I'm calling to order the Columbus City Council meeting. The date is December 10th and the time is 6:00. The first item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. I aliance to the flag of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We have to make the adoption of the uh agenda. Anybody want to make a motion? >> This is Scott. I move to approve the agenda for the December 10th, 2025 city council meeting. >> Rob, I'll second. >> Got a motion. It's been seconded. Is there any other discussion? Any questions? Hearing none, we'll vote on it. Uh Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, >> Karen, I. >> Rob I, >> and Ron I. The motion passes. We'll go to item B, which is a consent agenda. Somebody want to make a motion on that? Miss Jenny, I can make a motion. I, Jenny, move to approve the consent agenda for December 10th, 2025, city council meeting. Do >> we have a second? >> Mrs. Karen, I'll second that motion. >> We have any discussion on it? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Jenny, >> any I. >> Scott, I >> Rob I >> and Ron I. The motion passes. We'll go on to item number C, presentations and items for the council's action. All right. First item is public forum. Is there anybody out in the public wants to come up and make a statement? Seeing none, is there anybody online on Zoom that wants to uh participate in the open forum? No one's coming forward. So, we'll close that item. We'll go to item number two, the LAV 2026 budget and accounting services. Is Paul gonna come out? >> I am. >> There he is. >> Sorry, Paul. >> I'm double duty tonight. Sorry. >> Hello, mayor. Hello, everybody. Um, I can do a recap of kind of what we do and what the year looks like, but it was kind of all in the cover letter I sent if if there's anything any questions you'd like to ask. Otherwise, we can just go right to the budget if you want. I'll leave it up to you guys. I feel like I come and say the same thing every year. So, I'm >> good with going to the budget if everyone else is. >> Are you what? >> Good with going to the budget. >> Yeah, let's I don't see anybody. >> Sure. >> And uh so let me see. Let me pull up I didn't put that in the presentation. You have the cover letter I sent you. >> Cover letter. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So just kind of the summary of everything we're doing here. We're continuing to expand our streaming. That's our our biggest viewership for stuff. Uh we've upgraded our productions on all that quite a bit. Our video on demand. That being said, the video on demand may or may not go away next year just because the cost of it is about $8,000 just for that one thing. And we're also on YouTube. So they'll still be able to access everything online. But as you see in the budget, we are in the red every year. we have to make that up with production services and that just every year as subscribers go down will become more and more. So we're looking to just kind of eliminate whatever expenses we can. So that one I'm looking at ways that your council meetings will still be very easy to find. We still have chapter menus and the YouTube links, but the actual page with the agenda and all that, I may be able to find sponsorships to cover that some way. Scott was telling me that is a favorite of people. the years people say that they like that part of how easy it is to find meetings. So, I would love to keep it. I spent a lot of time making that work. It's just it's a big expense for what we have. So, that's about the only thing that might change. We stream a lot of things and that's just going to continue to grow. Um, and uh working the same with students and teachers. This week I actually had a teacher reach out to me to come help students with recording their audio for a performance they're going to do in the auditorium. And I I work with them a lot. Stu a lot of the faculty knows how to reach out to me. They do all the time. I get a lot of emails from students saying we'd like you know help with this. This year last year I built a 3D animation independent study program online for a student. This year I built I built uh video editing with free software online as an independent study. So when they reach out I send them the links. It's all videobased with all of the files they need in a Google Drive that I build. And then if they get stuck I go meet with them. They never get stuck just because it's it's very the way I lay it out is very very simple. So I continue to work with students. I constantly go work in the auditorium. So, I put in a system a few years ago where it's completely studentrun where they stream their own programs in the auditorium to our channel. I create the links, they hit go, they show up on our YouTube channel, they hit stop, it stops, we grab them off YouTube, we put them on the air, but that's completely studentr run. And that is the tech team that the faculty there helps organize the kids that come film those things and they make sure they all work. And just did three concerts last week. Gets kind of busy in the in the winter season. Uh, one change next year which I probably will work a little harder towards sponsorships and that will just be our live streaming sports gets between 50 and 70,000 viewers. And so I I can make very very good commercials for lack of a better word. We'll call them promo videos for local businesses and they can sponsor games and stuff. So that I might hit a little bit harder because that can have a lot of value for us and it can also have a lot of value for businesses. So, and they will they will love what I make for them. I made commercials. I've done it for 30 years. So, I'm very good at doing those kind of things. Um, highlights, as it says here, revenues slowly declining. I did make up for it this year. I had to make up $9,000 in production services this year, and I will hit that. So, we will we should come out pretty even in our budget. Go. And next year, it's going to it's be a little higher. I apologize that I'm coming to you so late. We had to wait. Our second biggest expense of our entire business is my health insurance. And I could not figure we didn't know what that was going to be until November. And so then once we figured that out, then I I met with my broker, which that was 2 and 1/2 week just for him to be able to talk to me because I'm assuming he got pretty slam the first of November as well. So that's why I'm here so late in the year for the budget. My health insurance is actually going to hang right about, assuming that their subsidy is still there. It's going to hang in the same place. We won't really know till January 1st on that what that's going to do, but there's enough money in a CD there that we have $125,000 saved. So if something did happen, it was drastic, we have enough to go for a few years while we figure this out. But that's that's just the biggest expense was the health insurance. And then yep, production services. Our expenses our I streamline our budget to basically shoestring nothing years ago. and it's it's the same. Our office supplies are 75 bucks a year and things like that. So, it's it's there's there's nothing else there to spend. It's salaries, health insurance, and our rent for the city. If if the rent had to go away and we stopped renting from the city. Technically, I have a studio that is in the high school I could work out of exclusively if if we had to get rid of that, but this I think the city likes having us in there. I like being in there. So, we'll see. That's just if it when it just goes farther and farther down, we'll see what happens. So, that's kind of what the budget is. And I feel like that's exactly what I said last year again. But >> pretty close. >> Yeah. We just I just, you know, people know to reach out to me. They know where to find me. I I I I strive very hard to make great relationships throughout the entire community that people know to reach out and they do all the time when they want something made. You know, I'm getting better at saying no because there's one me and a few years ago, you know, I tried to please everybody and there was a lot of things got shot and sat in the can just because there there wasn't enough time. So, I'm getting better also at just telling people that's a cool event, but nobody's going to watch that. If you want to tell a story about it, we can do it this way and we can get thousands of people to watch it. I can just go cover it the way you're saying and six people will watch it. So, I'm getting better at knowing YouTube and the analytics help us track a lot at who watches what and why. And that's why we're down to hockey and football. I think I said that last year. I did basketball, 10 people would watch it. You know, our hockey games, 1500 people watch them. Our football games, we had 9,000 people watch a game last year. So, >> I was one of them. >> Yeah. >> Well, I got >> I know you're going to ask me about the final game of the season this year. >> Well, not the final. No, but how come you don't charge people for watching the >> We tried it through N ESPN last year and the game before we ran through them, we had I want to say 4,500 people watch. And the game we ran it through them and people had to pay, we had 80 people watch. And to me, that wasn't worth the drop. So, I would rather I can I'm looking at sponsors that I'm going to put commercials, promo videos. I can't do commercials in the football games that will help cover our expenses. But >> when it gets to the playoffs though, you charge. >> So when it gets to the playoffs, I'm not allowed to film them. >> I know. I see that. >> Yeah. So I'm not allowed. >> You're not? >> Nope. Nope. Those are owned by NPN. They used to be owned by channel 45 and now NPN buys the entire league. And the only way for me to air them, I can go do all the work and run it through their channel. And that's when I had 80 people watch. And I went, "That's just dumb." So, >> well, I could watch part of the game because >> Yeah. And this year, so I'm not going to throw any of my guys under the bus. I'm gonna throw them under the bus a tiny little bit. One, we have a hot spot that if you're not if you're not plugged in, you run through my hot spot and it overheats. And so I say, "Charge it fully. If you plug it in, it's going to overheat." And my guys didn't charge it fully. And it overheated with two minutes or no, we're in overtime this year. And they were streaming and our stream went out. >> And once it overheats, you don't get it back. It's got to cool down for like a half hour. So, I got many, many calls on that. So, >> well, several years ago, you had one at Stillwater where the game went out and you could if you really played your cards right, you could get on Stillwaters. >> Yep. Well, that's what I did this year with NPN. So, I watched the games on them and I listen to my guys announce the audio. So, yeah. And that's a postseason thing. And so I'm working on like this this year is the first year I have a mom of a player doing our away hockey games and I built kind of the same system I give my football guys and her and another guy have done all so far this year they've done all the away hockey games. They had 500 people watch their game in the snowstorm yesterday. So that's kind of cool. They do a one camera. I give them each headsets. They go straight into the system. They stream with that hotspot and kind of cool. I hate to see that go, you know. >> Yep. So, we're I I try to find I'm constantly trying to find different ways to get the most viewers. And I I listen to people on what they would want to see and don't want to see. And and I will try anything and we'll see if anybody watches it. And so, you just kind of weigh that. Is this worth the amount of work for the amount of viewers we're getting for this thing? >> Can you uh pick up how many people are watching like our meeting tonight? >> Yeah. Well, I can because Well, no, I take that back. I could if you streamed it through YouTube. You're streaming on our channel. There is no way to track that. There never has been with cable access. I am technically streaming your meeting right now through an unlisted YouTube link. So, there's zero people watching that. If I make it private, you can track in real time who watches, when they're watching, how long they watch. And that is just a decision you guys have to make. I can make those private links. I do an unlisted link as a backup in case the recording doesn't work and that's happened in the past. So then we can just go get that unlisted YouTube video. >> You don't deal with Scandia anymore or >> we film their meetings. I send people out to film them. They run them through their own service out there >> in Wyoming. >> Wyoming, as far as I know, I don't know a ton about this. They had a beef with somebody at my station before me and they won't even talk to me. I tried to set up 10 meetings with their mayor and she's very nice to my face, but I do not get calls back. So, I can take a hint after the fifth time because I came and I'm like, I'm going to fix this. I can do this. And no, they they didn't want to do it. So, they're happy with what they do. >> Any other questions or comments? The only other thing we might have had if you go to the last slide on this was you guys are possibly taking over our bookkeeping. So Scandi has been doing our bookkeeping for years and they have a new bookkeeper there that does not like doing it. And I was a contractor for many years. And when you don't really want a job, you severely overbid it. And that's what they did. They just came in and said, "We're not going to do anything different, but we're going to double our fee to you." And we went, "Well, what the heck?" And so that we took that as and she's very happy that you guys are hopefully going to do this. So, we had a meeting with Jack and Cheryl and she seems pretty okay with doing it. I didn't even see you sitting there. Sorry. >> So, I don't know if you want to talk more about it, but So, I don't know much about it. I make videos, but it it didn't seem that hard to me. But Scandia is struggle with it. The new woman is struggling with it. So, >> Miss Jenny, can I ask really quickly um what Scandia Do you know what specifically she didn't like about it or is it just >> She said it was taking her far too long. >> Far too long. Y >> you know about how many hours? >> I I don't really just curious. Thank you. >> And I think Cheryl has kind of seen what it is. So she she gets the gist of what it is and and I like that her first thing was how many things can we automate? Can we do direct deposits, you know, get rid of all these checks? And I am all for any of this. So >> So that's my other question. Is there anything you're not getting now that you do want to see? And one of those sounds like potentially automation and some things like that. Is there anything else you would maybe want the city to help with that you're not getting? >> I I am the only full-time employee. to me were pretty small. And so I don't I don't know how tough it can be. I'm not an accountant and I'm sure there's things and I'm sure because it's an a government thing, there's other, you know, hoops you got to jump through. But yeah, I I to me the checks I would love a direct deposit. That would be super cool. You know, right now I get my check and take a picture of it. It's almost the same thing. But so anything you see I don't know. I CCD you on an email today that Veronica had, but >> Yes, I saw that. >> Yeah. >> Um and I knew that your audit isn't due until 2026, so it's okay. I just chose not to respond. >> Sure. I just I I saw you weren't included and I thought just going forward you should be included on everything. So, >> yeah. Um it doesn't sound like it's anything too complicated. I do think um you're using CAS right now. That's your current software. Yep. I would continue to use that for at least one year and then we would look at migrating over to something different or I would have an opportunity to speak with Hugh, our programmer at Banyan to see how we could just incorporate the uh cable commission into our software if there was a way to break that out. Um the direct deposit, that's a easy peasy that's not going to take us very long. Um and that will eliminate a lot of the delay. Um, a lot of it is going to be switching over ownership. So, I will have to request and gain access to their IRS accounts, the Minnesota Department of Revenue accounts, their PARA account, their banking, um, their unemployment, uh, their workers comp, earn safe and sick time, Minnesota paid leave. So, I'm hoping that Veronica reaches out to me because she needs to schedule a meeting with me as soon as possible. Okay. >> Um, because those will take time. um just to get all of that switched over to us here. Um and we don't want a leg in that um because we have to pay all of those things on time. >> Yep. >> So, a lot of it is just going to be changing it to us. We're going to go through an entire year and then we're going to see the direct deposit is going to happen immediately, but then we'll see what we can do with software to try to make things a little bit easier and more efficient so it doesn't take up a lot of time. I'm going to revise my previous statement if there was anything I would like. Yes, we are required. We aren't required by the state to do an audit every two years, but we were it was requested by the last mayor of Forest Lake that we do an audit every two years. The the the way the state is for cable access TV stations is they suggest every five years. And I bring that up because our audit this last year was $12,000, which is a pretty big chunk out of our budget. And Cheryl said she might even have options that may be cheaper. She wasn't sure, but she she had some suggestions we could try. So that I would love if we could find, you know, even if there's a policies and procedures we can do in the meantime and do one full audit every five years or something. Great. Just something to reduce that because that's a pretty big hit to us. So >> this is Karen. I was going to say just looking at your balance sheet. Yeah. 12,000's way too much money. >> Yep. And I actually last year reached out and to three or four different companies and they all said the same thing and it was eight. And I asked our auditor why and he just said cost of living. I got to pay my guys more so I'm charging you more. And he was very unapologetic about it. So >> I might have a connection there for you. >> Okay. >> I I know it's probably different. I also run Chicago Lakes TV and their the audit is wrapped right into their books. They they include ours right when they do their audits. Our money goes right out into theirs. However, they have zero employees. I am listed as a private subcontractor through them. So, that's probably why they can do that. So, >> any other comments? So this this year I was pretty ambitious with my production services. So I have to do quite a bit more this year or sponsorships than I next year than I did this year to make up for the losses. But I have faith I can do it. >> So this is Scott. Uh just the only comment I have is I believe as a council we did briefly discuss this at a workshop meeting before and we felt that this was a way to help uh the cable TV uh save some money on their budget and that it was a worthwhile endeavor. So I think there was a consensus on that before and is is there anything we need to do today uh to make this happen? we would need to make a motion to do their budgeting for them or their bookkeeping for the next year. One of the things that I've thought about currently they're being charged 300 a month. I believe that's the charge that Scandi is doing now. That's not counting their increase. And we could probably agree to do that for a year. Then we could see exactly then what our costs were. So we can see if that needed to be adjusted next year, we would need to make a motion to actually enter into an agreement with them to do their bookkeeping services. >> And and so what was the did we have a negotiation on the amount we would charge per month and an agreement informal? You know, I think in in the spirit of cooperation and the way this thing's going, I would make the recommendation that we do it for what their current charge is and then we can see what the cost of this are going forward. We really don't know till we get into it. I don't want to propose something that's going to be way too high since their budget is very tight. So, if we do this, I would make a motion that we continue doing it with our current charge, what Scandi has charged in them, which is $300 a month, and that's exclusive any audits. And we can always look and see, as Paul said, Cheryl and I have kind of talked about if there's a way we could roll it into ours, but that would be something we don't have to worry about till next year. But if we can do it on that basis, then we can examine what our charges are, and then they can decide if they went up, if they still want to try to use us next year. So basically the cost of Cheryl's time, >> correct? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Is that right, Paul? And about three, >> I believe. So, yes. I don't know that I was in the discussion of what you were going to charge, but I'm good with that. I can say that I looked at outside accounting firms and the cable commission really wanted me to see if you guys would do it instead of going outside. So, and I was ecstatic when I heard you were open to it. When I got your email, I did a little dance. So, I did not videotape that. And Cheryl and I have discussed the fee a little bit. You know, our initial thoughts were it would probably cost more than that, but I think we should consider going with your current charge. Give us a time to analyze what our costs are and then we can readjust that at a later date if they wish to continue to service. And I guess that's my qu I want to say it was 365 that that Scandia was charging, but I don't remember off the top of my head. >> It was 3,600 a year and we were paying them quarterly. And and >> maybe I'm out of step here. You know, we budget a certain amount of money, but if we get three months into this and it's way more time, I don't have a problem with paying you for your time. I mean, we're going to learn as we go, but you're not locked in for a year and going, "Okay, this was a huge mistake." If you find out it's taking you more time, I have no problem covering that. You know, it's just we're just looking for options here. So, >> I think um it'll be more hours initially. >> Sure. >> Um but I think that I can increase efficiencies enough where um we'll be okay. >> Cool. >> Yeah, >> I have faith. >> Good. >> Cheryl, just a question for Paul. Um how is this company? Is it is it LLC or what kind of company is it? No, it's um is it are you considered like a special district, Paul? >> It's it's a local government entity, but we are also a nonprofit, but we are not a 901c3 nonprofit. We are just a government nonprofit. So, we are kind of two different things. Yeah. >> Is that how you got into PARA then? >> I don't know. That was prey. So, it had to be some public to get in. >> I think they're considered a special district. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, Scott, since you're on the commission, you want to make the motion? >> Yeah, I appreciate that, mayor. Thank you. This is Scott. I would make a motion to approve an agreement with the Forest Lake Area Cable Commission to provide one-year service of bookkeeping in the amount of $3,600 for the first year. Mr. Rob second. >> Got a motion on the table. It's been seconded. Any other discussion? Any questions? Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I. >> Scott. I >> Rob I. >> And Ron I. The motion passes unanimously. >> You guys rock. So last year I had pitched a podcast. Any thoughts on that? >> I remember that. >> Uh yes. >> Okay. I'll talk to you later. >> Cool. Okay. All right. Back to work. Thank you guys. >> Thank you, Paul. We'll go to item number three to 2026 budget presentation and final levies request for approval. Minnesota statute 275.065 065 requires cities to conduct a public comment period where citizens are offered the opportunity to provide input to the city council on proposed budgets and tax levies. The state requires that each city announce the date, time, and place of the meeting where residents can provide city council feedback on the annual budget and tax levies. The Columbus City Council approved the 2026 preliminary levy in budget on September 25th, 2025 and set the date for public comment period for the 2026 final budget and levy for tonight's meeting. The certified levy amount of $4,373,747 was submitted to Anoka County on September 25th, 2025 for preparation of the 2026 preliminary prop property tax statements which were sent to Columbus residents in 2025 and November of 2025. The specific meeting date of December 10th is also listed on the partial specific notices for proposed 2026 taxes that taxpayers received in November from Monoka County. The preliminary budget general fund summary is as follows. The 2026 City of Columbus preliminary budget for the general fund levy was set at 4,373,747. This amount was $142,242 over the 2025 levy of $4,231,55 and resulted in a projected 3.4 levy increase. This amount was reduced by $55,555 to $4,318,192 for the final 2026 budgets due to adjustments in bond payment charges and law enforcement contract costs. These charges will result in a final levy increase for the city of Columbus of 2% for 2026. Law enforcement and fire services contract increases in the amount of $61,000 were the primary drivers for the additional expenditures for the proposed 2026 budget. The adjusted 2026 Columbus preliminary levy of 2% is the second lowest of the 21 municipalities in ana county. The city also reduced the city HR budget from $120,000 to $5,000. This is listed as a special levy on the 2026 and noa county tax statement, but it's not part of the general levy. The impact of this reduction could be on average of up to $70 per household decrease from 2025 on individual tax bills for this item. The preliminary ina county levy increase is proposed to be 9.4%. We originally had this listed at 9.9. We found out yesterday that their final is 9.4. The range of increases for the other 19 municipalities in the county, excluding the city of Bethl, is between 2.09% 16.2% for these cities. Staff recommends that council invite and receive public comment for the 2026 budget and tax levy and then consider the adoption of the general fund budget and final tax levy and H levy with the resolutions as presented in the recommendations to this report. Attachments one, two, and three of your packet are resolutions for approval of the 2026 budget general fund levy and city HR levy. Attachment four is the line item provided. The approved preliminary and proposed final 2026 city budget for Columbus. Upon approval, 2026 budget levy will be sent to Anoka County and final property tax statements will be mailed to residents in March 2026. You also have on your agenda there's four proposed motions that need to be adopted tonight. And the first is to actually open this up for public comment for anyone that wishes to speak or address any budget concerns that are presented in the packet and are up for approval. >> Couldn't hear part of the ending there. Jack, are you saying we got to open it up to the public? >> That's correct. If you'll if you'll see the first motion is to make a motion to open the public comment for the period for the 2026 budget. At that time, people will be allowed to come up and express any concerns they have for what the proposals are. >> Anybody want to make the motion or I >> This is Karen. I'll make the motion. Um I make the motion that we open to the public for comment period for the 2026 budget. >> Rob second. We have a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Is any other comments? >> Take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I. >> Scott I. >> Rob I >> and Ron I. It passes unanimously. So then right now we open it up to the public. Correct. >> Is there anybody out there in the audience which I don't see anybody out there. So I gather there's nobody here. Is there anybody online on Zoom that would like to make a comment or a statement? hearing nothing. We'll close that. Is that a public hearing or is that a >> That's not a public hearing. It's a comment hearing. So, >> so we'll close that. We'll go on to motion number two. >> Motion Motion number two is resolution 25-20, a resolution to approve the final 2026 budget as the resolution reads in your package. I'll make that motion. I, Ron Hanigraph, make the motion uh to move to approve resolution 25-20, a resolution to approve the final 2026 budget. >> This is Jenny. I second. >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other discussion, comments? Hearing none. Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, I >> Rob I. >> And Ron I. Motion number two passes unanimously. >> Motion number three is a resolution 2521, a resolution approving the 2026 preliminary tax levy for property taxes collectible in 2026. Okay. I, Ron Hannigraph, move to approve resolution 25-21, a resolution approving the 2026 preliminary tax levy for property taxes collectible in 2026. >> Rob, I'll second. >> We have a motion. It's been seconded. Any other discussion, comments? Hearing none. >> Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, I >> Rob I. >> And Ron I. The motion passes unanimously. >> And the final requested motion is resolution 2522, a resolution approving the final 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority property tax levy and budget. I'll read this one. And I, Ron Hanigraph, move to approve resolution 25-22, a resolution approving the final 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority property tax and budget. >> Scott, I'll second. >> We have a motion that's been seconded. Any other discussion, comments? Hearing none. Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, I >> Rob I, >> and Ron I. The motion passes unanimously. Well, thanks a lot, Jack, for getting her down to two. >> Yeah, that was a lot of work by everybody. We appreciate everybody's contribution and discussion on this and uh you know, it's something we've had flat budgets for two or three years in a row, but we've reached the point now where there had to be some adjustments so that we don't be faced with a huge increase in a year or two down the road. So, everybody had a great part in this and thanks everybody and thanks to Cheryl for all her hard work on this. It was a lot of work there, Cheryl. Thank you. >> Well, thank you, Cheryl. >> Thanks, Mr. Go. Item number four, ordinance amendment 25-04, fence regulation. The planning commission has been working on a city ordinance amendment to better regulate fencing in the city. Ordinance 25-04 consolidates all fencing pro provisions into a single section of the zoning code and establishes clear consistent standards for materials, height, and location, improving clarity for both residents and staff. The planning commission held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance on November 5th, 2025. There were no public comments regarding the proposal. The planning commission recommends approval of ordinance 25-04 to the city council based on their meeting of December 3rd, 2025. Uh Jack, the only adjustment was that one on uh section 7 A6 there D. Is that the only addition that was made on this adjustment to this ordinance? The item D is the adjustment. That's correct. >> So, it's up to the staff then to make a determination if a survey has to be done. >> That's correct. doesn't have to come to the council. >> No, it does not. >> Now, if the staff does one and somebody disagrees with it, it can be appealed, but it's an administrative decision initially, but if there's disagreement by the applicant on it, they can appeal it to the board of zoning appeals. >> Any other discussion? Anybody have any question? >> So, so that's Thanks, Ron. That's in regards to property lines is what you're alluding to. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, say there's a mark property line. There's disagreement between two two owners. Maybe there's a new owner that's thinks they own more because GIS isn't exact and portrays a different thing than what it really is. Is there can the neighbor come and speak? Is there going to be a public open forum or something of that nature? Well, in in in that case, staff would say a survey is required to establish the exact location of that line. So, there'll be no question about it. >> So, if said neighbor questions, the applicant, there's automatically going to have to be a survey. >> That's correct. >> Gotcha. But if they apply and neighbor doesn't say anything, they're good to go. >> Correct. Per say. Okay. Yeah. Them surveys are spendy. So, >> yes. I got a question on this then it probably go to Megan. So we pass this ordinance and the two neighbors say, "Yeah, I think that's the line." They put it down or and it's not the line. 5 years like someone sells a house, comes back. Is the city liable for anything on that? >> No. So I think that there's there's also a distinction here. So, a a fencing contractor or the ultimate property owner is going to take responsibility in the permitting process of saying that this is where the fence line is intended to be. It's compliant with the code. Um, and we're and what we're saying is that your staff, uh, if there is no objection, if it appears to be reasonable based upon GIS and, uh, you know, sort of the overall placement of the fence, um, that there's no reason to add an additional $5 to $7,000 in surveying costs to install those fences. In the event that there is some discrepancy, uh, you know, especially that the planner sees from a GIS perspective or where there is a a conflict, um, then we'll request the survey. Um, and so there's a level of protection, but under neither circumstance does the city uh essentially have liability here for uh for making that determination. >> Thank you. >> But this is a new homeowner uh that has a new neighbor or a homeowner owner of the fence that gets a new neighbor is contesting that then they have to provide a survey >> or if it's by Yeah. a new homeowner who is not the owner of the fence. >> So that's a private matter between the two parties, >> you know, if the if there is an issue in terms of where the fence was installed after the fence is installed and you know, it was re reasonable underneath the circumstances. Uh you know, again, that's not a city problem. That's a private property owner problem. >> Okay. >> And it happens more frequently than you might imagine. >> Yeah. Yeah, I bet it does. >> Yeah, my a buddy of mine just dealt with it in Big Lake where someone had built a shed on his property and ultimately he went out there and tore it down and then she called the cops that, you know, he tore her shed down, but it was like clearly on his property, but old maps showed different things and it can get hairy. So, >> just a question regarding the permit process. is a plat drawing, you know, the permit process. I mean, do you have a plat drawing with it? >> That that would be looked at if the property were in included in a plat. A lot of properties are just meets and bounds descriptions. >> Yeah. Because anybody that has a mortgage has a plat drawing. >> Yeah. And we we have that on record. So, we would consult that that's on our pro on the GIS information from the city. If it's a platted property within a platted subdivision, we have access to that and we do look at that. And if it's the homeowner that's applying for the permit, how do you know that they're going to respect the variance between the two owners? >> Repeat that one more time. >> I said if it's the homeowner that's building the fence, how do you know that they're going to respect the variance between the two properties? >> Uh they would look at that would be their responsibility. >> Okay. Okay. You know, and and ultimately a homeowner comes in uh we look at their uh property where they plan to install the fence. We're not going to allow a fence to be installed on someone else's property. Um, so long as it's, you know, reasonable and it appears to comply with all the terms of the code, then it would be administratively approved without sort of supplemental information. >> Yeah, typically there's a 5-ft variance between the property lines. >> Yeah, this is Scott. So, in the planning commission meeting, it was discussed that would it be mandatory to have a two-ft setback from the property line when installing the fence? And I believe the CA planning commission decided that that would be recommended but not required. Certainly if the city council feels differently u we can make that change to the ordinance >> and typically those setback recommend recommendations are recommendations and are generally not requirements. So, some cities do have them, but the ones that I've been associated with, most of them are recommendations, and they're required that mostly so you can maintain the fence from your own property. >> So, my uh this Jenny, my parents have dealt with this uh with a neighbor actually down the road. Um and they would have to take them to civil court. The the fence was built over the property line. Some um I know some of the property plugs were dug out overnight and some things like that and sheriffs were involved and all that. So um I know that again it becomes a civil issue. Personally in seeing all of that I would recommend setback requirements just because I think it provides a safety mechanism. Um but that's just only in seeing a personal situation relating to this. But again having it as a recommendation and not requirement is perfectly fine as well. >> Can I ask you a question uh Jenny? You mean that the pin markers were pulled out? >> Yeah. and the sheriff was called over it and became a far greater issue than originally planned. But yes, it was built um they ran a string from front to back and with some grading and some different things, they ran it around a tree and ran it on my parents side instead of in and so the fence actually goes like this. Um and so it became very complicated, but it was built while they were gone. And so it for what that is, I've seen the the good, the bad, and the ugly and what this can look like. Um, and so now you have neighbors that just don't speak. Um, so again, that's only in seeing how bad it can get, but that's just my personal recommendation. >> So you do have a provision in here, uh, Mr. Mayor, members of council, um, that allows the fence to be placed along a property line provided no physical damage of any kind, results, the abuting property, and the abuing property owner provides written consent. Um, so perhaps the solution here is that it's either a two-foot setback if that's the desire of of the city council. Um, or they receive adjoining property owner consent so that everyone's on the same page. And if there is a discrepancy, then a survey could be completed. >> Jenny, would that written consent be a form provided by the city or would they have to hand write some kind of letter or something to that effect? That was one of my questions. >> We don't have a form. We could develop a form for them to sign though. >> This is Karen. I would recommend the setback and I would double check to make sure if it's 2 feet or 5T to make sure that you know it's legally in line with what it's supposed to be. And to the issue that Jenny mentioned on the alteration of pin locations, that's not as uncommon as you might think. >> Well, you know, when you have a twoft setback, I'm just thinking you can't take a lawnmower. that that's that that's the and then you come up with the issue that the property owner the adjoining property owner is not going to allow access for you to cross his property to maintain this strip. We've seen that happen before too. So that's one of the issues there. But it does allow you then to actually maintain the fences for be painting or any repairs and still be on your own property and not have to get permission from the adjoining property. That I think the other thing that comes into play there for some people is weed control. Uh especially with horse owners, if one property has horithm on it, they can go and keep it cut back 2 feet from the fence line so their horses can't get at it, which would kill a horse. >> Sure. That's I think another reason for that two-foot setback. >> So this is Jenny. Would it then be so if we did not do a setback but we required the neighbors to sign off on a fence to ensure that there was some pre-planning um and ensuring that every that would be something that we could >> having more fun than those. >> Yeah. So again, I think as long as there's some provision in place, I think that would be something I would like to see just in knowing how um how that might go between neighbors. >> Well, we got big lots here, so I don't know what two or five feet going to make a difference. I mean, we all >> I mean, you spin it this way, too, though. you uh you give two feet on one side, now that other owner thinks that's their property cuz they're mowing up to the fence and there's another disagreement, you know. >> Yeah, it's no it's no guarantee it's going to solve all the problem. >> It does solve some, but it opens some other questions up. >> And so now the argument is who's going to maintain that two feet, >> right? Right. >> Yeah. >> I'm good either way on it. >> I am too. And if you want to make a motion either way. >> I mean, so I have one other question before I make again. I think I'd be fine with it with just a written consent between neighbors if they don't want to have that um that setback there. But one other question on this. I'm I did miss one of the planning commission meetings regarding the defense ordinance and may have missed when they um talked about potential minimum clearance of 4 in above grade to allow for service surface water passage. That's saying that the fence has to be four inches above ground. Correct. Correct. Is that standard? >> It's not standard. You can set it up for anything you want to. Four inches assures that even though that's above grade, that's top of ground, not top of grass. If you got grass growing there, uh it's easier to trim, maintain, and it allows service drainage to be unimpeded, especially if water's flowing to the other property. You can set it to any standard you want to. 4 in is probably uh one that ensures you don't have any issues. Two two or three inches could be acceptable. Also, >> I just think 4 in I mean I've seen fences that do have a bit of that gap between um and >> think about 4 in though if you have little small animals in your yard like a small dog crawling really easy. >> So I in my personal recommendation would be 2 in because Columbus is generally sand and we don't have a ton for flooding issues. Again, we have a lot of water here, but um I think if we could maybe recommend changing that to 2 in. I don't know how comfortable everybody else is with that, but that way it allows for small animals not to escape. Um and then my other question, I apologize, is under E se uh section D relating to mason and stone walls only being a maximum of four feet high instead of six like any other material would be. Do you know why that was changed as well? I'm not sure other than the fact that it may um block some views, especially if you're around lakefront property. Sometimes that becomes an issue where you build a solid even if it's a solid fence. We've had neighbors complain, well, it's disturbing the viewshed. So, other than that, uh I'm not exactly sure what the reasoning was behind that. Um, often times a a retaining wall made of stone or masonry in excess of 4 feet will require a building permit. Uh, and so there'd be additional grounding and uh sort of a more substantial review that we would want to be able to undertake. >> Thank you. >> I think also it might be a sight line. If I'm not mistaken, there was sighteline. Uh particularly if you're a sighteline to the road, >> trying to pull out your driveway >> or a neighbor trying to pull out from their driveway. >> Perfect. Thank you. I just wanted to clarify because sometimes having the variations make it a bit more complicated for people to understand and then you all of a sudden have somebody building and they didn't they saw six feet. I just wanted to not to try to simplify it as much as we can, but sometimes that does help as people try to build things. So, yes, I'm I'm comfortable making a motion if you all want. Um uh so, um this is Jenny. Um I I move that the city council approve the amendments to ordinance 25-04. Uh with the changes um as noted that the uh fence shall not restrict uh drainage but the maximum clearance be 2 in above grade. Um as well as um notwithstanding any other provisions as noted in red to the contrary of property survey is not required for the zoning permit application but the zoning administrator may require it when the property line is not clearly defined. um and recommend that the city uh as recommended by the planning commission at their December 3rd, 2025 meeting. >> Can I clarify is that minimum clearance for the bottom or maximum clearance? >> Max >> maximum >> maximum >> minimum clearance of 2 in >> minimum clearance two inches. Yeah, >> we have to at least have two inches. >> Are we going to add the setback or no? Oh. Uh, this is Jenny. Uh, with a a change to ensure that, uh, neighbors have a written consent or that the the property owner has written consent from adjoining neighbors as well. >> I apologize for making this complicated. >> Would you like this just to be tabled and just presented to you in that form at the next meeting? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. How we >> think that would be better >> update everything then we can see that everything's been presented as you propose >> anybody have any changes or things that you don't agree with with what I said I just want to make sure that is there anything else we need to talk about with it >> and Megan is there any way that you can check on that setback is if between the properties is it 2 feet 5T you know can you check on that for us >> absolutely happy to do No. >> Okay. So, we're going to table item number four. Excuse me. And we're going to go to item number five, Lake Drive and Kettle River roundabout detour plan. >> Do you need a motion to table that? >> Y. >> Yeah. >> We need a motion. Rob, a motion to table this discussion until the next meeting. >> This Jenny, I second. >> It's item number four. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. >> Jenny, you want to start off? Jenny I >> Scott I >> Rob I >> and Ron I. >> Now we'll go on to item number five. >> The Inova County Highway Department is finalizing the planning and preparation for the Lake Drive Kettle River Boulevard roundabout project. Representatives from the county highway department have presented multiple updates on the project as well as the proposed detour routes for the construction phases of the work. One of the proposed detour routes includes Camp Three Road between Lake Drive and PTOIC Street. Reuse of this section as a part of the detour route. The highway department is proposing a $50,000 contribution to the city towards the cost of rehabilitation of this section of Camp 3 Road. This tree is already scheduled for improvements in the city 2026 2027 road plan and these additional funds would offset a portion of the city cost for that project. The highway department has indicated they are willing to prohibit truck travel over the camp 3 segment of the detour and implement a traffic control plan that will be mutually acceptable for both parties. The highway department's anticipates the use of the camp 3 detour will save approximately a month of construction time. The normal procedure for county highway projects is the use of county roads for the entirety of the detour route. However, in the case of this project, incorporating the camp 3 road segment in the detour plan will reduce the distance to the I35 129 exit by 5.6 miles. The camp 3 segment will be used regardless of the detour route selected as the majority of traffic is local and this shortcut is well known by those who travel these roads. City Council is requested to endorse the use of the Camp Three Road detour for the Lake Drive Kettle River Boulevard roundabout project in exchange for the $50,000 appropriation for the rehabilitation of the Camp 3 Road. >> This is We had a discussion on this. We kind of came to a consensus if I'm right. Any other discussion? >> I'll read the motion then. I Ron Hannigraph move to approve the use of camp 3 road detour plan for the Lake Drive Kettle River Boulevard roundabout project as recommended by the Enoka County Highway Department, including a mutual agreeable agreeable traffic control plan and a $50,000 appropriations to the city of Columbus for the rehabilitation of Camp 3 Road. >> Scott second. >> We got a motion. It's been seconded. Any other discussions? >> Yeah, this is Rob. Do we have to have anything in there about truck traffic? >> Uh they that'll be part of that traffic control plan. >> Okay. >> And they've agreed to restrict traffic control or truck traffic on that section of camp 3. Right. >> So major truck traffic will have to go north to Broadway around. >> Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that was covered. >> Any other comments with that? Uh it was seconded by Scott, right? Yeah. Okay. We'll take a vote. Jenny. Jenny I >> Scott I >> I >> Rob I >> Ron I item number six passes unanimously. We'll go on to item number seven Minnesota Technology Corridor Cooperative Agreement. >> Number six, Mr. Mayor, >> huh? >> You want to do number six? >> Oh, the nuisance. I'm sorry. Yep, you're right. Uh item number six is nuisance abatement 16 32 Cornell Street. That's okay. Yeah. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. On October 28th, 2025, the city received a complaint regarding an accumulation of trash on the property at 16235 Cornell Street Northeast. The city's code compliance official responded to the complaint and confirmed the existence of the violation and took photographs, which you all have seen. Returning later in the day within an NOA County deputy, uh, our code compliance officer made contact with Stephanie Kirkpatre at the residence. The violations were explained to Miss Kurpatre and that she was being given one week to correct the violations. Miss Kurpatre acknowledged the accumulation and said that she and her son were working on picking it up and she would do her best. She also stated that during the conversation that she is estranged from her husband, Kevin Kerpatrick, who was the owner of the property. On November 4th, 2025, uh code compliance officer returned to 16235 Cornell Street to determine if there any corrections had been made, to which uh he documented that they had not been. A follow-up letter citing violations of city code was drafted and emailed to Miss Kurpatre, mailed first class, and certified to Miss Kurpatre at that address. On November 12th, 2025, code compliance officer presented the information to city council requesting direction. City council directed staff to proceed with enforcement actions consistent with city code and to report back at a subsequent meeting. This is your subsequent meeting. Uh code compliance forwarded facts of the case to the city attorney for interpretation of the city code to determine if these circumstances meet an emergency exception for abatement as defined by city code. It was the opinion that this does not meet the requirements of an emergency and the city should follow its abatement procedure which includes a public hearing. While waiting for an answer from the city attorney, I researched ina county tax records for the address on Cornell Street and discovered that Kevin Kurpatre of PO Box 4 Wyoming is the recorded sole owner. Kevin Kurpatre purchased the property on June 29th of 2017. I also discovered Stephanie Kurpatre was granted power of attorney for Kevin on June 9th of 2017. State marriage records confirmed that Kevin and Stephanie Kurpatre were married on April 11th of 2018. On June 30th, 2023, there was a home loan modification on the property in which Stephanie Kurpatre is the authorized signatory with power of attorney designated over Kevin Kurpatre. There's also an open dissolusion of marriage case filed on April 16, 2025 pending between Kevin and Stephanie Kurpatre. Section 5100 uh of the Columbus City Code defines a public nuisance as a thing or act uh or use of property which a maintains, causes or permits a condition which unreasonably annoys, injures, endangers the health, safety, comfort or repose of any considerable number of members of the public or offends public decency or interferes with the use of, obstruct or tend to obstruct or render dangerous for passage. public waterway, park, square, alley, street or roadway. Uh D depreciates the value of the property of the inhabitants of the city of Columbus or considered number thereof. Um or in any way render inhabitants of the city of Columbus or considerable number of their insecure of life or in use of their property. Um section F. Um, does any other act or omission declared by law uh or this ordinance to be a public nuisance? We move on to section 5-3000, public nuisance affecting health and safety and comfort. Um, I have pulled out of the ordinance the items that I believe um meet the definition. The following are declared to be public nuisances affecting health, safety, comfort or repose. the exposed accumulation of decaying or unh wholesome food or vegetable matter. Accumulations of refu or other debris. An accumulation of tin cans, bottles, trash or debris of any nature or description. Uh and all other acts omissions of acts occupants occupations or uses of property and which are deemed by the city council to be amen to the health of the inhabitants of the city or considerable number thereof. uh section 16C 102 the application this chapter shall apply to the abatement of any of the following uh which is a nuisances affecting public health peace and safety comfort repose or general welfare as defined in the previous sections that I uh described to you uh section 5-602 the abatement of nuisances by city council so in addition to other lawful remedies the city council may order that a nuisance be abated all nuisance abatements shall be conducted In accordance with chapter 16 C of the city code, uh, chapter 16 C203, the abatement order, upon receipt of a report from a city official that the property owner has not complied with an order to perform corrective work, the city council may, after notice of the property owner and the opportunity to be heard, determine that the condition identified in the notice of the violation is a nuisance. the city council shall conduct a public hearing to receive all evidence from city officials and or the property owner um in its decision to issue an abatement order. It goes on to describe what is required in the notice. I won't bore you with those details, but on November 18th, 2025, code compliance official contacted the postmaster at the Wyoming post office uh with the completion of proper paperwork uh to see that Kevin Kurpatre does receive mail at post office box 4 of Wyoming. Code compliance officer drafted a public hearing notice in accordance with section 16C 203 of the city code. The public hearing notice was attempted to be delivered by hand on November 18th at the address. However, after no answer, it was hand posted on the front door. Additionally, a certified letter containing the notice was sent to Kurpatre at the post office box in Wyoming. However, it was returned unclaimed from the postal service. Due to the ownership circumstances, the notice was published in the city's official newspaper on November 27th. Staff recommends that city council hold a public hearing and at its conclusion declare the violations cited in accordance with section five a public nuisance. Order the city perform corrective work uh exterior trash removal and charge the cost therefore against the owner of the real property of 1623 Cornell Street. Included in this recommendation is that the city should attempt to solicit bids from three qualified contractors or individuals to complete said corrected work. And in addition, since the circumstances does not constitute an emergency exception and the case is a code uh or ordinance violation on private property, an abatement would require government entry onto private property. To carry out the law, city council should direct the city attorney to obtain an administrative search warrant for 16235 Cornell Street Northeast to allow the city to lawfully gain access to the property to complete the corrective work previously identified. I can give you a little update. Uh, last Thursday, code compliance officer went by the property again. None of the corrections have happened and the notice was removed off the door and there were tracks to and from the front door as well as tracks in the driveway. So, our notice was removed off of the door on top of the other uh three attempts for notification uh for tonight's hearing uh that we attempted. >> This is Karen. Just a question. Um, once that is like served to them and once we start the process and if we clean up the area or whatever, um, I'm guessing we would charge that person on their taxes. Is that correct? >> So, our code our code requires that we immediately create a bill for the service. We send it to them in the mail. Once there's non-payment of service, we then uh assess that to property taxes on an annual basis. >> Okay. >> With with the rest of our annual assessments. >> Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Sure takes a lot of work. >> Yeah. I got a question in regards I'm looking at these pictures. I mean, there's there's a trailer that it looks like there's trash heaped in. How do we go about that since that's personal property? And >> yeah, the recommendation would be that the contractor remove the trash out of the trailer and we leave the trailer as long as it's legally parked on on the property. So we don't have to worry about um the retention of anybody's personal property that's not trash related that we can >> This is the extent of the trash though is the the pile on the top and the Is there more to it? >> There is more in the backyard. >> Uh there's a carport. There's some under the carport. >> Uh an aerial of the property in GIS. You can see there's multiple piles in the rear yard along the back of the house. >> Oh jeez. >> Um that we didn't uh take pictures of when we were on site that day um making contact with the owner. >> Cool. Well, I just wanted to make sure it was more than just these. >> Yeah, there's more there. >> I believe our original motion did include the backyard that Sean >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But too. >> Okay, I'm good. >> Jenny, thank you for your work on this. I think it's been pretty ongoing. So, think and make sure to thank Sean also. >> We'll do. It's kind of amazing that that place could last that long and nobody said anything cuz I I remember going by it a week before it was even complained about and you could see where the dogs or some critter then pulling the garbage out of that trailer and it was all over. >> But anything you sure got to go through a lot of work to clean up some garbage. >> So knowing that uh the occupants or someone has had the notice, we have posted notice. We need to hold a public hearing uh to give them an opportunity to speak about their um property. Although it doesn't look like there's anybody here, we still need to go through those formal motions uh and then after the close of the public hearing, make the declaration and then the motion to clean it up. >> Okay. Uh we're going to open up a public uh hearing at this time. And if there's anybody that wants to make a comment to the council, please step forward. There's nobody in the audience as we can see. We'll ask anybody online who would like to come forward and make a comment about this issue at hand. Hearing nothing, then we'll close the public hearing and we'll go on to the motion. This is Karen. I'll make the motion. Uh I Karen Flame Fleming move to approve the declaration of the violation cited in accordance with the city code section five of a public nuisance order the city to perform the corrective work related to the violations charging the cost thereof against the owner of the real property at 66235 Cornell Street Northeast along with the necessary steps required for this action. >> Scott second. >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments, statements? >> One, one comment. Um, if these are the only two pictures we have, I would suggest that we get all the pictures that we have before we start. >> Soon as we have that administrative search warrant and we have the right to be on the property, we'll take all the documents, >> right? >> We'll likely video it with a deputy when we're there doing the removal, >> right? >> Yep. >> And there's Jenny, one question. Confirming the necessary steps, we don't actually need to note administrative search warrant. That is what is meant by that, correct? Just Okay, confirming that. Thank you. So, I since we're all asking questions, how do they plan to do this in the winter here with 10 in of snow all over everything? Are we going to wait till spring? >> I've asked uh our code compliance officer to make contact with three contractors right now to see if they can get in there with a skid steer and a trailer and just start scooping. That's probably our best option at this point before it's totally frozen to the ground. >> We do have it on uh satellite though. All this garbage. >> We can see it. Yeah. On the aerials. >> I know in the backyard you could see the bags out there, but now they're probably covered up with snow. >> Well, looks good. We got a uh Any other comments? >> I just have one more question. With the three um bids that we're requiring, do we need does the council need to approve the bids before they can start or >> as long as it's under $5,000 threshold, Jack? I believe we can. >> Yeah. $5,000. And actually, you don't have to advertise for bids unless it's over $175. So, we can get three quotes and then we can award it to the lowest bidder or if there's any question about the um quality of the contractors, we can bring it to city council for recommendation. If it's not the lowest bid to award it to the next highest bidder. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So, we have a motion. It's been seconded. Uh any other discussion hearing? None. We'll take a vote. Uh Jenny, >> Jenny, I >> Scott, I >> Rob I >> and Ron I. The motion passes. >> Now we'll go on item number seven, Minnesota Technology Corridor Cooperative Agreement. Thanks again, Mr. Mayor. On the at the December 2nd, 2025 council workshop, Greg Braum Gillis, the Anoka County Economic Development Director, presented an update and a proposed cooperative agreement regarding the Minnesota technology corridor project. This presentation was provided to reintroduce the overall project concept and provide council an opportunity to ask questions. The next steps for the MTC juris The next steps for the Minnesota Technology Corp project jurisdiction partners are to enter into a cooperative agreement. This would include forming a committee tasked with the creation of a scope of services for third for a third party corridor study. Prepare and submit a request for proposals for the evaluation responses. Develop funding formula recommendations and select a firm to conduct the study. Entering into this initial proposed agreement does not have a financial obligation to the city and would involve Columbus staff presence in future discussions and participate in any future funding formula recommendations. Staff recommends city council considering consider entering into the proposed cooperative agreement that was attached in your packet. So, as you stated, Erin, that we discussed this at a workshop meeting and I think we came to a consensus. Am I correct, everybody? >> Yep. >> Is there any other discussion we want to make on it? >> Well, you want me to make the motion, mayor? >> Yes. Um, I, Rob Bush, move to approve that the city of Columbus becomes a signator on the Minnesota Technical Corridor Cooperative Agreement as exhibited in attachment one of agenda item C7, December 10th, 2025, Columbus City Council agenda. >> Is Jenny a second? >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Is there any other discussion? I see Greg's online there. Uh, any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll take a vote, but we're going to go the other way this time. >> Rob, >> Rob, I >> Scott, I motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you for trying to expand your vocabulary. >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Have a good night. >> Uh, we'll go on to item number eight. IT management services contract update. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. At the November 24th city council meeting, the recommendation with the recommendation of city staff and council approved the award of the IT services contract with Metro Sales Incorporated for an an amount not to exceed uh four $45,4848. On December 3rd, 2025, city staff met with Metro Sales Incorporated representatives and have executed an initial service agreement to get the process of onboarding started. During the onboarding process, Metro Sales Incorporated technicians will be on site to evaluate hardware and software, give a technical evaluation, and aid us in reducing their number of endpoints. Once onboarding is complete, a secondary contract will be presented that is representative of the new cost associated with the actual use of the city. This onboarding process could take 14 to 30 days to complete and Metro Sales Incorporated is aware the city is desiring a January 1st, 2026 go live date. This is onlyformational for you uh and no action is needed at this time. Staff are diligently working to get this thing moving. >> Thank you very much, Erin. We'll go on to item number D, consultants, liaison, and staff report. City Engineer Brian. >> Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. Brian Bachmir, consulting city engineer. In August of this year, we were authorized to prepare an application for the Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program uh grant program. Um we've been working since that time gathering the letters of support and the resolutions and filling out the application information that we've reviewed with the city administrator. We're now in a position to submit the application. Uh the the deadline for the application is this Friday, December 12th. And so we are prepared to submit the application tomorrow and get all that information. So we're looking for a motion to approve the submission of the grant application, we should hear uh if the grant application is successful uh by March or April of next year. And it's our hope that we'll be able to get the grant agreement in place and proceed with uh construction in 2026. With that, I'd stand for any questions. >> Yeah, this is Scott. Just out of curiosity, did we get a letter from Lannel Lakes, a letter of support? >> We did. >> Awesome. So, what everybody knows we're talking about. All right. Uh by Ron Hannigraph move to approve the submission of the local road improvement program grant application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Hornsby Street Improvement Project. >> This is Karen. I'll second it. >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other discussion, comments? Hearing none. We'll go with Jenny. >> Jenny I. >> Scott I. >> Aaron I. >> Rob I. and Ron I motion passes unanimously. And now we go to our city attorney report. >> Yes. So I I have a limited substantive report tonight. Um something that's more sort of fun for the community um which is the League of Minnesota Cities is hosting a uh writing competitions for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders um asking them to answer this question. Uh, cities provide a variety of services and programs that make our lives better, including parks and wreck, sewer, water, libraries, police, fire, and more. If you were mayor for a day, what would you do to make one of the services your city provides better? Um, so it's 150 words. They're looking for between 150 words and 300 words. Uh, and it's due this week. Um, but they're giving away $100 gift cards. So, um, if those kids out there in Columbus are watching, they should file their what should what would they do if they were mayor for a day, uh, with the League of Minnesota Cities and it's available on their website. >> Something for Neil Fox. >> Yeah. When should >> Friday? >> I don't think I get it written that quick. >> Expect a fourth grader to write that quick? >> Absolutely. They can turn out 150 words no problem. Um, but with that in mind, that's the only update I have. Uh, certainly happy to answer any questions uh about paid family leave, cannabis. Those are sort of the uh issues that are coming up in 2026. Uh, and and any other questions that you may have. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Megan. Uh, how do they if I have somebody know Mr. F? I know him. >> I do. >> Yeah. a little late to stop and talk to him, but >> they do something similar if they could rule the school for the day. I think that's in fourth or fifth grade, but my daughter's a fifth grader. I'm going to let her know >> if she can spread the word. >> There you go. >> That's through the League of Cities. >> League of Cities. >> How do they submit it? It's on the league. >> It's on the league websites. It's on their front page. Uh super easy to to copy and paste right into their form. >> Cool. Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Yep. Just stop. Sorry, we're out. >> Well, thank you, Megan. We'll go on to the mayor and city council's report. Uh, >> any you have anything? >> Does Jenny, no report, >> Scott? >> Uh, no report, mayor. Thank you, >> Jared. >> No report. >> Me as well. No report, mayor. >> Well, I got a little report here. I uh Tuesday morning, me and Jack went to Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce. They had a community leadership event there. and with all the uh mayors that surround us, Forest Lake and Wyoming. And um I just want to say that uh it was hosted by one of our businesses which was Olsson's Excavating and Sewer Service. And it's nice that they the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce and Columbus is sponsoring it. But it's great. Anyway, they honored uh Janet Hegelan uh uh Nessa Lanasa, the uh CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Uh uh made a pretty good presentation honoring Janet for all of her work that she's done because prior to Janet coming here, uh we had no contact with the Chamber of Commerce and she kind of brought around that uh that route now. So, we're kind of in with them now. So that was kind of nice to see. Other than that, uh I have nothing else. We'll go to EDA report. We don't have nothing on that yet. Uh tomorrow we are interviewing somebody for that. Correct, Aaron? >> Yes. >> Personal personnel committee report. Now this one, Jack, uh they are interviewing two for interview two people. >> That's correct. We interviewed we had four applicants selected. We interviewed had scheduled interviews for all of them today. We only interviewed two. Two of them called and backed out of their interview because they had accepted other positions. So, we did interview two. They were both seem to be qualified for the positions. We'll have some followup and we'll make a recommendation to city council at the December 20 to December 20 to 22nd meeting for approval of a hire for that position. Okay. Item number seven, the parks board report. We never really had a meeting in the parks board. We we have one coming up. Jack, >> we have a park next parks board meeting is in January. >> Okay. In January. Uh public works report. Jim isn't here tonight. >> Jim isn't here, but I'll follow up a little bit on Brian's report on the grant application. uh the grant application due to Forest Lakes bidding the project getting in some good solid numbers. Our estimates for the project cost are down from what they would be. So there will be some expense by the city regardless of which funding source we use for those things that are an approved part of the construction projects. Basically the lighting would be a city cost on this. I think the overall cost of the project would be the construction costs are going to be what approximately $560,000 with a lighting cost of about a h 100,000. That would be a city share of the project which we would finance that from either some of our HA revenues or if we had to do some of our additional road funding public works program. >> Are they are they talking about putting lights all the way down? >> Yes. >> 1200 ft. all the way down to,200 feet and then it would be lit up on the forest lakeside all the way back up to 11th Avenue. >> Wow, that's going to be amazing. >> I know what's going if you see JW around town lights out there that first one. >> Okay, >> street light or whatever it was the other day the morning. Uh we'll go city administrators report item number nine. >> I have nothing else to report. Did we skip planning commission? >> We did. You want to do number six? >> Oh god, I'm really skipping tonight and I uh planning commission report. >> Yeah, thank you, mayor. Uh just two quick items. Uh uh obviously they had the public hearing and voted to uh forward the fencing ordinance that we discussed earlier today at the last planning commission. Second piece that came up was a variance on a division of a property. Um, uh, they were taking a property, dividing it into two lots, a 8.67 acre lot and a 5 acre lot. Uh, there were some questions over a current septic system and needing a variance on the width of the lot, the 5 acre lot that they'll be selling. Uh, and I believe they voted to bring that to uh, public hearing at their next meeting. So, um, once that's done, it'll come before us. Hi. >> Actually, they held the public hearing, but there's a carryover to the next meeting and then they'll make a decision on what their recommendations. >> Okay. Thank you for clarifying, Jack. I appreciate that. And lastly, there's a brief discussion on frequency of planning commission meetings. So, pretty short meeting. >> I I I went to that meeting just to add something to it. Uh we are going to interview somebody tomorrow for uh the planning commission. uh Aaron and uh Ellie and and I'll be in that uh interview and uh also we talked about this before Jack about this delaying the twoe deal on the planning commission is that did we come to an agreement on that on or is it a decision the planning commission >> we we we discussed bringing and proposing it to bring it back to the attention of the planning commission to get their recommendation on it. And with that, then we'll decide which direction we need to move with altering that policy. >> Just for clarification, it's instead of waiting the two weeks >> to bring the people back in, we could do it that one night instead of >> Yeah. The current policy is once it goes to the planning commission, they hold the public hearing. They do not make a recommendation on that. They allow another two weeks for additional questions to come in. So, they have to go back to the planning commission again. There are some of these projects though that are pretty well slam dunks that don't do not need that. We're looking at amending that policy to minimize the appearance of people have to come back to these hearings commission meetings for project approval when that requirement is not necessary. So this is Rob in in the event of say like a big apartment project or a big commercial space is that going to be to just a we're going to eliminate the two weeks on that as well? >> Uh that would be if the the planning commission will make that determination and even if it's not if it comes to council you don't have to approve it then you can allow other discussions you can table it. So there's still opportunity at the city council level to get that additional time for additional questions. >> Okay. Thank you. >> A question. Didn't we already discuss and have a council vote on this this year previously or? >> I don't think so. >> No. Okay. I thought it had come up previously. >> I think we discussed it. >> Just discussed it. >> I think it was at a uh joint >> meeting workshop meetings. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Jack, on that one. Uh anything else under that? We'll go to item E, announcements and reminders. Planning Commission meeting December 17th, 2025 at 6 p.m. EDA work and regular meeting December 18th at 2025 at 5:30 p.m. City Council meeting is on Monday this year, December 22nd at 2020 of 2025 at 6 p.m. And city hall will be closed December 24th and 25th of 2025. Anybody want to make a motion to adjurnn or do you have any questions? Miss >> Jenny, I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Rob second. >> We have a motion out there. It's been seconded. Any other discussion? Questions? Hearing? None. We'll take a vote. Penny. >> Denny. >> I. >> Scott. I. >> Rob. I. >> Before I say I pass it unanimous. The reason I do this is because when I was on the board all the time, Jesse, mayor Fryer, would always start with me and I always thought, why don't we start on the other side? So, I'm going to switch it up. So, anyway, I uh agree the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:25.