I'm I am calling to order the Columbus City Council meeting for the first time this year and the date is January 14th and the time is six o'clock. The first item on the agenda is a pledge of allegiance. If everybody stand up. >> 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. The third item on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda. Anybody like to make a motion? >> This is Jenny. I can uh this Jenny. I move to adopt the agenda for the January 14th city council meeting. >> Scott, I'll second. >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments or questions? Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Uh Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, I. Rob I >> and Ron I we'll go on item B of the agenda which is the consent agenda. Uh anybody have any questions about it or comments? Hearing none. I Ron Hannigraph move to approve the city council January 14th 2026 consent agenda. >> Rob second. >> We got a motion been seconded. Anybody have any questions or comments hearing? None. We'll take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I >> Scott I >> I >> Rob I go on to item number C presentations and items for council's action. First item is a public forum. Is there anybody out there Gina that wants to come up and talk to the council? >> Good evening mayor and council. Happy new year. I'm with the Columbus Lions. Gina Shervin from the Columbus Science and we are just wondering if we could do like a give a book, take a book stand out by where our benches out in the park um or if that's not a good area where you guys would see fit. Um we just think it's a great idea to keep kids reading, adults reading, that sort of thing. We would build it obviously, put the books in there, maintain it, that sort of thing. And then if our budget allows, we want to do like a little doggy treat container and dog bowl and dog leash thing so they can sit there and relax and read a book or whatever that might be. So that's why I'm here tonight. So it would be probably like 3 ft x 4 ft, more this size than this size, but you know, we would it's kind of up in the air right now. We're just looking for suggestions, ideas, approval, that sort of thing. So, >> maybe we should look to the public works director. Does that thing have to be up in the air? Should it be on the ground or >> Well, there's a lot lot of things to consider there, I guess. Um, especially if it's going to be there in the winter. Um, how how would we maintain around it or something of that sort? So, I I would think that if you come up with a plan and then we present it, we should probably talk to the park board about it as well. >> Um, but um I I think we can come up with some sort of agreement. I I don't think that's a bad idea. I see I see them all over the place. So, um I I see people stopping and using them. So, I mean I think anything that we can add to draw people to the park is a good thing. So, um, looking at what you just kind of showed, I I would have some questions about that. Like, would it just sit on the ground? Would there be a concrete pad? I, you know what I mean? There's there's some there's some things that I think, you know, we would need to discuss, but I think we could come up with something that would definitely be feasible in my world. So, >> and if it would make it more convenient, you know, to put it up here by this, you know, city hall somewhere, we can do that as well. We were just thinking we have that bench over there. It might be a nice place for people to sit and relax, but we're open to suggestions. So, or thoughts. >> Those books back in the community center, they who do they belong to? >> I have no idea. I think the seniors maybe. I'm not sure. >> Okay. Not sure either. >> I like the idea. >> Go ahead, Rob. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, Ron. I like the idea. Um, these things are kind of all over. You see them in a lot of parks in the >> Mhm. >> around. So yeah, I think it's fitting. >> Okay. So we can put together >> if you could just maybe we give direction for Jim to work with them and then come back with the final plan. Does that sound fair? >> That works for us. >> Yeah. We got a park board meeting coming on February 10th. But you don't have to come to that, Gina. We can bring it up. >> Me and Jim, you going to be there on the park? Yeah. We can bring it up to the park board on that night and get their opinion on it and their options. Anybody else have any >> questions, comments? I think it's a good idea. >> Okay. >> Do you want me to email like drawings or suggestions or something to somebody just to get an idea of what maybe we're looking at and go from there? >> Okay, I'll shoot. Okay, >> sounds good. >> If you email them to me, then I'll I'll work through it on my end and we can talk about it at the park board. >> Perfect. um if you want to attend that, you can kind of talk about your plans there and then we'll just move from there. >> Sounds great. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Gina. Anybody else out there on the anything >> open forum? No. I see shaking heads back there. No. Anybody online that would like to make a comment to the council? Seeing no action online, we'll close the open form and go on to item number two. The city council. What was there something? Oh, I've seen you move. I thought we'll go to item number two. City council less on appointments for commissions, committees, authorities, boards, other positions, and watershed organization districts. Assignments of city council persons to commissions, committees, authorities, water management organizations, and other public advisory board as liaison or members are recommended by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. I review the following commission authority and committee appointed positions that mayor Hanigraph is recommended for city council approval for deputy mayor. Mayor Hannigraph has recommended that Rob Bush be the deputy mayor for 2026 for the commission board committee assignments which will be the planning commission and parks board. Uh Mayor Hannah is recommended for the liaison with Karen Fleming as the alternate member. The planning commission liaison serve on a quarterly rotating schedule. Council members Jennifer Latin is recommended for the January March appointment followed by Scott Wendell for April and June, Karen Fleming for July, September, and Rob Bush for October through December. And if you all need to swap any of these times, just please feel free to work that out among yourselves and just let me know. For the fire board, Ron Hannigraph and Rob Bush are recommended for appointment as the 26 2026 council members to the Forest Lake Fire Board with Scott Wendell as the alternate member. For the Enoka County Sheriff's Office, the liaison is assigned and Scott Wendell is recommended for this position. for the public works advisory board. Rob Bush is recommended to be appointed to this position. For the Sunrise River management, water management organizations and other watershed management districts, Karen Fleming and citizen member Tim Melkior were appointed at the city council Columbus meeting for 2026 on December. The reason for this early appointment was the Sunrise River WO met before the city council meeting tonight and needed to have a quorum and a treasurer elected. Cities also required to be members of the Rice and Creek Water Management Districts. Members on these boards are appointed by the in by an NOA County. Steve Wagamman is the Columbus representative for the Rice Creek Water Management District. Is recommended that city staff though monitor the agendas of these meetings to see if there is a need for Columbus representation and attend as necessary. Council members will be notified of the meetings and should notify staff if no more than two desire to be present. Forest Lake Cable Commission is recommending that Scott Wendle be appointed as the council member to serve on this and Jeff Draine be appointed as the citizen member. I have spoken with Jeff and he did agree to serve for the personnel committee. Mayor Hannah Graph and Jennifer Latin are recommended for the 2026 appointments to this committee. This committee meets as necessary and is in the process of having an ordinance prepared that will outline more of the duties and the schedule of meetings for this committee. For the fall fest committee, Jennifer Latin is recommended as a 2026 appointment to this committee. for the economic development authority. Jennifer Latin is recommended as the other council person to serve on the authority. The mayor is prescribed in the bylaws as being an automatic member of the authority. Citizen members are Judy Hunto and Kiona Pro with one seat remaining vacant that hasn't been filled. So those are the recommendations of the mayor and at this time uh staff is seeking approval or the mayor seeking approval of these for confirmation. >> Yeah, I don't know if I should make I I've talked to most everybody here about the appointments and just to make things clear, the reason I appointed U Rob to the U deputy mayor is because he's been on a council. so long. He understands the process and I'm sure he could do a good job on there. The other commissioners, uh, commissions and things like that. I looked at the length when we have an election coming up this year. We don't know who's going to be here and who's not. So, I look at the ones that are going to be here for the next two or three years, which would be Jennifer and and Rob. So, that's how it kind of sets up. And Scott, um, I I put you down. I didn't tell you about the fire board and that and uh also because you're you have a history in the law enforcement being natural for you within Noa County. So I hope everybody's happy with what they got. Does anybody's got a problem? Let me know. You know, >> I'm good and thank you. Appreciate the >> We have to make a motion on this. >> You have to make a motion. Correct. >> Would it be good for me to do it? No. >> This is Karen. I'll make the motion. I Karen Plleming move to approve the lease on position recommendations by Mayor Ron Hanigra for the city of Columbus commissions, committees, authorities, boards, other positions and watershed organizations/dists. >> This is Jenny. I second. >> We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments, questions? Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I. >> Scott I. >> Karen I. >> Rob I. >> And Ron I. Thank you all. Next item on the agenda is the item number three, Brown Beagle CUP amendment. Brown Beagle located at 13654 West Freeway Drive currently holds a conditional use permit for a 7 building industrial park approved by the city on May 24th, 2023. This development is intended to be leased to multiple companies for each building erected. The approved CUP establishes a phase development schedule with construction deadlines for all seven buildings. The applicant is requesting an amendment to the CUP to allow additional time to complete the project. The planning commission held a public hearing on the requested CUP amendment on December 17th, 2025. The planning commission recommended approval of the CUP amendment at their January 7th, 2026 meeting. Staff in the planning commission recommend approval of the Brown Beagle Industrial Park CUP amendment for a time extension on their project phases and that any cannabis related business be required to comply with the performance standards outlined in city code 7A825 including the requirement that any cannabis related business obtain an individual CUP conditional permit. >> Any comments or questions on this? So we had that that automatically was zoned for that through what we talked about before >> as far as area is far as being zoned. >> Well, as far as the cannabis, >> yeah, that and if any >> that was one of the quadrants we talked about accepting that in >> that that's correct. That would be a permitted use in that area. >> Sure. think it'd be an odd spot next to a for a sports training facility, but >> you know, thinking out loud, but >> it is. And what what we identified there was restricting the use of those cannabis related businesses to that area really in the the freeway district. >> Sure. Sure. Thank you. There's an explanation. >> This is Karen. Um just a question. Do they pay any additional fees for extending their term on the contract or >> uh you can require them to, but we didn't think that was worthy of this recommendation. So, there were no extra fees for that. >> Just curious. Thank you. >> Any other comments? Hear none. I Iron Hanigraph moved to approve the Brown Beagle Industrial Park time extension cup and a requirement that any cannabis related businesses business be required to comply with the city code 7A-825 and obtain any cups related to this type of business. >> Rob, I'll second. >> Got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other questions or comments about it? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I >> Scott I >> I >> Rob I >> and Ron I motion passes we'll go on to item number four St. Clair Estates DNR settlement agreement the final amended settlement agreement for the Howard Lake Trail Access in the for the St. Clair State's subdivision development was prepared by the city attorney's office and has received approval from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The amendment updates the 2018 agreement originally entered into by the DNR, the city of Columbus, and the previous developer to regulate the creation and maintenance of lake access within the shore impact zone. The 2018 settlement agreement allowed construction of a natural trail surface to a walk-in canoe launch. Over time, the area has become heavily overgrown and conditions at the original launch point now make the permitted canoe access impractical and more disrupted to shoreline vegetation anticipated. The St. Clair Lakes Homeowners Association requested replacing the canoe launch provision with permission to install a narrow wooden dock extending to open water. This modification would allow access which substantially lessens disturbance to aquatic plants and shoreland vegetation. So the item before you tonight is to approve this agreement which the DNR has will sign off on the city has signed off on. Uh we've been working to do this to improve access from this development. Howard Lake on a little trail and then they will have a wooden dock built out onto the lake. Any comments? >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, just one question. Did we ever determine whether that would be accessible uh via water to non-residents >> via >> Thanks for asking that. I was just kind of scanning it. Yeah, >> remember we kind of talked about this might end up to be >> having to be used by anybody, right? I'll answer this generally and let Megan fill in the gaps. But if they access it by water, we nobody has any control over that because the waters are waters of the state of Minnesota. Now, >> no, I think I think we're meaning is can anybody use that trail to access the water. >> Uh, >> is that who you're getting at too, Scott? >> Well, that too. Yeah, they they they can they can to a certain degree, but the access to the trail head itself is across private property. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, if there's any nuances on that, Megan, that you'd like to go into, >> please do so. >> Absolutely. So, the um the trail access is actually provided over a city outlot. And so, the city owns that outlot. Um we have a number of times offered the outlot to the HOA for purchase. Um but the city maintains that outlot uh and will continue to retain ownership of it. So uh the access area um and the dock will be public um subject uh through the outlot space uh and then that will be private property. So, you know, if someone pulls over and stops their canoe at the dock to, you know, take pictures or >> hang out, you know, make their sandwich, whatever the case might be, >> and and they can actually use the dock. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Absolutely. Uh and then uh we will have a license agreement uh that the HOA will be required to sign as part of this agreement um across the city outlet just re just reallocating liability there as well. >> Okay. So, so this isn't uh a boat landing. It's not designated as a boat landing. It's just if somebody goes out there, they can >> or they come in from the water way. >> Well, from the standpoint of the HOA, it's just designated more where you can walk out. But I think they're going to put a bench out there and you just walk out there and watch birds and whatever's there and just a place to meditate or relax or whatever you want to do. It won't be involving any type of boat launches or any type of other watercraft activity. You know, I've been out there several times with you, Jack, and I'm trying to remember. That's private property to get to it, though. >> Yes. So that's where the block is. >> But yeah, I think a question came up previously was with specifically with duck hunters actually. >> Well, that that kind of answers it though. They have to cross >> I mean seem right to me though that they have to cross private property. I mean shouldn't that be an easement by the developer or is that something we missed in the development plan? >> You know, that's something that certainly could be considered. I think uh the HO my my estimation not having asked the question is that they would have an objection to that but that is absolutely correct that during the course of review of a plan unit development like this one um the city can always contemplate how it might have public trails throughout a site um and those are really well addressed at the platting stage. >> Sure. Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Mr. trying to cover our us when they're calling, you know, the cops are coming or getting sent out there because they cross private property, right? >> So, >> yeah, you know, one one of >> it won't happen a lot, but >> the easiest way to access that lake, there is another DNR landing just a quarter of a mile from there >> which is more suited for those types of activities for launching canoes, kayaks, that thing. I don't think that this is going to be used much or want to be used much by the general public unless they come in off the lake waters. >> So, this Jenny, will the city be posting private property signs or will the HOA be responsible for that? Because I can imagine that will be brought up or questioned and I just want to know where that liability stands. >> That to me, and Megan can correct me if I'm wrong, but that would be the responsibility HOA to post this their property. they would have to post it. >> Mr. Mayor, can I ask a question? >> Yeah. >> So, if you drive north on Zurich Street, um, outlot C actually touches Zurich Street. So, I could walk in there and walk behind every property owner's house on outlot C to get to this area. We can do that. Somebody could do that legally. >> That's correct. It is city- owned property. Okay. >> I don't think a lot of people know it's city owned. >> Well, I mean, I think it says on onx, >> it's a hunting app on hunt onx. >> Yeah. I I I I just worry somebody's going to find a way to get out there. >> Mhm. >> And sit on the bench and somebody from the homeowners association may tell them they can't be there when legally they can. >> Yeah. But the likelihood of that happening is >> and that was the reason for my question because I can you can drive up to the end of Zurich Street and walk on city property right from there. Now it looks like it would be part of 9149's property because he has landscaped it and mowed all the way over there, but it's actually city property. So, I I was only asking that question just to make sure that if somebody does happen to park there or get dropped off there, they could walk in and nobody from St. Clair Lakes could question that, right? >> And I think that's important that the homeowners association realizes that people can actually be sitting on their bench because it's on city property. and and and I think they do acknowledge and recognize that that's been discussed with them is that all we're doing is allowing them to construct that this property is still ours. We did make them the offer earlier of trying to either sell them that or dedicate that to them, but they did not want the property. So, they're fully aware of that city property, but now they have the right to change the canoe access points to this wooden dock. Thank you. >> Is it, Mrs. Karen, is it possible to have a sign there saying that, you know, City of Columbus's dock or something along that line? >> It won't be, it won't be the city of Columbus's dock. It'll be their dock, but we're allowing them to build that cuz we're not we don't want to maintain it. >> So, this Jenny, that's kind of where my question went back to as well, because this is I can see this not going well. um just in the sense of not having clarity over the dock and people >> potentially purchasing that dock themselves, they're still going to feel some ownership there. And so I I think it was a a very good um means to an end to try to, you know, work through this with them because it, you know, they wanted the improvements to the trail and things like that. But without really clearly defined posted signage on where people can and cannot be, I can see the police getting called or the sheriff coming out and things like that. So, I just think really defining what that signage looks like is very important. >> And the the city could actually post that on their portion that they own or at the entrance of that one trail head. So, it's aware that anybody that wants to go down there real ownership and it can be used by the public from that point on. Well, this is similar to the parkland we own down off of Howard Lake Drive. It's the same thing, but you don't get Rob. You go by there a lot. >> Where's that park? >> The old park land there on Howard Lake Drive. >> Yeah. I >> mean, hardly anybody goes down there, right? Have you ever seen anybody? >> Uh, no. A couple people park on the road there on on Iverson and then they walk in duck hunting there. >> They go through the park. >> Yeah, they walk through the park. They've been doing that forever. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> I I don't see a real issue in it. I mean, I I I it's like everything else. It's new right now. It's to us, but Jack, you've been there and I've been there and the bugs are there and the weeds are over your head. I mean, you have to be a duck on it to be, you know, want to go. It's not like >> Yeah, you'd have to really be into it, but just just it will happen. We just got to be aware of it. >> Yeah. >> Or some kids that want to go down there and fish off it, >> ride their bikes down there. I I don't even think you you could fish off at the water. So, >> no this year anyway. >> Sure. Sure. Anyway, we can move. >> But any other comments? >> Hearing none, I'll make a motion. I Ron Hanigraph move to approve the amended DNR settlement agreement for the Howard Lake Trail access to allow Is that Howard Lake Trail? Am I wrong here, Jack? >> It's Howard Lake Trail access. Okay. to allow a wooden dock to open water and move up a canoe access launch. >> That threw me off to Howard Lake. >> Yeah. Why? >> I mean, that's Howard Lake. >> Oh, the lake is Howard Lake. >> I was thinking Howard Lake. >> I keep going to your your road. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Right. >> Which is on Mud Lake. >> So So everybody Yeah. Everybody understand that? >> Yes. This Jenny, I second. >> Okay. Thank you, Jenny. Uh there's a motion on floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments? Any other questions? Hearing none, we'll take for a vote. >> Jenny, >> Jenny I, >> Scott I, >> Karen I, >> Rob I, >> and Ron I so happy trails St. Clair. I see Mark on there. I think that's him. Whatever. Good. Item number D, consultant liaison and staff reports. The engineer, city engineer. Uh, Brian. >> Yes. Good engineer. Uh, good evening, mayor and council. This Brian Bachmire, the consulting city engineer. The one item that's listed here is a partial payment number two for the tennis court improvements. U since the last partial payment, looks like they've completed some additional fencing around the site. Uh work remaining to be done include the posts and nets restoration and the divider fence. Uh the recommendation is to approve partial payment number two in the amount of $15,675. stand for any questions the council may have. >> They'll finish her up then in the spring. >> Any other questions? Anybody? >> Anybody want to make a motion? >> This is Scott. I move to approve pay estimate two in the amount of $15,675 for the city park tennis court project. >> This is Karen. I'll second that motion. >> Got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments, questions? Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Jenny >> Jenny I, >> Scott I, >> I, >> Rob I, >> and Ron I. The motion passes. >> Anything else there, Brian? >> The only other item was sent under a separate cover, and I don't know if that's something Jack wanted to discuss tonight or not, but it was in regards to the soil boring results for Notre Dame. >> Yeah. Then if you just want to review those basically with us and give us an update on when we expect the soil borings back from the properties that we're looking for for a water tower site. >> Sure. Absolutely. So in regards to the Notre Dame, I did have a cover memo that went out, but the conclusion was the existing soils underneath the pavement is satisfactory and there's no deficiency. So there's no need to consider any soil correction and the base level of asphalt appears to be solid. So really, we're only dealing with a defective work course. So the recommendation is to mill off 2 and 12 in and put in another 2 and 12 inch of new pavement on top of what they call a Texas under seal, which is basically a seal coat between the base asphalt and the workhorse to try to reduce or delay the amount of reflective cracking uh from the base course to the work course. Um that was a recommendation that came out of the borings from AET. Um we did revise the cost estimate to reflect that recommendation. Uh so the cost estimate does include the 2 and 1/2 in and the Texas seal and we also had the realignment of the the intersection with Kettle River Boulevard. So the millon overlay was approximately 600,000 uh and the realignment was a little over 80,000. Again these are the estimates which includes uh the engineering and uh advertising collection of bids all those other costs that that go into it but for budgeting purposes. So um that was kind of the the results of the borings and the status of that project. So I know uh maybe the next council meeting, you know, we can discuss budgeting for the project and funding and if we want to proceed with design. Uh in regards to the other moorings that were completed for the water tower site, um they did get the uh deep borings completed the first week of January last week and this week they were um supposed to be out doing the shallow borings for the potential treatment facility site. So we should have the results within uh the next couple of weeks and the report two weeks after that. So by uh probably the first or second meeting in February, we'll be able to report on the results of the water tower site borings. >> I got a question, Brian. I maybe you answered it. I don't know. But so in other words, we never really found out why the southbound lane of Notre Dame was all tore up in the other side. No, they I mean what they're showing when you look at the pictures of the corings, there's obviously a difference between the wear course and the base course and it may just have been a different in the effort compaction effort on as they were paving. Um you know, maybe they rolled the base more and it got uh tighter and the workhorse was not rolled enough and as a result compaction was a little bit less. So there's some stripping they call it where the sand and the aggregate is wearing away from the oil, separating from the oil and then the seal coat is also you know coming off with that as well. So between the two so there's certainly something with the workhorse. >> Well that's great news that we don't have to dig up the hole. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And when you were talking, we're talking again, Jim, to uh 60 foot on 165th then to pave those two in there both no uh both east and west. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, was there was there a cost difference? Do we have to make a choice on what type of asphalt we want to use there? >> I know that was the big talk on Hornsby. It was B or C oils. They do have a recommendation in the AET report >> and may maybe it next time but >> Y >> Jack if you could share that. Okay. >> Curious. >> I think we went with the higher grade asphalt on Hornby just cuz high traffic and trucks and that might make more sense on that road since it's a main travel corridor. >> Going with the higher level asphalt. >> I remember they're talking about that oil too and an expensive one >> was B and C >> something like that. Yeah, we talked about it a lot though. >> Yeah. >> That all you have, Brian? >> Yes. >> Well, thank you. Thank you. It's nice to hear about Notre Dame. Anyway, that saved us a few bucks. So, we'll go on to item two under D, which is city attorney's report. >> Megan. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor, members of council. uh over the course of the past several weeks uh you've reviewed and discussed the the context around the request from American Tower to amend its lease. Uh so just by way of reminder uh the city has a lease with American Tower for a single provider um on its le on its uh existing cell tower. Uh, American Tower has requested a right of first refusal um with regards to any purchase of the overall tower um and has offered $5,000 in exchange for that right of first refusal. Um, in the context of council conversations and your staff conversations, um, we understand that American Tower has offered $5,000 per provider um, typically in these situations and and at this point in time is only offering us those $5,000 um, really based upon uh, the fact that there's that single provider at the tower. Um, in the event we are, we we believe this is an opportunity um for us to further amend the lease and suggest that if another provider is added to the overall tower that we would be entitled to an additional $5,000 payment for the right of first refusal um and also increased rent payments associated with uh a secondary provider being utilized at the tower. Um, so what we are doing is, you know, seeking direction and here to answer any questions that you may have. Um, but seeking uh council approval tonight for us to negotiate with American Tower on those terms. And the terms, just to outline them again, is accept a $5,000 payment for the existing right of first refusal. Uh, request a second $5,000 payment in the event that another provider is added. And number three, amend the lease to increase the rental rate if a second provider is added to the tower. >> So on a motion made to approving this, if you would add Megan's three recommendations onto that so that could be part of the motion and approval. >> Any questions or >> This is Karen. Um, if I'm not mistaken, wasn't it at one of the meetings we talked about a 30 days, 30 days instead of a 45 days? >> So, the uh the it was originally proposed as 60 days. In the draft lease, they've already brought that down to 45 days. I think that's reasonable based upon the sort of effects and circumstances. So, I think that we have uh in the in the course of negotiation, we are really driving towards those higher rent payments is something that we would recommend the city pursue. Uh, and so we think we have some resolution on that on that 60-day period. >> Thank you, Megan. >> Any other comments? Question. Anybody want to make a motion? >> This is Karen. I'll make the motion. I, Karen Fleming, move to approve the amended lease agreement for the American Tower as presented in item D-2, city council amendment or addendum of January 14th, 2026. And would you also add along with the other three recommendations recommended by the attorney for the additional rental leases for additional providers or tenants on the on the tower. >> I Karen Fle move to approve the pay estimate to in the amount of 15,675 for the city park tennis court project. >> Oh that's different. >> Was that different? >> We're off. No, I think it was a 7500 for an additional was it? >> So, what I would suggest is the motion is um you move to approve the amended lease agreement for American Tower as presented in the item D2 uh subject to the following additions. Number one, an additional $5,000 payment if a tenant is added if a secondary tenant is added to the site. Uh number two, negotiation of a new base rent based upon the addition of a secondary tenant to the site. And what's my number? and the payment of the $5,000 for the existing right of first refusal to the site. And that is the motion that's before this body at this point in time >> as stated by general counsel. >> Exactly. >> Say what? This is Karen Fleming. I make that motion. >> This is Jenny. I second. >> Okay. We got a motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments? I mayor just I I do recall the 45 to 30 day too being stated in Yeah. >> Yeah. So I'm wondering what happened there. >> Megan, >> uh the original request was a 60-day timeline. Uh Jack mentioned or I should say city administrator Davis had mentioned that uh to the provider. They already brought it down to 45 days. we certainly can make a request for a 30-day notice period um and make that as an additional amendment to the proposed lease agreement. >> And the only reason I bring it up is because I thought we had a consensus to do that to bring it to go back and ask for the 30 days. >> Absolutely. So the the appropriate action would then be to amend the motion um to uh request to limit the notice period for that 30-day uh return on with regard to the right of first refusal. >> Okay. So, we got a motion on the floor that's been added with the 30-day. So, we'll start over again. Anybody want to address that motion, Jenny? >> This Jenny, do we need to repeat? So, we can just second the revised motion. >> You should make a motion to amend the motion and then >> This is Jenny. I make a motion to amend our current motion >> to include the 30-day >> to include the uh to include the 30-day uh period for right of first refusal. >> Okay. >> And then you want to vote on the amendment. >> Second >> first. >> Make the second then vote on the amendment and then go back and vote on the original motion. >> So I apologize but I just I don't want to go back and >> Yeah, we need a second on that. I'll second it. >> Okay. So Rob >> the amendment. >> So no other discussion on that one. Okay. >> Please. All right. We'll take a vote. >> Jenny, I >> Scott, I >> Rob I >> and Ron I. >> Now you need to go back and vote on the original motion again. >> So you've put now put the 30-day uh time frame on the original motion. Now you need to vote on the whole thing. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. We got that down though. >> I got it. Yep. So now now you just need now you just need to vote on Karen's original motion. >> Okay. We're gonna vote on Karen. And that was seconded by who? >> Um, >> original motion. I think >> Jenny. >> Jenny. Okay. So, any other discussion on that? Hearing none. Jenny, you want to start the vote? >> Jenny, I >> Scott, I >> Rob I >> and Ron I cross that one out of there and get it out of here. >> Want to get now? >> We did uh we did do this one. I think >> I had it written down. We did already make a motion on the tennis court. >> Yes. Yeah, that's what I thought. Okay. On item number three, the mayor and city council's report. We'll start with uh Jenny. Do you have anything to report? >> Um this is Jenny. I had um just one update that we are starting our initial kickoff for fall fest um just with some basic planning. So I'll have an a better update for you at our first meeting in March. But we have um done some of our basic work so far uh and did meet a little bit today and that's all. >> Thank you Rob. >> Uh no report mayor >> Scott. Um no no report. Thank you. >> And Karen. >> Um I just want to report that I attended the Sunrise Watershed Management meeting on January 8th. Um, and we reviewed different things on the agenda, but I did want to mention that I was designated as a representative to the lower St. Croy Metro WBIF grant process at that meeting as well. So, that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. >> Oh, well, thank you. That's a new title then, >> I guess. And and if you recall, that was a uh assignment for Janet several years ago. And that group kind of decides and helps get grant funds from Bowser to decide how they're distributed among the St. Croy uh watershed group, which includes the Sunrise River. >> Okay. And uh I have nothing to report. So we'll go on to uh EDA report. So I'm trying to think here. We we have >> we meet tomorrow. >> We'll meet tomorrow. Yeah. So we'll have something the next planning uh council meeting on the 28th planning commission report number five. >> Who is that? Was you Jenny? >> Oh gosh. This is Jenny. I did attend the planning commission. Um, I know that we had um we've really pretty much already covered everything that was um included in the planning commission um because we um there was uh a review of Brown Beagle. So, I don't know if we potentially want to move the planning commission to the the beginning of our meeting because it generally will cover what goes on in our meeting today, right? Um but there was mainly an update with Bone Beagle and um it was a pretty quick meeting um beyond that and uh um Robin Wood was made uh chair um and then uh Kim Snell was made vice chair of the planning commission and then Eleanor uh had her last day as well. So that was pretty much the majority of the updates from the planning commission meeting last week. I think most of us were there or it was 11 minutes long and I just remember >> it was 11 minutes. And speaking of that, Jack, the like this Force Lake Times, do we have to vote on this for them to be our modification or >> official paper on that in the cons? >> We've already we've already approved it. We approved that in the consent agenda. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't didn't catch that. Okay. Now, we'll go on to uh public works report. Jim public. >> No report. >> No report. City administrators report. >> Only having one meeting. >> Yeah. Next. >> Okay. >> Excuse me, Ron. Go ahead. I'm sorry. >> Oh, no. We're up to you now. The city administrator's report. >> Okay. Um, I attended a openhouse meeting for the Lexington Avenue reconstruction project yesterday evening at Cool Lake Beach. Uh that project will construction will begin the spring of 2027. They're entering into the final stage of design. It's a pretty straightforward simple project and it'll go from the intersection of Broadway in Lexington North to 185th and Lexington to the north, which is the street that runs um into Kum Lake Beach as you go west. The second part of that project uh will be done. The date is yet to be determined. That's the one that goes around Lake Beach and comes out then at the new um highway department maintenance facility. So 2027 is the projected construction date for the Lexington portion of that from Broadway north to 185th Avenue. The other thing I have to report is that we received a small cities grant in the amount of $22,000. This the funds must come from MDOT and are administered by MDOT and they are restricted to transportation projects. Uh so we have three or four that qualify right off the bat and then once we find out what's going on with Hornsby Street, we'll know where the final allocation of these monies will go or where we recommend that they'll be approved to go. Uh the other thing that I wanted to do, we have an amended city planner job description. Uh and with the resignation of Eleanor Han as the assistant city planner, staff is requested to authorize for this vacancy. Due to the current job market, attraction of a qualified candidate for that job is going to be a challenge. Ellen's salary for 26 would have been 71,230 and the top of that scale is 75,800. There are two similar positions open in Ham Lake and East Bethl that are currently being advertised with the position in Ham Lake having a salary range of 74 to 93,000 and a senior planter position in East Bethl for a salary range of 86 to 105,000. The East Bethl job is a higher job classification than the Ham Lake or the one proposed for Columbus. In these application processes, Ham Lake has had two applicants over four weeks with none being qualified and East Bethl has received one applicant, but that applicant requested a mix of remote and inoff scheduling which was not acceptable to them. Uh the city of Forest Lake also was in the market for a city planner here recently and their applicants that they received, none of them were qualified nor recommended, but they did have an applicant recommended by one of the consulting firms which I think they eventually hired. Uh with the changes in the metro area job market, uh we must recognize that some flexibility will be required to fill the planner position. Staff has questioned approval to advertise for a city planner with a salary range of $65 to $80,000. This range would also be subject to annual cost of living increases. The amended city planner position is exhibited in attachment one of your packet and what was sent to you in an earlier email today. So, what we're requesting is a move to approve the amended city planner job description and authorize staff to advertise for this position. One of the other things we recognized too is we said this is going to be a challenge to fill this position. We may have to look at other means like sending some information out to the universities in the area that do offer programs in this to see what their spring graduating class is going to look like. Uh maybe to propose approach some the consultants we work with to see if they have any leads. But uh this is going to be a tough one to fill in terms of staying within our salary restrictions in our current wage scale, but also in finding a qualified candidate. So we do request though that the amended job description be approved and you authorize to go ahead and advertise for this position. >> I got a question after we do this. Anybody have any comments? I I was just wondering, you didn't talk to Dean, did you? >> We haven't talked to Dean. No, he'll be one of the people that we seek out though to see if he has any recommendations or any contacts that we can go after, too. >> Everybody knows Dean Johnson. So, >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. >> Does Jenny have one question? So, then with moving from an assistant planner to a city planner, would then we move away from dean services? I know Dean was pairing back a little bit as well. We'll be moving away from Dean services regardless of what we do because Dean is going to be moving away more from us. So, you know, I think he's restricting his hours more and he indicated the last time I talked to him that he would soon probably giving this up entirely. >> So, this will be a collaborative effort to find >> correct. You know, we we'll be able to utilize Dean for some things. One of the reasons we want to do this as a city planner, it's the attractiveness of the title city planner versus assistant city planner. There's about $5,000 difference in the in the ranges of pay, but we've been told that we will attract more people with a city planner title than we will with an assistant city planner title. >> Mayor, >> so just kind of background, ever since I've been on council, we've had a hard time keeping a planner here. It seems as if uh we've trained several, right? They get trained up and then they go somewhere else for more money. Then we bring in another assistant and Dean mentors them. So, it's kind of just been an ongoing trend. I I hope it stops at some point, but >> Well, we we both do, but uh un unfortunately this is one of those things where if you get a good person, what we become is an OJT, >> right, >> agency then for that. And you know, in the case with Eleanor, we knew that we wouldn't be able to keep her forever. She was very qualified, did a great job, uh had all the other attributes you look for in an employee, and her career opportunities were there's no ceiling to them elsewhere. So, she's going to work for Washington County, which uh is a much more bigger uh area, as you know, than we are with 267,000 people as opposed to 42. But uh Eleanor was uh probably going to be gone anyway. I know we had uh Ben I I can't remember what his last name is. >> Mac, I believe, right? >> Yeah. >> He actually he he works for Washington County. I don't know about some of the others, but this is going to be one position that uh it's probably Columbus is a good place to start out to establish a resume, but uh hopefully we can find somebody that'll want to stay with us for a long time. >> Yeah. And maybe changing that position changes that, right? The title of it, so they feel like they're the person. Yeah. Good with it. >> This is Karen J. So, what are we going to do in the interim as far as that position goes? >> As far as the interim goes, uh Aaron, Susan, and I are going to tag team this. One of the things we're going to do to help make sure it's there's not an overburden of work, we're going to probably just have one planning commission meeting a month, unless there's necessity for having to. Uh, this will help that, but this is still going to be an effort that'll be jointly shared with the three of us to keep things moving along. >> Thank you. Uh, Jack, before we hired uh I think Ben was our first planner, wasn't he? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Ben was our first planner that we hired here full-time, but before it was always Dean Johnson. >> Yeah. >> Are there contract people like that out there that worked the system? >> There there are. And that's another option that we've discussed too. Most all of the bigger consulting firms do offer this service to some degree or the other. And uh some of the smaller cities, Lynwood did at one time. I believe they're currently doing that now. Uh Oak Grove is that contract these services out. East Bethl did for a while when they didn't have anybody to fill their position and now then does it. Uh but there's some others that probably do it too. But that is another option too, especially if things should get really busy. >> Well, I I look at uh Ellie. Ellie was a multitasker. She put on different hats, too. >> She worked the front and she helped uh Cheryl over there. I mean, there's a She was a multitude person. And I mean, I think it she was busy, but I think that filled it. And I I think we got a unique position here. Um I gather Ham Lake or any of these other places when they hire them as planners, that's what they do. They don't handle the front window or anything like that. >> Uh you'd be surprised, but they do. In fact, in Hamlet Lake's job description, you know, you work at the front desk, you issue permits. Permits can be burning permits, building permits, whatever. So, they will have some other responsibilities and part of it will be back up to existing city staff. >> So, that's common then. >> It is. >> Okay. Thank you. Only the only uncommon thing was that Ellie did it better than anybody else. >> That was a known fact. Any other questions, comments? >> Well, I'll make the motion. Iron Hanigraph move to approve the amended city planner job description. Authorize staff to advertise for this position. >> Scott, I'll second. >> Motion on the floor. It's been seconded. Any other comments, questions? Hearing none. Call for vote. Jenny, >> Jenny, I. >> Scott, I. Rob I >> and Ron I motion passes. >> Say uh mayor I just have a question going back to uh Jack's report on the Lexington Avenue meeting. I know when I was campaigning there was a resident on Lexington Avenue concerned about that. Were there any voices concerned at that meeting you attended about the realignment of the S-curves? >> That was part that'll be part of the second project. The the S-curves are not part of this one. This one only goes from Broadway to 185th. The S-curves, if you go east, it's you go about a quarter mile and you get into the first S-curve and then you go north and you get into the others that go around the park entrance. So, that'll be on the next project. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The the only issue that was discussed there was the detour is rather ciruitous, but other than that, there weren't too many questions asked. Okay, we're going to item E, announcements and reminders. The city hall will be closed on January 19th, 2026. The EDA meeting is tomorrow night, January 15, 2026 at 400 p.m. The park board meeting is changed from our agenda. It's the February 10th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Planning Commission meeting for January 21st, 2026 has been cancelled. City Council meeting January 28th, 2026 at 6:00 pm and the LJGO meeting is January 28th, 2026. I was just want to ask a question to you, Jack. Did we ever talk to anybody? They were going to talk about that um at the LJGO meeting. You're going to talk about the uh rifle hunting and whatever that new law, not new law, the DNR dropping that uh requirement. Is anything going to happen at that meeting? >> All they'll do is just give an update. It'll be uh Chief Deputy Sheriff Bill Jacobson that will give that report. Jessica Slavic will be here and I've talked to her. She'll be here at our council meeting on February the 11th and she'll give us an update on what was discussed at that meeting and Mr. Jacobson's report to the local government officials. >> Okay. Thank you. And uh Rob, did you get a hold did Al Newman never get a hold of you fireboard? >> In regards to >> there's a meeting coming up on the 22nd. We don't have a time, >> but this has to do with the hiring of the deputy chief. >> Okay. >> He said he sent one, but I just want to make sure you know it's a 22nd and it'll probably be around 4:00. >> Sounds great. >> So, at the last item, is this a motion I have to make now? >> Uh, yes, that's a motion. It'll send us into close session. >> Okay. I'll make a motion. Iron Hanigraph moved that the city council meeting be closed to consider the sale of city-owned real property identified as pinp22-11-0011 pursuant to the Minnesota statute section 13D.05 subdivision 3 parentheses C parenthesis 3. What that means everybody that you have to leave the council chambers. We're going to have a close session. Thank you very much.