast turnaround. This is what it's like in government. So um [laughter] it's not like at home when you decide you know you're going to go out to eat or not and off you go. Uh, Council Member Sumar, >> I did attend the event last night at the Met Council talking about water, focused on water. It was nice to have the mayor representing viewpoints of Newport as she consistently does. Thank you once again for advocating so terrifically. >> Oh, you're very welcome. [laughter] >> Um, with that, we will uh move towards our close session. when we come out of close session. Um I think the only business we'll have is to adjourn the meeting. Uh this is my understanding a little moreformational. With that, I do have um some things to read um to you before we go into close session. So the agenda item is close session pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05 [clears throat] 05 subdivision 3B due to threatened litigation by Isa Clingb in regard to property located at 1657 2nd Avenue, Newport, Minnesota 5505. This portion of the meeting will be closed pursuant to Minnesota statutes um previously cited under the attorney client privilege exception to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. The city's need for confidentiality outweighs the purposes served by the open meeting law in this case based on the following. Absolute confidentiality is necessary so that the city council and legal council can have a candid and open discussion to determine the um available legal options to handle threatened litigation including strategy and any possible areas of resolution. The purpose of the closed meeting is not to make a decision behind closed doors, but instead is to determine all legal options for handling the threatened litigation. The only business to be discussed in the meeting is the threatened litigation. An open session would be detrimental because it may take place in presence of individuals involved in the threatened litigation. A closed session would benefit the public because the ultimate outcomes of the threatened litigation may impact the finances of the city. I will now entertain a motion to close this portion of the meeting. >> I'll make that motion or I'll I'll second it for >> I have a motion from council member I want a motion. No, I'll a motion from council member Sumar and a second from council member Ingaman. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Those opposed. We are now in close session. >> You sure it wasn't me that made the motion? [laughter]