City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, we'll call the meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of allegiance to the flag [groaning] of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good evening everyone. Welcome to see welcome to city hall and our city council meeting. It's great to see a packed house today, especially with APD here and they're we're going to be honoring Ryan McCormack. uh in a little bit. Looking for uh roll call. Bri, could you take that please? Mayor King, present. Council member at large Austin, present. Council member Waller, present. Council member Baskin. Council member Posma,

present. Council member Hely, Council Member Obala, present. Council member Fischer, present. Mayor King, we have a quorum. Thank you, B. Item number one is a motion adoption of the agenda with the addition. So moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Item number two is a motion approving our minutes from December 15th, 2025 meeting. So move. Second. All in favor? I

opposed. That me uh motion also carries. Item number three. This is the fun part. Recognitions and awards. Michael Bedner. I can't. This is just too much fun for me. Um I've known Michael for a good chair my share of my life. She is standing by the way. Um [clears throat and cough] there goes just a little shorter than um Michael Bedner has served on the the uh port authority since 1999 and in my pachelli math that says about 26 years and that is worthy of certainly a great amount of recognition from city council also the key to the city. So Michael uh that kind of service is rare and uh I certainly appreciate it. The city of Austin appreciates, city council appreciates. Those roles are intricral. I'm sure you have some favorites of what maybe uh you bought or sold on the port authority or what uh as part of your time and you're going to tell people that in front here. You're going to turn to them when I come down there and we're going to try to Yeah. We're going to try to embarrass [laughter] them. Michael Bedner, 26 years on Port Authority. Please meet me down here for the key to the city. [applause]

[applause]

I've known him since he was Oh, yeah. [laughter] Michael, for those who might not know, if you look out on the list in the walls of mayors, her dad was Baldy Hansen, mayor 54 to 62, and was also my first banker. owned and operated started creek bank but so I again our history goes deep uh I graduated with Logan Michael's daughter but my time interacting you with at KSMQ or in your any function is always nothing but a pleasure and I'm sure those that know Michael would agree she's just an absolute gift and we're going to miss you on the port authority I'm going to miss the board authority I'd love to hear a favorite story right now

just to be included with the people who have gotten this before me that's really an honor And I can say about the Port Authority, they are amazing people doing amazing things for an amazing city. I love this city. So, very good. And Jason, as the port [snorts] authority director, you say?

Yeah. No, I mean, first of all, Michael, I mean, we are definitely going to miss you as well and have learned a lot from you over the years. And you know, I got together with Tom Danker and we kind of looked back on what are some of the major economic development things that you've been really at the heart of over the last 26 years. And you think about, you know, redeveloping Oak Park Mall into HIV, the downtown redevelopment. I mean, the B&J was a bar that was kind of in a CD section that got flooded and now it's an anchor. the downtown area, you know, the Spam Museum, which we get a 100,000 plus people a year that are here, you know, Courtyard and Chanty Apartments, Creekide Business Park, New Tech, and all the I mean, you think about like the city, what it looked like before your time on port, what it looks like today are fundamentally different and much better and a lot is because of your work and expertise. So, thank you. It's been all [applause] [applause] [applause] Next on recognitions and awards, we got officer Ryan McCormack being promoted. Uh McKe, do you have anything to say about this? Oh, a little bit. Seems his dad doesn't like falling. That's what it sounds. So, I do like Michael's story about uh knowing someone since they were this tall. I'm getting older. But when I started, I believe uh Ryan's mom was pregnant with me. 98 day of birth I think right and I started in 97 so I've hired many officers who were born after I started this is the first time promoted so also

after after I started 1109 and his whole family since I came to town in 97 I sent to my man he started as an officer with us right before I was chief Joshua Brian Peter's last hutation and really uh we've got a whole cohort of young young people who have done a fantastic job for us. We had four people test for this most recent sergeant opening. Um all four incredible candidates and will fill those positions in the future. Uh Ryan did test number one. Um he's like I said been phenomenal for us. He's worked our night shift. He's been honored as awi Allstar up at the Twins game for his work. He's very knowledgeable. This is a great next step for him. Um, as I look at my own retirement coming up in June, it's seeing our our staff come come out here, our younger staff. I feel very confident, comfortable knowing we've got a big core that's going to take over as I some older other older folks in the union as well. Uh, so that being said, part of these promotional events. We do have the uh I say candidate, but they have the commodee come up. There's some hardware associated with being a sergeant. Some chevrons uh that go on the collar. Who would you like to have come up? One, two. Who do you want to have? Okay. This morning, they told me one job. [laughter] Probably try not to draw blood. And for those who might not recognize that's Jeff McCormack without a baseball cap. [laughter]

Congratulations, [applause] Ryan. Well earned. And it's always uh it's always really heartening to see. I'm sure you recognize the the support you have from the officers. Now, you also have the support from the council and the citizens as well. You do an amazing job. There's no doubt about it. So, congratulations on becoming a sergeant. And again, for Austin PD to show up like this is very meaningful. So, thank you all officers to show up for this too. Anything to say, Ryan? [laughter]

Give me 20 minutes. Congrats. Congratulations.

Well, congratulations to Ryan and congratulations to Michael Bner. Uh, both serving the community very well. And, uh, Michael on outgoing and Ryan continues their service. So, thank you very much for those folks. And we'll move on to the meeting number item number four uh, with the addition for the consent agenda. Need a motion. So, moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Item number five, under public hearing, uh, reviewing a tax statement application from Wescott Apartments. Craig.

Uh, thank you, mayor, members. Uh, when we last considered this, we asked for some more, uh, information on the proforma. Uh, that's been supplied. Uh, attorney Byron and I have reviewed that. Um to refresh your memory, this project would uh have the creation of 23 units, 13 twobedrooms and 10 onebedrooms. Um increased uh property value would be abated. The existing property value would still continue to be paid. Um Mr. Sorenson is here this evening to answer any questions that you may have. council had proposed a declining uh abatement of 100% the first year, 66% the second year, and 33% uh the third year. So, um that's what's before you this evening. It's been noticed and published in the paper. Um otherwise, this is a public hearing.

Very good. Thank you, Craig. Anyone here from the public wishing to speak on this matter? I certainly endorse. I think it's very creative. uh, you know, didn't quite meet the letter of the ordinance, but I think there was some creativeness that was able to be found and I appreciate the work being done on behalf of the city and the the and what you did too, Curtis, to just bring it forward and I know you're doing an amazing job putting what was a abandoned building, if you would, from Mayo into back onto the housing roles as apartments. So, thank you for that. Council, any questions on item number five? Uh, otherwise looking for a resolution.

No, no questions. I think it's a great project, Curtis. Thank you for your continued investment in the community and I think this is a great way to find a creative solution where we take an empty building, turn it into housing, um we continue to increase its long-term taxable value. So I think it's a triple win for everybody involved. So I would move to approve. Second that. Okay, read, please. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. Hi. Council member Posma. Hi. Council member Obala I. Council member at large Austin I resolution passes 6.

Thank you Bri. Item number six uh under petitions and requests is designating depositories for checking and investment of the public funds for 2026. Um Emily

sorry about that. Good evening mayor council. Um tonight I am asking for approval on um the resolution designating depositories for checking and investments for our public funds in 2026. Um this resolution outlines the various banks and uh investment firms that we use uh for all of our finance related activities. Thank you council. Any questions? Looking for resolution number six. So moved. Second [clears throat] three. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. Hi. Council member Postma. Hi.

Council member Obala. Hi. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 6. Thank you. Bri item number seven is a resolution setting the mileage reimbursement rate for 2026. So every year we um designate the mileage that is set by the IRS. This year it was increased. Um it went from 70.70 cents per mile to the new rate of 72.5. So, we are requesting that we set the mileage reimbursement the same as the IRS at the 72.5 cents per mile. [clears throat]

Thank you, Bri. Council, any questions or comments? Otherwise, looking for resolution. So, moved. Second, Bri. Council member Fischer. Hi, Council Member Waller. Hi, Council Member Baskin. Hi, Council Member Posma. I council member Obala I council member at large Austin I resolution passes 6 thank you item number eight is a couple resolutions designating the finance director Emily Burns to uh A8 8A manage the organization's [clears throat] financial banking and investment accounts need a uh Emily do you have anything to say on that

uh it's just uh adding me to the serer card for all of our uh financial or banking uh accounts that will authorize me to make transactions as needed and have access to statements um along with the other signers on the account. And I believe Craig and Melissa are still going to be on those accounts as well. Excellent. Thanks, Emily. Uh councel, if no questions, looking for a resolution for 8A. Do you get your name on the check now? Kind of like you're the treasury secretary or All right. Move to approve. Second, three. And on the donor bill. Oh, there you go. [laughter]

Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. Hi. Council member Postma. Hi. Council member Obala. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution [snorts] passes 6. Thank you, Bri. Okay. Item number 8B designating Emily Burns the finance director to manage the Northland Securities Account. Need a resolution. So moved. Second. Bri. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Pulsema. Hi. Council member Obala. I. Council member at large Austin.

Hi. Resolution passes 6. Very good. The next five uh items are going to be the Andy Sorson show. Uh item number nine is a resolution receiving feasibility report and calling for a public hearing for February 17th for the street improvements on 8th Street Southeast from 8th Avenue Southeast to 15th Avenue Southeast project 25104. Andrew. Uh thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Council.

Uh this project is a full reconstruct. Oh, let's start with uh A Street Southeast. The concrete floor of concrete the last two blocks to the south of the terminals. Uh concrete pavement and it was placed uh in the it was originally constructed in the 1940s. That concrete pavement was placed uh 1962. Our intentions are to uh remove all the concrete, pavement, all the pavement, curb and gutter and uh due to the sidewalk policy which says that anything greater than 50% in the project uh if 50% of the sidewalk is deemed deficient then we will take all of the sidewalk. that is the case here is we have found 68% of it to be deficient and being right next to a park we feel that this is a where that segment of the sidewalk policy should take take place

uh that and then we'll replace it with curbon gutter uh we'll pave it back in batuminous uh with some storm and sanitary sewer replacement as necessary and ADA ped ramp improvements This will come to 975,000 in assessment bonds. And with the storm and sanitary, we're anticipating $1.275 million for this project. We're asking the council to receive this feasibility report and call for the meeting, a public hearing meeting on February 17th.

Very good. Thank you, Andy. Council, any questions? is item number nine. Looking for resolution. So moved. Second. Bri, please. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. Hi. Council member Postma. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 6.

Thank you. degree item number 10 is a resolution receiving feasibility report and calling for public hearing for February 17th for street improvements on 7th A Southwest 24th Street Southwest to 8th Avenue Southwest and 8th Avenue Southwest from 7th Avenue Southwest to 27th Street Southwest and also 26th Street Southwest from 5th Avenue Southwest to 8th Avenue Southwest project 26 101. Andy.

Um, all three of these streets are about 35 ft wide. Uh, they're batuminous and they have been uh last paved or initially paved uh we believe in 1991. The whole neighborhood was about that time. Uh we're looking to mill off the top one and a half inches of that patuminis uh and replace it. Uh prior to that, we will do any sort of uh small repairs to the sanitary or storm sewer and and we there are a few bad spots there. We will do a full depth repair. So again, we're asking for the acceptance of this feasibility and uh calling for the uh public hearing on the same February 17th.

Good. Thank you, Andy. Council, any questions? Item number 10. I'm looking for resolution. So moved. Second. Bri. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Posma. Hi. Council member Obala. I. Council member Large Austin. I. Resolution passes 6.

Thank you. You have number 11 is a resolution receiving feasibility report and calling for public hearing February 17th for street improvements on 9inth AB Northwest. The Blue Line Flats Apartments to the dead end east of 11th project number 26102. Andrew,

yes. This this um 9th Avenue Northwest. We believe it was um it was originally constructed in the 1930s and Batuminous was last placed in the 1950s. We can find no other record of it being any younger than that. That being said, everything is as you would expect from that age. So, we are looking at a full full reconstruction of the street. Uh uh one little note, we will not be doing the dead end on the east side of 11th. Uh we are hoping to do 11th the following year and we will include it with that project. Then uh similar to uh eighth eighth street, we will do uh some spot repairs. sanitary sewer will be removed and replaced with PVC uh ADA ped ramp and sidewalk uh repairs and replacements as necessary. We're looking at 475,000 for the street repairs and a total project of 825,000. Again, we're looking for the acceptance of the feasibility report and [snorts] call the public hearing for this February 17th.

Okay. Very good. Thanks, Andy. Uh uh council, any questions on number 11? Otherwise, looking for resolution. Move to approve. Second. Bri, Council Member Fischer. I. Council member Waller. I. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Postma. Hi. Council member Obala I. Council member at large Austin I. Resolution passes 6.

Thank you. Item number 12 is resolution receiving feasibility report and calling for public hearing February 17th for street improvements on Fifth Street Northwest from 12th AB Northwest to 15th AB Northwest and 7th Avenue Northwest from 13th A Northwest to 15th AB Northwest project 26103. Andrew.

Yes. We believe that uh the Both streets were built in the 1950s and and paved about that time. Uh we plan to remove the remove all the pavement uh curbon gutter. We will need to remove the sanitary on potentially seventh being a candidate for lining. Uh ADA improvements and sidewalk improvements as necessary. I think there's a short segment there in the between 12th and 13th and fourth that needs to be completed for sidewalk. We're looking at 695,000 of assessment bonds and as a total project cost of 1.1 million. We're asking for the acceptances feasibility and uh to u call public hearing for February 17th.

Thank you, Andrew. Council, any questions on uh item number 12? Resolution, please. Move to approve. Second. Bri. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Waller. I. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Posma. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 6. Very good. And the last one, item number 13, is resolution receiving the feasibility report and calling for public hearing on February 17th for street improvements on 14th Street Northwest from 8th Avenue Northwest to 15th AB Northwest project 26104. Andrew,

yes, this this street was last paved in 2002 when it was reconstructed to the fourlane that it it sits as now. Uh we're looking at a 2-in mill and overlay over this uh this Patuminous Street. It will also include um a little bit of sanitary rework right near the intersection of uh 14th and and 8th down at the bottom of the project. And it will be milled all the way up to where this the the bridge the state bridge construction project will end just south of about 100 ft south of uh 15th Avenue. We're looking at about $275,000 for the street for a total of $300,000. Uh, one other note about the timing of this is, um, we're looking to get this in about about the time that the state will be doing the roundabouts. So, the bridge will have to be closed. So,

excellent. Anyway, we are asking that you accept the feasibility report and set the set the date uh the public hearing date for February 17th. So, Andrew, one question for you is so Does the timing of doing the bridge make this a more ideal time or a less ideal time to redo the road? Oh, this would be a lot lot more ideal. Okay. Because this this the state will already close that bridge. Got it. And most of the time it will be able to keep something open, but um when they're building the roundabouts, they will just have to completely close off.

So, we're already going to have less traffic going down there anyway. We might as well let's just do one inconvenience instead of coming back next year, two years from now and doing it again. Absolutely. Makes sense. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Looking for resolution. So moved. Second. [clears throat] Please. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Posma. Hi. Council member Obala. I council member at large Austin I resolution passes 6. Thank you. Item number 14 is a resolution approving electrical upgrades to Riverside Arena offices. Stephen,

we talked about this at the work session and reviewed options with the council for uh funding this project and it was decided and moved forward to this meeting that it would be funded 100% with by the city. One one item we did not talk about is that uh we would recommend that this come out of contingency fund. Um the work has not been done yet. So uh work would be completed here in 2026. So we would request that these dollars come out of the 2026 contingency fund. We can't go back to 25 now that we've moved on. So that would be one thing that we didn't mention or talk about at the work session. [cough and clears throat] Also, any questions on item number 14?

No, Stephen, I think this is [snorts] I think this is good. I mean, it's not a material amount for 25 or 26. And I mean, I think the Bruins are a valuable asset in our community. I think, you know, we're continuing to to work through kind of the long-term partnership with them, but making sure that we don't burn the building down and we have safe working environments does feel like part of our Seems all right. Seems aligned. So, yeah, I would move to approve. Very good. Thanks, Jason. Is there a second? Second. All in favor, I'm sorry, Briot. [clears throat] Council member Fischer, I. Council member Waller, hi. Council member Baskin, hi. Council member Posma, I. Council member Obala, I. Council member at large Austin,

I. Resolution passes 6. Thank you. Item number 15 is a resolution approving an agreement with Mo County for the law enforcement center. Craig,

thank you, mayor, members. Uh, as you know, Austin Police Department is a tenant of the Mau County building for the law enforcement center. Uh, Mau County has requested some updates to our agre working agreement uh, eliminating some of the past components that we've uh, been governed by and come forward with a new agreement which is included in the packet. Details of the agreement include a new budget review committee establishes quarterly reimbursement to Mau County uh listed on the items in attachment A on a 14.89% basis which corresponds to the overall uh square footage that APD occupies in the facility. uh provides allocation of how record staff will be financially allocated and that they'll be uh subject to APD command staff as far as management is concerned. Uh transfer of the city off of Mau County's technology system with migration target date of March 1st, 2026. Um provides how the joint efforts for the computer data dispatch will be financially allocated and moving forward with Pro Phoenix. um how data requests will be processed, required insurance and indemnification termination, how any amendment and how any amendments can be made. Um [snorts] I'd hope that part of the financial allocation of the percentage would be accompanied with some more documentation. The county is reluctant to do that. Attorney Byum as he reviewed the contract noted [clears throat] that there's um some sufficient uh elements that are vague and subject to some discretion. As with any agreement, it's difficult to articulate all of those components. Um but that's kind of where we stand. I'm looking for direction from council to approve the agreement um and move forward.

Good. Council, any questions on this? So, couple questions. One is as we think about kind of this and the next item, moving off of moving the city off the county IT system, can you kind of help me understand how does this benefit the citizens of Austin? I I'm sure it does. I just want to be able to answer the question when it comes. I'd say generally just provides a home for APD to set up shop. Um it's equitably uh established based on the percentage of that we occupy versus the overall county facility. Um so I I think that would generically be it.

Does it make us a more because we're going to take on some cost, right? Is it raise the overall tax burden to taxpayers?

Um the based on our previous agreement, we had a fixed dollar amount. This moves to an actual expenses. So, it's a little bit more um apprehensive that we have a little more uncertainty on the costs, but the fixed dollar amount that we've had uh now uh is basically a a recent creation where we were previously on more of a um actual expense basis. So, we're basically going back to what we had before, but it's that overall financial exposure. What's in the overall number? I'm I'm just the subjectivity of a little bit of that makes me a little uneasy

as we're trying to make sure that costs are a portioned fairly. I mean, with any joint agreement, I think that's one of the hazards is, you know, overly making sure that one entity isn't subsidizing the other one and then it just becomes kind of too costly to even work together. So, I think this hits the right amount based on the percentage overall. McKe, you got some color on this one?

Uh, only to say that, you know, more to Jason's question, this particular budget line item um is is coming in line with the last couple years and is not um [cough and laughter] really adding adding to what it is. And and historically, as we've gone through this last five or six years, again, this is an item that's uh that's decreased for us based on uh some transition and some some change in duties. So again, when you look at this line item in the budget um with what is projected here, um it it fits with with where we have been and our hope is certainly it won't won't add anything um you know through this year and then like I said looking at the breakdown I think at year's end will give us a little bit uh better idea of of where it might slot in uh in years to come. But like right now it looks pretty neutral compared to the last two years we spent here.

If we So breaking apart and having our own IT system as an Austin police department separate from kind of the Mau County piece. Does it make us a more effective, less effective or the same effectiveness as a police department?

Um I'll kind of touch into the the next piece here. So as a tenant, you know, if you most of you have seen my email address, it's a it's a Mau County email address. We've we've been on that system. Um, and when you really look at risk, exposure, um, where we're at from an IT perspective, you know, MAU had a bad actor enter um, their IT infrastructure this summer and it it really absolutely affected our operations. Uh, it still reverberates today on some of what's going on. You saw the city of St. Paul have it happen to them. And so part of the the move off is especially for us because the meninjas uh Minnesota justice information system and cess the national national one is is looking at some of our older structures and saying you would be better protected if you both had your own networks. If a bad actor got into one, you're not necessarily getting into the other. Uh and some of that is required for us to continue to have access as mentioned here. But the other piece, had we already been on our own network and Mau had a bad actor enter it, we would have been insulated and the hope would have been we could have picked up the slack from [snorts] our allowed them some access to ours to help drive operations. Similarly, had we been the victim of a bad actor, we would have had redundancy with them and and none of that exists right now. So the asked by Mau to move to our own is in line with what the BCA, the FBI, those those places want. And really even within non segus systems, you're looking at the separation of of of systems, more firewalls go in. So if a bad actor hits one, it doesn't run your whole um environment. It just gets stuck in whatever department it's stuck in. So

yes, long-term um going into the next part, um I do think it's needed for us to be on our own. [laughter] Uh and and part of that's the lesson that we we learned this summer, unfortunately. Okay. Thank you. Last question, and this is for probably either or both Craigs, is you know, kind of reading between the lines, reading the memo, it still sounds like we've got some level of uncertainty in some areas that maybe adds to a little bit of trepidation. Is this the right time for us to approve this agreement or would it strengthen the hands of our staff to negotiate on behalf of Austin taxpayers to reject it and say we need more clarity in certain areas?

Um I you know I've one side of the coin is the [clears throat] way we were paying on it before is how they process it on their codes of what they'll send and then they just send that 14.89%. I've suggested that we look at can we do just like you know they don't want to have to provide all the invoices to be able to document that I I [clears throat] can kind of appreciate that be a little ownorous but at the same token is there I've asked is there receptiveness to do kind of some spot audit type situations and there hasn't there hasn't [clears throat] been receptiveness for that but yeah I mean this is our this is our opportunity to get the agreement that we want to live with so you know, I I I would weigh in as recommending it. Uh when I when I started, we were under a joint powers that did split costs and did have um it come in invoice with, you know, we paid a certain percentage of utilities and stuff. Like you said, I think the county has been a a good partner at least over the last four or five years in in transitioning some cost uh to to the county levy such as such as dispatch which again is a part of this particular budget line item over time going down. And so knowing that uh we approached this I think both of us negotiate in good faith Craig and our behalf and the county um both boards in a sense did approve the preliminary outline here in October. Um, like I said, I think for for where we're at uh with the partnership um and and where the numbers are, I'm comfortable recommending this for approval.

Good. So, that's item 15, the agreement with more county for law enforcement center. The item 16 will be the it and the key will talk more about that. Looking for resolution on on item number 15. So moved. Second. [snorts] We're going to fail for lack of a second.

I guess I'm still just a little hung up on [clears throat] when I hear things like inability to audit it. It strikes concern, you know. So, that's kind of where I'm a little bit hung up on. I appreciate that they don't want us uh necessarily going through every single bill they have every month, but I I do want to feel confident that a couple times a year our finance team can make sure that we're paying what we should be paying. So, um I guess I'll ask our city attorney if we feel like the language we have here would allow us to do that. [snorts] Uh I don't think that there's any express provision about auditing. It is an agreement that these types of expenses will be split 14 whatever percent city the rest of it county and as it's rolled out and as it functions it it would require some level of trust and some level of verification that's not specifically spelled out. that that's where the agreement sits.

The budget review committee that's mentioned, um, is that a possibility that that committee is going to be able to see maybe a little bit more detail possibly, um, I know they're asking for us to trust them a lot, I think, by [clears throat] not well being willing to give over some of this information. Um, and I guess we've always been a good partner. I don't know what would change going forward that they couldn't trust us to see some of those things, you know, utility bills and things like that. So certainly entertain a motion to not approve it and send it back for some clarification.

We don't have a second on the approval. So, I'll do the first thing of Council Member Fischer, the motion to approve it. And if there is a second, I'd like to hear it now. Otherwise, I'll die for lack of a second. I'll go for a different motion. So, that dies for lack of a second. Now, we're looking for another motion. I Is it better for us to table it or to reject it and go? I mean, because it feels like we're close, but we probably need a couple more. Is table the right approach here? I think that I think that would be advisable. [clears throat] We got pretty good direction to go back and motion to motion to table it. Yeah. So, I would move to table it. Second. Yep. Uh all in favor? I

I opposed. All right. We'll table it. Item number 16, Mcken. Approving the following IT projects for the police department. Uh 16A, internal network. 16B, phone systems. 16C collasso management services and Craig you're involved in this too. So both of you can double team it. A key want to kick us off?

Yeah, I think uh like I said even with the tableabling I think this particular piece will be something we do and something I'd like to to see move forward uh on the current timetable. Um in the backup and in the letter we talk about this the evolution of of it. It's not something I'm super excited about. Uh but I can certainly see the impact. Again we talked about what happened this summer. the reasons why both the the county through working with the BCA and on and on the issues that came up want us to go on our own why I think it's desirable to have us on our own for that res redundancy purposes um in in a sense we we had some payments re related to this anyways that had had we remained would be a part of a larger number with them so again I think you know you know doing this on our own still has costs we were going a bear one way or another. Um, we've kind of got three things we're looking at. One is, uh, we did meet with three different vendors a couple times, had them took a lay at the landscape, um, discussed this project, managed services, lasso and some others, and selected Pantheon out of Wasika. They do operate in this space. I know um some feedback from some other chiefs who are going through similar projects or who have worked with them before uh did recommend them especially for their knowledge on the meninja sees side of things which is where a lot of our operations have to happen and we have to get uh the BCA approvals. So, the first part um is looking at doing the $69,52 out of the general fund fund balance to support that move to our own internal network uh removing us from the county side. The county has been helpful, said they would continue to be helpful in helping us make that transition internally. Uh so that's part one of this. Uh the second

part is again as I learn more about IT things. Our our phone systems now are actually our own IT network. Um we we have one through the county but again we would have to go to our own network one. I know the city of Austin maybe two weeks ago uh just went to their own uh network phone um service. So, the second part um in that $12,000 range would be making that move for us to go to our own phone service. Uh some handsets, some headsets, some ongoing cost. Um you know, we talked to the vendor about how many of us would have direct dial numbers um versus how many would be on the phone tree because there's a cost difference. So, we worked through that uh using using soft headsets tied to the computer versus having hard phone sets. Uh came to that number. But that's the second phase of this of getting us kind of on on our on our own. Um and the last piece of it is is this summer we entered the budgetary cycle. I'd asked for an admin position in exchange for an officer. However, the the IT issue kind of uh sent [clears throat] us in another direction and at the time we envisioned that we would likely have to hire our own IT person. I know Dave Unmock mentioned in some of his support that you know the city of Austin starting with one and that's that that's rare for a city our size and it wasn't enough to support what our IT our IT needs were going to be on our own. Having met with the various vendors though and gone over some of their services um we do think and again um Michael gocha has been a part of this that we would look at doing managed services and the best way I can equate this is you know we have a fleet of approximately 20 cars we we need to have them serviced outfit equipment put in but we ultimately don't hire our own

mechanic and maintain our own body shop to do that uh we do go with the local uh who can do those repairs for us and we're not maintaining the employee. Um we're not required to have the expertise. We're not worried about that employee taking a sick day, taking a vacation for a week, not being there. Um, the managed services allow us to tie into a broader set of experienced professionals who are going to be available to us far more than a normal employee would would be and also have a a skill set and a knowledge set beyond what we think we could get out of a single employee. Um, they are also going to work on managing our security elements. Um, you know, I don't want to talk too much out of turn, but you know, I think some of the data breaches I'm aware of happen at 3:00 4 in the morning. Uh, again, when that employee is not working and you want to have someone up monitoring and making sure they can see those breaches, they can see intrusions, they can keep you up to date, uh, on your software and other things. Um, as well as, you know, make sure we're managing what we need to within the Minjas and CIS systems, which Mr. Gocha is not. uh admittedly self admittedly not an expert in. And the last part of it is this collasso. That's a lo that's your local security officer. Uh it's usually your IT technician, but we have different rules and policies that the BCA and others require for us to maintain and be part of these various security networks. um in so far as data, training, and the rest of it. None of us internally at the APD are are sufficient in that knowledge. Uh we've never had to do it before on the county side and and we're not taking any of their tech people over who are the current lasso. Uh we operate at a lower level. We have some tax who who give permissions and stuff, but this

particular piece would allow them to work with us, help us write and craft those policies, especially knowing the last next couple years, we're going to see an increase in policy creation and needs uh just due to the various breaches. Again, I mentioned malware, St. Paul, uh that are happening statewide. And really the package here of those three things, managed services, security services, the colaso um comes out at a monthly cost that is covered by the money we had budgeted to do an individual hired um city employee.

Good. Thanks, Mickey. Questions? Oh, Craig, you got some? Uh the only thing I'd like to add to the thank Michael Gosch for his technical expertise to be able to process. We did look at three different vendors for for that for the city to make sure we were getting the most competitive alternative to move forward and that's what's before you tonight. Um and then just to echo the chief's comments about the managed services, what we embarked upon was that we would hire a city employee. And even though that was u the direction in the budget, we still exhausted an alternative to evaluate the managed services to see what would be the most cost effective. So just want to let council know that we um don't take anything for granted and always look at the most affordable option that we have that can get the job done. Balancing effectiveness and some of the uh do uh backup services that the managed service provides as well is important to us. But we just evaluated that all along and I think came to a a good resting spot.

I uh I do appreciate that and I you know just based on the cost here my guess is it likely is less expensive than hiring a staff member with the education expertise that would be needed for this for sure. Um, I do have question as far as so when we have issues that are hardware issues, are they going to roll a truck for lack of a better word to come and help with that sort of stuff or some of that stuff still going to fall on Michael? I have to dig it out here, but this one does have both remote and on-site as part of the package.

Mhm. You know, generally, like I said, uh the issues we've seen are software connectivity. We do have, of course, desktops, monitors, things of that nature. I do think Michael would be able to help us on some of the minor things like can we is someone not formatting Word correctly or or some of those that we can't handle internally, but generally speaking, we don't um The little things we see I think Michael can handle. But this managed services will give us like you said a lot of remote the ability to remote in at those hours. They do have the ability yes to come physically on site to help us with various projects and integration um with some of our systems. Uh certainly with them helping build out our network. They should have a familiarity with the components and the way it functions to be able to help us navigate those things. But I think and Craig can comment that that Michael would be able to help us with some of the the minor things that would pop up from time to time.

It tends to be hardware because my organization we have a managed company [clears throat] as well, but we have one IT person on staff because hardware stuff tends to be the harder thing for them to help with. But no, that makes sense. And then I guess my other question was on the phone systems. Um, [clears throat] is there a reason to do a completely separate phone system than the one we have for the city? And is it [clears throat] more expensive to have a separate one just for APD versus adding them on to what we have for the city? Michael did work with Pantheon in talking through and asking a lot of the questions on the phone system and Michael obviously was very adept and up to date having just rolled out the cities what 3 weeks ago. Um, you know, some of the some of the feedback from Michael was even the phone one has has a component of of help with Pantheon versus Michael having to manage and help. And that was an input from Michael on what he could or couldn't handle. Um, I don't nec, you know, the hardware we're going to have to buy is still the hardware we're going to have to buy. Um, you know, the the the what we pay for like a dedicated line is still what we have to pay for a dedicated line. When I say that like like my the chief's number is still going to be an actual number you can call in and hit the chief directly,

right?

The same with our detectives and some others where the officers are going to get a a general line. Uh our general line is going to be set up that your first option is going to tell you call 911 if you need an emergency. The second option is going to move you back to dispatch even if they're on a different one. And then you're going to get into the ability to select officers voice mailboxes and things of that nature. But I think most of those costs here are still going to be needed regardless of what the city needs or uses. At least according to the feedback uh as we went through this and it involved Michael. Anything else on this? We can go through them one at a time if we could. On the resolution 16A is looking for approval on the internal network.

Any resolution? Move to approve. Second. Bri. [clears throat] Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. [clears throat] Hi. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Posma. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution [clears throat] passes 6. Thank you, Bri. Item number 16B is uh approving the following IT projects phone system. Need a resolution. So moved. Second. Bri. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller.

Hi. Council member Baskin. Hi. Council member Posma. I council member Obala I council member at large Austin I resolution passes 6. Thank you. The final one is 16 C approving the following IT projects for the coal lasso management services. Need a resolution. Move to approve. Second Bri. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Waller. I. Council member Baskin. Hi. [clears throat] Council member Posma. I council member Obala I council member Alar Austin I resolution passes 6.

Very good. Thank you Bri. Uh moving on to item number 17's resolution approving an agreement with Dave Unmock for consulting work. Craig.

Uh thank you mayor members. Uh as you know building on the organizational development study uh council recommended that we move forward with the strategic planning process. Uh I and Trish Wakeman worked with Mr. unmach to bring a proposal for you this evening for your consideration and as included as exhibit one elements of the plan provide the following components outline that outline the goals of the effort his perspective of where we're at currently uh reflection of major uh process steps that would be included in the process uh financial considerations and the supporting notes that he'll advance in the process and his strengths and strategic planning that he brings to the Um there's components of the process will include a group session with the city administrator and department head interviews and interviews with our eight elected officials, joint work session with council and department heads, creation summary documents outlining the findings of the interview sessions and development of the [snorts] final strategic plan. Uh timeline is also included as exhibit two that he's looking at. The concluding timeline is suggested to target April 20th uh approval at that council meeting. Obviously, uh we'd have to be some flexibility with a uh council availability and staff to meet the milestones that he outlined. Um otherwise, happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Very good. Thanks, Craig. Council, any questions on item number 17? Move to approve. Second Bri. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member Waller. Hi. Council member Baskin. I. Council member Posma. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Large Austin. I. Resolution passes 6. Thank you, Bri. And uh our distinguished guest here, Patty Mueller, representative for for our district, is here to give us maybe an update. Tell us what's expected maybe at this year's session. Patty, welcome. Are you running for governor, too? I think everybody's in.

Some predictions. Well, thank you for coming, Patty. What do you have today for us? Get the microphone, too.

Okay. Hello. Thank you. Um, well, thank you, uh, mayor and council members for giving me just a moment. Um, I feel a little frustrated that I haven't been here until now. Um, as many of you know, I was a long-term sub at Pachelli and so it's been wonderful being back in the classroom and I have been enjoying that. I have one week left and then we'll be back to focusing on one job, which is fantastic. Um, which I enjoy. Um, our session will start February 17th and so I wanted to just kind of give you a chance to ask me any questions, but also to give you a quick update. Um, as of right now, we are obviously going to be focusing quite a bit on fraud and how we can kind of roll back some of the measures that [cough] were passed during [clears throat] the during the 20 not roll back that was passed, but how can we put some uh safeguards on there. Um, I've received a lot of questions from constituents about um the freeze that has happened from the federal government from uh with child care and um especially with several of our uh child care providers now having to bear some of that um extra cost. Um when we set our budget in 24 this year, um you know, we had the expectation that we were going to receive a certain amount of funding from the federal government for child care and um Medicare funding for that. Um unfortunately with the amount of fraud that was uh found in those things um it was the [clears throat] within the government's perview or the federal government's perview to freeze some of that funding until an audit has been completed. I do have a lot of uh questions about when that will be completed when that funding will be unfrozen all of those things. Um the audit is I believe supposed to be completed post haste very very quickly. um as uh we do not have a contingency fund right now to backfill any of the funding that we are not receiving from the federal government. And so um I want to stress very very clearly that as hard and awful that this is we cannot

continue [clears throat] at the funding levels if the amount of percentage is going to fraud. We cannot do that simply because the money that was sent for the people who are supposed to be using it is being is not being sent there. And so let's make sure that we're actually helping the people that need to be helped and not exploiting um not exploiting the taxpayers, which is what is happening right now. Um we and so that is something that I've been in a lot of uh conversations with our federal government, but also with the state government as well trying to figure out what's happening. we have a lot more questions than answers because we don't know if some of that f uh freeze the funding that's been frozen is only targeted to like CCAP or if it's actually to all of the um child care providers that are happening right now. So, we are we're in the process of having of having those questions answered. The other pressing issue that I've been hearing a lot, especially from um our business owners and our our job creators, is the uh new paid family leave law that was just instituted um January 1. Um just uh December 31st, I was with um several of our job creators in um and they have a lot of concerns. Um and we are seeing from many of the uh reports in the media that um uh the thought of what it was being what it was going to be used is actually much greater than what was projected and the um you know this is being funded through taxpayers. And so um we are hoping that the amount of funding that has been um taken from that or from who which is supposed to be provided from that uh payroll tax will be enough to support all the people who have uh applied. Um my sinking suspicion is that it is not. Um currently right now it is at a8 uh payroll tax. there is uh a provision in

the law that says that Dolly can actually increase that to 1.1% without any legislative approval and so after that if there is needing to have more funds even beyond 1.1% and then splitting that 50/50 between the employer and the employee um they will have to come to the legislature to actually do that um I am in constant conversation with many people about uh what are some of the more safeguards that we can do that makes this more manageable Can we redefine family? Um because the definition in the law is fairly broad. Can we um possibly look at this with focusing on maternity leave and make sure that that's rock solid and then kind of expand it out. Um, so yes, we have lots of uh can we look at seasonal employees, especially as some of our uh Bergs nursery was there and they were very concerned about some of the seasonal employees that they would have to, you know, fall under this new law. Lots of questions trying to see how that all works. Um, but that will definitely be a focus on that. Um, I am also continuing to work on our education. my teacher apprenticeship bill was passed this past uh uh session and so um seeing that kind of get rolled out is been kind of exciting to watch. Um and we will see what that looks like especially for Austin. I've been looking at how Austin can uh partner with some of our other uh districts and with Riverland to uh start their own teacher apprenticeship program which would be really neat. So anyway, uh February 17th is D-Day for us. And so we're really excited about that. And if you have any further questions, I'd be really happy to answer. I cannot uh uh end this without thanking you for your constant service, knowing that it is uh not an easy job to be representative of the people and to be public servants. So thank you so much for what you do.

Thank you, Patty. Appreciate what you do as well. Greg, do you have something? Uh with the moratorum on local option sales tax expiring uh what are your thoughts on potential success of that in the legislative session for uh local law enforcement center?

Yeah, I know that that was something I was actually just reviewing some of the things that we had talked about previously and I'm in very I'm in uh I am in support of making sure that you guys have that option to send that out to do your local option sales tax. I will go and talk to I know that currently right now because you have to come into the tax committee to get that approved. Um you know we still are in a tie and so we still have co-chairs at that point in time. I'm sure Representative Davids would not be opposed to approving that. It's a matter of trying to get his co-chair to be okay with that. may not happen during this time just to be very frank simply because of the of the disdain can I use that word that um the the DFL co-chair has for um local option sales tax um and so it may be not something that is [clears throat] achievable this session but something that I can definitely throw out there for him

excellent well thank you representative Mueller any other questions or comments but uh

yeah no I first of all representative viewer, thank you. Um, we obviously appreciate, um, you know, you're always there for us to ask questions and, you know, do a really nice job of soliciting kind of our views. I think some of the big stuff you hit on, I mean, the business climate, the regulatory burden, things like that, especially being a border community, very important that we continue to figure out some ways to make us more competitive with our neighboring states. Um, you know, I think property taxes are a huge issue. And you know, I speak out of probably both sides of my mouth on this one because all money is taxpayer money. And so it's not like just LGA comes from, you know, freedom, you know, or comes, you know, as free money. But I know that ourselves and many other communities are now kind of at this point where with LGA being frozen becomes, you know, that burden is very much shifting onto the local taxpayers. Um, you know, especially in terms of property taxes and there's just not a good set of options. Um, and so, you know, I think it's worth us continuing to think through, you know, what are some ways that we can create some flexibility. And then third and final, if we opened up an Austin city daycare,

could we just take some funding and use it to offset property taxes or is that an ethically gray [laughter] area?

Well, yeah. With the last question being facitious, um, probably not. But um as for you know as we look at property taxes one of the things that is all wrapped [clears throat] up into all this and I talked about this when I was meeting with the business community you know with Austin and with Ma County also having to participate required to participate in pay family leave law. You guys are like the taxpayers really getting on this triple funded. Not only are the if you're employed at all, you get this new tax, but now because of this, we are increasing property taxes and we're increasing our levy because all of this is coming through at the same time with all of this. So, this is a three-fold double whammy at all of us. Um, which is why it's so important to make this a little bit more manageable. As for LGA, you know, I have there's a lot of people on my side of the aisle who get very frustrated with LGA because every time we give more, it doesn't mean that you guys decrease your tax burden. And so, you know, there's some, you know, something for that. At the same time, LGA is created to make sure that all services are remaining as equal as they can. And so, I've still maintained my support for as much as we can for LGA. Um, you know, when I went through the when I went through the numbers, you know, Austin receives $9 million in LGA, which is actually more than anyone else of the city of our size. And so, um, you know, that is great that we're able to procure that amount of money. And so, we I want to make sure that it doesn't go backwards, but that we're able to stay at that. Right now, we are looking at a deficit that is and we did see in our uh February in our November, December, November forecast that uh the deficit has increased. And so we're trying to figure out what what especially if we have to start backfilling some of this money from the federal government. What is that going to look like? So it's kind of the realities of things right now, unfortunately.

No good choices. Well, we appreciate you. Thank you guys so much for your work. Very good. And welcome anytime. We look forward maybe even a midsession update. [laughter] All right. Thank you, Representative Mueller. Moving on to citizens addressing the council. Is any citizens here that wishing to address the council of items that weren't on the agenda? All right. Hearing none. Our honorary council member Lindsay is off today. Uh so we have no report from her or comments. [snorts] Uh on to reports and recommendations. Craig, do you have anything? I see on your uh desk here the MLK Day community dinner Monday, January 19th, uh 5 to 7 at the First United Methodist Church. If you're inclined to join us, please do. Um otherwise, I have nothing else. Very good.

Thank you, Craig. Uh moving on to council members. Paul, do you have anything? Nothing, your honor. Obala? Nothing, your honor. Jeff, nothing. Your honor, uh, just some good news, uh, that the H received. Um, we were, uh, awarded one of the, um, hard to get a lowincome housing, um, awards. And so, we'll be working with Three Rivers again as a developer. That's going to take a little bit of time. Um, the grant goes through Minnesota Housing. Um, but we are excited that it looks like a we will be able to get one more low-income housing project here in town over the next start breaking ground either this year or next. So, very good. And the property next to Key Motors is the site.

Yep, that's the site. Very good. Thanks, Mike. Jason, just want to say thank you to our public's work team for their great work clearing the snow. Um, since it only seems to snow on weekends or holidays or especially holiday weekends, I know that there's a lot of personal sacrifice that goes with that. So, thank you to them. Um, and we very much appreciate it. Good. Thanks, Jason.

All right. The only thing I want to add is the January anniversaries of our our folks, and you saw many of them here from the police department that are looking at res uh recognition for years of service. So, Lynn Thompson with Park and WC has 29 years. Tim Brandt, streets department, 28 years. Trisha Brandon, park and wreck, 26 years. Ernesto Cantou from the police, 26 years. Brandt Stro, police 23 years. Dustin Woolenberg, police, 23 years. Jamie Grabau, uh, wastewater treatment plant, 10, 20 years. Melissa Wilson, finance, 18 years. Sarah Steinhoff, library, 16 years. Jim McCoy, fire department, 12 years. Josh Stadheim, engineer, uh, engineering, 12 years. Michael LS was here earlier. Um, street maintenance 11 years. Nate Hayes, police 10 years. Mike Bolster, Stewart maintenance, eight years. Wanda Hatfield, clerk's office, four years. Damen Schroeder, police, three years. Andy Sorenson, uh, one year, engineering. Zack Keezy, police, one year. And Andy Gayton Rodriguez, street department, one year. Thank you to all those folks and the folks that, uh, aren't recognized, but continue to give their service as well. And they eventually during the meeting make make that month's uh, report for their anniversary. So, we appreciate those on the list today. and uh as they make the city roll. So, thanks thanks to all the employees.