City Council - Regular Meeting

We'll call to order the regular meeting of the Albert Lee City Council for Monday, August 24th, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor Christensen. Here. Councilor Baker.

Here.

Councilor Herman.

Here.

Councilor Olsen. Here. Councilor Van Beek. Councilor Anderson.

Here.

Mayor Murray.

Here. Would you please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. WELCOME TO EVERYONE TONIGHT, WHETHER YOU'RE HERE IN PERSON OR ONLINE, WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WITH US. OUR THIRD ITEM TONIGHT IS A CEREMONIAL ITEM, AND WE WILL HAVE A LIFE-SAVING AWARD PRESENTED TO CHRISTIE BAAS BY DEPUTY CHIEF DARREN PALMER. WELCOME.

Good evening, Mayor, Council, staff. So on December 16th, 2025, a young child entered the Freeborn County Department of Human Services building and was choking on a piece of candy. So the child's family was making some valiant attempts to dislodge this piece of candy, but they were having some struggles because of the stress. So realizing that the child was choking, Christy Boz, got up and immediately went out and helped this child. She called 911 and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the obstruction was clear of the child's airway and the child began breathing normally again. So the emergency crews arrived on scene, fire and medics, and checked the child over, everything was good, and they ended up going home that day. And no further medical treatment. So for her courage, quick thinking, and life-saving actions, the Elderly Police Department is proud to recognize Kristina Subbas with the Life-Saving Award. Kristina, you wanna come up? So in recognition of her exceptional courage, composure, and decisive action during a life-threatening emergency on December 16th, 2025, Upon discovering that a child was choking at the Freeborn County Department of Human Services, Christina Subas immediately called 911, rushed to the child's aid, and took over the Heimlich maneuver. She successfully dislodged the obstruction and restored the child's airway before emergency responders arrived. Her quick thinking, compassion, and willingness to act under extraordinary pressure directly contribute to saving the child's life. The Albert Lee Police Department proudly presents Christina Subbas with the Citizen Lifesaving Award for heroic actions and outstanding service to the community, given this 24th day of August, 2026. Congratulations.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S ALWAYS NICE WHEN WE CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND SEE SOMEBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT STEPPED FORWARD AND DONE SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM, NUMBER FIVE HERE, OR FOUR, IS THE PUBLIC FORUM. WE HAVE NOBODY ON THE PUBLIC FORUM TONIGHT. So we'll move along to item five, consent and approval of agenda. A is the approval of minutes of the August 10th, 2026 regular council meeting. B is the approval of minutes of the August 10th, 2026 work session. And C is license and permits. Council? Move to approve the consent and approval of agenda, Your Honor. Motion by Councilor Baker. Is there a second?

I'll second, Your Honor.

Second. Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't tell whether you said something. Okay, Councilor Hartman, thank you. All right, any questions from the council? All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item six is Petitions, Requests, and Communications. And tonight we have the Glenville Legion Riders to speak here tonight about the Nation of Patriots Homecoming. Scott Kahlberg and Larry Larson, if you'd like to come forward. Thank you.

WE GOTTA MAKE SURE. NOT THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. HE DOES. OKAY. NO. NO. NO.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. FANTASTIC.

I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

GIVE YOU BACK ONE OF THOSE. YEAH, THANK YOU. FANTASTIC.

Thank you. All right.

OCDME had to put it north.

We are excited to welcome home the Patriot flag back to Albert Lee. It left a long time ago. It's been in all the states in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and it's coming back to stay. And so on September 19th, we are going to have quite a homecoming for it.

I believe it's in Oregon right now, but it's coming this way. BUT, YEAH, LIKE LARRY SAID, WE HAD THE LAUNCH TO IT LAST MAY. EVERYTHING WENT FANTASTIC. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD, THEY SAID, THE BEST LAUNCH THEY HAD EVER HAD IN 17 YEARS. SO WE DID A GOOD JOB ON THAT. SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE HOMECOMING RIDE, AND WE'RE HOPING AROUND 200 BIKES OR SO WILL COME DOWN FROM THE CITIES, AND IT WILL COME INTO ALBERT LEE. I JUST DREW A LITTLE ROUGH MAP. SORRY, THAT'S KIND OF CRUDE. BUT IT WILL COME DOWN, AND IT WILL GO INTO BOMB GARS. STAGE ALL THE BIKES THERE. THERE WILL BE EVERY STATE FLAG AND ALL THE MILITARY FLAGS AND MAYBE EVEN A COUPLE MORE WITH THE BIKES. AND WE'LL PARADE THROUGH TOWN ON THAT ROUTE OUT TO BURGDALE'S. SO WE'RE REALLY HOPING WE GET A BIG TURNOUT OF PEOPLE TO COME AND WAVE US IN. THIS FLAG WENT AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THE AMERICAN FLAG, AND WE GET TO KEEP IT WHEN IT COMES HOME. WE GET TO DISPLAY IT DOWN AT OUR LEGION. SO WE'RE SURE HOPING THAT WE CAN GET A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT AND WELCOME US.

KIND OF CALLING IT THE PARADE OF FLAGS BECAUSE WHEN THEY LEAVE BOMB GUARDS, EVERY MOTORCYCLE that signs up and wants to carry a flag will have one of the state flags or the Army flag or the Air Force flag or the military flags. And then with the route, as you can see, then we'll come up through up to Burghales. So it should be something to see. All the motorcycles that signed up, again, we're looking at maybe 56 flags total, somewhere in there. Each one will be carrying a flag as they tour Elbert Lee.

We'll have a program out to Bergdales, a welcome home program with some special guest speakers. We're hoping he comes. That's one of our special guests. Anyway, always glad to have you. Some other dignitaries, just a little quick program. We'll have some food for everybody. It'll be a nice homecoming. And the Nation of Patriots, the big shots or whatever, they'll be here to welcome at home and everything. So it's been a lot of planning, but it's coming together.

Well, and the tour, again, is a big fundraiser for veterans and veterans' families. And that's the goal. When they left Albert Lee, I think just in our community here, Freeborn County, Albert Lee, I think we gave Bill a check for $15,000 that we raised just as the first shot. And the interesting thing, too, is he told us, he went back and he looked and he said the Homecoming or the the send-off has been in like Vegas and a lot of the big cities We were like second or third for the amount that's ever been raised on the first leg So but I have to say that money we raised was a great big.

Thank you to to the community, the county, all the organizations that just didn't come from us. That came from a lot of great help from a great community and the county and the surrounding areas. We have the most wonderful people around this area you can imagine. I'm telling you, we do. That just shows me the good hearts that people have. And all the money raised that we raised, that stays in southern Minnesota. And it's for veterans and their families in need. So it's 100% volunteer stuff. There is no on-the-top takeoff. It's a great organization. So we're pretty proud of that. But I am proud of our whole community and area, Glenville, Freeborn County, all the organizations that donated. And individuals too. Couldn't have done it without them.

It was great. We were surprised when we were doing the party down in Glenville the night before, people were saying, you know, we need benches. Oh, I've got, you know, I have a business. I do picnic benches and stuff. Well, how much? Oh, you guys can have them for free. and they hauled them down there. It was amazing what people did for us. Yeah, donations. It was cool. Makes you feel pretty good.

We had a great send-off in May. That was fun. And for people that didn't get a chance to see all those bikes and just, it was a blast watching them all take off out of there. I think for everybody to get out and support this in September here on the 19th, and especially as they're coming across town, let's get people out on the different boulevards and the different roads along the parade route, and let's make sure that we're all waving our flags. Yeah. AND THIS GROUP HAS RAISED A LOT OF MONEY TO HELP OUR VETERANS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, WITHIN OUR STATE, AND WITHIN THE WHOLE COUNTRY. AND SO IT'S DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING IN PROMOTING ALL THIS. OUR VERY OWN COUNSELOR FROM FIVE WHO WASN'T WITH US TONIGHT IS ALSO A BIG PART OF IT. HE HELPS OUT A LOT. AND SO WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT KEITH DID ON THIS. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT. WE'LL BE OUT THERE IN FORCE.

THE 250TH BIRTHDAY OF THE COUNTRY.

WHAT A GREAT YEAR TO HAVE. EXACTLY. YEAH. WELL, AND THE FRIDAY, THE DAY BEFORE, IS NATIONAL POW MIA Oh, okay. So we're going to do something special that Saturday honoring missing soldiers, and we never forget. Very nice. All right.

Well, thank you for all you do, and thank you for coming and speaking with us tonight and getting the message out. We appreciate that. Appreciate it. And we'll remind everybody at the next meeting, too. See you in September.

And I will be there, yes. Thank you. And we appreciate all you guys letting us come and talk. Thank you very much. You bet. Thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, we'll move along to item seven, unfinished business. A is the ordinance 26-158, amending zoning and the land use map from limited industrial I-1 to single family resident R-1. This is the second reading. City Manager.

Thank you, Your Honor. City staff proposed rezoning several properties along Plainview Lane and Lincoln Avenue from I-1 to R-1 to remove their legal nonconforming status. Under Minnesota Statutes 462.357, legal non-conforming properties may continue as built but cannot be expanded or altered, limiting improvements and sometimes affecting property sales. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies this area as medium density residential throughout the surrounding land and within the 100-year floodplain limits future development. Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 4th, 2026, and recommends approval based on the findings of rezoning consistency with the largely residential area and zoning compatibility with the R1 district. Planning Commission recommends approval of this final reading. Council?

Move to approve, Your Honor.

Motion by Councilor Baker.

Is there a second?

I'll second, Your Honor.

Second by Councilor Herman. Any further discussion by the Council? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. OPPOSED, NAY. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM EIGHT IS NEW BUSINESS, AND A IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE DISPOSAL OF 338 SOUTH BROADWAY AVENUE. WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE STAFF REPORT. CITY MANAGER.

THANK YOU, HONOR. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T RECALL WITH THE ADDRESS FOR 338 SOUTH BROADWAY AVENUE OR 338 Broadway Avenue South is, that is the old theater building that was recently demolished. There is no intended future public use of the property and redevelopment for private ownership is the highest and best use. Item 8E shows a potential use of the property consistent with the city's request for proposed development of the area. Are there any questions from the council?

If not, then for the first time, would anyone like to speak regarding the public hearing on the disposal of 338 South Broadway Avenue? For the second time, would anyone like to speak? For the third time, would anyone like to speak? We'll close the public hearing. I would entertain a resolution. Move to approve, Your Honor. We have a motion by Councilor Baker. Is there a second?

I'll second, Your Honor.

Second by Councilor Anderson. This is a resolution declaring no public interest in 338 South Broadway Avenue. Any additional questions or discussion by the council? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item B is a resolution accepting donations as presented to the City of Albert Lee. City Manager?

Thank you, Your Honor. The Friends of the Albert Lee Public Library raise nonprofit funds for programs and equipment not covered by the general library budget. The Friends is a volunteer-run organization that raises funds through the Fountain Lake Bookstore to book sales throughout the year, membership fees, and general donations. The Friends of the Library donated $6,276.31 for programs and activities that took place in the months of June, July, and August. This brings the yearly total donations to $7,719.39, THE FUNDS WERE USED FOR THE PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES LISTED IN THE INCLUDED SHEET. WITHOUT THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF THE FRIENDS, MANY OF THE LIBRARY'S PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE FRIENDS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CREATING THESE WONDERFUL DONATIONS FOR THE PROGRAMS. COUNCIL?

MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT THESE DONATIONS.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR CHRISTIANSON. IS THERE A SECOND?

Second, Your Honor.

Second by Councilor Anderson. Any further discussion or questions from the council? All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item C is a resolution regarding the support of a Minnesota Forward Fund application in connection with Johnny Pops LLC. City Manager.

Thank you, Your Honor. The company is considering locations for expansion of operations which include the construction of a new facility implementation of new product lines and material, full-time job creation for the region, cost of construction equipment, and associated financial costs require financial assistance to make the project financially feasible. Thus, the forward fund incentive is being pursued. Should it be approved, we'll be moving into the final planning stages in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027 with an anticipation final decision and commencement of construction to take place in summer of 2027. Council? Move to approve, Your Honor.

Motion by Councilor Baker. Is there a second?

I'll second, Your Honor.

Second by Councilor Herman. Any further discussion by the council?

Your Honor.

Councilor Christensen.

I'd just like to say that I've heard a lot of excitement in the community about the possibility of this company coming to town, that they're a great corporate citizen. But specifically, I want to say that there's, while there's still a lot of work to do to get them here, A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, THE CITY STAFF, ALITA, AND ALL THE OTHER GROUPS THAT WE HAVE COLLABORATED WITH BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO GET TO THIS STAGE THAT WE'RE ALREADY AT. NOT DONE YET, NOT TO THE FINISH LINE, BUT WE'VE COME A LONG WAY AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? IN ORDER.

JUST, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY MUCH MORE THAN WHAT... ME?

SORRY.

NO, I'M JUST, YEAH, COUNCILOR CHRISTIANSEN SAYS. BUT, YOU KNOW, BEING ON THE ALITA AND THE PORT AUTHORITY BOARDS, IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE. AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SHOW A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM THAT REALLY DIG IN DEEP. to get this project to where it is now. City staff, Alita, yourself, I know you worked really hard on this. And city managers worked hard on it too. I don't want to leave anybody out. Phillip Johnson has had an extensive role in this. So I just want to say I appreciate everything that everybody's done. And it is a good feeling that you have that many people in this community that want to work together to move our community forward. That's all I want to say, Your Honor. Well, we appreciate that. Thank you. Any other discussion?

So we're glad to be where we're at with this project and hopefully we'll get it across the finish line. So with that, clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor Christensen. Aye. Councilor Baker. Aye. Councilor Herman.

Aye.

Councilor Olsen.

Aye.

Councilor Anderson. Aye. And Mayor Murray.

Aye, motion carries. Item D is a resolution approving the preliminary and final plat of the dress second edition.

City Manager. Thank you, Your Honor. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 5th, 2026 to review the plan of address second edition for compliance with chapter 38 subdivisions. The purpose of the plat is to subdivide a smaller 16-acre parcel to provide for potential residential development. The preliminary plat of dress second edition provides a conceptual layout of potential lots, blocks, stormwater areas, as well as street connections for Westwood and Seth Drive. The preliminary and final plat meets all requirements of chapter 38 subdivisions. In addition to the 2040 comprehensive plan identifies areas low density residential, which is described as newer single family residential neighborhoods. The previous easement issue has been resolved and is accurately reflected on the attached plat. Staff recommends approval.

Council? Move to approve, Your Honor. Motion by Councilor Anderson. Is there a second? I'll second that, Your Honor. Second by Councilor Olsen. Any further discussion by the council? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item E is a resolution approving the purchase agreement with Astra Commons. City Manager?

Thank you, Your Honor. The purchase agreement is for $400,000 with 5,000 being deposited and 95,000 at close and 30,000 as a write-down to be reimbursed by TIF. The goal is a mixed-use building and to restore the three existing historic buildings while providing an adjoining new building. The term is for 180 days.

Council? Move to approve, Your Honor. Motion by Councilor Baker. Is there a second? I'll second, Your Honor. Second by Councilor Herman. Any further discussion by the Council? Your Honor.

Councilor Baker. Just out of curiosity, as this moves forward, I'm assuming that when they get to the, when they're designing the building that could possibly go there, you're going to keep in mind that this is in historic district and try to design the building so it looks like it could fit in the historic district? City Manager?

Yes, I believe that may even be spelled out in the purchase agreement, but it most definitely would be spelled out, if it's not spelled out in the purchase agreement, it would most definitely be spelled out in a development agreement, which we know will have to be part of what brings it over the finish line.

Okay.

And the three existing buildings, statutorily, should be done historically, too. Okay, thank you.

Any additional discussion? And just so people know, this is the 300 block, you know, really here. So I don't think that was in the resolution there, was it?

It was not in my statement in my summary, yes. This would be the 300 block. The city owns five of the six parcels. This agreement is for those five of the six parcels. The last parcel or last building is something that the, developer has to work with that owner in coming up with a purchase agreement as well.

Okay, very well. Thank you. All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item F is a resolution approving the purchase agreement for 809 Clark Street West. City Manager?

Thank you, Your Honor. The purchase price is $0. However, there are financial obligations on the purchaser. If they do not join the property, the city may complete this task and assess those costs. The property may come back to the city as part of the Reverter Clause to later be sold to a separate individual, or they may pay $4,000, which will be assessed to the land as the actual value of the land or the purchase price of the land without any contingencies. This lot is non-conforming, and it is to be joined to another non-conforming lot to make a single lot that is conforming and capable for any future redevelopment.

And you recommend approval?

I recommend approval, Your Honor.

All right, thank you. Counsel? Move to approve, Your Honor. Motion by Counselor Anderson. Is there a second?

I'll second that.

Second by Counselor Christensen. Any further discussion by the Counselor? Counselor Christensen.

Yes, city manager, could you please explain for the public what non-conforming means?

Okay, if you have a residential lot, it has to be of a certain square footage and a certain dimension in order to put a house on it. If you were to look at this lot and the neighboring lot where the person is, where we're looking at selling and adjoining the two properties, They actually look like an original lot. At some point, they were subdivided. So while they both might be 60 feet wide, they're only about approximately 60 feet deep, which they should be about another, I want to say, 60 feet in addition to that. So split off. I believe it's supposed to be like those original lots were like 124 by 60. And so at some point, it got split off. And as a result of that, nothing new can be built on that existing vacant lot. And the lot that is behind it does not probably have the appropriate square footage to do anything like, let's say, add a garage or to do any addition to the property. And as a result, both of these are now considered nonconforming and have very limited redevelopment. So by joining it, that person then has options to redevelop that property, maybe add some garage space to it. But for the public's interest, having a conforming lot that would allow for potential future development is a better way to secure the tax base than having it non-conforming.

Thank you.

Councilor Baker.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Just so... I talked about this during the meeting before and there's there was a resident that lives at 813 that was interested in this land and had talked to Wayne Sorensen in inspections about when this was coming up and they were interested in. So I would like to say that if this doesn't come forward, they would be interested in moving forward with them if for some reason this doesn't work out. That's all.

All right. City Manager.

That could be a potential remedy of one of the ways in which if it does not proceed with the proper joining and redrawing legal descriptions, which has a cost to it, it being reverted back to the city in which the city could then put it back up, that would be a potential option.

Okay, all right, thank you. Any additional questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item G is a resolution approving the purchase agreement for 825 First Avenue South. City Manager?

Thank you, Your Honor. Similar to the first one, this purchase agreement is for $0. However, there are financial obligations on the purchaser. If they do not join the property, the city may complete the task and assess. The property may come back to the city to be sold, or they may have to pay $4,000. That will be assessed as the price of the land without any further contingencies. This lot is, the lot that we are selling is non-conforming and it is being joined to a conforming lot to make a larger single lot that is capable of greater redevelopment.

Council? Move to approve. Motion by Councilor Christensen. Is there a second?

Second, Chairman.

Second by Councilor Anderson. Any further discussion? All in favor of the motion, aye.

Aye.

Opposed, nay. Motion carries. Item nine is the Mayor and Council Reports. And we'll start tonight with Councilor Olsen. Word four.

Yep, just have a couple things. If I could talk to Assistant Chief Palmer after the meeting, that'd be great. Gonna hold on. Then one other email I need to send to another staff member to check something out for me. And school started, so that means we got fall sports coming up, football, soccer, all that good stuff. Get out and enjoy a game. That's it, Your Honor.

All right, thank you. Ward 6, Constable Anderson.

Your Honor, budget meeting on Thursday, HRA meeting tomorrow night, which I'm going to try to be on time for. Councillor Baker, I won't make every effort. My work schedule might interfere with that a little bit, but I already told the boss, so he understands. And I have one more item that I just have to start working on now. I got an email, so that's all.

All right, thank you. Board One, Councilor Christensen.

Thank you, Your Honor. The Senior Center will be having its second meeting of the month on Wednesday. They are really going at it, trying to address all the issues that are related to their move to fundraising, to however their next steps are. So I appreciate that they're really getting involved and going after that. Planning Commission will be meeting next week from tomorrow on Tuesday. No award items. I did have a wonderful visit this afternoon with the Eddie Cochran statue group, the people that are putting that together, and they had the artist, the sculptor, in town from, I guess he's from Connecticut at this current time, and he's also the person that did the Marian Ross statue, so he's a very capable and accomplished sculptor. His name is Chad Fisher. The group has already raised over $30,000 for this project, and their fundraising efforts are ongoing. They're always looking for PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO GET INVOLVED AND GROUPS THAT WANT TO BECOME MAJOR SPONSORS, HOPEFULLY. BUT THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS AND IT'S AN EXCITING PROJECT FOR ALBERT LEIGH. So that's it, thank you. Thank you.

Word two, Councilor Baker.

Thank you, Your Honor. I have a ward item, and I've handed that over to the city manager, which he's promised me he would get taken care of. So we'll leave it in his hands. And as Councilor Anderson had mentioned, we have an HRA meeting tomorrow. I do have some good news. We are going to break ground on the... for the foundation on Wednesday. It's scheduled to be the house to be set toward the end of September. There's going to be a single detached garage also with this house. That's in the planning, that's in the stages of this whole thing. And it's just really nice to get to this point where there's been a lot of work that has gone into getting this to finding a piece of property that we could put a house on. From when we started the property we started before and to this property, it's been a long road. So I just want to thank everybody on the board, everybody in the city, and that's been a part of this because this is another one of those things that we're trying to, you know, take care of as far as our housing needs. It isn't a big thing, but it is a big thing. You know, it's one more house that we'll have that's going to be available for people to buy. So with that, Your Honor, that should do it. Thank you. All right. Thank you. WORD THREE, COUNCILOR HERMAN.

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. ON AUGUST 15TH, I ATTENDED THE STAND-DOWN AT THE ALBERT LEIGH ARMORY. THE STAND-DOWN IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT ASSISTS VETERANS IN WHATEVER TYPE OF NEEDS. IT COULD BE FOOD, IT COULD BE CLOTHING, IT COULD BE MENTAL HEALTH. IT'S A REALLY GREAT ORGANIZATION. IT WAS A NICE TURNOUT. I SAW THE MAYOR THERE. IT WAS A GOOD TURNOUT. AUGUST 17TH, THE PARKING ADVISORY BOARD WAS CANCELED. TOMORROW, I WILL BE ATTENDING THE CVB BOARD MEETING. I'LL REPORT ON THAT NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, YOUR HONOR.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU I ATTENDED THREE ELITA UPDATE MEETINGS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, SO A LOT TO WORK ON THERE, SO WE WERE BUSY. AND THEN ALSO ATTENDED THE POWER ON MIDWEST, WHICH WAS THE ORGANIZATION PUT ON A MEETING OUT AT THE WEDGEWOOD COVE TALKING ABOUT THE NEW ELECTRICAL LINES THAT ARE COMING ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND JUST SOME DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON WHERE THOSE COULD BE PLACED. BIG HIGH-POWER LINES THAT THEY'RE BRINGING FROM, THE WINDMILLS AND THAT THAT ARE OUT IN THE SOUTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AREA, AND SO VERY GOOD TURNOUT THERE. THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE TALKING ABOUT THAT. ON AUGUST 12TH, THEY ALSO HAD WINEDOWN WEDNESDAY, AND A BEAUTIFUL DAY WE HAD THERE, AND EVERYBODY WAS HAVING A LOT OF FUN. And then on the 13th, we had Thursdays on Fountain and had a great concert that evening. On the 14th, which was Friday, I attended the canvassing board. So every time we have an election, USUALLY THAT FOLLOWING FRIDAY, WE'LL HAVE A CANVASSING BOARD WHERE WE GO OVER TO THE COUNTY, WE SIT DOWN WITH THEIR STAFF. THERE'S USUALLY A COUPLE COMMISSIONERS AND MYSELF, AND WE GO THROUGH A BUNCH OF NUMBERS JUST TO DO KIND OF A MINI AUDIT OF THE VOTES. AND IT ALL WORKED OUT VERY NICELY. EVERYTHING MATCHED UP GOOD, SO THAT WAS GOOD TO SEE. AND SO WE HAD A QUICK MEETING OVER THERE FOR CANVASSING THAT DAY. ON SATURDAY THE 15TH, I ATTENDED ROCK THE LAKE. And so came downtown to Central Park, and they had a couple tents set up there, and they were sending people off on either, I believe it was 10-mile, 30-mile, or 50-mile bike rides. And it looked like it was well attended. I talked to a few people that had already finished their bike ride when I was there, and I talked to several people that were taking off. But yeah. ENJOYED BY ALL, SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE. AND THEN AS COUNSELOR HERMAN MENTIONED, I ALSO ATTENDED THE VETERANS STAND-DOWN LAST SATURDAY OUT AT THE ARMORY, AND JUST A GOOD PROGRAM TO HELP OUT OUR VETERANS. THERE'S VETERANS OUT THERE THAT ARE STRUGGLING, WHETHER THAT BE HOUSING, WHETHER THAT BE BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS CLOTHING AND FOOD AND HEALTHCARE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND SO THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT COME IN. AND WE HAD A GOOD TURNOUT. THERE WAS A LOT OF VETERANS THAT CAME BY TO CHECK OUT THE SERVICES AVAILABLE, THAT TYPE OF THING. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO KEEP DOING AND KEEP TAKING CARE OF OUR VETERANS. THEY'VE DONE A LOT FOR US. SO WE SHOULD MAKE SURE WE DO A LOT FOR THEM. AND THEN ON SATURDAY, COUNCILOR OLSEN MENTIONED SPORTS ARE STARTING UP. THIS PAST SATURDAY CROSS COUNTRY STARTED ON SATURDAY MORNING, AND SO I ALWAYS GO OUT FOR THEIR KICKOFF. AND USUALLY I JUST GO ON A LITTLE RUN WITH THEM, BUT THEY PUT ME THROUGH A WORKOUT OF A WHOLE BUNCH OF LIMBERING UP EXERCISES. I'M SO DANG SORE I CAN HARDLY MOVE. SO NOW I KNOW WHY THESE KIDS CAN RUN SO DARN FAST, BECAUSE THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF GETTING IN SHAPE AND LIMBERING UP. SO ANYWAY, WE HAD FUN OUT THERE. I THINK THERE WAS PROBABLY 30-SOME KIDS OUT THERE THAT MORNING. SO IT WILL BE KIND OF FUN. FOOTBALL IS STARTING UP. SOCCER IS STARTING UP. THERE'S JUST A LOT OF THINGS THAT WILL BE GOING ON THIS FALL. SO GET OUT. ENJOY OUR STUDENTS. GET OUT TO SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT GOING ON EVERY SINGLE DAY. And then Saturday afternoon, I attended the kite festival out at Edgewater Park. Always fun to go out and see these giant kites. There were several big kites up in the air. There was face painting. There was slushies and snow cones and AND DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD AND JUST LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITY. SOMEBODY WAS SPRAYING SOAP FOAM IN A BIG PILE. THE KIDS WERE REALLY ENJOYING RUNNING THROUGH THAT AND JUST GETTING COVERED WITH THAT. SO A VERY GOOD TIME OUT AT EDGEWATER. SO THANKS TO EVERYBODY THAT'S ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT'S WORKING ON THE NEXT PHASE, THE MIRACLE FIELD. AND HOPEFULLY THEY HAD A GOOD FUNDRAISER. THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE GOING ON WITH THAT. Be prepared to help out. It's definitely a great project that we want this community to get behind and bring to fruition. And then on the calendar of events for things coming up Thursday, August 27th, it's the last Thursdays on Fountain for the season. Come on down to Fountain Lake Park and enjoy the music of Eclipse. Music starts at 530. Get there early. You can grab some supper from a snack truck up at the mobile, from one of the mobile food vendors in the North Broadway parking lot. And then on Saturday, September 5th, it's the seventh annual Daisy Fest, outdoor festival. Daisy Fest will be at Central Park, 300 West Clark Street, and hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy live music, holistic vendors, fun activities for kids, and food trucks. And then Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, the Bayside Ski Team will be putting on a ski show at Edgewater Bay in Edgewater Park from 1 to 3 p.m., so get out and enjoy our Bayside skiers. And then in observance of Labor Day, city offices, the recreation office, transfer station, library will be closed on Monday, September 7th, and the library is also closed on Sunday, September 6th. And then on Saturday, September 12th, there is a Recovery for Life event at Central Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be informational booths, mental health, and recovery services in our community. Enjoy games for kids, a dunk tank. Oh, I think I have to remember to have And this is a free family event. Come on out and dunk the mayor and let's get our recovery support group built up here and show them our support. And that's all I have. So we will now move along to item 10, city manager report.

Thank you, Your Honor. Had a meeting with Braun Engineering to go over the Blazing Star, both the current projects of dealing with Quick Trip and with the housing project, as well as looking at the implementation of our economic development grant. to clean up the site. If you're wondering why there's been such a delay is because we keep finding new things in the ground that we were not anticipating or certain standards that we were not anticipating. But we do think we have managed to clear those hurdles and we should start to see some paperwork and some resolutions coming through here very shortly for a quick trip. And then also for the tapestry project in the next few months we should have a more solid update as to their financing of the project. But what we are looking at those also using those grant dollars to clean it up and also make sure to test and get certain things out of the way. One of them is a cultural study or review, which was to make sure that there are no Native American remains or artifacts on the site, given its location. So that was not anticipated. That's one of the reasons for the delay of one of the projects. actually as a reason for delay of two projects, of both projects, and we'll be looking at a way to prevent that, or I should say, answer those questions ahead of time so that way any future projects that take place will not be delayed by that. Staff and I are working on budget. It's been difficult. We are faced with some very, let's just say it's difficult. And we will be meeting on the 10th to go over the budget, to go over the capital improvement plan. And we will be continuing to have those discussions. Union negotiations have started. We are... We're looking forward to working with the union representation in order to come up with a solution that both protects taxpayers and also protects our workers. I have a meeting with the port authority. The excuse me, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Economic Development Authority later this week to basically kind of go over a list of projects, responsibilities, who's doing what, setting up communication, et cetera, and what we feel is necessary moving forward to make sure that we are working together instead of working separate. And that's it, Your Honor.

All right, thank you. Item 11 is approval of claims. A is a resolution approving claims, and one is the presentation of claims over 25,000. City Manager?

I didn't bring my printout here, so I'll need the screen off, unless someone else has a printout.

There we go.

Okay.

We have $29,855.65 to Ulin Brothers. This is payment estimate for street overlay, job 2602. $30,892.86 to HomeServe USA Corp. $34,153.60 to Jensen Excavating and Trucking. $50,819.21 to Freeborn Mile Electric Cooperative. $56,299.50 to Bolton & Mink Incorporated. $78,168 to WW Gotash Associates Incorporated for rebuilding main lift station pump. $114,077.52 to BCM Construction for the lead service line replacement project. $116,186.90 to Ulin Brothers for payment estimate number three for neighborhood improvement project, 2601. PAYMENT ESTIMATE, OR $261,415.89 TO GMC CONTRACTING. PAYMENT ESTIMATE NUMBER TWO FOR SORENSEN ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT. $311,562 TO MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY. LOAN AND INTEREST PAYMENTS SIT, YOUR HONOR.

ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL.

MOVE TO APPROVE, YOUR HONOR.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR CHRISTIANSON. IS THERE A SECOND?

I'LL SECOND, YOUR HONOR.

SECOND BY COUNCILOR HERMAN. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BY THE COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. OPPOSED, NAY. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 12 IS ADJOURNMENT.

MOVE TO ADJOURN, YOUR HONOR.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR CHRISTIANSON. IS THERE A SECOND?

I'LL SECOND, YOUR HONOR.

SECOND BY COUNCILOR HERMAN. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. OPPOSED, NAY