City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, we'll call a meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, good evening everyone. Brie, take the roll call, please. Mayor King, present. Council member at large Austin present. Council member Waller, [snorts] Council Member Baskin, Council Member Posma, present. Council member Hely, present. Council member Obala, Council Member Fischer, present.

Mayor King, we have a quorum. Thank you, Bri. Uh, item number one is a motion for the adoption of our agenda as amended with the addition. So, moved. Second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Uh, under item number two is a motion approving our minutes from February 2nd, 2026. Need a motion. Some move. Second. All in favor? I oppose. Carries. Nothing. Under recognitions and awards on item number four is a motion for the consent agenda. So moved. Second. All in favor? Opposed?

Motion carries. It's under public hearings. Item number five, we have a series of uh street improvements for this coming summer, spring, summer, fall. Uh public hearing um for a number five is a resolution for a public hearing on street improvements on 8th Street Southeast from 8th AB Southeast to 15th Avenue Southeast project 25104. [cough] Andrew,

thank you. Uh good evening. Uh this is 8th Avenue Southeast uh from I'm sorry, 8th Street Southeast from 8th Avenue to 15th Avenue. It's about 2200 ft. We are looking to completely reconstruct it. Um it will [snorts and clears throat] include about one block of a new sewer. There's a a block of storm sewer as well. Um Austin Utilities plans to do a new water maintenance services.

Uh we will replace all the sidewalk uh based on [clears throat] our policy it meets the the minimum deficiency numbers. Uh the more interesting thing about this would be the phasing the southern two the southern two uh uh excuse me I have a map

the southern two blocks there which would be on the far the far left side there they only have well they only have two ways out one would be 13th and one would be straight up eighth. So, we are recommending them do we're going to do that as phase one and then the the northern two blocks between 8th and 10th as phase two and then the middle three is phase three. That's just to help with accessibility so people don't have to park a/4 mile away. This project we have estimated at $1.275 million. The street improvement portion would be 975,000. the storm sewer at 115,000 and sanitary sewer improvements at 185,000. Uh is there any questions? You good, Andrew? [snorts] All right. Looking for a resolution item number five.

Oh, public hearing. Anybody here with the public wishing to speak on this matter? [cough] Item five. No. Hearing none. Looking for resolution. So move. Second. Bri, please.

Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Austin. I. Resolution passes 40. Thank you. Item number six is a resolution for public hearing on street improvements on 7th Avenue Southwest from 24th Street Southwest to 8th Avenue Southwest and 8th Avenue Southwest from 7th Avenue Southwest to 27th Street Southwest and 26th Street Southwest from 5th Avenue Southwest to 8th a southwest project 26101. Andrew,

yes. This would be a inch and a half uh milling and overlay, which is just a take the top layer off the the distance and uh replace it. [clears throat] Uh we're looking at about 2600 ft total between the three streets. Uh we would need two spot repairs for sanitary, one located at the 26th and 6th intersection and another one located near the 26th and 8th Avenue intersections. Um this estimated time frame we're looking at September September to October and uh project estimate is about 130,000 for the street improvement and 25,000 for the sanitarium. Any questions?

Thank you council. Any questions for Andrew on this project? If not looking for resolution public [snorts] all public again. Anybody here wishing to speak on this project? [snorts] Good. All right. Council looking for resolution. So moved. [cough] Second B. Council member Posma. I. Council [clears throat] member Hely. I. Council member Fischer. I. Council member Elar John Austin. I. Resolution passes 40.

Thank you. Moving on to item number seven is resolution for public hearing on street improvements on 9inth AB Northwest from the Blue Line Flat Apartments to 11th Street Northwest project 26102. Andrew. [clears throat]

Yes. This is about 1,50 ft of total length. Again, this will be a full reconstruction project. There's a little bit of storm there. You can see right there off of uh 12 or I'm sorry, 13th. We will replace that. Uh sanitary, we are looking, we may line it, we may replace it. We're kind of doing a cost analysis of that at the time being. curb and gutter. I believe we are going to replace all of it as well as all of the sidewalk. It has met the uh the complete or the total deficiency. So, this project we're looking at 825,000 for a total project estimate. 485,000 of that is street, 70,000 of storm, and 270,000 of that is sanitary sewer. Any questions? Thank you, Andrew Council. Any questions for Mr. Sorenson?

All right, this is public hearing for item number seven. Is anyone in the audience wishing to speak on item number seven [clears throat] on this project? Hearing none. Council, uh, need a resolution. So moved. Second. Council member Postma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Fischer. I council member at large Austin I resolution passes 40.

Thank you Bri. Uh item number eight's resolution for a public hearing on street improvements on Fifth Street Northwest from 12th A Northwest to 15th A Northwest and 7th Street Northwest from 13th Avenue Northwest to 15th Avenue Northwest project 26103. Andrew.

Okay. We're look, [clears throat] excuse me, we're looking at about uh 600 ft of 7th Street and 900 ft of Fifth Street. This again would be a full reconstruction project. Uh if you see the red up there, it that is a a lot of sidewalk. We are we're just going to do those portions at this time. Um the sanitary sewer again like 9inth, we may or may not replace it. We may look at it as a potential for future lining. There is a new segment. There is a portion of fifth that never has received curb gutter. They will receive it as part of this project. And due to uh some inquiry, we are looking at potentially phasing this one, doing the uh north block of fifth first to help with some accessibility issues with uh some individuals that are u are in need of they they are they are essentially handicapped and they they need a they'll need to be closer to their their front door. So this project we are looking at uh $1.1 million total. The street is $695,000 of that storm is only 50,000. There isn't that much on this and 355,000 for the sanitary service or soup improvements. All right. Council, any questions on this project?

Anybody in the public here looking to speak on this item number eight? hearing none. Looking for a resolution council. So moved. Second Bri. Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 5-0.

Thanks P. And the last uh public hearing is item number nine. Uh public hearing on street improvements for 14th Street Northwest from 8th AB Northwest to 15th A Northwest project 26104. Andrew, yes. [clears throat] This is a uh 1,700 ft of uh a mill overlay. This one will be a bit of a deeper mill overlay. We're going to go about 2 in. There are some uh cracks that are needing a little bit more than that. We plan to do a treatment. go a little deeper with those. Also with this on the south end on 8th Avenue, we are going to attempt to repair some sanitary sewer, but we have some storm sewer that are in that is in conflict. So, we're going to do our best. So, we don't know exactly what we are going to do there, but something has to be done. Uh we also noticed, especially very recently, that we have some water on the sidewalks along the the east side and we're looking at a boulevard regrading in that area. And with that, we

wow, we have not uh we have not completely come up with exactly what we want to do with the sidewalk. It may the sidewalk we have there as a replacement, it may have to be increased. So, we will have a number for you uh for the the March the March hearing. But at this time, um again, this uh the time frame we're looking at September to October for this project as well. [cough and clears throat] [snorts] This project estimate is about $300,000. $275,000 of that is street improvements and 25,000 is the sanitary improvements. Any questions?

Is this going to be while the br before the bridge is being taken out or during? This should be during [cough] [clears throat] the the intention with the the fall date is to get um to have this work done when the state will have the bridge closed. That's the intent anyway. [sighs] Very good. Anybody here from the public wishing to speak on item number nine? Let me see. Council looking for resolution. So moved. Second. Bri. Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala.

I. Council member Fischer. Hi. [clears throat] Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 5-0. Thank you. 200 petitions in request. Item number 10 is a resolution setting the public hearing for March 16th, 2026 for street improvement project assessments. So moved. Second. Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 50.

Thank you, Bri. Item number 11 is uh resolution approving our 2025 Moore County hazard mitigation plan. Chief McKe.

Yeah. Every uh set number of years the the county and and we are participants in this does need to work with the state uh and they they do have an employee who helps guide them through this process come up with the hazard mitigation plan for the county. They do engage all the various cities, townships. uh you know from Austin's perspective I think the mayor Craig Jim Steven I uh were involved they have some surveys some feedback uh the goal here is to look at the things we are doing to mitigate the potential for disasters in front of us and log list those things with the end goal of having the plan in place um [snorts] I think it's in here near the very bottom this is what will make us and participating jurisdictions eligible to apply for FEMA hazard mitigation assistant grants if we basically see a a need or a loss due to the things we're looking and have identified in our mitigation plan. So, it's it's all part of again a larger structure. The hope being our mitigation doesn't lead to a lot of damage, but if we do have damage, this plan has to be in place. We need to be a partner for it to allow us to look at applying for potential FEMA dollars in the future.

Very good. Thanks, Chief. Uh, council, any questions on item number 11? Looking for resolution. [clears throat] So moved. Second. [cough] Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin. I resolution passes 5-0. Thank you. Moving on. Item number 12 is uh a resolution approving an amendment to the engineering services for the [clears throat] wastewater treatment levy project. Excuse me.

Following the bids for this project, uh was asked to evaluate um what it could look like or the need for upsizing the pipe that goes underneath the river uh from a 20-in pipe up to a 24-in pipe. That analysis and review was completed. The information was gathered and it was ultimately decided not to upsize the pipe, but SE incurred costs doing that. So before you tonight is an amendment to cover those costs with in the amount of $19,000 for the work related to that task. Uh it is incorporated into our funding package for the industrial budget of the wastewater treatment plant. So that those funds were included. This has been re reviewed by uh Hormell Foods and so we would recommend approval of this amendment number five.

Thank you, Stephen. Council, any questions? Looking for a resolution. So move. Second. Three. Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin I. Resolution passes 5-0. Thank you Bri. Item number 13's resolution approving engineering design services for the Cook Farm lift station force main relocation study. Stephen,

the majority of our sewer collection system is made up of gravity sewer lines that flow in a downhill gradient toward the wastewater treatment plant. But periodically that waste water needs to be pumped or lifted up in elevation to avoid obstructions, go under rivers, around bridges, things like that. We have a unique situation uh on the north part northwest part of town where we have uh a lift station we call Oak Park Lift Station. It's located right on the south side of the interstate and it provides pumping capacity for the old Oak Park Mall. Also going farther north of that, we have our Cook Farm lift station which uh services the Creek Side Business Park. That Cook Farm lift station has a force man that dumps directly into the Oak Park Mall lift station. That is so whenever the Cook Farm lift station runs, it's pumping flow and it forces the Oak Park lift station to automatically run. That is not an efficient way of of pumping. So, we're looking at options to reroute that Cook Farm force main into a gravity system where it can just run by gravity down uh to the wastewater treatment plant and bypass the Oak Park Mall lift station. So, there is a map uh in the second page of your handout that kind of shows that collection system, how it runs along Highway 218 coming down toward the interstate. And then we have two gravity systems. One of them runs down 14th Street Northwest and the other one runs down 12th Street and 9inth Street Northwest. So we're you this proposal before you tonight is to evaluate those systems, see where the most um prudent location is to discharge that Oak Park uh excuse me, Cook Farm lift station force main and develop a plan for that and then we will move forward a construction project to do that. But we want to make sure that [clears throat] we aren't moving flow

into another area that we would then cause sewer backups or other adverse impacts to an area that we did not anticipate. So that's what this study will do is to help review those options and determine where's the best spot to discharge this force mate. And I open up to any questions that you may have. Oh, sorry. Before you tonight is a proposal from WHKS in the amount of $10,900 to complete this study for us. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Lang. Council, any questions of Stephen?

Stephen, I know we've had um some issues with um water infiltration, that sort of thing. In parts of our system, it looks like right now, for lack of a better term, it's hooked to [clears throat] well, it's hooked to the 14th Street trunk line. I'm assuming we're going to assess if it makes sense to go to the 12th Street because it's closer. is part of this study also making sure that we would not cause any issues by sending more through that trunk line. Correct. That is the main reason for the study is to ensure that we're not just moving a problem onto other people. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. And what is the timeline for this?

We have this project budgeted in our 2026 CIP. So they'll be completing this over the next month or so. Then we'll develop plans and specs and get it out for bids uh in hopes to be completed sometime in the fall. Thank you. Any other questions? Looking for resolution. So move. [clears throat] Second. Bri. Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin I. Resolution passes 5-0.

Thank you. Item number 14 is a motion approving the audit engagement letter with Clifton Larson Allen. Emily.

Good evening, mayor, council. Uh tonight we're asking for approval of Clifton Larson Allen's uh statement of work for the 2025 city of Austin audit as well as the Austin Mau County home ownership fund audit. [clears throat] Uh this is standard protocol for audits. Um, this will be conducted in March of 2026 for fiscal year uh that ended December 31st of 2025. Uh, the city has used uh, CLA for many years and they are recognized in Minnesota as one of the top governmental accounting practices and I would recommend approval of the statements of work for the two audits.

Thank you, Emily. Council, any questions on this item? Emily, forgive me for not knowing the answer, uh, but do we ever look at periodically bidding this out to other accounting firms to see what the costs are?

U, I am not 100% sure what has been done in the past. I know that we can definitely do that. There are other auditing firms within the state that are also recognized um, similarly as uh, CLA is. Um, so that is something that we can look at with the audit being scheduled um in March and having the relationship that we've had with um CLA CLA during the 2025 year, it it would be most time or it it would be most efficient to go with them for that. But that is definitely something we we could explore uh for the 2026 audit if if that's what you would like us to do.

Yeah. I I I know it would be a little tight for this uh year yet and I I think there's some comfort in having them do the audit being that you're new to your position, but I do think for next year I've just I I've seen in other organizations how much audit have jumped and when it's like home insurance or anything else, right? When you see a big jump, it's worth at least shopping around a little bit. Yes. Yes. So, we can definitely pursue that uh in the upcoming months and get um something drafted and finalized uh with plenty of time to prepare for the 2026 audit then after the you know next or the end of the the year. Um that that would definitely be something we can look into. Okay. Thank you. Good. Thank you. Any other questions for Emily? Next year.

Looking for a motion. All moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. is item number 15's resolution approving an aid allocation agreement between city of Austin and the Austin Part-time Firefighters Relief Association. Chief McCoy,

mayor, councel, um in the 2026 budget, um an approval was given to increase each part-time firefighters pension amount by $250. Um, this amount is part of the aid allocation agreement uh between the Austin Part-Time Firefighters Relief Association and the City of Austin that allows us to split fire aid um to help offset uh full-time pension costs. Um we are since we're changing these amounts, we are required to uh submit a new allocation agreement with the state of Minnesota by March 1st. So, um, the only thing that's been, uh, changed is the dollar amounts given to each firefighter based on their years of service. I recommend approval.

Excellent. Thank you. Council, any questions of Chief McCoy? No, I would just throw in a plug that this is a great plan. So, uh, if you are interested, we are looking for more part-time volunteer firefighters. Absolutely. Thank you. Very good. Looking for a resolution. So move second Emily or I'm sorry Bri. Council member Posma I. Council member Hely. Hi. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. I. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 5-0.

Thank item number 16 is approving a 2026 fee schedule for the fire department new fees. Chief. Um during the budget discussions, um council approved, um $500 per structure fire, um cost to the citizens and $150 per hour firefighter or excuse me, fire extinguisher training um fees. Um we'd like to get those on the fee schedule so we could start um collecting those. Um so recommend approval. Do I recollect that insurance pays that? Correct. [clears throat] Very good.

Thank you. Council, any questions on item number 16? Chief, does uh does the citizen being alert already about um the intention or after we approve that's when you will send a letters out the changes will be coming for increase or the $500? Yeah. Um I I I guess I'm not quite sure how and we're not going to send out letters to each and every household um in in the city. Um we will um include the resolution [cough] with the the bill when when we do have a structure fire. So okay. Okay. Any other questions?

All right. Looking for resolution number 16. So move second. Bri.

Council member Posma. I. Council member Hely. I. Council member Obala. I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin. Hi. Resolution passes 5-0. Thank number 17 is approving international paper grant to the Austin fire department chief. So international paper um awarded uh Austin Fire Department $5,000 um or their international uh paper 2025 international um [cough and clears throat] paper grant. Um so we're going to purchase some firefighting equipment, some nozzles, some hose with that. Um recommend approval and accept the um the grant. Very good. For the city of Austin.

Good. Thanks, Jim. Council, any questions? Otherwise, looking for resolution at number 17. So moved. Second. Uh Bri, Council Member Posma I. Council member Hely. I council member Obala I council member Fischer I council member at large Austin I resolution passes 5-0 thank you item number 18 is a accepting this uh donation $1,000 gift from the VFW for skating and winter recreation appreciate the VFW's uh donation and looking for a resolution to accept it

so moved second Bri Council member Posma I. Council member Hely I. Council member Obala I. Council member Fischer. Hi. Council member at large Austin. I. Resolution passes 5-0.

Thank you Bri. The addition was item number 19. A resolution approving an offsale liquor license transfer to Jolly LLC doing business as Cheers Liquor. Brie. The clerk's office did receive an application for an offsale hard liquor license. This would just be a transfer. It's for uh Jolly LLC doing business as Cheers Liquor. Um it's transferring from RA Enterprise LLC. Um we received the certified documentation required for this license transfer and we do recommend approval. Thanks, Brie Council. Any questions on this? I was looking for a resolution. So move second three.

Council member Council member Posma I. Council member Hely I. Council member Obala I. Council member Fischer I. Council member at large Austin I. Resolution passes 50. Very good. Thank you. On to citizens addressing the council. Is any citizens in the chambers tonight looking to uh speak to council on items that weren't on the agenda? If you could step forward and give your name and address for the record, please. [clears throat]

Hi there. Welcome. Hi. Um, my name is Brittany Dio. I live at 118 Clinton Street in Austin, Minnesota. Your first name again? Brittany. Brittany. Okay.

Um, good evening. I want to thank you for your time and your service to our community here in Austin, Minnesota. Um, I also want to start by thanking the council members who have already spoken publicly about concerns regarding ICE activity and police and their policing and uh their detaining practices. Um, that leadership and willingness to speak matters to many residents in this community. Um, while recent reports suggest there has been a reduction in activity, I want to respectfully emphasize that the fear in our community has not disappeared. Many families are still living with uncertainty and anxiety about their safety and their rights. Um, I personally met a young girl at a recent community protest um who was terrified her mother might be taken away. I've also heard and seen the video um about the individual being followed into the government service building who was a child um when she entered the human services department. Um, this raises questions about safety expectations within public spaces and what policies exist to protect residents while accessing essential services. I would appreciate, um, as well as community members that I've spoken to, um, clarification on a few points. Um, what policies or procedures are in place to ensure that anyone operating our city, including federal agents, is properly identifying themselves and following lawful protocol. What protections or guidance exists regarding enforcement activity near or inside public service buildings, specifically those who are providing services to our community members? Um, what steps can the city take to help rebuild trust so residents can feel safe contacting local law enforcement when they need help, such as entering those buildings, um, like that child did? And um how are we working to ensure Austin remains a place where families, workers, and international professionals feel safe relocating and building their lives here, especially since we have an international headquarters company here. Um and what policies or oversight exist to prevent racial profiling and how those protections are being enforced within our community. know that we have like seven prominent languages spoken in our community, multiple international

markets. And when I speak to community members in Rochester, they are constantly impressed by the amount of diversity that we have in our small community. So, what are we doing to continue to foster that environment here? Um, I understand that some of these issues, a lot of these issues are going to involve multiple levels of government and may not probably will not have immediate solutions at the city level. However, I believe continued transparency, communication, and advocacy from local leadership [snorts] are [clears throat] very important right now, especially while it's quiet before something may ramp up again. I'd respectfully ask that the city council continue reviewing these concerns and cons consider future opportunities for public discussion or policy review after you've had time to evaluate this situation. Thank you again for your service and for listening to the community voices. And I have a couple letters that I can leave here. My printer ran out of ink, so I only have four copies. So, just thank you again for your time.

You can leave them with breathe there. Thank you, Britney. I appreciate it. Yeah, certainly trying times. There's no doubt about it. Challenging times. Um, federal government is certainly different than city government and state government, but uh don't dis I totally disagree with their how. I get what you know that that what they've been doing is in my job as corrections. They've done every year. It's what's changed is the how. And that uh it is very disturbing. heart goes out to all those involved. Um I just want to I think re-emphasize that Austin has always been a welcoming city for the past 25 years. We worked hard at it. I think we were the second city in the country to be named uh a national welcoming city. Doesn't mean sanctuary city. It means welcoming city. So part of that uh what we've done is we got an honorary council member at the end of the Das here. Now it's Lindseay Compton. We've had plenty of folks that are uh come from the refugee refugee population that have sat in that seat. Um, so those are some good things that we're doing here locally in Austin when we really don't have much say in what goes on in the federal government. So, thank you. Um, anyone else here? DJ, you had a hand up?

Yeah. Is there anybody else that wanted to speak? Just make sure and uh my name is Diana Jean Ryther. I live over uh on 218 north. And just to uh follow up with Britney, um there is a real fear factor here and a lot of that's being impressed uh by unfortunate agendas. Um we need to have more education. The reason I'm here this evening is to congratulate our law enforcement.

[cough and clears throat]

Uh we had a three school walk out for uh ice out. I'm very concerned that this was a manipulation of opportunity at the expense of our children, our services, our law enforcement. Um I've been reviewing videos. I've been speaking with parents. These kids walked out of school. Allegedly the the school teacher staff had nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, there is footage showing staff that took that day off present in this uh event. This event allegedly lasted approximately an hour. The kids walked out approximately 9:30 quarter to 10. So that leaves an extensive period of time for miners to be walking around our community unsupervised and unsafe. There has been reports of property damage. Those kids were um unruly, using foul language towards our veterans and other community members. Their signs were lewd. uh we can't be encouraging our kids to be against law enforcement, our country, or this racial profiling, which is going to be unacceptable. One thing I love about Austin is the cultural diversity. I'm from Boulder, Colorado. That's as diverse as you can get. And we want people to be here legally. We want people to be here safely. And unfortunately, we had a previous administration that opened the borders to a lot of unsafe activity. And so trying to separate

the two is is difficult. It needs to be met with compassion, understanding, and respect. I agree with that on Britney. Um, but we also have to give credit where credit is due. We have an excellent law enforcement department here that has worked very successfully with the um with these events happening with immigrations and customs control. Um I believe if these kids were not being indoctrinated on our school time, they would not have been out on a march. We need to recognize why ICE is here instead of feeling our kids with uh unrealistic fears. It's uh incredibly unacceptable. This uh situation is not organic to Austin. It's something that's happening not just across the state of Minnesota, but across the nation. Kids have been abused. They've done inappropriate things. Again, going back to property destruction, the uh lwdness. Uh it is not an opportunity to take advantage of law enforcement to have a quasi parade through town. On these videos, you can see kids sitting outside of their cars on their doors waving and flashing and cruising around while there's cross traffic. That is unsafe and it's mockery of our law enforcement that we don't pay them because some kids want to walk out of school and make a scene. Any other time those kids would be disciplined and

I guess apparently there's some state supreme court law that kids can protest. So how many more times are we going to have this? [clears throat]

This is our second walk out that I know of. The previous one was done on an icy, snowy day. Same situation. We can't allow it. We can't If we're If we're going to allow kids to do this for a manufactured crisis, then we need to also address the reason why ICE is coming to town. Across Minnesota, over 3,000 children have been saved. from trafficking. Do these kids know that? Do they know that some of the people that have been taken out of Minnesota, not just Austin, but are dangerous felon criminals with extensive, horrific rap reports. I'm absolutely disgusted to see my tax dollars manipulated, abused in this way. I think it puts a unfortunate negative light on our city. We are a world provision. What did you call it? Food city. We're a food city. We go around the world. That's what we should be recognized for. Not a bunch of punk kids who are misdirected, uneducated because they're being indoctrinated in our public school system. So, [sighs and gasps] it's it's unfortunate to see this and we can't let it tear at the fabric of our amazing cultural diversity here. I work for a Hispanic first generation family. I've been called racist for standing up in support of ICE. These kids are being harassed at school for not supporting this woke agenda. Where do we draw the line? So, I just want to acknowledge your difficult position in this.

Thank you again. I'm glad our kids were safe. Other cities are not having the same thing. We had a girl get run over because she sat in front of somebody. Another girl attacked a police officer and had to get escorted away while she cried for her mom. We have to be mindful of who is around our children. and the educational practices being applied. So the [clears throat] woke agenda has to end. The false evidences appearing real needs to come to a halt. And if these kids are going to walk for a fake outrage, they need to be educated on what's really happening. So how can we bridge that? We can't have a bunch of Christian kids hold a Bible study, but they have the LGBTQ groups. It's unfortunate. We need to bring God back into our state, into our institutions, and claim Jesus over the city of Austin because there's a lot of evil happening, and I'm watching Austin plummet. I've been here 16 years. The schools are in the crapper and it can't be loud. So, we got a lot to address. This is a big election year. I hate standing up here and speaking in front of you guys, but I do it because I have a future. My husband's family has been here for over 130 years. If we can't get stuff on track, I'm going to make him sell the family farm. not going to put up with my grandson being indoctrinated by a woke sanctuary state. Thank you for your clarification that we are, what did you refer to it as, a national

welcome city. I take great pride in that. As a farmer, I work with every ethnicity in our community. I work with the Asian market. I work with the Hispanic market. Half the business owners know me by first name. And so for people who have [clears throat] an agenda to go around and call me a racist, they've been calling my boss to ask them if they know what kind of person he has as an employee. He put up a sign the first time ICE was here that he was open when other businesses shut down because he knows he knows these kids know need to know what a rape tree is. They need to know about sexual human trafficking and the abuse that happens because if they knew they wouldn't be protesting. So, what we're dealing with is some sick minds manipulating our youth. I won't put up with it. I will speak out about it. I am a delegate for Mau County. Another thing I don't want to do, but I don't want to watch Austin be destroyed. [clears throat] I claim God over our community again and again and again. I drive around every day praying for peace, praying for Austin to become a light in this dark, dark world. There is a spiritual battle happening. We need to acknowledge it. We need to recognize it and we need to address it before our kids can't even figure it out. We can't have teachers encouraging kids. They can be cats, play things. So, how do we address this? How do we take this agenda out of the schools?

I I thank you for your comments, Mr. Riyther. Again, passionate. You're very passionate with your opinions. I would suggest that you bring this to the school board. It seems like and that's my next step, but I did want to address it with city council because again, making [clears throat] a mockery out of our police department, it's disgusting. What would have happened if one of those kids would have fallen out of their car? Y they were ripping around. I encourage you all to watch the videos. This unfortunately is on federal investigations making another horrible mark for Minnesota and now strike against my community. Sad. Got to pull it together. Thank you, Miss Ryder. God bless you all. Take care.

Anyone else wishing to speak to council of items were on the agenda? Um, [snorts] honorary council member Lindsay Lindsay Compton's last night with us been here three months and uh thoughts, comments?

Uh, thank you, Mayor King. This has been a really um really great experience. Um, I've lived here my whole life. Um, I was one years old. My parents were raised here. Um, I'm an active community member, business person, and I truly believe that, you know, we need that balance of business, nonprofit, and government that are aligned, working together to be a thriving community. And so, being able to learn a little bit more about go government, coming from a business background, um, and learning more about nonprofit, um, I feel like I'll be able to better serve my community. And um again, I'm grateful for the opportunity. So, thank you.

Okay. Well, thanks for spending time with us. Appreciate it. And your application, everything else, your interest. That's great. So, thank you. Uh reports and recommendations. Craig, I I have nothing. [clears throat] Mr. Lang has something I believe on the point of sale ordinance. Stephen,

we have a meeting coming up this week to review with the plumbers what our um requirements are for those inspections related to the sewer service and sump pump as well. The meeting is coming up on Thursday, February 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Austin Public Library. We have sent out mailers to the plumbers. We've also sent out mailers to the real estate professionals as well. They are welcome and really anyone from the public that wants to know more about this program, why we're implementing it, some of the benefits and what the requirements are. Everyone is welcome. It is from again from 2 to 3 on Thursday, February 19th at the Austin Public Library.

Excellent. And the paper did a nice job of putting the article in the paper. March one starts.

All right. March one implementation. Very good. Thank you. All right. Uh we'll go to council on any reports they might have. Mike. Um, yeah, it's I I will say that I am having a hard and some of the staff is going to get a chuckle at this, but I'm having a hard time finding words lately for some of the things that we've been dealing with as a community and as a state and as a country. Um, I appreciate those who are, you know, doing what they think is best to kind of help the residents of our community. Um, for some folks that's kind of in in front of things and in front of cameras and in front of social media and I think that's important. For a lot of it it's behind the scenes and I think that's just as important. Um, I would encourage you all to continue to seek out ways to help the folks in our community. Um, and I would also really caution. I've just seen more and more and I think honestly um intentionally or not tonight is a little bit of an example of unfortunately we're being pulled apart a little bit with some um division and um you know I I fully understand people have various political opinions that they should and are entitled to have but I also think that making sure that you talk about things in the appropriate place you know I've heard a lot of things that actually probably pertain better to county government or schoolboard government or other things. Um, you know, we are all tied together, but it's tough for as city council members when we get folks asking us about things that are really unfortunately out of our purview. So, um, feel free to continue to ask questions. Um, but really please just continue to help each other out because I think that's the best thing that we can all do right now.

Well said, Mike. Thank you, Jeff. Uh, nothing, your honor. Laura

um a couple of announcements from Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. Uh they are hiring for summer employment. So, if you want to work outside this summer or you want your um high school student at your house to get a job, now [cough and clears throat] would be a great time. Um the nature center has a lot of great events coming up, including a Hatch Day party and maple syrup classes. Uh go to their um website to check it out. And then uh there are plans in place this spring to plant uh 125 boulevard trees. So um our community was hit very hard by emerald ashbor. We lost a lot of trees in the last year. I I just want to um make sure everybody understands we are working um to replace just as many of those as we possibly can. It's a resourceheavy um uh endeavor. Um but we're working toward it. Um, I will also say this is a very um difficult time in our community. There are lots of impacts um to virtually every walk of life um because of um uh decisions at a a federal level um that aren't necessarily uh what anybody here would choose. And um I I guess I'll echo what council member Postma said. I I see what Austin is doing and um I recognize my community and the good in my community. Um uh people are are being taken care of on an individual basis and I appreciate that. But I I want to see it um continue. And um I also uh do hope that we can um sort of put aside the partisan and the talking points and the things we heard on the news and just hopefully deal with each other on a um persontoperson uh basis. Uh we do have more more in common than we are are

different. So I'll leave it at that.

Thank you, Obala. No, thank you mayor. Um I I want to thanks the speakers those who came forward um and speak here. One thing that I want to be clear uh for the last few week our city been going through a lot not only our city the whole state. So um putting politic aside and look at your neighbor um what they're going through. Um I think as Austin most of us choose this place because of the people we found here that always looking out to help us. um what is happening um it's not something you want your kid to go through. Uh but I I want to encourage the community to continue speaking up, helping each other out. Um the good part is um the withdrawal of the ice out of Minnesota I think will clam a little bit um the fear that happening in the community. Um but we are we want to be care we want to be um careful out there you know be safe look out for your neighbor u we understand the fear um I fear myself too that I will get pulled over it's not something that uh random so for someone who is not feeling it this is not real um uh this is a good time that we look out for our neighbor um I I seen some of family members that were pulled out while I'm in my car. I can't move. So, those are the thing that is not on the news. We've seen it in Austin. So, um I want to encourage those who are working out there um to continue uh supporting um what is happening and also looking out for their kid.

Thank you. Paul, nothing. All right. Uh this morning we swore in uh JJ Mueller. He was a former Austin police officer about seven years makik and then left for three years to go with the county and has returned today. So he was sworn in for a second time as an APD and uh it was absolutely you know police officers turn out very well for um those functions and honors but boy today was a I don't know who was left out there but they they they filled this place. So, I know they were happy to get JJ back. Comes a lot of experience. Um, and we're uh happy that our numbers are picking up and our recruits are picking up. So, I think we're turning the corner on that. Appreciate your efforts on that, Chief McKeon. So, with that, looking for a motion to adjurnn to Monday, March 2nd.

So, move. Second. All in favor? I opposed. where a germ take a little 5m minute break or so and then start the work session.