Spark House | Isanti City Council | November 4, 2026
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Independent, edited machine transcript of the original English audio. The
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checked using additional transcription and primary records. Some wording and
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[00:00:00.000] [Room audio before the call to order.]

Call to order
[00:00:13.360] All right, at seven o'clock we'll call the City Council
meeting to order. Will you all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? [Pledge,
partly unclear.] [Roll call. Mayor Luke Merrill and council members George
Hemen, Steve Lundeen, Nick Pedersen, and Erika Zdon were reported present.]
I will open the floor for public comment. This is the place for public
comment. Hearing none, I will...


Agenda changes
[00:00:47.120] Look for a motion to adopt the agenda. Are there changes?
Yes, there are. Good evening, Mayor and Council. We do have one last-minute
agenda item that was added today, and that is due to myself forgetting to
add it to the agenda. That is to add Evergreen Apartments parking continued
discussion. You'll see that as number one, but we added that this afternoon,
and then she's here. So I apologize that we added that

[00:01:11.680] Today. But then I have two more to add to the agenda this
evening. One would be K.10, County LRIP support request, and then also
adding a business item K.11, building access. Building access, correct. Any
questions or concerns about adding those? Entertain a motion. Motion.

[00:01:42.230] Second. Motion by Pedersen, second by Lundeen. All in favor
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. The agenda is adopted with
the additions. Next, we'll move on to the proclamation for Veterans Day,
November 11th. [Unclear.] Thank you to all veterans.


Veterans Day proclamation
[00:01:58.270] Whereas on November 11th each year, our nation honors the
brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces,
recognizing their dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to
protecting the freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. And whereas
Veterans Day serves as an opportunity for our community to express heartfelt
gratitude to all veterans, those who have served in times of war and peace,
and those who have given selflessly to ensure the safety of our nation.

[00:02:22.250] And whereas we honor the legacy of our veterans who have
served both at home and abroad, recognizing that their sacrifices played an
essential role in upholding the core values of our nation, and whereas the
City of Isanti acknowledges the tremendous sacrifices made by these
individuals and their families and appreciates the enduring spirit of
service they have instilled in our community, and whereas it is fitting that
we take time not only to remember the sacrifices of those who have served,
but also to reflect on the unity and resilience they have inspired within
our city and our nation.

[00:02:50.770] Now, therefore, I, Luke Merrill, Mayor of the City of Isanti,
do hereby proclaim November 11th, 2026 as Veterans Day in the City of
Isanti, and encourage all residents to join in commemorating this special
day, to participate in the ceremonies and observances honoring our veterans,
and to express our deepest gratitude for their service and their sacrifice.
So thank you to all veterans. And we are working on Veterans Park planning,
and we're really excited about that, so hopefully that comes next year, and
that'll be great.


Prior minutes and announcements
[00:03:20.310] Next we'll move on to item G.1, approval of City Council
meeting minutes from October 20th, 2026, Committee of the Whole. Any
questions or changes? Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Lundeen, second
by Hemen. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next,
October 20th, 2026 City Council minutes. Motion to approve.

[00:03:46.720] Second. Motion by Lundeen. Second by Zdon. All in favor, say
aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next, we'll move on to the
announcements. Canvass Board meeting Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 at 5 p.m.
City Hall will be closed in observance of Veterans Day Wednesday, November
11th, 2026.

[00:04:04.210] Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, November 17th, 2026,
at 5 p.m. City Council meeting, Tuesday, November 17th, 2026, at 7 p.m. Park
and Rec Board meeting, Tuesday, November 24th, at 6 p.m. And we'll open the
floor for county communications. I don't see anybody from the county here,
so we'll close that. Next we'll move on to council committee reports.


Committee reports
[00:04:33.230] This rating is pushing jobs back their next week sounds good
any council committee reports uh go for it uh so they're continuing to go
over the employee handbook uh that's gone through the firefighters presented
with it for review to bring up any issues before it makes its final approval
to the board at some point

[00:05:05.930] There were six applicants for the fire district and they
passed on to one, but then the other five were proceeding forward. We
adjusted that firefighter pension fund, so it was $1,000 increase towards
their pension every year, which is not in the budget, but from a dividend
through the insurance through the state, but so long as it maintained.

[00:05:31.380] Where it's above 100% and it doesn't cost the city or the
townships anything. Oxford Township donated $1,000 for the use of Station 3
when their township all was being reconstructed. So they more than offset
the cost of the use of the building over that time. Engine 3 has been sold.

[00:05:55.600] And we received a grant from the feds, a 95% match for a
tanker up to $620-some-thousand dollars. And then there was a donation from
the Royal Association, a $80,000 match. They want to get a different ladder
truck, so that's being pursued. And that's it.

[00:06:23.400] Nick, did they apply for a grant? I'm sorry, did they apply
for a grant to get the ladder program? They did a ladder truck grant in 25,
which we did not receive. This year, we did another grant proposal for a
water tanker, which we did receive. We got that. So that's a 95%, 5% match
up to $620,000. I know every year they've been applying for that ladder
truck grant.

[00:06:53.860] The window for the one for this year was before the results
of last year's came in. So it didn't make sense to submit for the ladder
truck. So I suggest we go for a tinker. I heard a lot of need for a tinker
replacement. So that's what we submitted for and got back much faster than
last year. I know they've been milking that ladder truck out. They've had a
lot of hydraulic issues.

[00:07:22.870] So the Royal Association proposed an $80,000 dollar per
dollar match to try to replace the ladder truck that would have had a lot of
leaky hydraulic fluid and it's not as reliable as they'd like the ladder to
be. So they're trying to pursue it down that road.

[00:07:40.920] And i know they've been looking for other letters uh the one
meeting i substituted in for you we authorized up to i think 75 000 to get
on one or somewhere around that and went for like a few hundred bucks over
that uh i think there's a great used market for those ladders because the
new ladder is between two and three million dollars if you can buy a new
phone for 100 grand it's a bit of less savings there's a cost of also the
lead time is another big thing like even if you have the money the
turnaround time on those is not fast versus stuff is ready to go

[00:08:10.580] Okay, good update. Any questions on that, Bernard? Any other
council committee reports? I do have a couple. You know, we kind of talked
about the Arts and Science Academy, kind of the same thing. We talked about
their tenants is down. They're leasing their building and selling some
commercial space on Highway 65. So most of their meetings have been
discussing budget changes, and I think they've done a pretty good job and
put a pretty bad spot to try and make adjustments.

[00:08:39.630] The last Chamber of Commerce meeting here was a business
economic development presentation. I get that from the Chamber and send that
to you guys and basically looked at the state business outlook and a lot of
economic indicators that are concerning to businesses. I know there's a few
metrics where we ranked, you know, 45th, 49th or last in the state for
business friendliness essentially here in the country.

[00:09:01.050] And that's very concerning. I thought it was very interesting
and I asked some hard questions because if you go down to the LMC or if you
listen to State Capitol hearings, the information that they present down
there is completely different than the information that this state
organization actually has. So I'm not really sure what is going on at the
Capitol and LMC. It's kind of embarrassing, but I'll send you guys that
information because it's very important that we know that...

[00:09:26.710] The whole look on business stuff is very you know essential
to the city by standing in the state so i'll send that presentation you guys
can look at that if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on
those hearing no other yeah go ahead excuse me america if i could just make
another announcement i realize it's not on the agenda but as was decided the
last committee of the whole meeting we do have a budget work session
following city council so it'll be immediately following

[00:09:53.110] On the seven on the 17th sorry throwing all sorts of
curveballs today sorry about that okay sounds good thank you here's another
concept here yep um last time i talked i presented the forward budget to you
guys and next time they want to have to prove if anyone has anything as far
as the budget before we turn that down

[00:10:21.260] Do we have a budget with everybody's salaries and stuff
listed individually? I can give that to you. Sounds good.


K.1 Evergreen Apartments parking
[00:10:34.190] No other questions. We'll move on to item K-1, Evergreen
Apartments parking continued discussion. Do we still want that at K-1? Yes,
yes, please. Thank you. So, Mayor and Council, we do have Ms. Tabitha
Johnson here. She's on behalf of Evergreen Apartments. You may recall that
this discussion actually started in April. April 21st, she came to the
committee of the whole meeting to request maybe up to two times per year.

[00:10:58.990] Moving the vehicles from their Evergreen apartment lot fully
over so they do a full lot cleaner if there is an excessive buildup of snow.
There was some conversation from the council committee at that time
wondering if they could park along Wendover instead of on County Road 5 and
the area there.

[00:11:19.910] And then staff had sent out a letter to Wendover staff and
they were not requesting to park on Wendover, but we just wanted to make
sure as a council that they see if they had any issues with them parking
over there. Then that was discussed again at Committee of the Whole on May
21st. And at that time, the council committee had made the recommendation
that she make the request to the Isanti County Board and Highway Department
about

[00:11:47.300] Temporarily parking on county road five very infrequently but
if necessary and she was able to hear from them and now she is back to let
you know those findings and potentially continue the discussion thank you
for coming in hopefully you have good news no okay uh tabitha johnson and
beauty by address

[00:12:15.660] The address to Evergreen? Yes, Evergreen. Evergreen is good.
Okay, it's Evergreen Apartments at 401 8th Avenue Northeast here in Isanti.
It's on County Road 5 and then City Road, which is 8th Avenue. I did ask the
county, I actually asked the county this spring and then just in preparation
for re-reaching out to the city and both times they denied willingness to
allow parking on County Road 5.

[00:12:50.060] So my request tonight would be one of the only other feasible
options in my opinion and that would be along the north.

[00:13:02.870] Along 8th Avenue, north of my property and south of the
development and south of like Park Road apartments as well. So, and then
just to correct, clarify what Josie said, I mean, I don't know how many
times we might need a full lots of removal in the winter too, I don't think
it's for a Minnesota winter, but my thoughts are that it's sometimes once a
month.

[00:13:29.470] Possibly twice a month. Again, we don't know, hopefully
never, based on my feelings about Minnesota pictures. But anyway, that would
be my request. I understand that it is also a snow route, that it is
currently no parking, but I just simply have nowhere now at all for my
residents to move their vehicles off my property so that we can safely
remove the snow from our parking lots for them to...

[00:13:56.270] Uh come and go from the building and from their parking
spaces on the garage banks so that is my request i thought we had discussed
that they had some open area of that parking lot considering allowing them
to maybe call them can't hear me i thought we talked about

[00:14:19.250] They had some open area there off their parking lot that they
could call and possibly park their cars there while they clean the line. And
we talked about that being potentially MS4 compliance violation because of
salt and... I thought we looked into that on other unimproved services and
that wasn't the case. Unless apartment buildings run into a different statue
of some sort.

[00:14:53.940] Let me do a little research and to find any more out about
that sorry i wasn't ready for that i thought that's what we discussed and i
and i do remember the conversation about it but it was it's not something
that you know they're going to be a lot of burn on during the summer it was
just just for winter snoring rules can you remind me did we not have several
letters from the residents in that area stating

[00:15:21.700] That they were strongly against it due to the driving. It's
just so limited. And that was on Wendover. So Wendover is the street
directly across from it. It goes into a cul-de-sac. And we all unanimously
decided that for safety of the residents and their children and blind spots
and mail and garbage and all of the things that that was ruled out. I think
the IAE 21 was when it was.

[00:15:47.790] So we're potentially entertaining the idea of being able to
plow during the winter months only the parcel that Evergreen Apartments owns
and that would be our responsibility to plow that and then to keep that
space safe and we're potentially going to be allowed to salt that down to
the...

[00:16:09.260] Dirt and I mean I think we would need probably anywhere
between a dozen and a half to two dozen parking spaces just to provide ample
parking for those vehicles that might need to be off the property for our
full lot because we're not willing to consider the 8th Avenue. Yeah, I don't
know if we can because there's no emergency room. Maybe Josh can touch on
that or Travis.

[00:16:38.070] Yeah, I think it would be the chief would be the one to, he
would have to provide an exception for that. I would like to note to that at
Run River Apartments on Third Avenue, I have in the past worked with the
police department or informed them of our full last room removal with
success. That's the important instances that occasionally can grant that.
Every once in a while, like that, for example, somebody's having a
graduation party on.

[00:17:12.400] The streets that have no parking they can ask for that and
depending on where that is what time of year what kind of practice it's in
order to the state you can totally with that okay so should you or what
about the parameters that's a whole other discussion topic right on the time
of year and the other issues would you have any concerns with that as far as
a public safety thing i mean is that a substantial concern in that location
it is okay it's it's challenging in that location especially

[00:17:48.370] From your parking lot south right that's the biggest concern
um we would have to really take a look at what the traffic volume is now
with the new apartments to see what's north of there prior to that that
probably wouldn't have been an issue right but i don't have i don't take
much attention to see what that traffic flow is north of their entrance so
we could look into that and see if that's possible as long as there's not a
lot of traffic

[00:18:21.200] Winter has always a challenge in the parking lot. Snowbaits
get high and everything else, so there's a lot of variables. And I guess
before improving, I want to know how many school buses are coming through
there. I guess that's the IIS entrance. I don't know how many come in
through there, but I'm guessing they kind of split their route when they
come across. And I know it's a fairly high traffic area, but...

[00:18:50.640] I don't know i would be nice to let them use their property
for parking but i don't know how that works the whole salting of the little
cloud lot seems like that would definitely not be ideal i would say what i'm
hearing is that safety is an issue here with the parking on the street and
so i think if that's our consideration for why we're allowing parking on
that area we can

[00:19:17.620] It allows for an exception if we state that in the allowance
on the resolution so we're not opening a can form that allows everybody to
park on and improve services within our business and dense residential
districts and so i think that's up to you guys but that's what i'm hearing
is that it is a safety and that would only be for temporary snow removal not
like full-time parking

[00:19:43.790] I know it's probably a little more of a headache having to
fall out of the spot when it snows to park cars or whatever, but I don't
know if there's any other options. Anybody else have any creative ideas?
Mine might be silly, but if you could schedule it out or not, I'm not sure
how much stuff goes at intermediate school on weekends. It's down north of
Wendover. I mean, it's not that much difference.

[00:20:09.960] From that parking lot to there and the crosswalk is just
approved across five. That's probably used to the parking lot. It's not
ideal, but it's a parking lot.

[00:20:23.690] That is something that we thought about as well as an ideal
it's quite a bit further than being able to like go around you know eighth
avenue north of the property or even wind over or the options that we've
exhausted um the other thing is we do like to we do like to clear the lots
immediately after snow event because the driving on it alone just as
residents are coming and going and hacks it down very quickly and so um

[00:20:49.600] Time is really of the essence and so if it were to snow on a
Monday or Tuesday for an extreme example to wait until the weekend when it
could be melted by then again based on Minnesota winters but it's a good
idea and it might have to be you know if we try the route of clearing the
just leveling and then clearing

[00:21:15.430] The parcel north of the property and if that gets full or is
insufficient that's going to have to be an option or you know harvest or the
gas station or like i'm just anticipating like what am i going to tell my
residents when i've you know exhausted all of our options and they have to
walk or get their vehicle towed or whatever so which is not ideal

[00:21:39.480] Yeah, I guess my other concern would be like the ground is
starting to get hard and so in order to create a surface

[00:21:48.760] On that personal north of our property could pose some
difficulty as well. In my experience, you find that on dirt, if you do get a
crust of snow on it, it's a lot better than salting and sanding it. Because
once you start salting and sanding it so bad, salting it, that gets into the
ground and it softens the ground. It makes it worse. I mean, I'm saying that
they went and opened up an area and there are some people that get over
there and move.

[00:22:19.820] Unfortunately, it takes one person to ruin for everybody
because they're not willing to go out and ensure the car gets moved. I mean,
myself, if I'm going to get my driveway clean, I want to get everything out
of my driveway so it's clean. I want to do it one time, I don't want to do
it ten times. That's generally how I am. So, I almost think that that's
probably the most viable situation at this point.

[00:22:50.920] I wouldn't suggest salting it. Sand it. I'll leave that to
the vendor to decide what's going to be. The saying is, when you do put salt
on it, it creates moisture. It'll create ice, it'll create softer ground. It
just has a tendency to do that. If they can get in and out of the parking
lot and they have gotten a nice little cut on the dirt.

[00:23:18.660] They should be able to drive on anything as well as drive on
a asphalt. So if there's six inches of snow on it, if they can get through
the parking lot, they should be able to get through that. So should I wait
to hear back on approval on this? I think we just try it. I think that, like
Stephanie said, there's a cutout there. And as far as I'm concerned, that's
your property. You should be able to use it how you want it. So in my
opinion, that's up to the group here, though. And we don't have guidelines
about parking.

[00:23:53.810] In the grass or we're going to make exceptions. We do have a
guideline about working in the grass. And so I would say that's the
exception that you'd be making in a special circumstance. And I think we're
not setting a precedent if you're saying it's for safety, temporary or being
forced to know when we're told. I would say salting is no for MS4. Right. So
there's other guidelines we want to make sure we're still maintaining, but
clearing it for the ability.

[00:24:22.810] The residents to safely access their homes and hopefully just
like you're stating it would be once maybe twice or maybe zero yeah like
hopefully it is just such a minimal yeah there's so many circumstances that
we let vehicles park off the road within the city radio events this is
temporary it's going to be frozen ground

[00:24:51.920] And there's really not any other safer options, all the other
options, as opposed to safety risks. For a long-term solution, I guess,
would be getting that asphalt. It's that way the ground isn't a concern down
the road. It has been. I have entered it in my CapEx budget annually for the
last, like, 20 years. And so this will probably accelerate it. And hopefully
it won't get cut in next year's CapEx budget.

[00:25:21.890] I don't know if I was a council member at the time or before,
but I did call a staff one time on parking on the grass and parking on
improved surfaces because we require it in most of our establishments. And
they did research and they actually came back and had to agree with me, and
I know it's on record that it actually is more environmentally correct to
park on gravel or...

[00:25:52.700] Grass than it is to park on asphalt or concrete for many
different reasons. Yes. Do we need a vote on this, Ms. Wood? Yes, I would
because it is deviating from city code. All right. Well, I'll personally
make the motion to allow for this temporary parking for snow removal only
without any use of salt.

[00:26:18.570] Just for winter. Emergency still removed. Yes. That's my
motion. I'll second it. Motion by myself, seconded by Lundeen. All of the
members say aye. Aye. Me opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Good discussion and
thank you for coming. Hopefully that works out great for you. Alright, next
we'll move on to business item K2. This is Woodland Park playground safety
audit discussion. I believe this will be Josh. So while state law doesn't
mandate a safety audit for a public park.


K.2 Woodland Park safety audit
[00:26:52.660] But conducting one especially for playground equipment is
standard municipal practice performing an initial audit by the certified
playground safety inspector in terms of compliance with national safety
standards and alliance with the union of minnesota city trust
recommendations staff has received a safety audit for fifteen hundred
dollars

[00:27:18.310] Just a discussion to see if you guys want to move forward
with that or thoughts or concerns? So I had a question on that. You know, I
talked to the LMC attorney's team about the playground stuff, and they told
me that it's something like $300 typically for a safety inspection. Is this
one more because it's bigger or there's just more uncommon elements, or have
we gotten any other quotes on that? This was a local company that does
their...

[00:27:48.120] Certified ASTM certified and they're going to do a full park
inspection. I don't know if it's already a park that's up, if they can come
in for $300 and just do a standard one for less. Could I request that you
maybe reach out to the LMC legal team because they said they had resources
on those certified playground inspection companies because I looked into it
for those used playground sets. So maybe we could reach out to them and see
if they have recommendations for a better price.

[00:28:16.370] That sounds fair. The Minnesota Recreation Park Association
used to also carry a list, so that's another option to check into, too.
Okay, yeah, I would look it up online and see if there's any other bids,
because that bids substantially more than what the League of Minnesota
City's parks people told us, or told me.

[00:28:39.280] There have been some talks in the past about doing other
playgrounds in this same kind of vein and then we also have those other duty
playground sets so i'm wondering if it would just be worthwhile just to get
someone on who's able to do inspections internally so like maybe he's
talking like training a public works person someone or certified off the
park and recreation uh it's not going to want to do that but i know this
board has been certified in the past

[00:29:07.890] But I'm not saying to put it back on our website. If we had
one in the past, maybe it would be worthwhile doing it again. If we got at
least three or more playgrounds that would be needing inspection, then it
would be worth the cost also just to do it internally. Staff's thoughts on
that idea?

[00:29:27.180] I believe it's a two-day course you can take, and then on the
third day you take an exam at a testing facility. I believe I took my exam.
I don't think I took the course, but I think I was able to take the exam. I
think I did it in 2014. And you have to recertify and do some continuing ed,
recertify every three years, I believe. I'm not sure if those requirements
have changed, but roughly the course.

[00:29:54.170] We got a discount being a member of the Minnesota Park and
Rec Association, so I'm not exactly sure the cost, but I think it's probably
around that $500 to $700.

[00:30:07.410] And I do know a formally certified playgrounds park inspector
that lives in the community that's involved with the playoffs and any stuff,
I might be able to see if they would want or be able to do it too. So, you
know, with the cost that LMC said around $300, I figured, well, but I don't
know where those $1,500 stuff seems high. So, I don't know that having the
staff do it, maybe it's worth it, I don't know. There's $300, I don't know,
the cost was on the certification process, so.

[00:30:36.650] If there's something 300 or lower then we could also ask the
league about if there's additional liability if the city does it and they
are certified versus going with a hired contractor to do it we can ask that
question too okay i think i suggest that he goes and looks into people
functions your league can maybe look into being certified to do it and then
you talk to the other guy i think that there's too many moving gears here to
say

[00:31:09.110] Yep, I agree. I just feel, you know, public works, if we have
a public works person do it, they get paid for certifications, they get paid
increase for it, so it may not be as beneficial to spend that money at that
point, because that's...

[00:31:30.640] It's not they don't just get that pay bump just for when they
want to expect it's throughout the year so it's you know i think we're
asking spending more money on your employees when where they could be able
to win their job rather than going on looking at parking on it josh yeah a
lot of this is obviously if we were going to do it we'd go get other quotes
but is do you want us to get it done

[00:31:59.470] And then basically the resolution would say, yep, Public
Works built a park. We would get it certified. If we built more parks, we
would certify it. And we'd obviously get quotes and compare and go with the
cheapest quote like we always do. Okay. I would motion that we go ahead with
it, but we're not, I don't want to enter into any contract at this point.
Yeah, that's just one quote. I think it would be a ballpark. I mean, we need
to further.

[00:32:27.310] I think i think if we get certified as it's safe i think that
helps insurance way less liability yeah liabilities it's 100 liability and
i'm always a person i stay away from liability you know so i i make a motion
that we look in doing that making that uh i don't know you want to call it a
uh past resolution

[00:32:54.070] To do an annual or biannual certification on the park.

[00:33:15.010] Well, so how it works with our trust insurance, I ask this
question. Basically, we have an umbrella policy that covers any sort of
injury that's out there. And the only way we would ever be held responsible
is if we're notified in writing that there's an issue at a park and we're
negligent and don't fix it.

[00:33:32.080] Um otherwise there's a car bought in there for accidental
things this stuff fails i mean you can't protect against everything so
that's covered in our umbrella insurance i would think we should put it on a
rotation even be every three years every five years it's just something that
i think our parks our public work staff does do that stuff already you know
they can tell if the board's rotten like it's we do a monthly inspection

[00:33:58.450] Is it monthly monthly or yearly inspection on it now but
we're not certified but like i said technically doesn't mandate this to be
certified it's not required it's just liability but jess you're just talking
about this one part correct because you guys a lot of this resolution me in
fact i think because if the city builds the park like public works yeah it
might be one we for sure we want to do so like i was saying that it's that
if we build a park or put up used equipment

[00:34:38.130] We can amend the resolution of what the motion is if that
does pass. Just that anything that is built by Public Works will be
inspected and we'll get low as close as we can. Or possibly be trained in
house. That sounds good so there's a motion on the floor.

[00:35:01.900] Second. Motion by Lundeen. Second by Pedersen. All in favor
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next, request for public use
of facility for hearing test discussion. So this was something that I added
to the agenda. I know Ms. Elaine Fischer wanted to have a discussion on
this, so you're welcome to come on forward and just state your name and
address for the record and give us an idea of what you're looking for,
Elaine.


K.3 Lions hearing-screening request
[00:35:26.770] I'm Elaine Fischer and I live at [residential address
omitted] and I'm here representing the Isanti Lions who have been serving
your community for over 50 years. We have just added a new service project
which is hearing for the community and I'm here to ask since the Friends of
the Library are no longer in the City Hall building

[00:35:51.630] That would be a room that Isanti Lions could use once or
twice a month on a given day, which works with city staff for us to come in,
whether we come in 9 to 3, 9 to noon, 1 to 3, or whatever. It's just an
opportunity that we want to take advantage of when we have the hearing
equipment to serve our community, because I really believe that the need is
out there.

[00:36:21.450] We've already done three events, but we're looking to have it
someplace where we have the traffic flow.

[00:36:30.960] So i personally think it's a good idea um and i don't know
what what staff thinks about it is that room is there anything in that that
one particular room that can't be used by the public or any reason that that
room couldn't be used i know we use it once in a while for for meetings and
obviously you have to kind of schedule around that or have some sort of
consistent schedule like maybe the first wednesday of the month or whatever
type of thing

[00:36:54.890] So we do have it set up for like a meeting space it's got
tables chairs and we do have the ability to lock it from the inside staff
ways so people in that room can't get into the unaccessed unauthorized
access area i don't foresee an issue with that but we should establish a
policy

[00:37:13.950] We don't have a policy currently in place for that room. We
do have a policy which had been amended in 2021 for the chambers to not be
used by the public. So it's kind of gone back and forth. They can be used,
but only during the daytime, not to cause a burden on staff. So I think it's
definitely doable, but I do recommend that the city establish a policy
because if you do it for one group, if this is a nonprofit group, it'd be
difficult to say other nonprofit groups can do it for the same reason.

[00:37:43.470] Or you would need to establish that this was maybe the one
exception you're going to make, and the policy would say such that because
of the parameters that you're identifying. Right. And it's a community good
for a space that might not necessarily always be used. So I think there's a
good use for that there. It previously had been used for the library for
years, and then the library had the funding reduced, so they pulled that out
of here.

[00:38:10.090] Guess i'm okay with it personally i think it's a good thing
to use the space that we have now whether we want it would we prefer to be
in here i don't know if that would be easier or if you prefer what do you
think this would be in here or over in that other office space or i
apologize how often was it once or twice a month or whatever works for you
um

[00:38:31.410] I would say that typically when Ms. Hillesheim is doing her
developmental meetings and developer meetings for different project-related
things, those typically happen on a Tuesday. As long as it doesn't fall on a
Tuesday, because those can get very busy for meetings in there, I don't
foresee an issue with it being out there and that it's maybe private. You
know, I don't know. It really doesn't matter. It could be in here as well if
that's what the policy stated. It doesn't really matter, whatever.

[00:38:59.690] Is easiest for the group of whatever the council decides. I
make a motion that we allow them to use the old library area space, not
conflicting with Stephanie's planning meetings. Any meetings that would have
to be all scheduled. I'd say yes, let's change our ordinance on that. I
think if I could draft a policy and bring it back to the next council
meeting, assuming I have time, or at least...

[00:39:29.710] By the meeting in December. Just because, so I would have
time to research, make sure that we can't exclude any groups that may be of
very similar nature or something like that. So I think to like draft that
and get that before the council before we make a potential motion.

[00:39:47.160] [A council member described the benefit of Lions school
vision screenings. A child's health details are omitted.]

[00:40:12.020] [Vision-screening example continues.] So the idea that we
could maybe give this to the community as well, you know.

[00:40:26.590] Eileen, if you could send me details on it, just send me an
email with that. I'll get that drafted up. Okay, I appreciate it. And
another thought, I want to thank you for allowing us to put the canister out
in your canister window there. In the community of Isanti, we've picked up
over 700 pairs of glasses.

[00:40:48.330] And I'm sorry to say we get more at the liquor store than we
do at City Mall, but they're all grateful. And the last week in September,
we had lions, 11 lions from Minnesota that took eyeglasses out to the Pine
Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. And in February, we'll be sending another
delegation from Minnesota and Wisconsin to Guatemala. So those glasses are
really put to use, and you wouldn't believe.

[00:41:17.890] The feedback we get for servicing those people. Awesome.
Also, I want to thank you guys for the bench at the New Woodland Park with
the Lions logo on it. That was pretty cool to see out there. We were just
unfortunate that it was probably in storage for a year and a half, two
years. But we were glad to do it. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.


K.4 Creamery angled parking
[00:41:41.240] All right, we'll move on to item K-4, resolution to consider
approving a request for angle parking abutting 1st Avenue Northwest.
Stephanie. Good evening, Mayor and Council. The new owners, which is here
tonight, of 104 Main Street West, are putting the finishing touches on their
buildup for the Creamery Kitchen and Taphouse. And as part of that, I'm sure
you all remember the angle parking that used to occur regularly just across
the street here. In our ordinance, it specifically states that...

[00:42:10.590] Angled parking abutting the street is permitted specifically
along First Avenue Northwest and Southwest, subject to the final approval of
council. And so just to make sure all of our i's are dotted and our t's are
crossed, we're going to have you guys look at this again for this new
restaurant, just to make sure it's approved and you're okay with it. Myself,
Public Services Director Becker and Engineer Cook went out there and met
with [name unclear] to...

[00:42:40.020] Look at the layout just to make sure that it was going to be
safe and still met some of our standards. And our engineer who likes to work
with us and be flexible did state that he thought that 45 degree parking
along there would be feasible as long as a few things are met. And so the
applicant did provide us with a great diagram here. The recommendation is
for 45 degree parking.

[00:43:09.620] To meet our standards for 45 degree parking which are set
within our ordinance and so just have a 12-foot curve length and for a nine-
foot standard stall width that's the standard set in our ordinance and then
no more than up to no more than five feet into the right away of the
diagonal line and so

[00:43:31.220] It can go into the right of way back deep then also outlined
within the resolution is just the maintenance agreement and we discussed the
city maintaining the right of way as we normally do and we did discuss that
the second public service director record can go into it more in detail but
removing the work at the second pass through to clean up as they do and then
the Creamery Kitchen and Taphouse taking care of their property on the area
for clowning as well any questions

[00:44:03.920] I have no parking as long as I can remember. So I have
absolutely zero problems with it. Josh or Travis, do you have any concerns?
You looked at this, I assume. I mean, you guys have been around long enough
to remember when it was like that before, too. Yeah, no concerns for me.
We'll end up plowing it the same as always. Years ago, we plowed it the
same, but it was angle parking then. Yep. Chief, same.

[00:44:31.000] Yeah, there's no concerns. Okay. Motion to approve it. I'll
second. Motion by Lundeen, second by myself. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any
opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Thank you, Nick. That's exciting. Thank you,
staff, for looking at that. Next we will move on to item five, a resolution
to consider approving the seasonal placement of a handicap-accessible
portable restroom at Bluebird Park for the winter months.


K.5 Bluebird Park winter restroom
[00:44:57.680] Good evening again um due to the continued and year-round
public use of the park thanks to the sledding hill and other great amenities
for the winter out there um i know you guys had directed staff previously
just to look into the feasibility of maintaining one of our port properties
in the park for the winter season and so we did some research on that and
keeping it handicap accessible

[00:45:22.140] Um toilet out there throughout the season which would be to
be along the side of the um amphitheater just for so it doesn't get blown
over we know the winds and winter can be a little gusty around here in that
part um but to maintain it there will be about 90 per month our average for
the rest of the year is 60 per month but due to the anna freeze required and
such um during our strong winters um it's just

[00:45:50.490] Takes them more um solution um to maintain it throughout the
season and we'll still provide access as we always do it doesn't really um
act they're already following the paths and we'll have it adjacent to that
path as well so we did work that out

[00:46:09.750] And I will say that $90 a month is still a very good bargain
even for summer months on that style of port-a-potty. So I think it's a good
deal. I think it makes sense right there. It's used for illuminated sanding
and that's letting go.

[00:46:27.390] What months are we talking? So just maintaining it through
the rest of the year. So usually the port bodies go out from this time of
year. They're gone. Yeah, they left like a week ago. Yes, and so we just
missed it by the way. So if approved, then we'll have it brought back up
until this one. So we'll just fill that gap. Will it be located by sledding
hill or the way around it? Yep, on the west side of the amphitheater.

[00:46:57.680] On the third half or third avenue side yeah but that's where
all the trees are or will it just be it'll it'll be accessible along the
path over on that side it's just filled it's all filled right now yeah with
lights right so where would it go um isn't it already over there did they
fill oh he was gonna drop it off i think it i think there's one over there
on some that actually on the east side

[00:47:30.320] I think it's there. He said he's going to drop it off. I
talked to him today or yesterday. Where is it? It's on the east side of the
empty. Right by the pool sheds where people are going to sell their stuff
right next to them. No. It's a ways away from now. I think it's on the
sidewalk.

[00:47:48.010] Kind of where the trailer was, probably. We can move it to
wherever you guys want. Okay, perfect. I'd like to make a motion. [Brief
crosstalk.] Motion from Hemen, second from Zdon. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next, item six, resolution to consider a
request by Delightful Acres Weddings and Events to consider approval of a
conditional use permit for 27600 Polk Street Northeast.


K.6 Delightful Acres restaurant use
[00:48:16.430] Good evening again. Delightful Acres has submitted their
conditional use permit. It was recently...

[00:48:22.800] Reviewed at public hearing by the planning commission and
recommended for approval to move forward for this restaurant application
they're going to be using it specifically at this time for mobile bartending
services or for bartending services are relying on mobile units right now to
do that and so this will allow them to offer the services directly
themselves and the findings of fact and site map are all within the packet

[00:48:49.730] And this is as presented to the Planning Commission, correct?
Correct. Okay, great. This is a great opportunity for this business. They've
been wanting to do this for a while, so I'm happy to see us talking about
it, provide another service for their facility, which is awesome. That means
they're going to have to get their own liquor license? Yes, that would be
the next step. I make a motion to approve it as long as they get their own
liquor license. [Brief crosstalk.] All that has to be approved before they
can.

[00:49:20.690] Motion from Lundeen, second by Hemen. All in favor say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next item K.7, resolution to consider
a request by Capstone Homes for annexation by property owner [continues].


K.7 Sanbrook Greens
[00:49:38.890] Um there's a request by capstone homes for annexation by
property home owner petition and zoning map amendment located at pid
050210102 prior for incorporation into the plans Sanbrook Greens development
it's a very northern parcel on the east side of their development and it's
um as part of their purchase and so it's the only parcel that's not within
city limits it actually is an interesting parcel

[00:50:06.410] Because it's connected to one of the or no but it is an
interesting person so it will be zoned as the rest is our one single family
residential most of it will be backyards and this was as presented at
planning commission as well yes this was also recommended for approval by
the planning commission at the public hearing

[00:50:36.680] Motion to approve. Motion by Lundeen, second by Hemen. All in
favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next resolution, or
item eight, sorry, K.8, Moir Park playground removal quote discussion. Mr.
Becker. Good evening, Mayor and Council. I have a couple of quotes for the
removal of the Moir playground.


K.8 Moir Park playground equipment
[00:51:01.970] I got them right here to hand it out. Staff received two, one
from Boyer companies in the amount of $10,100. The second quote was in
safety first in the amount of $9,446.30. Staff also asked for reinstallation
estimates.

[00:51:25.160] Our companies did not quote that. They didn't want to do
that. Safety First did give us a quote. If we did it in the year 2026, it
was $14,851. And if we didn't do it in 26, they gave us a quote for $19,851.
They also did say that the estimate wasn't good to reinstall it if they
didn't do the removal on it.

[00:52:00.850] And this is a thing that, you know, we got the park. I was
able to negotiate the parks, the two place structures for free. And I know
that with the Bauer company's quote, there was $1,500 there for, like,
transportation. And Josh Becker and I have talked about if we do it that way
and we have public works reassemble these parks, that the public works
employee would probably be down there with our trail and they just transport
stuff back for three days or whatever it takes.

[00:52:29.230] Remove those items that way that public works employee would
know how they go back together kind of be able to overwatch that i know
there was some desire i made a post about this and there was some desire for
a couple local local people to help put this back together there were a
couple people that had some experience with putting these together that were
interested in potentially helping out and being involved with this as a you
know community type of event

[00:52:55.670] So there's that option as well uh there's a few different
ideas and concepts and open to discussion or ideas yeah that's what we
discussed i just i can't see public works because their time involved in
that isn't going to be 14 000 right plus you knock out another 1400

[00:53:24.560] Actually, if you less than that, you take it off 1,500 plus
1,400 because their other goal was 94 or 46. So you knock out $3,000 off of
it. You know, I mean, if you look at it, that's $3,000 less than safety
first, roughly. I'm comparing safety first to the dollar. So you knock out
$1,500 off of that. That's the value down to, what, $6,500?

[00:53:53.560] To be 8600 so it's a 8 000 base um 1500 for removal and 600
for disposal concrete concrete so that's the ten thousand dollars so the
total price of gear on 8600 if our public works staff transports it kind of
like we had discussed well that's all it gets me in trouble because i see it
four thousand dollars right that's what i'm looking at as a quote that's
misconsuming that's why i highlighted the 10 100 because it's kind of
confusing right yep so really we are

[00:54:22.660] Comparing the $10,100 to the $9,446.30. However, Bauer is
willing to allow Public Works to haul it back and save that cost. That
brings it down to $8,000.

[00:54:42.640] We have to have it's down in bloomington so to haul that
concrete back it'd be pretty it's not worth it i think yeah i don't think
it's worth it and there is a price on the safety first one they gave a price
for hauling it too by saving as well so i mean not that i want to go down to
bloomington and

[00:55:16.100] But for the labor of public works, how long do you anticipate
or would you anticipate two guys or four guys? I don't know how many you
send down there to dismantle it.

[00:55:26.500] No well they'd disappear so i would probably just send one
guy one guy to watch and i think they figured it'd be three or four days to
tear down and then each day he could bring a load back was kind of a thought
if we are going to do it

[00:55:41.580] But I do know that I know it's $14,000 is a lot of money to
put the park up, but public works time adds up too. And then it also puts us
behind, like Women's Park did put us behind on a lot of our everyday stuff
that we did catch up on to get back. I'm not saying we can't do it or
anything like that, but it's some consideration. This time of year.

[00:56:07.920] You wouldn't be putting it up this year. So it would be
$19,000, not $14,000. So you're talking, I mean, that'd be over 200 hours of
public works time to cover that cost. And I think if you have somebody that
has somewhat knowledge of doing this, even being a gopher for public works,
just being a gopher, you know, hold this ranch, grab me this, whatever, that
saves them time as well. That's just the way I look at it.

[00:56:42.220] Do you have time to do this project well it's just like
woodland park you do it when you have time but if you guys said we want this
part put in in june or july i think so this park equipment is going to sit
outside basically like woodland when we really had the time was after like
jubilee days and all that

[00:57:09.710] And I anticipate that we could find volunteers. So I think,
in my opinion, we have the first step, which is the removal and the getting
it here. We have, you know, we need to get this stuff here. It needs to be
out of that site before winter. That was part of the stipulation with
getting that park stuff donated. Now, I don't think there's any way we
reinstall it in 2026. We haven't talked about it with park board where it
would go. So I don't think, I think that's off the table. But I think we get
it here with the removal.

[00:57:37.020] Do the transport with the public works person. So that way,
worst case, if we do have public works do it when they have time, like we do
with Woodland, would end up working out pretty good. At least they know how
it goes Camp Hart type of thing. Also, we did talk about, you know, the
potential for reimbursement from the park dedication funds for the reinstall
of the new park. So that will go back into the general fund. So that would
offset the tax cost of these, so those employees are going to be directly
from the park fund because you're paying, you're doing a park service.

[00:58:05.990] So that's another potential option for that. I have a huge
concern with them taking it down and then waiting six to eight months to
reinstall it. And also the fact that it would be sitting outside, I'm
assuming. All the equipment. I mean, I know it's outside. I know it's
outside thing, but I know how I am. And if I learn something new, I need to
use it, wait eight months. I don't know what other options we have. Either
that or we just don't do it.

[00:58:35.670] I don't think it's going to be rocket science. You don't
think that, but I put together two parts. We put together the one on South
Passage, and I put together the one on HELOC with my entire family. It's
just a lot of pieces. A lot. I'm not opposed to it. I think it's a great
deal. I think we found a really good thing. I'm just saying.

[00:58:59.590] You're asking someone who doesn't have a ton of time and then
you're also saying when you take this apart don't forget about it when you
do it in eight months and then two weeks later you come back out and then
two weeks later we have time and then two weeks later. It took how long to
make Bill Woodland? It was around 1,500 hours. And you started collecting
things from start to finish was a year and a half. You collected things over
the winter, built some things over the winter. And we told him there was no
rush.

[00:59:33.650] As you have time. I don't think this park is going to take 30
minutes. No. It should be 60 to 120 hours. I guess I wasn't asking for
hours. I was asking how did it fit into your schedule. Well, it affects the
schedule some. That's what I was saying. Like when we're doing, obviously,
Woodland Park was way bigger, but it puts me a lot of the jetting and the
clean cleanup and the stuff that we would be doing in that time puts us
behind. I don't know what schedule. We fit it all in.

[01:00:13.720] [Speech unclear.]

[01:00:33.130] And i like i said i anticipate that we could have volunteers
help with this i mean there's all sorts of communities that do these types
of reconstruction i mean we've had two parts here in the city by standing
like you just mentioned so i think it's doable i think i don't think
rebuilding it is difficult i'm more concerned about we're sending someone
down there to watch it to be part of it but then to sit on that knowledge
for maybe eight months or more i think it's concerning but there i would
hope that they would

[01:00:59.740] Tag or labels. Thank you. Thank you. He said he tags and bags
and labels everything so it's correspondingly. Part A goes with part A and
you go in there. That's not Costco. It was Little Tights, right? What's
that? It was Little Tights. It is a Little Tights Playgrounds too. It should
be. It should be. You can get support. You can find instructions. It should
be reinventing anything. We've got to get this thing out of there if we
haven't decided. I think any way you look at it, I think our better bet is
to have all the companies.

[01:01:32.470] [Speech unclear.]

[01:01:37.970] And even if, so if we send a public works person down there,
we're saving $1,500 off. So that time, say if they do it, you know, three
eight-hour days, 24 hours, you're still ahead on the $1,500 saved. So even
if you send a guy down there and you're just transporting stuff, you're
still ahead. And they don't have the knowledge of how it came apart. Are we
in depth, though, if, I mean, two or three days where they're driving down
there and then you have time to be out doing their job, like, is that
actually coming out ahead?

[01:02:05.140] Yeah, well, we could also, like I talked about, potentially
take from, you can allocate from the park dedication fund. We talked about
this with Woodland Park in the past, too. If they put all that time in,
that's time that was associated with building the park. So that could be
then brought back from the park fund into the general fund so that it would
actually pay for that employee's time for that park through the park
dedication dollars, not through taxpayer money. Could that be true for the
dollar, too, if they transport? That would be park dedication.

[01:02:33.850] Right yeah so i just don't know if it would be worth the the
cost savings of having them play dry out three or four times but then they
have the knowledge of how camp park so that's but that is the question it's
all label tag bag and standard equipment set that's not unique or anything
what do you what do you feel would be more advantageous

[01:03:06.990] Well, Safety First builds playgrounds, and I think their
price is pretty good with the removal of everything. It's, what, almost
$1,000 cheaper. They would deliver it all here, from what I remember from
that. And they also have a price for moving and hauling, so if you were
going to say, we're hauling it back, I should ask them what their price is
if we haul it back. What's the Safety First, what's the negative charge on
that?

[01:03:37.880] They're giving us a CPC discount or something like that?
Because we're part of that program. It's a cooperative pricing contract
agreement price. Similar for product like when there's a state bid on
vehicles, there's contracts for other things as well. And Sandy first is
okay just taking it out and moving it and not building it? Yes. They were
just only going to give us the price for the rebuild if they removed it.

[01:04:12.310] The removal price doesn't matter.

[01:04:15.190] So with this, if they were to, say, remove it and we didn't
decide whether we're going to have them reinstalled or not, would they be
okay with what you anticipate since they removed and brought it to us,
they'd be then okay in the spring if we decided to go the route with them
installing it, they would probably be okay with that, I assume? Yes, that's
all he was saying. They were going to give us a huge discount for the
installation if we wanted to get it put back up this fall. They'd do it as
winter or whatever. Right.

[01:04:42.730] The price may change without it happening this fall but they
would still do it as our understanding i mean i don't are we comfortable
trying to do it this year

[01:05:03.350] Either that or we just try and save the money and have a
community built for it instead of this.

[01:05:22.930] It has been done versus it being dragged out over a week
until they have time available. So it wouldn't be the parking in a complete
state where you have kids play on playground that's not complete. That's
fair. Like they were doing at the skate park building. Watch for the ground
prep.

[01:05:52.060] So that's where you would have to decide where they're going
too. Yep and then I was thinking like for one that Sandy Hills would want
the more middle-aged type stuff correct? I don't remember what's there. The
younger one okay.

[01:06:14.810] And then i was thinking i don't know we haven't talked about
the whisper ridge uh there's some green area there and there's not a
playground set there um right now it's just a tennis court a basketball
court yeah it's awesome what is that cottonwood street yeah i know that
there are people in the in that neighborhood that they love the idea
obviously so

[01:06:38.190] I think we can discuss that at another time. What do we want
to do? Does it have safety first? Just go out and do the whole thing and
public works can take care of the other business? I mean, I don't disagree
with Nick. I mean, when they start getting pinched for time, things get
pushed, and that's not going to get done. If you think we can make a
decision, I mean, they've got to go down and take this thing out. I'm sure
we have a few days to make a decision where we're going for it.

[01:07:05.710] If you go with safety first, at least you have the option of
then installing it. Yeah. Or reinstalling it. Would you have a guy down
there for safety first? No. Okay. I don't think I would at all, unless you
guys are trying to save the hauling, which I thought the number on there,
like the state was saying, doesn't seem like it's worth it really. It'd be a
wash. Really?

[01:07:34.720] And they number and take it because he said the same thing.
They're going to number and take it because they're putting that up to you
or whatever you want. The more I like the idea of taking versus doing the
whole thing, getting done.

[01:07:48.300] And doing it this year, does it save $5,000? I 100% agree
with that. Only because I have built that part of it. It's not as easy. I
know A goes with A, but there's thousands and thousands of A in A. I know
you guys can do it, but I just think it's time, and you can't start and stop
these projects. It's very time-consuming to get back into it and put it all
away and bring it all back out.

[01:08:14.540] Was living something would stay and get here and play with it
either way unless you fence it off america like well or we would say over
and over get out of the skate park and then like what i thought it was open
and then eric would say you thought because you had to hop the fence it was
open the fence is awesome it doesn't work out so not if they want to give
you something so i'll let the motion go with safety first the whole shebang
and it will determine places for it in a later date tonight

[01:08:45.040] I would assume i mean we don't really have a later date if
they're trying to do it this year still well they got to get the contract
that's going to take time park park should be involved park and rec should
be involved where it's going and like i said if they don't i didn't care
less if that's what they want to do if they remove it then we can have them
put it up and let's say they don't get it they say oh we can't get it up
this year well then we can say well hey we want it up okay i see what you're
saying okay i don't know

[01:09:22.150] Just just for clarification I mean is the council willing to
if we do move forward with this and then the park board identifies the
locations at their November 24th meeting do you just they're only a
recommendation board so that typically it has to then come back to council
for approval on December 1st I select and make that decision because they
never know works better

[01:09:46.520] By far. In my opinion, let that make that decision. That's in
three weeks. That's possible. Yeah, you can do a special department record.
I suggest that my motion would be take you first, the whole thing.

[01:10:09.610] But park and rec maybe have a special meeting park and rec
let them determine where they want it second would we want to come back to
council on the 17th no i just let them make that decision can we decide that
the one part though we're going for sure can we do that i'm i would say so i
mean i agree with you but i just

[01:10:34.710] No, no. No, just one of the parks. We already have identified
that as a park as lacking some amendments. It's been kind of ignored for
quite a while. You use that park often, correct? I mean, I used to call it
the Sandburg a lot. But it needs attention, and I think that we've already
discussed it several times that that park needs something. We have
something. We can move on it.

[01:11:00.520] I'll be fine with that amendment. I see any park kids go and
let them figure out the other one. Josh, do you know which one they want to
go there?

[01:11:08.530] So to clarify, which one do you want? [Crosstalk about which
structure should go to Isanti Hills.] I would agree that maybe the smaller
one. All right, I accept that. That's the other thing, too.

[01:11:39.610] I think given the time constraints then that would allow
safety first to serve if they dismantled it within two days they could start
building that one as we wait for park board to come back with another one
but i do think it's a good idea to have a special meeting we they didn't
have a meeting last month just because we didn't have a quorum at the
opening time so it would make

[01:11:59.950] Same cost difference if we were to add one. Holy moly, look
at government moving fast. Let's go. Motion by Lundeen, second by Pedersen.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Next we have the
county LRIP discussion. [Brief crosstalk.] Oh, Woodland Park sign. Oh,
Woodland Park sign. Sorry.


K.9 Woodland Park signs
[01:12:26.800] So this was something that has been a common question. At
least a handful of times people have asked about putting some sort of a
child at play signs. We just did it at a different park a month ago. I don't
know if you guys would be interested in putting this at that park location.
I don't know that this one would be as visible because I think cars are
parked along the street. They're blocking more of that visibility where a
sign would go. But I'm not opposed to...

[01:12:56.610] I have no problem with putting them on all parks. I don't
either. I make a motion to put one sign there and maybe revisit to win all
the parks. Two signs, again, one on each side of the road. And then the same
sign I put out from the room out of this, correct?

[01:13:18.710] Yes. I think so. Nick, what were you going to say? Well, I
was going to say the motion is for all, but Riverside Park doesn't mean
because that's... I just said for this park and then revisit all the parks
later. That's what I stated. So there's a motion from Lundeen, second from
Hemen. Yes. All in favor of that motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion
carries to 5-0. Next, we have County LRIP, I believe. Yes.


K.10 County Road 45 grant support
[01:13:49.360] So I did pass out a map with a draft letter example. So the
Isanti County Highway Department engineer, Justin Bergerson, had reached
out. They are applying for an LRIP grant for reconstruction of County Road
45, which is from CSAH 5, east of the city of Isanti, north to CSAH 19. You
can see the map. This project area is outside of city limits. However,

[01:14:17.150] Part of their application, as all applications, even when the
city did it as well, is you do have a better chance if you have letters of
support. And then the city of Isanti would be recognizing the long-term
importance of County Road 45 as a north-south connection east of the Trunk
Highway 65. Its role in supporting the growth and just mobility of vehicles
on the east side of Isanti would be a great...

[01:14:45.130] Help for them to try to get this LRIP grant.

[01:14:56.360] So this, I brought this forward. Josie and I could have, you
know, collaborated on this and then wrote that letter. But I brought it
forward specifically because we had talked about in one of our last meetings
about an LRIP grant for the local match on the federally funded projects of
heritage from Railroad Avenue, from the railroad to the bridge essentially.
And this would actually, my thought was this LRIP grant would compete with
ours. Is that something that...

[01:15:24.470] It would not it would not um so counties compete against
other counties for elaborate funds but cities compete against other cities
for elaborate funds okay okay so that was the question so is anybody opposed
to writing a letter of support for this like i said i think we need to start
playing a little nicer when it comes to some of the stuff we're saying we're
figuring out all these developments and there's nothing nope we're not going
to do it this gal comes in asking about parking on it nope we're not going
to do it

[01:15:54.880] Grow up. Be responsible for the community. Now you're coming
to the city of Asani and asking us to go order our way to give them a rep,
you know, to give them a rep on the back to do something. I just feel you're
not playing nice, but you want something from me, but you don't want to give
me anything in return. I agree 100%. We've had a lot of these discussions
about not being allowed access. I mean, we have a really prime piece of real
estate just north of the Holiday gas station.

[01:16:23.370] That the county doesn't want to give access for development
there off with the county road so you know i i've been saying this also so i
really appreciate steve it's i don't whatever they do 145 has zero to do
with the city by standing if anything else they're going to divert traffic
coming out to five up down five to 65 that is all they're going to do and
technically that's their road anyway so as far as i'm concerned

[01:16:55.600] Unless you want to start playing nice, I don't know what you
want from me.

[01:16:58.740] I mean i think i hear what you're saying i do think that we
work collaboratively as best as possible if the city is going to apply for
an LRIP grant and the county did not write a letter for us and they did when
we applied we had to apply when we did the roundabout um it would make it
difficult for the city to get the grant without their support so i do think
they also benefited from it as much as the city they did benefit as well but
i do think that

[01:17:26.510] We should write them a letter of support for this and keep
that relationship positive. I still think you should be told that maybe it's
time to start playing nice. Because this has nothing to do with the city.
Well, let's make that time right now. We can start being nice and maybe we
let them know. No, it's not us being nice, it's them. I know, we're just
showing them. But I mean, that was the point, is it's every time they've
gone to it and it's a legitimate reason for them to do it.

[01:17:56.500] And it's a no. That's what irritates me. And like I said,
that has zero to do with the city of Iceni. The roundabout had everything to
do with the city of Iceni and the county. It wasn't like we were asking them
to do something for us on one of our own private streets. They benefited
from that as much as the city did, if not more so, because their share got
cut down quite a bit of money.

[01:18:25.430] I think the city council has actually had more cooperation
from the county than any council previous. I think we've done a fantastic
job. I think when the county came here and sat in this chamber and we all
worked out the roundabout, I thought we done work really well. I think our
relationship has definitely came a long way over the last few years. The
communication takes time. You can't just expect everything all at once.

[01:18:54.590] I definitely agree we'll go ahead with this letter and we are
looking for our own letters well maybe we start with that we would love to
write you a letter for our letter just as we are also we'll be also looking
for a letter yeah i'm not sure but we will it's very possible we will be so
okay yes okay does anybody want to make a motion on that we'll make a motion

[01:19:27.750] Motion from Hemen, second from Pedersen. All in favor say
aye. Aye. Any opposed? [Voice vote.] Motion carries 4-1. Good discussion,
guys. I appreciate it. Next item, building access. Yep, this would be number
11, and this is brought forward by Councilmember Pedersen.


K.11 City Hall access
[01:20:03.350] I know there was a time where that had bad and that got taken
away, and if we can, we had, we sent that prohibition. This building? Yes. I
don't remember a summer having 14 years on here. I've never had access to
this building. Never. And 14-year office? That was just the mayor only.
Correct. It wasn't anybody else. Different mayor.

[01:20:29.300] Different mayor i mean it was other mayors i thought it was
the council i read that just no no never never had by ever had access to
this building and nor do i want one yeah i agree and i think we all have
access to this building by a part of when we come in

[01:20:52.510] Can you elaborate, I guess, what kind of building access
you're looking for? I come early, I get stuck in the rain just waiting to
come inside. For meetings? Yeah. I haven't got that money. You don't have to
have the truck running?

[01:21:13.970] Okay yeah i wasn't sure if you were looking for like i.t
access or okay not limited stuff just i i was an impression that city
council had the ability to new building if that's never been the thing i'm
not trying to reinvent something the mayor used to in fact was that 28 20 20
20 ish

[01:21:33.960] And I'm not aware of access to the facility. Depending on
which mayor you're talking about, some had access to maybe the outside back
door, not all of them, but definitely access to the office. But yes, never a
council member that I'm aware of. I know a couple of mayors had access to
that back door, which I don't agree with because we're all equal up here.
The mayor has access. The rest of us should have access. As far as your
point,

[01:22:05.480] Well, can't you call Josie or one of the staff and have them
come let you in if you come here early? Do I? Should I meet you? Well, I'm
just trying to find a workaround because obviously you're closing that door
after hours. So the city council meeting that starts at 6.30, you're closing
at 5. We close them at 4.30, lock about 4.30. Okay.

[01:22:30.220] I haven't called the NASCAR access before. If I need to
again, for some reason, I haven't called NASCAR. Josie has came, or Katie
has came, or Stephanie has came, and let me in. My thought process is if
we're trusting with the budget and a lot of other responsibilities, I just
don't understand why can't you trust with the key.

[01:22:49.550] And i don't need full building access because i don't want to
have to provide alibi for a certain area but as far as i'm trying to access
those immediate doors and if i come early and it's known as here that i
don't just sit around and wait i don't i i totally hear it i just don't
think it's necessary remember i just had 14 years of i've been there i've
never had access to that it's a good question so any other discussion or do
we need a vote on it do you want to vote there

[01:23:35.170] The only thing I can add to that, and I'm not saying whether
I'm for or against it, but not every employee has access. For example, a
liquor store doesn't have access, but employees are governed by the
personnel policy, and it does outline.

[01:23:54.960] Uh repercussions is probably not the right word but
disciplinary actions if you do something unauthorized um like stephanie
can't just come in here and have a kid's party kind of thing like there's
rules against not that you would but i mean there's rules against that she
can face disciplinary up to termination none of those rules that are

[01:24:16.590] She has to follow as an employee is applicable to elected
officials because you're not employees. So that would be the one challenge.
What would be the, other than taking it away, there isn't any kind of like
if you don't follow the rules, here's your discipline. Which I wasn't asking
for access to the full building, just through that one office and that one
door. That goes through though. Does it, would it have to?

[01:24:48.000] The council that office door could be locked from the outside
it cannot no it locks from the inside not that we can't put a different lock
on the door i mean there is that possibility but it locks from the inside

[01:25:07.500] [A council member raised concerns about access to city
records.]

[01:25:27.410] I would agree. I think that if we had, and I do like this
idea, but it does come with a cost, where you knew who accessed what doors
by everybody having a fob system on all doors, then I think that you would
know who went in there. Did they go into a room that they weren't supposed
to, you know, things like that, but we don't have that. But I think that's
an enduring cost that we don't need to do because we've never done it
before.

[01:25:55.150] I stayed in my piece. I don't think it's necessary. I agree.
Sorry, Nick. I know there's been times for me where it's like, man, it sure
would be nice, like, sometimes, like, if I have to go, if I'm working here
from 4.30 until 6 for a meeting, it's like, oh, I've got to go into the car,
and now there's the doors locked, and now I've got to have somebody let me
in. Like, there's, it is a little bit annoying, but it's a maybe once in a
month type of thing, you know, so. And your board will produce that office.

[01:26:25.330] So if you want to hit your IRB, but you can call and ask and
use it. All right. Erica, do you have any opinions? I don't want to keep.
Okay. Sounds good. Well, that's a pretty strong consensus. Do you want to
call a vote? Good discussion. Sounds good. Well, good discussion, guys. I
appreciate it. So next we'll move on to the consent agenda. Are there any
questions or comments on the consent agenda? Yeah. Good news.


Consent agenda
[01:27:16.860] I guess that's our bond payment. Is it a bond payment?

[01:27:24.080] The omaha the large bill that we sent out first national bank
at the 297 yes which it is i don't know off the top of my head exactly which
yes it's a bond service payment i can't say exactly which bond number off
the top of my head but it's a bond payment okay

[01:27:44.530] I would just like to give a shout out. First to Illuminate
Isanti or Isanti Together, that group, for getting donations. Lit’l Sprouts
Child Care, Plugs Garage, and Smile Doctors LLC all donated to Illuminate
Isanti. I'm looking forward to that event this year. Are there any more
volunteer days planned for that that have been posted or that are scheduled?
I know Carla and Brittany Anderla have been out there basically every day.
Okay. Or we're meeting in their garage.

[01:28:10.670] So i don't know about large ones um now that public works has
put out the big stuff we're ready to go again so so if there's if the public
sees people out there working can people stop by and give a hand you are
welcome at any time any place when we're out there we'll use you okay sounds
good any other questions or comments on the consent agenda no i motion to
approve the consent agenda

[01:28:38.000] Motion by Zdon, second by Hemen. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? Motion carries 4-0 with Steve in the hallway. So, I don't know
how we do that, but... Just like that. Okay, sounds good. Any other
communications? Otherwise, we'll move into closed session. All right, I'll
entertain a motion to move into closed session for labor negotiation
strategies pursuant to Minnesota Section 13D.03.


Closed-session motion
[01:29:05.740] Second. Motion by Pedersen, second by Zdon. All in favor say
aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion carries 4-0 with Steve in the hallway.

[01:29:13.080] [Public speech ends. Room audio fades to silence through the
end of the upload at 01:30:11.008.]