All right, with it being a little after 6 o'clock, uh, let's get started here this evening. Welcome everyone. And Jolene, if you could do roll call. >> Council members Ericson >> present. >> Larson >> here. >> Miller >> here. >> Vento >> here. >> Mayor Roberts >> here. And if you're able, please join us by saying the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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. >> All right, council. have a uh agenda in front of us for approval. I believe the uh A under this is supposed to be under 5A and not 4A. So >> make a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll second. >> Motion second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. All right. Tonight is a uh a bittersweet uh evening here for Forest Lake. Uh the reason why I have a little bit of a delay, we had Senator uh Karen Karen Howley that was planning to come uh present something to uh our police chief here, but she's running a little late, so we'll see if we can maybe get her to join us at the end. So, um Rick, if you'd like to stand, please. Uh tonight is our pleasure to recognize police chief Richard Peterson as he retires after 26 years of dedicated service in law enforcement including 25 years serving the community of Forest Lake. Chief Peterson joined the Forest Lake Police Department in 2000 and rose through the ranks to became become chief in 2011. Over the past 15 years, he's provided steady thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to public safety. Rick has been a strong champion of community policing, working to trust to build trust with last in lasting relationships between the department and our residents we serve. His leadership has helped expand community engagement efforts and strengthen partnerships including our school district, including with our school district through uh the school resource officer program. He has guided the department through some very challenging times including the threat of disbandment in 2017 and the COVID pandemic continually continually being stable and to serve our community. Beyond his role as as chief, Rick has been an active and engaged member in the community supporting organizations like the Lakes Center for Youth and Families and the Forest Lake Rotary Club. On behalf of the city of Forest Lake, I want to thank Chief Peterson for his years of service, his leadership, and his dedication to the community. Chief Peterson, we are so grateful for all you've done, and we wish you the very best in a welldeserved retirement. >> Thank you. >> I I would like to say just a few extra few words. when uh Chief Pearson said that he was going to be retiring, he said, "You know, it's kind of neat this Force Lake connection with previous uh police chiefs, Trudeau, Schwarz, yourself, and now the incoming chief." Um, and that uh Mayor Johnson swore you in, and I get, I guess, not the honor, but to put you into retirement. So, um, I think it's neat. One of the neatest things that Forest Lake has done is just continue to bring people in and a lot of these guys are good rangers. So, go Rangers. But, UM, I would open it up to any of the council members that would like to make a few remarks. >> Go ahead. >> Say, it's just been a pleasure getting to know you over these last four years, more so than, you know, any time before. and just watching you work in your role has been an honor from this side of the dis and um really appreciate the the work we've been able to do together and I'm excited that uh you're handing it off to in great hands in great shape. So, thank you so much for all your hard work. >> We go a long ways back. >> We do. >> Uh I trained in Rick at the sheriff's office quite a long time ago. Um I followed his path up here. Um, and I moved up here, uh, became a council member and, uh, I've seen him go from patrol officer to sergeant to chief. So, um, it's it's very, uh, rewarding, I'm sure, for you, and it's nice. It was good to watch you grow through the ranks. Um, I wish you the best in retirement. It's a it's a good ride. Spend some time with your family. Um, and you chose a great guy to fill your shoes as well. So, I wish you all the best, sir. >> Thank you. >> I wrote it down. Rick, what an extraordinary career you have had with the city, and I am honored to have been able to work with you for the last few years. For 26 years, you dedicated yourself to protecting the very streets you grew up on and the people you have always called neighbors. You have been more than a public servant. You have been a steady hands in times of uncertainty, a mentor to countless officers and a trusted presence in our community. Your leadership has shaped not just the department, but a legacy of service that will continue long after today. Rick, your career reflects a lifetime of dedication and sacrifice. While we will certainly miss your leadership, we are grateful for everything you've given to this city. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement. Yeah, and Rick, I would just like to echo that I haven't gotten to work with you that long, but in the short time that I have, it's been a real pleasure. Congratulations on your retirement. >> Thank you. >> All right, Rick, if you want to come forward, uh, I invite the council to come down and Mayor Bane as well to join us. So, we have a plaque here. Uh, Chief Richard R. Peterson, number four, 40 41 401. Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for 30 years of service in law enforcement. 25 and a half years service the city of Forest Lake. You'll be greatly missed. And it has a verse here to protect and serve. Quest of peacemakers. Your dedication and leadership will never be forgotten. On behalf of the city of Forest Lake, the men and women of Force Lake Police Department. Thank you. In addition to tonight, we will be doing an open house uh in honor of of Chief Peterson on April 2nd from 1 to 3. Correct. >> So, uh please let everyone know they're uh welcome. the we'd like to have a lot of people here to to send Rick off and he's never really he's not going anywhere but in his official capacity. So, next item, open forum. Uh this is an opportunity for anyone to speak in any city related matter. Please uh when you come to the podium, state your name and address for the record and limit it to around 3 minutes. Doesn't look like anyone's sign up. Is anyone uh here to speak to the council today? >> Right. We'll move on. Council, we have a consent agenda. Is anyone interested in making a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda? I'll move the I'll make a motion to uh approve the consent agenda items 7 A through 7G. >> I'll second it. >> Motion a second. Is there any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Right. Moving to our first regular agenda item, Forest Road North Garage. Uh Abby is going to lead us through that. Uh, thank you, Mayor Roberts. Members of the council, tonight before you is a request from Austin Halberg of Halberg Marine, who has submitted a request for final planned unit development and plat for 30 acres of land north of the city's airport. Um, included on the screen tonight is just that site location for you. I'm going to run through the plans really quickly which shows that the site will be broken up with a variety of buildings and a variety of uses. Kind of the back portion is what we call the garage condo site where there'll be industrial condominium multi-tenant um structures and an outside accessory storage area. And then additionally, uh, there will be a future development site on Outlot F that will be some sort of office contracting um, business and then a contractor's yard on outlot F that'll come back for site plan approval by the city at a later date. Um as part of the development uh the public infrastructure water line will be extended through uh down forest road north to the site and across to the northern property or southern or northern depending yes so connecting on through the property. Um the property will connect to the Met Council sewer line as well. At this time Forest Road North is not proposed to be upgraded. Very similarly to the project to the north, the city uh staff has worked through an assessment agreement with the land owner that will give them time to put it in uh the roadway in. It also gives us time to put in the roadway um as part of our capital improvement planning. We want to have discussions with the council about the improvement of that roadway as a whole from where it's been improved on the north side all the way down to where it'll intersect with County Road 50. um and an infrastructure project that will happen there. The idea being we really don't want to peacemail meal the development of this road. We really want the opportunity to develop it all at one time. Um this will be what the multi-tendant structure will look like along Forest Road North and then additionally there will be garage units in the back. But those garage units that are facing Forest Road North will be nicely landscaped so that it'll be visually appealing along that frontage road. Tonight, the request before you is to hold a public hearing. I know that's a little different for the council and it's a little different at final plat. The code requires us to hold a hearing. Um, and it was something that was missed at the planning commission. We just want to dot our eyes and cross our tees to make sure that we're following our statutory or our legal requirements. So, tonight I'm asking you to hold the public hearing and then make two motions. The first one would be to approve the Forest Road North garage final plat PUD and resoning two resolutions and an ordinance related to those and then approve Forest Road North garage assessment agreement and development agreement with minor modifications from the city attorney. Um the developers representative Scott Peterson is here tonight if you had questions for him. Um otherwise u I'd ask you to hold that public hearing and then uh take action. >> Okay. >> So we'll do that. We'll uh do the public hearing and then bring it back to council for discussions or any questions for the the developer. U so with that said, at 6:15 we're opening up uh the public hearing for the Forest Road North garage. Anyone here to speak to that? I'll ask again if anyone's here to speak to this matter. Seeing no one, at 6:16, we'll close the public hearing. Right. Council, any thoughts, questions, feedback? No, I think after, you know, the last couple meetings we've had on this, I think most of our questions have been answered and there was quite a bit of information here for us to review again. So, no questions. >> Just like to thank the planning commission for uh the deep dive into this and kind of working through things on it. So, I know they put a lot of work and time in it. So, thank them for their for all their help with this. Yeah, I would say to say this is a new new project, new type of project to Forest Lake. So, there was a little bit of a learning curve here for staff and planning commission. So, I appreciate everyone's effort in that. Uh with any other questions or feedback as you want to want to make a motion. I would make that motion then to approve the Forest Lake Road North Garage final plat final plan unit development and rec um and resoning through adoption of resolution number 03232601 ordinance number 768 and resolution number 03232602 and I apologize I forgot my glasses. >> I'll second. >> All right, we have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Congratulations. Oh, second motion. Yes. Sorry about that. >> And I'll make a motion to approve the Forest Road North garage assessment agreement and development agreement with minor modifications by the city attorney. >> I'll second. >> All right. Motion second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. uh appreciate your investment for Slake and good luck on the project. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh we are at we at here uh 8B establish the fund of 322 public works facility debt and service fun on NLE. >> Good evening mayor and council members. As you recall, in February, fund 211 was brought in front of the council. One of the very last slides on that presentation talked about the creation of fund 322, the public works debt facility. So, what this fund would allow the city to do is activate a pre-bond account, meaning all expenditures that hit our accounting books in 2025 and then all the expenditures that will hit the books in 2026 will be moved to fund 322 off of either fund 211 or anything that hit the operating budget. We are looking to do this for a couple reasons. The first is better accounting purposes so we can track where we're at pre-bond exposure and if that project were to materialize what we could reimburse ourselves for through the city. However, if this project does not move forward, as previously stated, we would use the water, the sewer, and our investment accounts to pay back the money that has been in this account. So, starting this account does not mean the project has to move forward. It allows the city to have the opportunity to better account and manage those expenses. Does anybody have any questions on the creation of the account? So with that, I would look for a motion to approve the creation of fund 322 along with moving any expenses that have previously been recorded to hit fund 322. >> So moved. That makes >> the easy way of doing it. >> I'll second. >> All right, we have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. One I'm just one moment. All right. 8B fund 211 recommendation and next steps. And we have Ally and Dave on this one. So, mayor and council members, at that previous workshop, we did also talk about fund 211 and where that ending fund balance was. Through accounting and looking at past expenditures, staff is recommending we keep an ending fund balance in that account of roughly 500K. Currently, where it sits today, if all expenditures materialize in 2026, it will roughly end with a fund balance of 346K. In front of you within your packet is a list of those project expenditures that we would look to either have additional discussion about and seek council recommendation on what to move forward with. And I'm going to hand it over to Dave and he will talk a little bit more about what the city is recommending and how we are going to come to that ending fund balance of that 500k. >> Uh thank you mayor and council. uh as previous kind of said by Abby with that uh draft condos forest road was in the the CIP for 2027 with $200,000 of um engineering and design work in 2026. Uh staff and engineering feel that um that's probably not a good uh window of time to be doing that road with um 97 being completed and still questions around counter road 50 and the 61 interchange. uh we don't want to do that road and not knowing quite how that forest road lines up with the new interchange whether it's a traffic light or a roundabout. So I think to get up ourselves up to that $500,000 balance um and with those developments with the forest road uh we'd either push that for out at least till 2028 or farther out than that when we uh we evaluate that fund uh later on in the year. Part of the reason that we did come up with this $500,000 total is because with fund 211, as you can see in that project list, things do come up and we want to be able to ensure that we are able to move forward with emergencies or if we are awarded grant funding. A lot of our grant local matches come out of this account and we always want to make sure we put ourselves in a position where we do have that cash balance in the account as needed. Does anybody have any questions regarding how we came to that $500,000 total or why staff is recommending that Forest Road be pushed to construction 2028 or later? >> Questions? Question. Um, as I recall on fund 211, there's money that will be coming back to us through that fund that could replenish that sooner than 2028. Um, the main reason you want to push it out till 2028 is primarily you don't think there's going to be enough money there. >> Right now, we're not 100% sure there's enough money to fund it, but also counterro 50 and highway 61 has a proposed interchange improvement in 2028. >> So, number one, you wouldn't want that road closed down or trying to do that road while you're doing that intersection. Plus, we don't know that alignment yet and we might not know that by the end of this year even. So, >> at the 61 interchange, you're talking about where it's either going to be a roundabout or a stoplight or something. >> Correct. And that's okay. The end of Forest Road may be how it is right now. There may be a it might have to come out a little bit to support that roundabout. We just don't know what that final design is. >> Okay. And and Ryan, I thought was there a chance that that project could get moved up or not? uh most likely they're going to be at a 28 construction because of some other things they would have to do prior to the actual project itself might be utility relocations private and public but uh like Dave insinuated it's the the alignment and curvature that might change with Forest Road and with that changes all the storm sewer in there and if we go in and build this road now we there's a chance that a portion of it gets ripped out and or the storm sewer you know where where do you go right it's not >> the best interest right now to move a project forward when there's some unknowns coming forward and uh in some of that stretch of forest road we could get paid by the money that the county has been successful in chasing so to maintain our money for other local projects. Let's see where that one takes us and how much funding they can continue to obtain. >> Great. Thank you. That makes sense. >> Great. So, with no additional questions, I would seek a motion to approve maintaining a fund balance of $500,000 in fund 211 along with the postponement of Forest Road. >> I'll make that motion as stated by Alli. >> Just to be clear, the Excel spreadsheet that's in there, whatever, I mean, that shows a 2028 construction, but you're suggesting that $200,000. We're moving that because that's just the design work and we're planning to move that to 2027. Correct. The design work >> may maybe listen there's 28. It was at 28 then we had moved it up to 2027 because the garage condos were coming in. We figured if they were coming in you'd probably try to do that role at the same time. So it might just be it was 28 but then we had moved it up to 20 27 in the under a rendition of the actual CIP. I think this is a spreadsheet coming off of just the 211. >> Well, I mean the recommendation on page 119 is asking that to achieve this target, staff recommends delaying the forest road design work to 27. Is that what we're you're asking for? >> Yeah, at at a minimum 27. It might be 27 or beyond. >> Okay. Okay. Then I'll second that motion. >> Motion is second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? I I opposed. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Before we go on to the next item, just want to make uh so we had uh Senator Khley uh set to come here and present the chief with uh some recognition. Uh as many of you know, we used to have a 7:00 meeting start and we moved it to 6:00. And so that was not the communication was off there. So guess what Chief, you'll have to come back to another council meeting here. This isn't your last one. So, but she's more she's been we've been texting about this and she can't wait to present this with you. So, well deserved. All right. So, uh 8D Penny for your thoughts. Ellie, >> I promise I only have two more agenda items. Um, mayor, council members, as a lot of local businesses and regional businesses are running to the issue is we are no longer able to acquire pennies from our bank or any other local banks due to the penny shortage and them no longer being made. So, through talking to our partner cities, talking to communities around us and doing additional research on what are common options that cities are doing, we came down to two options. The first option is navigating to become a no change city for primary for for primarily utility billing. So the reason utility billing is the issue is a lot of our funds have a lot of our fees end in 12 to 13 cents and people come in and they would like change for their 12 and 13 cents. And so with this option of becoming a no change city, if you came in and you needed 10 cents back, what the city what nine cents back, what the city would do is then credit your utility account. So your next utility bill would be 9 cents cheaper. If this would be your last utility bill you would pay at the city, we would then issue a verified claim. So then you'd get that money back via check. This is the option staff is leaning towards because it then mitigates our risk with having to have cash on the premises. allowing for better accounting principles. And so when then we have auditors come in, what we charge people matches what's actually in our system. But the other option that the council could move forward with is become a rounding city. This is where if it ends in a one or two, we round down to zero and if it ends in a three or four, we round up to five. This is an example that we're seeing more so at the Targets, the gas stations of the world because it is cleaner and they don't necessarily have that option to offer credit back. This does also become more of a risk of well what is the correct rounding procedure that opens the door for additional questions. So that is another option that is another reason the city leans towards becoming a no change city. But we also are aware that that does limit some people's want to pay in cash or what that looks like. So what staff is recommending is no change but we are able to take on both moving forward. >> Makes sense. Um, any questions? >> It's the new world we're in. I guess >> anyone want to make a motion? >> Do you with option one, do you see that materially affecting staff time? >> This is the option that is actually recommended by our utility billing staff. We are looking to also then sneak peek within the next couple months hopefully be able to take credit cards too for utility billing. And so they are actually really looking forward to becoming a little bit more modernized, being able to do more for customers. We have a lot of people who actually ask for that option, but because it's not in policy, we can't give them that option. And so this is actually the preferred methodology through staff. >> Thank you. >> To entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion. Uh, the staff recommends that the city adopt option one and become a no change city. >> I'll second. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion carries. 8, city prosecution services. Uh, Jolene and Captain Hannah, walk us through this. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As council will recall, um we received notice from the city's longtime prosecutor, Mike Welch, of his retirement as well. As such, city staff did initiate an RFP on March 5th. We did receive three qualified proposals from uh firms within our area. Um staff reviewed those proposals, conducted some due diligence, did reference checks, and um following that process have recommended Kelly N. Lemons as the city's next prosecutor. The firm offers strong municipal prosecution experience, particularly within Washington County and Washington County municipalities. Um they offer a very responsive service model and a very competitive fee structure which is aligned with the city's budget. I think notably the lead prosecutor Cameron Mlen. Um it's important that he's going to be holding office hours here at the city which is going to offer an opportunity for him to have face-toface time with officers outside of the courtroom. I think that that's important moving forward and it's going to really align with the services that Mike Welch had previously offered the city and the police department as well. So, the city staff is recommending that the city council agree to enter into a three-year agreement with Kelly and Lemons for prosecution services and that the council authorize uh this interim city administrator to sign off on that agreement. Council, any questions? >> There are none. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a a motion uh for the city uh to authorize the interim city administrator to enter into a three-year agreement with Kelly and Lemons for Municipal Prosecution Services with a contract start date of April 1, 2026, subject to final contract negotiations and approval as to formed by the city attorney. >> I'll second a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Right. 8F Force Lake Area Schools Superintendent Search Focus Group. Jolene. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, Forslake Area School District is initiating a recruitment effort to fill the upcoming vacancy in their superintendence office. Um, as Dr. Steve Massie is going to be moving to retirement as well. Um we've been invited to participate in a focus group uh as part of that search process. The meeting is actually scheduled for tomorrow. Um and this will provide an opportunity for the city and other shareholders or stakeholders to provide input into what is important in this search effort. So, um, just looking for council nomination of a member to attend that meeting on behalf of the city council and if more than one is willing to attend, we can certainly accommodate that as well. I think the more feedback in this search effort, the better. >> Um, you're the uh uh council leazison to the school district. Uh, council member Miller, are you available um tomorrow? Uh, council members, Mr. Mayor, yes, I would be available if you would uh like me to participate in that. Um, and I can be there tomorrow at 1:00. >> All right. Make a motion to that. >> I'll make a motion to appoint council member Miller to be our liaison and uh part of the superintendent search focus group on behalf of the city council. >> Motion. Is there is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> All right. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Thank you, Kevin, for doing that. Important. Real important. >> All right. So, we this moves us to our discussion time uh part of the meeting. These items are all for discussion. Any no decisions will be be made this evening. Everything that has to be decided will come back in a future council meeting. The first item is headarters Parkway Extension cautionary request and Abby. >> Um, thank you, Mayor Roberts. I believe the requestee is here. Can I just hop out a quick second to make sure otherwise I think um I would prefer if we could maybe move on to the next item until they are here. >> Okay. >> Is that all right? >> Yeah, you. >> All right. So, we'll jump to 9C, local tax, sales tax legislation update, implementation, and Ellie. >> Good evening, council members and mayor. This is the last one, I promise. Um, on March 18th of last week, Mayor Roberts, Jolene, Dave, and myself headed down to the capitol to hear the introducing of bill 4352, allowing the city of Forest Lake to implement a local sales tax. So, this is step one in a very long legislative process that would allow the city after a local vote and referendum to implement a sales tax for the public works facility. The first step was to have it here heard by the Senate Taxing Committee and it was approved unanimously without many questions, actually with no questions, which was positive. And so, the next steps will be the companion bill itself needs to work its way through the House committee. And then once they've both worked their way through the House and Senate, it will come together for a final bill hearing. And then at that point in time, it would be passed to the governor for approval. And then once we get all the way through that process, which could happen anywhere between May and July, depending on how quick we move through session, it would then come to a local vote. This vote would be on a ballot. And what they did note during these hearings, which is very important, is we got approval to a sales tax to up 2.5% and 20 years. However, as we continue to get closer to that time frame, if when we look at numbers or we start to re-evaluate need, we can have that 0.5% become 0.25%.1%. or we can adjust to 10 to 15 to 20 years depending on the need. We do not have to take that back to the taxing committee or to legislation. We have the authority as a city to determine that as we move forward. But once again, this does not mean we were approved for a sales tax or anything. The sales tax still does need to come back to the city of Forest Lake and it is a vote by the residents. A little bit more on why we are looking to choose this method is at a previous workshop we went over a PowerPoint that the University of Minnesota provided to the city of Forest Lake as they conducted a study on what the impact of a local sales tax would be. And part of the reason we went down this path is we deem the public works facility as a regional facility. Meaning this facility supports more than just the residents of Forest Lake. whether you're driving on the roads, you are needing emergency services, these all stem through this public works facility one way or the other. And so through this study at the University of Minnesota, they found that the sales tax would generate 46.6% from residents and the remaining 54% would come from non-residents. And so this is a very valid option to help fund those regional projects as it takes some of that burden off the local taxpayers allowing us to not have to have that levy increase by that 100%. And then we could look to see what that levy increase would actually look like with the fact that we now have additional people to help support with that 54% coming from outside residents. Any questions on the sales tax process? the thought process on why we're going down this road or exploring it. >> So, I appreciate that update. Uh just a little add, you know, that we this is a just the beginning of a long process and ultimately it is it comes back to the residents to make this decision and a referendum on the November ballot if we were to get to that point. Um so again, just the beginning of this. Thank you for that update, Ellie. All right, let's go back to 9A, Headarters Parkway Extension cost share request. Thank you, Mayor Roberts, members of the council. Um, tonight before you is a discussion item as a result of a a request from Headarters Land Development and um Capstone Homes. They've submitted an application for Hidden Creek South, a preliminary planned unit development and platt as part of that request and that's up for you to see tonight. I that hasn't come before you, but that will come before you uh after the planning commission makes recommendation on the matter. As part of their request um was the city's consideration of a cost share for Headwaters Parkway. It's about 1,700 ft of um Headarters Parkway will need to be extended through this development. Um the as noted in your packet, some of the reasons for this are that it won't support residential driveways, has limited access points, and it's designed with speeds and characteristics that exceed those of a typical residential neighborhood. Um they also indicate that they believe that Headarters Parkway is a part of a broader transportation network as the roadway is going to extend to lands beyond the plat line. On the converse, staff would say that and has noted it in your packet. Extension is necessary for the development. Um at this point is where the existing Hidden Creek development is going to connect through and back to get back to Headwaters Parkway. Um, this is a crucial element to get the existing development that is being developed right now to have those two access points. Those are some things that we usually get concerned about with our uh with our development is that we approve long culde-sacs, but we always know they're going to come back around. Um, they included in your packet a submission of a similar agreement that they made with the city of Ramsey. Included in that was the note that MINDOT grant was achieved and that was matched by their HA. In my discussions with the city of Ramsey, it did benefit some publicly owned lands by the county and also opened up some significant portion of land for commercial development. So non-residential. So the characteristics are slightly different. City ordinance and policy also kind of have this we've often called it um development pays its own way. Um I said in their city code section 152 which refers to the development will install furnish and install at their own expense um the portion and the whole cost of improvements that will represent a benefit to the property with the subdivision. So again, because the subdivision needs that access point out, staff would assert that this isn't necessarily one of those times that we would um that we would be willing or not necessarily willingly, but this doesn't necessarily fit with our policy. I also included the assessment policy in there that if this was a public infrastructure project, so if the city was going to do this, um we would assess 100% of the property or the project to the benefiting property. Um, so tonight for your consideration and I guess not consideration but discussion is whether or not we want to cost share. I did also include in the packet a request that was made. Um, this is a divided roadway. It's a two-lane with turn lane and there an inquiry was made what would be the cost of the roadway divided with a median a concrete median separating those uh lanes and um just at grade striping surfacing and it's just a little less than $13,000. The landowner and developer are here to talk about this with you. Do you have any questions for me right now? >> Any any questions? Initial questions. >> Um, I would welcome either one to come up and speak to this. >> State your name. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, you can close that. Yeah. >> Just state your name and address for the record. >> All right. Mayor, members of the city council, I'm Paul Bugamman. John Dobs is with me as well. Um, I guess you know the cost sharing is one aspect of this project. The other aspect of it is this road. um isn't only serving our project and we are not able to park on it. We're not able to have any driveways on it other than the access points for the other roads. And I don't know what the normal street speed is in Forest Lake, but on Headarters Parkway right now it's 35 m an hour on the section from 61 to Fenway. And I don't know why from Fenway into our neighborhood it's 40. But I don't know why that whole road couldn't be at a 35 mph zone and even downsized to a 32 to a 34 foot road. It's just a road then. There's no parking on it. There's no it's just and I what I would like to have or encourage you guys to do is I'd like to request a work session and ask the council to go drive the streets that are around here and measure them and see how they work. Um 206, which is right through the middle of Somefields, is 32 ft wide. Back to curb, back to curb. Um Everton, which is the main north south road, is 34 ft. Back to curb, back to curb. It's a sea. I mean, it's a big sea of asphalt. Um I just I don't think it's needed. The the the cost of it is unbelievable. And it it's not warranted. It's not going anywhere. It's not connecting to anything that makes any sense. I know the staff has alluded to some something in the future. I spent half my day on the phone today and I'm not 100% prepared. I'm sorry. I was on spring break last week with my family so I don't have all my ducks in a row. But spent half my day on the phone with Mandot and nobody would say no, but they all told me it's highly unlikely that there's going to be any connection near the split of 35W and 35e. So, the hope is is maybe someday, they were talking about this almost 30 years ago when I did the Summerfields project that they were going to have an on-ramp and off-ramp on uh four. Well, that still isn't there. They still won't even tell us. I mean, nobody could say when it's going to be there. So, I guess my my real request is I would like to have a work session and actually have some detailed drawings that I don't have with me today that can show you where the road where I feel it should go. There was a meeting I think it I have on here uh December 8th, but was it February 8th that the city voted on the road alignment on Headarters Parkway? I wasn't aware of that meeting. John wasn't aware of it. As far as we know, nobody got a notice on that. So, I think that's something I would like to readress. Um, I I have a strong opinion on it. I don't think we have time to go over it and show you all the details in this kind of a setting. So, I would love to hear your feedback or what you guys think of it at this point, but I really would encourage you just to go drive. I mean, Highway 61's a two-lane road between Hugo and uh Forest Lake, and it's 55 miles an hour. it just doesn't it doesn't equate to me and I've been doing this literally for almost 40 years. So that would be my request and if you guys want to give us feedback and you want us to come back up right now and talk that'd be great but I really would appreciate a work session if that's possible any questions questions for >> right now. >> Nothing right now. Thanks. Thanks Paul. >> Council questions thoughts >> Mr. Mayor, Council members, Ryan, could you uh chime in on this? Uh I know you uh have been working on this. It's part of our comprehensive plan. And um tell us a little bit of your reasoning and and and why the road is the way it is and why we did the realignment of where it's coming out. >> Sure. Mayor City Council uh Headwaters Parkway obviously is following uh PUB that was prepared and approved by the city back in 2005. might be off a year or two. I'm just going off my memory right here. Uh that would follow. And when that PUD, it had a substantially much wider roadway than was being uh developed currently um based on an AUR that was completed and current zoning, projected traffic, uh projected connections, right? That's that's probably one of the difficult things for people to vision. uh right now in today's time is what ultimately is this going to connect and what's all going to con uh eventually funnel through here right you know there was references with 206 Everton those are very short residential roadways in a area that's uh been all developed out um this portion of the city it's had the vision to connect out to eventually Horn Hornsby Elmrest and uh part of county traffic transportation plans has that eventually turned back is a county road uh to be a frontage road to I35 and uh you know anywhere from highway 97 down to I think reference 4 or it might be Frenchman Boulevard you know that whole area you know that's going to be developing over the next 40 to 50 years and to have the vision and uh alignments and connections you know this is what's going to make those neighborhoods that are livable sustainable and what people desire uh the parkway alignment as shown on the plot that was on your screen tonight. We copied the alignment that was proposed from their plat and made it from the south there to where we connected out to Hornsby or Elmrests uh was what an approved study. So, we didn't, you know, change what they proposed up on what you see in the screen that, you know, you curve that 90° and head south and you slightly curve back to the east. We mimicked that what they had and then the project went through public uh engagements and property landowner discussions and that's where we came to the final approved alignment that you guys saw here presented on the screen. So, it's kind of the history going all the way back to the early 2000s. where we're at today with the current plat uh the study that was completed and then you know looking down the road 40 to 50 years what's all going to be in this particular area and the connections that will be made and um the Hidden Creek South development is going to all feed into this roadway. So, it's going to have safe, efficient transportation movement, pedestrian movements, too. If this road, you know, was what it was, and we have all these connections and driveways on it, and that's where we want our pedestrians in our neighborhoods to be crossing, walking, you can just imagine what that would bring. So, that's kind of a quick summary and per your inquiry. >> Thank you. Just to follow up on that, you mentioned driveways, but I I thought we're not contemplating any driveways on this parkway. >> There are no driveway connections on this parkway. We're trying to minimize the access to the neighborhoods to allow for safe, efficient uh movement through these areas with this number of houses that are being proposed in the headarters or Hidden Creek development that you've seen already today and what's in the proposed Hidden Creek South uh development. And then it was mentioned, I don't know if this is actually the case, maybe uh chief you could help. Or we're at 35 miles an hour where it's wider and then we go to 40 as it gets narrowed down. Is that what the speed limit is there? >> Where did you specifically see that speed limit change? >> Uh you know the the Paul had mentioned that between 61 and Fenway it's at 35 miles an hour. Correct. And then after that going west it's it's 40 miles an hour. >> Yep. So my ask would be that it all be 35. And I have pictures to show if you want I could send them to you could put them up on the screen showing Belank and the YMCA behind the pictures. So I don't know the exact reason off the top of my head but uh Headwaters Parkway that South Lake was funded by an LIP grant from that we obtained from the state of Minnesota and upon completion of that project and opening that roadway we required to do a speed study. So that's how you do set enforceable speed limits in the state of Minnesota. uh we you know can design a road to a particular speed limit but after uh a main road is opened and you want a posted speed limit sign it does go through a speed study if it's not posted on a residential roadway by state statute it's 30 m an hour in the city of Forest Lake rural it would be 55 >> okay to change that then you'd have to go through another speed study >> Fenway Avenue is it still post at 45 I don't know How many times I've had Chief Peterson and his staff go out there with a, you know, sit in the woods and kind of shoot cars and radar because we we want to see where we're at too because we don't want to go through a speed study and then all a sudden it increases the speed limit. If we truly probably went through a a speed study on Fenway Avenue, the speed limit posted enforceable speed limit probably would increase and that's not something we want. >> But just to be clear, that's the only way to actually change a speed limit is to do a speed study. Is that correct? If you wanted an enforcable speed limit in the state of Minnesota, that's how you would have to do that. >> Got it. >> Uh so, you know, I understand uh the request on a some type of a cost share. I I do I get development pays its own way. That's what we've historically done here. This road um is a feeder road and that's going to be a featur a future feeder road to whatever the future road of Hornsby or Elmrest or whatever that's going to be. And so I get kind of the angst on this thing and understand where um not just this developer but any developer would push back and say you know the city has to pay a portion of this. So with that, is there any opportunities to Abby that you're aware of to potentially get any grants on this similar to what Ramsay did that you're aware of? >> I am not aware of any. No. Um and with the grant from the city, I mean, I have not looked into it of I would probably defer to Ryan or Dave that are maybe a little bit more familiar with some of the transportation funding programs. Um, with those though, you know, I would say then we're using city tax dollars if there is a match or potentially the developer dollars for a match, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend EDA dollars for that contribution just because it this isn't leading to a commercial. It's a roadway that's encompassed by residential on all sides. >> Will there not be commercial on Hornsby or Elmrest? Isn't that supposed to be a freeway whatever road? >> Not not in this area in the city of Forest Lake. And then directly across the street in um the city of um Columbus uh is a pretty significant kind of wetland complex. Um further to the north once it kind of loops back around well into the city of Columbus. Those are more highway business or light industrial lands. Um but not necessarily in the city of Forest Lake. where we routed it to come back into Hornsby. Wasn't that a dividing line and zoning where we're envisioning south of it? >> South of it um the JD4 infrastructure project if the city moves forward with that would be serving as a buffer. So you you're not this road isn't connecting to um it is guided for highway business but if we moved forward with that infrastructure project it wouldn't be your this roadway wouldn't touch highway business >> lands I can pull up a map if you'd like. >> Well I mean it brings it to you. I mean that's a way to get to it correct because then you would go to Hornsby and then go south to commercial. >> Yeah I mean yes that would potentially be the option. >> Mr. Mayor, council members, >> I think the hardest part about something like this, and I certainly understand what Mr. Bergamman is saying, is when we put together a comprehensive plan, you know, 20 years looking into the future, Council Member Larson can attest to this. when you're on planning, you know, as a as a as a as a as a person who's trying to plan for the future of the city and you're looking at how you're going to do all of these different things. Sometimes things will change, but a lot of times we're going to follow that plan. And even though this Mr. Bergamman, I understand this may affect you, you personally on this project, this is kind of the vision of the city of what we want. And as we get future into our developing, it's going to make more sense to have this road the way it is. To take the road from where it's at now, in my opinion, and shrink it down to then maybe widen it back out or keep it narrower may not be the best solution depending upon how our development goes to the south and to the west of where you're currently at. So, I understand your concern, but I also am looking at with our JD4 projects and a number of things that we're looking at doing in a city out 20 years. I see this as a real viable option for the city. And I understand it costs a little bit more money for for you as a developer, but we're also looking at how is this going to help and benefit the city in the future. And I think there's a real benefit to the way this road's being done personally. thoughts or comments. >> So, is there >> that being said, I would be open to a study if you really wanted to sit down and talk about it more. I'm not opposed to that. >> Can I approve? >> Sure. >> I guess all I'm trying to accomplish is I would like to have a work session. Um I have little experience in doing this. This is my first time. I'm probably don't have anywhere near the knowledge that Ryan does, but you have 190th that is a straight shot that's going to be developed when this whole area is going to be developed. Common sense. If you were in that corridor anywhere and you had to go east or west and you could go through a serpentine snake through a neighborhood with roundabouts or you could take a straight shot down 190th, what would you do? What would human beings do? That's I I just that's why I want to sit down. If I'm wrong and you guys all think I'm nuts and that that what I'm trying to lay out doesn't make sense, then I'll have to make a decision whether I move forward with the project or I don't. But I'd like to have the time to do that with you guys in a setting that I can actually lay it out. I think it's a mistake where Headwaters Parkway is going into right now that it's going into a into what I think is in my opinion that north south what do they call it? The technology corridor. Is that the term? >> Correct. Okay, I just learned that today too that there's going to be more traffic traveling north and south on Elmrest Hornsby from Forest Lake to Hugo than there are going to be cars from Elmrest to 61 on Headarters Parkway. So that's a major road in my opinion. Ryan will probably disagree because he and I seem to disagree a lot of things, but if this if this um Headwaters Parkway should go, I think should continue south and connect into Enrich, which is another road that crosses 190th, which is already existing as a road crossing when the 190th gets developed. So, I have I have all these thoughts in my head. I'm not ready to do it. I guess I'm just asking with the amount of dollars and money that I'm spending, I would respectfully ask to have a work session that we can sit down. I can draw this out old school Sharpie on a big map and you guys can make your decision from there. Okay. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> If you open to invite him to a workshop or something. I >> I I'm open to that. I I I understand that. I get it. Like I said, if if we you know, if it's a cost share thing, we don't have this in a CIP, so it's where is where do you come where do you come up with additional dollars? Um I do question at times the direction of where we decided. I was I pushed back a little bit on that. I'm not an engineer. Um but I am open to have more conversation about this uh uh in the near very near future. I don't know what the timeline is for this project and what that does, but >> we're very flexible. We won't if you can't make it the next one or two that's fine with us. >> Staff have enough enough direction there on that workshop. >> Do do you need any further direction? >> Um I guess I would just I mean I can work with the land owner to talk about kind of materials to prepare in advance be so that we have a productive workshop. I will say the 190th street south to 190th proposal was brought up in a working session with the land owners. It was brought up I think at the end and of this council and um we can continue to tell you that staff doesn't necessarily think that that's a good idea for the transportation network of the future. Um so I'm happy to work with the developer to set up a workshop with it with that. I'm I'm hoping that we can prepare items for you. Um, is there a timeline that you'd like to see this done? >> I guess uh whether it's a working session or a public workshop. I guess if it's a workshop, it' be that that third Monday in in April would be the next opportunity. I'm assuming next >> next uh week is a little full to do anything too soon. >> It is. >> Um, >> so that's that's when I would I think maybe be the best. >> Sure. All right. Thank you for coming this evening. >> Thank you. >> All right, we are moving into staff updates and Ellie, we'll start. >> Oh, did I miss something? >> Um 9D the uh congressionally designated requests. >> Okay, so road so Ryan road project update. Is that what it Yes. All right, Ryan. Uh, mayor, city council, this item for discussion was winged in at the two last hour of Friday afternoon based on some information we received on a a request uh from Minnesota US Senators uh Clovershaw and Smith. uh based on some other uh grant applications we submitted to uh that were the Stalbert uh fiscal year 27 request, we thought we should bring this back to you just because so many things are moving so fast and some uh late submitt financial requests for other intersections. That's we just wanted to try to put what we could in words on on this memo and make a united decision moving forward. So purpose of this memo is obviously to inform you guys of a newly application uh for the fiscal 27 congressional designated spending requests through the Minnesota senators and outline to coordinate next steps. Both uh senator Clovershaw and Smith have opened their requests uh officially now. Stabber has already done so. what we submitted at on Stard's uh platform which included the overages that we've been uh added to Eureka Avenue. Uh that included you know the great river energy power poles, the extension, the DNR easement, the wetland credits, the street lighting, the DNR appraisal and the change order for the project delay. So we that was one submittal and then also uh Northshore Drive trail that uh we submitted as well. Uh, one thing that was in Stabber's email that was in parentheses and bolded was projects should be considered shovel ready and have a broad community supports. And that's another reason we're bringing these projects forward right now u before we submit anything to Senator Clolobashaw and Smith just because you probably got five projects you want to submit but we're all in different stages. uh you know, Northshore Trail is obviously talked a lot about, but in regards to the the timing of that. Uh that's one thing we wanted to talk about, too. So, with the Highway 8 project that Chicago County is leading, uh that's going to have impacts from 61 up through Greenway and then all the way up to Carmel Avenue and Chicago City. Uh they're trying to announce, they're finally dialing in where they think they'll they'll be. They think they will uh have be in final design this entire year and final rightaway acquisition in 2027. Uh well they they plan to bid the project in late 2026 maybe 2027 early 27 and that then schedule would uh move into local improvements uh frontage road and backage road improvements uh impact the highway 8 and 27 and 28. With that being said, they think they'd be doing the roundabouts in between Northshore Drive and Highway 8s right there by the Holiday Gas Station and 27 with a lot of carryover working 28s. Well, then that, you know, that kind of takes out that stretch connection if we need that to maintain traffic, you know, public safety and uh just daily commuting. uh they're going to focus on the west side of eight, you know, on the the Millan overlay area basically, which is going to occur in Forest Lake from 61 up to Greenway. Uh and then the lo the local network stuff. Uh and then the project's a three-year construction project. Uh they plan to start mainline uh construction on East 61 and 28. uh and then you know proceed up the the main line on Highway 8 from Pioneer to Carmemell. So with all that said and not having really any community supports what I mean by that is we really haven't had a public engagement meeting for Northshore Trail, right? We haven't gone out there and surveyed. We haven't done any conceptual here's what we're thinking, right? And actually had a public open house with it. and the amount of money that we're talking with that project that's almost 19 million and you know you got other things we're trying to finance in town whether it's not even just roads it's other other projects that you guys are discussing and so what should we bring forward uh and submit obviously there was a late submitt on the intersection I can see from here you know with Senator How'sley and uh somebody else received that one Uh so that's another another one to talk about that came up relatively fast with the anticipation if we could get some money now could we add that then to the county 32 project right uh so with all that being said tonight we're really here just want to discuss next steps uh staff recommends we definitely submit avenue because that's a shovel ready project we know we have what we're just budgeted for but if we didn't have to use that those funds to deal with that that stuff and the other things that were wanted to be added to the project that those obviously could go to other other projects. So, uh just want to our deadline for the submitt on that was it's next week, right? Where did I put that? >> I believe it's March 27th, right? >> March 27th. So, tonight we just want to leave here. Should we submit on Eureka Northshore or the intersection of County Road 32 and trunk highway 61 or something entirely else? But staff's recommendation is to at this time for these two particular request applications uh to submit on the fiscal 27 congressional designate spending request Senate submission opportunities for Clovershaw and Smith for Eureka Avenue. But floor is open now. So >> any thoughts, questions, feedback, council. >> So you saying that staff recommends only submitting for Eureka, >> not for the 61. And >> so you know some other hindsight we submitted on stabs applications already and we didn't hear anything back. I still don't think we heard anything back. Washington County has heard back already on County Road 50 and trunk highway 61. So we believe that we were not selected to be a bigger part of the next steps in that application run. Uh this is the project that's shovel ready. We've gone through the ton of community engagements with that project and we have multiple partners involved in that project with the DNR and the fishing pier that they're adding to it, the wershed district. So that has a great story to tell right now. Obviously, Northshore is going to have a really good story to tell with all the things that's uh are going to be in that project, but but also like let's just say you got it right now. You know, our our request is going to be around 15 million, but you're going to have potentially 5 million still, right? >> Yeah. No, I'm in agreement on holding off on Northshore. I was just asking, should we also include the 61 and 11th or not necessarily? >> I think I would defer to Ryan. Um, you know, that was kind of a lastm minute pivot that we did bringing that request forward, um, based on the county's project on CASA 32, but also just information that we learned about what MDOT is thinking for the future of that project. >> So, >> go ahead, Ryan. >> A lot of moving parts with that, right? Yeah, we would all love to go play Sim City and go take a dozer in it right now and go deal with that. Uh just you know this morning I at 10 a.m. I sit in the MDOC comes out with a new kasher policy that'll be live and active for uh 27 projects. Localled projects are going to limit and minimize the amount of funding MIDOT's going to bring to the table if it's a MDOT initiated lid project. It's actually going to reduce our our involvement and participation. So, it's hard for me to tell you to go for that one right now and get that because that's then we're leading that locally. If if we don't get the full entire amount, let's just say we requested uh when in that previous request, we requested 5 a.5 million. What if it comes in at seven and now we're on a million and a half hook, right? That project hasn't had any survey. Uh it's very limited concepts. Mindot's done. So, no, I even checked with Washington County Mind Dots. Uh, no cost estimates have been done. Knowing the area from, you know, that corner to the downtown area, no, we're going to run a contaminated soils. No environmental work's been done. So, there's a lot of risk of things that haven't been done. So, it would be hard for me to say yes, let's go do that just because we want to see if we can get money for it. But, there's too many unknowns that I don't think we have the funds to deal with if we even got 4 million for that project. can know and I that's not going to cover that. So my recommendation as we quick discuss Friday afternoon with staff would be to go after Eureka Avenue right now with these solicitations. These are annual solicitations. So if more of that can risk can be mitigated between now and then then I think those are the other opportunities to chase some of that with uh this particular funding. Okay. >> Thank you. Ryan, these road cost shares, they come up often, annually or every couple years or how often do they come up? >> Always sporadic, but there's some cons consistent ones like if you told me we wanted to go do Northshore Drive in 2030 or 2031, I got two grants here, right? You know, that are already taking applications that'll be due in May and spring of 26. So, there's stuff that's way out there. the local road improvement grant doesn't have a current solicitation because they're coming about to award one right now and they haven't released another one. There's trail stuff through the DNR. Uh and then there's some other stuff here and there through the Met Council, safe routes to school stuff. And they all have different pockets of money. So depending on what money you're chasing, you might have different requirements on projects, too. Uh so that's another thing you got to keep in mind that you don't want to go get federal money for $150,000. you're going to blow through that and getting a project approved, right? Just >> just what it is. So, you got to be smart about your request, too. Make sure it's a large large project. Uh so, it can cover absorb that, too. And if you got multiple partners that are willing to support a project, that's going to be favorable in those applications. Uh and some that we're not eligible for, but MDOT or Washington County are. And that's how sometimes they can bring money to the table that's we necessarily can't. Thank you. >> So, looking for direction then tonight and um I would say Ryan is recommendation seems to make sense. >> Be nice to do some another project, but there's too many unknowns. >> I agree. >> Yeah, I think for sure go for the Eureka one. >> All right. Now, staff updates, I guess. Uh, and we'll start with Ellie. >> Just a reminder, we're in the middle of audit prep. So, if auditors do reach out, um, Mayor Roberts, I'm assuming you will be the point of contact. They did ask for your contact information last week. Um, they'll ask standard questions, uh, any concerns and things along those lines. And then, um, internal deadlines. The first budget internal deadline for staff is due this week. So, moving that process right along as the preliminary levy meeting is now only four months away. >> Thanks for all your work tonight on preparing everything. Uh Ryan, >> I'll open the one we don't want to talk about right now, Highway 97. Right. Obviously, it went into closure today. Uh you know, I follow stuff pretty closely. I drove it several times. That's why I was almost late for one of my I don't when the last time I haven't been here 15 20 minutes early, but I just want to drive it and see what's happening, right? So, I mean, things are moving relatively fine tonight. Maybe we want to have some police drive a little extra up Everton Avenue in that area. I just I also do want to just point out some things that Mindot did do just so we just you don't think they just put up a sign and said we're closing the road, right? So, um it felt like they did a really good outreach all the residents adjacent to the project. They put door hangers and letters with construction information out. Uh businesses all received in-person outreach and fact sheets and maps. Police were uh connected. They were connected with the Forest Lake Police Department. An NOA and Washington County Sheriff's Office. Garbage connected with the Republican. They are aware. Post Office direct contact at the time I received this email, but I know they finally have made contact there. fire, EMS left voicemails and emails with individuals and shared the footprints uh with the Forest Lake departments uh schools. They connected with their uh staff to uh talk about all that stuff. So, there was a lot more going on than probably what's publicly known right now. So, I just want you aware that uh obviously it always happens. It happened last year. It happened in downtown Roundabout when it happens that first day two of closure. got just kind of take a big breath, let things settle and then you know this week then we'll start looking into things if other adjustments need to be made. So um but definitely if you guys are getting emails or voicemails please forward those accordingly so we can work with MDOT staff to deal with that too. So, uh, just a reminder, the water efficiency grants, we got one quarter left, uh, with that. They did release another one, so we'll be submitting that application. That'll go through 26 through 28. Washington counties received proposals for their, uh, county road 50 corridor study that will be discussed and reviewed in the next few weeks. And I'll leave it on a good note here on a funding uh, summary. The local 2026 street maintenance project had its bid opening last week. Uh, six bids were received. Four bids were under the engineers estimate. Two bids were over the estimate. So, that means we kind of right there where we want to be, but the low bid was about 250,000 lower than the estimate. So, there, good news for you. And last thing I'll say tonight, >> thank you. uh some of the updates that you see regularly, but I think I'll just share with the public that we do have a number of complete development applications. So, plats under review. Just adding it up, um the plat preliminary and final plat add up to 330 lots. Um at final plat 172, so we are moving forward with probably what's going to be a banner construction year this year. Um do uh start to already see early grading permits. I think once uh road restrictions get lifted, we're going to really start seeing some movement on some of those parcels over east of Highway 61. Um also just uh for your reference because tonight it was brought up um the Minnesota Tech Corridor has created a subcommittee I think I've shared this with you of each of the cities and the county EDAs to study the Elmrest Avenue corridor. That corridor is going to connect all the way from County Road 14 in the Hugo Lino. Is that 14? Frenchman um all the way up to Hornsby. Um it's a dirt road right now and so this subcommittee has been looking at uh looking at a concept design that all the cities and the counties can agree to. Um, we're just about I'm a part of the subcommittee on behalf of the city and we are just about to release an RFP for some consulting services to start that planning process. So, I know you heard tonight that there's argument that this is never going to come, but this sort of planning does come and and generally we want to do it in advance before it's too late. So, just thought I'd let you know at least some of the activities that are happening re in that area. um in addition to some of the activities that we're doing. So, any questions? Dave, >> uh since Ryan took all my updates, I'll just take my time to congratulate Chief Peter Peterson on his retirement. 20 more years or so, I'll get there. So, looking forward to it. That's all. >> Chief Fire has no updates. >> All right. Chief Peterson, >> mayor and city council members, uh, no staff updates, but I want to thank you, uh, so much for the recognition tonight. Um, thank you for all those years of support. The support that the community has given myself and the police department has been fantastic. It's been wonderful working here. Um, I've really, really enjoyed it. Um, and uh, I just want to let you know that um, you're going to be left in good hands with uh, incoming police chief Luke Hannigraph. So, thank you. >> Thank you, >> Captain Hanigraph. Hard to follow that. I will sorely miss Chief Peterson's guidance and his friendship. That's for sure. Um, I do have a few staff updates today. Two out of the first five that were granted for um, hiring uh, started. So, Officer Anna Weiss and Officer Lucas Johnson joined the force today. Uh, that was exciting. And because it was in the consent agenda and approved and he's here, I would just like to recognize Sergeant Jonathan Gladder, who will be the next uh, appointed captain of police. I'm looking very forward to working with him uh, for the next handful of years, and I think he will do a great job for the city. Congratulations. All right. Uh, >> no updates. >> Jolene, >> just uh want to reiterate that we're going to again celebrate Chief Peterson on April 2nd here in the community room from 1 to 300 p.m. We're opening up to the community and and all of our partner organizations. So hopefully we'll have a packed house, but please spread the word. Um, we'll be doing some social media blasts about that this week as well. So, look for more information on that. Uh, the city's food drive efforts are continuing, so please encourage folks to help us beat the city of Wyoming in our donation efforts. Um, but more importantly, we're looking to fill our local food shelves and the folks at Family Pathways are matching all donations that are are um are gathered this month. So, please feel free to drop off donations here in the city center lobby. No other updates for me tonight, though. >> Council, just a quick update. Um, thank you for allowing me to be part of the focus group for the uh the school board um uh administrator position. Um, I'm hoping that um, you know, as being part of that focus group, and I know there's a number of people part of it, we can bring forward a really good candidate for our for our school board. Uh, that being said, I'm not sure if the current school board would ever make a decision. So, uh, they are still tied at, uh, three to three on everything they do and they were down to two final candidates again last week and went through a vote and they couldn't agree on a candidate to fill the schoolboard position. So, uh, we'll do our best to bring a a administrator forward, but who knows if they can ever pick one. Council member Valento. >> Uh just a quick update that the Parks and Recreation Commission uh has been meeting regularly to go over the um parks master plan and so they got the first draft out and so it is I believe 135 pages. So slowly but surely going through that, making some comments and I saw Abby made some comments. So um yeah, we've just been working on that. That will soon come to council. I believe the goal is in April. So, we've been working diligently on that. And then our next um cable commission meeting is looking at sometime in April. >> Thanks, Council Member Ericson. >> No updates tonight. >> Larson, >> uh just one Wednesday 6 o'clock planning commission uh meets here if you feel inclined to show up and take part. >> Right. I have nothing this evening. Um just thanks for everyone's time and efforts in this meeting tonight and we are going to we have a two close session items. So uh is anyone interested in put us these two separate motions to put these into >> I think you can do it in one motion. Um just noting both of the sessions. >> Okay. Right. Anyone? >> Sure. >> So make a motion to move into close session pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 05 subdivision 3C3 to develop or consider offers or counter offers for the purchase or sale of the property identified as 30.032.21.33.00001 30.032.21.34.00001 3032.21.43.001 30 032.21.42.001 001 30.032.21.41.00001 30.032.21.44.00001 and not last but not least 29.032.21.32.001 Washington County Minnesota. >> Okay. >> I'll make a second motion. Move into close session pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3B. Attorney client privilege due to pending litigation related to med counsel system statement LUAC appeal hearing. >> Thank you. Thank you for that. We have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Uh we have a motion second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. We're in close session. Thanks everyone. Have a great night.