City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, we'll call a meeting to order. Please stand to pledge allegiance, if you're able.

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good evening and welcome, everyone. Brie, take the roll call, please.

Mayor King.

Present.

Council Member at Large Austin. Present. Councilmember Waller. Present. Councilmember Baskin.

Present.

Councilmember Postma. Present. Councilmember Helley. Present. Councilmember Obala.

Present.

Councilmember Fisher. Present. Mayor King, we have a quorum.

Thank you, Bree. And to my right, we have Dave Unmocked. Welcome, Dave, to the City of Austin. Dave is our interim city administrator. Blessed to have him. I can't think of a better city administrator in the country to help us to our next city administrator. So Dave will be with us for A FEW MONTHS AND DO EXACTLY WHAT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP US ROLLING FORWARD AND ALSO BEING VERY INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT ADMINISTRATOR. SO WELCOME, DAVE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. LOOKING FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE IS ADOPTION OF OUR AGENDA. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. APPROVED. OPPOSED? ITEM NUMBER TWO IS APPROVING OUR MINUTES FROM OUR JUNE 15TH MEETING. SO MOVED. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR?

AYE. OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNDER OUR CONSENT AGENDA. We have three items looking for motions so moved Second no favor aye opposed All those carry under recognitions and awards We have a few We certainly under Item number four a we have chief McKeegan recognition of his retirement and his long-standing time at Austin PD So we have several items for Dave, and I just want to, you know, I've said it before at his last meeting, there's not a better person that I could have relied upon, whether it was good times or bad, is Chief Dave McKeegan. So I've really come to appreciate all his efforts through his time in Austin and his friendship as well. So thank you, Dave. I hope you're enjoying your retirement so far. So what we have here first is a plaque that says an appreciation of Dave McKeegan for service to the city of Austin from December 1, 1997 to June 20, 2026. at the Police Department, respectfully presented by the Austin City Council and Mayor Stephen King. We also have his sign that we'll give to him, because he'd need that now. Maybe every other Monday you just put it up. Andrew is probably good with that. Maybe the kitchen table just sits there with your plate of food. I also want to present to Chief McKeegan a key to the city, which is well-earned over his time and efforts, what he gave to the citizens of the city. So he's going to be getting all this stuff, plus a car.

That red wrath has never forgiven me yet.

So let me come down and congratulate you personally.

That's good.

I do need a pack mule.

That's a good car. Where's your next?

Thank you. You're a stud, and we saw it at the end of the game. One thing I did hear, I had a comment to several officers that were over in this corner, but they had to go back to the ground. So I guess you got to go back to the ground. As he gets to go home and do whatever he pleases. Thanks, David.

Appreciate it.

I super appreciate my time in the city. Everyone in the police department's been great. Had a couple send-offs, and they owe me a whole lot. The city as a whole, like I said, I've been in these meetings for seven plus years. Various department heads, the other city employees, council mayor. It's just been fantastic to work with you guys all these years. And I'm gonna miss building relationships. I did come this morning to see these two gentlemen get sworn in.

It's obviously super exciting to see Mike in his position,

to have officers join us, one continuing an early part of his career, the one starting his career with the Austin Police Department. I can kind of tell, beginning of your career, those guys were great tonight. I didn't actually choose to run a good one just for you about it. I don't know if there's a difference between the two, but it was an amazing journey for me. Very glad to have him in Austin. Deep appreciation for all of you, all the years, but also like you said, the city employees, all the departments, all the police officers. I wish everyone the best.

I do also want to mention Andrea, Dave's wife, is here too. And I know it's quite a sacrifice as time goes on when you're the spouse of a law enforcement. It certainly comes with its ebbs and flows and stresses. So I appreciate your support of Dave while we had him as an APD and as chief. So thank you. One thing I also want to mention too is there's not a better person. Nobody kept us more informed than Chief McKee. I think Big Mac might have said it best to me some months ago or even a year ago that said, how many hyperlinks did you get in your email from, Dave McKeegan?

He won't give his personal.

So, yeah, we were very well-informed, counsel. Thank you, Chief. Appreciate it.

Bree, do you want to look in the minutes? Was that the shortest speech he's given? It might have been.

I've never been the type that Steven is.

That was coming, Lang. You knew it was coming. That's so good. Well, thank you again, Dave. Appreciate all the efforts and happy retirement. 4B is a step-up award. Jason.

Honorable Mayor and Council, I'm excited to be up here today to talk about the step-up award. This is the second step-up award we've given The award is a recognition program presented by the city to all local individuals, businesses, and organizations for their volunteer service, sponsorship of programming events, outstanding service in the interest of the city, and for other meaningful contributions that enhance the quality of our organization. We are excited to present the prize. On July 5th, 2016, at the World Convention, in recognition of our outstanding service and contributions to the African community. Before I present the award, I would like to say a few things about the event. We had a great meeting with the President last night. I think we were in conversation because there was a lot more to talk about. Berkson says that she loves living in Weston and a great part of the community we have here. She says she was raised in a very good way. Berkson was involved with Insect Boston for more than 25 years including serving as president. One of the highlights of her involvement with Spearset Boston was the 25th anniversary when Spearset Boston started a friendship over the Eastside Lake. And this is a great project where the diversity of tree species with the information and active tracing. You could go for a walk around the tree trunk and see what colors trees have and what colors have different types and you can really think, hey, this is a tree I might want to have in my yard. So I personally would go back and have one. Archon also said she enjoyed her time with Spruce Up, working with the Parks, Electricity and Forestry Department on the Yard of the Month program. I think the park is entirely involved in that, and a few other city employees as well, and that program as well. Lipson also served on the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board for more than 10 years. She enjoyed her time on the board working on many projects and helping to support our department. One of her highlights, she said, was working with Kim Underwood, a previous director, on a project to install those musical instruments that are on the hill where it was Austin park over by the pool. Um, she said that was a really great time. Um, she had, and I asked Gretchen, what makes her most proud of the Austin community? Her answer was that people are always willing to help. No matter what the project is, the people of Austin are always ready to step up. Um, So on behalf of Austin City Council and the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board, I'm pleased to present the Step-Up Award for July 2026, this birthday morning.

He asked if I'd like to say anything to Jess. Thank you for the recognition. That's really terrific. Especially after I'm kind of at a point where I retired a little bit from a few things. But I'm still working. My mind still works occasionally. And thank you with all of you that are here. Thank you for all the things you do to make our community the wonderful place it is to live. Thanks much.

Thanks, Gretchen. Appreciate your answer. Thank you. Item number 4C is our new officer introduction. Chief Hartman.

Mayor, City Council, I just wanted to take a second to introduce you guys to our two new officers that we fired. We're both going to explain them today. We have Michael Hanson. He's in the light blue suit. Mike Richardson in the dark blue suit. Mike comes to us Through RCTC, as a student this past year, new to law enforcement, however, we did have him as one of our CSO cadets. If you guys remember, that's our program where we have students study hard as kind of a CSO training. It gives them a great experience to look at our department, look at the city of Austin. It gives us a great chance to look at them and hopefully transition to the officer role. That's exactly what we're doing here today, so we're super excited about that. Wyatt comes to us with a little bit of experience. He's got, what'd you say, five and a half years? Five. Five years tomorrow in law enforcement, two and a half at Mauer County, and coming over from them. So he comes with a little bit more knowledge and a little bit of experience there to help us along. Well, I think we're going to be great candidates both from the area, and it's going to do very well. We'll start their two-week in-house training this week, and then after that, we'll start seeing them in the world.

Welcome, guys. Appreciate your willingness to serve and what you've done so far as well. I know that cadet program is a nice way to get folks introduced to the fellow officers they may work with in the future, but also they also get to know you a little bit. So I thank you both at the ground running, and I appreciate your willingness. Congratulations. More new staff, library, Julie.

So I feel like we really had to step up these awards lately so not to be left behind. The library has a new personnel too. So this is Stacy Waltman. Stacy is our new youth services librarian. Today was her first day. She survived following me around and being dragged all over the library today with lots and lots of information. She comes to us from Albert Lee. She's got background with as a children's librarian and also as media specialist in the school district. So we are really excited to have her. She's got some great energy, and we're looking forward to all the things she'll be doing with us here in the community. Very good.

Thank you. Thank you. All right, moving on to item number five on her petitions and requests, approving the 2026-2028 labor agreement and memorandum of agreement with the law enforcement labor services. Looking for a... Resolution approving resolution so moved second three That's the member obala hi That's a member Fisher.

Hi Councilmember Waller hi Councilmember Baskin hi Councilmember post month hi Councilmember Kelly hi Councilmember Atlarge-Austin. Aye. Resolution passes. Thank you, Brie. I have number six as approval of the revised 2026 salary range for the state administrative position.

Chris, do you have anything to say on that? No, I was just following their... following their June 10th WIC session where they discussed the...

Thank you.

Thank you, Trish. Council, any questions?

Move to approve.

Second. Brie.

Council Member Obala. Aye. Council Member Fisher. Aye. Council Member Waller. Aye. Council Member Baskin. Aye. Council Member Postma. Aye. Council Member Helley. Aye. Council Member L.R. Josten. Aye. Resolution passes 7-0.

Thank you, Bree. Item number seven is requesting approval to amend section 10.10 of the city code clarifying the procedure for dangerous dog appeal. Bree.

Mayor and council members, the clerk's office has requested that you consider amending section 10.10 of city code. This is to provide clearer guidance on the procedure for appealing a designation of an animal as dangerous. So previously the code stated that a hearing deposit would be refunded to an owner if the animal is not destroyed. We're proposing amending the code to specify that the hearing deposit would be refunded only if the designation of the animal as dangerous animal was not substantially justified by law. That is in your packet. And then we've made the deletions and strikethrough and the additions underlined. Please let us know if you have any questions. Otherwise, we're seeking approval for the updates to the city code.

Thank you, Brie. Council, any questions on this? Nope. Looking for resolution for preparation of the ordinance? Move to approve.

Second.

Marie.

Council Member Obala. Aye. Council Member Fisher. Aye. Council Member Waller. Aye. Council Member Baskin. Aye. Council Member Postma. Aye. Council Member Helley. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER ATLARGE-AUSTIN. AYE. ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1010 OF CITY CODE IS APPROVED.

VERY GOOD. THANKS, BRIE. AND A RESOLUTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE? SO MOVED. SECOND.

BRIE. COUNCILMEMBER OBALA. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER FISHER. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER WALLER. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER BASKIN. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER POSMA. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER HELLEY. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER ATLARGE-AUSTIN. AYE. ORDINANCE CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 8, REQUESTING APPROVAL TO AMEND SECTION 2.71 OF THE CITY CODE FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND RENUMBERING OF THE CITY CODE. AGREE.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL, SO WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL TO AMEND SECTION 2.71 OF THE CITY CODE FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND RENUMBERING OF THE CITY CODE. So 2.71 is currently in personnel, and we need to move that to City Code Chapter 18. We're also proposing to remove the language that states partial prepayments are only accepted during 30 days following the approval of the assessment rule. We'd like this to be revised so payments can be accepted until October 31st of the year in which the assessment rule is adopted. And then furthermore, you can see in the memo outlining the renumbering of the city code. SECTION 6 WAS ININVERTENTLY LEFT OFF OF THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. THIS IS SOLELY CLERICAL RENUMBERING. SO AUSTIN CITY CODE CHAPTER 2 SECTION 2.76 WOULD HEREBY BE RENUMBERED TO AUSTIN CITY CODE CHAPTER 2 SECTION 2.74. WE ARE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE, INCLUDING SECTION 6, WHICH RENUMBERS SECTION 2.76 TO SECTION 2.74. Please let us know if you have any questions. Otherwise, we're seeking approval for the updates to the city code.

Very good. Thanks, Bree. Council, anything on this? We're looking for a resolution. So moved.

Second.

Bree.

Council Member Ovala.

Council Member Ovala. Aye. Council Member Fisher. Aye. Council Member Waller. Aye. Council Member Baskin. Aye. Council Member Postma. Aye. Councilmember Helle. Aye. Councilmember At-Large Austin. Aye. Ordinance carries.

All right. Thank you, Bree. And also resolution for the adoption of the ordinance. So moved. Second. Bree. Aye.

Councilmember Obala. Aye. Councilmember Fisher. Aye. Councilmember Waller. Aye. Councilmember Baskin. Aye. Councilmember Postma. Aye. Councilmember Helle. Aye. Councilmember At-Large Austin. Aye. Adoption of the amendment to Section 2.71 and renumbering of the City Code passes.

Thank you, Bree. Item number nine is requesting approval to amend the Chapter 5 of the City Code, clarifying and updating of brewer liquor licenses.

City Council and Mayor, the Clerk's Office is requesting approval to amend Chapter 5 of the City Code. This would just clarify and update the brewer's liquor licenses. So we are proposing to eliminate the term growler. The updates aim to be more inclusive of brewer tap rooms, brewer pubs, and small brewers. Additionally, we're revising the language to now encompass off-sale and Sunday off-sale licenses. So we're seeking council approval to the updates to the city code.

Very good. Thanks, Bree. Looking for a resolution for preparation of the ordinance? So moved. Second.

Bree. Council Member Obala. Aye. Council Member Fisher. Aye. Council Member Waller. Aye. Council Member Baskin. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER POSMA. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER HELLEY. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER LARGE-AUSTIN. AYE. ORDINANCE CARRIES.

VERY GOOD. ALSO UNDER 9B, LOOKING FOR RESOLUTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. SO MOVED.

SECOND.

AGREE.

COUNCIL MEMBER OBALA. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER WALLER. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER BASKIN. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER POSMA. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER HELLEY. AYE. COUNCILMEMBER AT LARGE, AUSTIN. AYE. ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 5 OF THE CITY CODE PASSES.

VERY GOOD. THANKS, BREE. ITEM NUMBER 10 IS APPROVING A LEGACY GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST TO THE GMRPTC FOR CONTINUING EXPANDED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. LUKE, WELCOME.

SURE, COUNCIL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME. So in March, we applied for LCCMR funding for our environmental education program for outside of Austin students. We received word that our project did not get funded. So we're going to our backup plan, which is requesting funding to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, which has legacy funding from the state of Minnesota. We're requesting two years from them. And we're approaching the county for a 20% match on that as well. So this resolution is required for us to apply for those funds.

Okay. Thank you, Luke. Council, any questions? Move for approval.

Second.

Brie.

Council Member Obala. Aye. Council Member Fisher. Aye. Council Member Waller. Aye. Council Member Baskin.

Aye.

Council Member Postma.

Aye.

Council Member Helley. Aye.

Councilmember at large Austin all right resolution passes Very good Thank You Brie moving on to item number 11 is granted the planning and zoning department the power to contract for the removal of junk and or Legally stored vehicles at the following location 1718 Third Street Northeast the sour property in motion so moved second all in favor aye opposed Motion carries under item number 12 granting the planning and zoning department the power to contract removal of junk and or legally stored vehicles at the following location 705 14th Avenue Southwest, the Heeman Housing, LLC. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Item number 13, granting the planning and zoning department the power to contract removal of junk and or illegally stored vehicles at the following location, 610 4th Street Northwest, the Gabisa property.

So moved.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion carries. Are there any citizens in the audience looking to address council of items that were on the agenda? Brad, come on, give your name and address for the record.

Brad Johnson, 2012 11th Avenue Northeast, Austin. On behalf of the Austin Enhancement Group, I'd like to thank all of the city employees that helped with what we were able to accomplish. The weather was what it was, but there was a lot of work from a lot of entities that made this all fall together. Thanks for your time.

I appreciate it, Brad. There was a lot of effort, and when you have to make that call, you've got to make that call, and it's always tough. When you look at the weather, there was no doubt that you made the call. You had to, and then maybe it clears up a little bit either way. It would have been soggy. So I know the folks at the symphony and the pillars of the community like the air-conditioned comfort of the old auditorium.

Better when we made that call we had seven tents that were fully erected Yeah, and a lot of food vendors that had to pull out just to make sure they weren't floating away Thank you, but I appreciate your effort as well Looking for reports and recommendations from council let's start with Becky

Three quick things. One is, again, Brad, congratulations to you and the Freedom Fest group for just a really, really well done job. And, you know, obviously it ends up a little bit different than how it was planned, but I thought you guys did a really, really nice job of being flexible, of still getting kind of the tentpole major events in, and, you know, still making sure that our community had a wonderful way to celebrate America's 250th birthday. So congratulations.

Thank you.

I know there's a ton of work that you and your team do and the public employees that support that. So that one. Two, Stephen, huge thank you to you and your team around the flood mitigation. Short term, obviously, dealing with some of the short term issues and making sure that we are protecting, but also longer term. You think about where we were 20 years ago before the local option sales tax and what an event like last week would have had an impact. And it would have been much more than a couple of rescheduled things and some shifts. It could have been devastating the core parts of our community. So the fact that. You guys not only were able to mitigate a lot of it, but you drive around downtown and there's no major issues. You didn't have any major employers that have challenges. You don't have people displaced from homes as a result of that is in large part thanks to the work of you, yourself, your team, John Erickson, and a number of other people that have done that. So thank you. And number three, go USA tonight.

Well said, Jason. Thank you. We'll see you.

Yeah, I just want to take a couple of minutes. I promise the amount of time I will take is much smaller than the amount of time that these folks actually put into making a weekend like the 4th of July weekend that we just had come into effect. First, I always want to start by thanking the city staff. I know all of our emergency responders were very busy. The parks and street folks had everything in downtown and by the bandshell looking great up until Mother Nature intervened a little bit. Just appreciate all the work that you do kind of going towards this. I want to give a shout-out and congrats to Joe Bauer and the Chamber of Commerce for another great parade. We have one of the best parades in southern Minnesota. They put a lot of time, energy, and money into making that happen, so we very much appreciate it. As a member of Sud Symphony, I appreciate the Austin School District for letting us use your air-conditioned auditorium. I missed playing at the band shell. It's my favorite thing to do every year, but I absolutely understand why the call was made. The fact that the heavens opened up about five minutes after the fireworks got done means that was a really good call. And then lastly, I really want to take a minute to thank the Austin Enhancement Group. This is a small group that just does so much work, not just for the Fourth of July, but Christmas in the City and many other events. I hope I don't miss anybody. I want to thank them by name so that if you see one of them in the community, you can give them thanks. So my thanks go out to Brad Johnson, Mark Bleece Taylor Bleece Ben Bunnell Natalie Bunnell John Mueller Sean McAllister Scott Weichman Linda Wyna Bonnie Gordon Angela Sedgwick Perry John DeVries Todd Berglund and Cheryl Berglund as you can tell that is a very small group of people to put on a multiple day event and Give them your thanks, and hey, if you really like the 4th of July, you should offer to maybe help out next year. I bet they would be glad to have you on their team.

Thanks, Mike.

Jeff? Yeah, I guess just echo what everyone else has said. Thank the citizens for participating and helping in any way they can. City staff for all they did for this weekend, and especially the Austin Enhancement Group for what they had to put up with and what they had to deal with over this weekend. They did a great job. I thought they got the word out pretty well, communicated greatly, so everybody knew what was going on. And from what I heard, it was a good time for the events that we were able to have. So thank you to all those people.

Yeah, what a weekend flooding and Freedom Fest all crammed in together. So I won't repeat what everybody said, but I know pretty much every city department had extra impacts before we even got to the 4th of July with the flooding. Appreciate our partners at the Chamber and Austin Enhancement Group on behalf of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board, I would say I really appreciate the call because I think if the event would have gone forward as wet as that ground was, parks would be cleaning up the grass in that park for probably years to come. It just would have been torn up with that kind of traffic. saving the taxpayers some dollars there. It's a great time to remember that Austin Enhancement Group also hosts the High Water Concert Series, so their next one will be Thursday, July 16th at Banshell Park. Go check that out. And then finally, I'm pleased to announce that the Culture and Arts Commission is collaborating with the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board on a public art project that's going to mark the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Main Street. As part of the Oakland Avenue reconstruction project, there was a spot that was identified as the gateway to downtown where we really want to catch folks as they're coming into Austin to say, like, hey, we want you to pay attention. Right now it's just Firestone, and if you don't know to turn at Firestone to get to our magical downtown, then you just don't turn. So we're going to work together and use some funds from the Lydia Lean project donation to put together a public art piece at that site at Oakland in Maine. Engineering and Stevens folks have sort of left us a space for that on the sidewalk. So more to come on that, but a great collaboration.

Thank you, Laura. Movalo. I have a few things. Well, first of all, shout out to Austin Enhancement for all the work they do. Thank you. Brad, thank you for your team and everything. We saw the post about cancellation. Everyone jumped on it, but people understand. Thank you for everyone speaking up and also making sure that everyone... Second, I will be announcing today. I will be retiring at the end of my term. I'm not going to go for re-election. There's a lot of changes out of my work. Out of here, I will be very busy. So I want to make sure when I'm committed to this so that I have time. So I think I will be doing that. But I want to shout out and thank everyone for the work we have done. So coming December, I know it's too late already. As I chatted with the mayor, it's too late to get my name out from the primary. But I want to wish all the candidates all the best, especially those who are running for third word. And finally, Team USA. I believe this World Cup, we thought going to be expensive, but is the most watched in-person World Cup. As someone growing up watching soccer, I would say that I lost a lot of my money the last weekend because every team that I challenged, but thank God I get my money back through USA. So Team USA tonight, Belgium, hopefully they go zero. So yeah.

Thank you. Thank you, Bob. I know your decision was a tough one to not run again, but I appreciate what you've done on council for your time. I know that your work is getting more strenuous and more travel and also with the young family. So I certainly understand when you made that decision, why you made that decision. So thanks for what you've done.

And congratulations on a slightly minor life event that will be coming up on Saturday for you.

Yes, and this weekend we will be celebrating our wedding. So, yeah, it's been a busy summer. So, yeah, yeah.

Good for you. Congrats, Obama.

Thank you. Paul.

Nothing, Your Honor. All right. I just want to read the July anniversaries for our employees. We have Lance Ellingson, wastewater treatment plant for 37 years. Todd Clennon, Police Department, 27. Stephen Lang, congratulations, Stephen. Engineering, 25 years. Brian Blake, Police, 20 years. Sam Schuweiler, Police, 19. John Mashing, Street Department, 14 years. Aaron Heimer, Arena, 12 years. Dustin Hicks, Police, 10 years. Brendan busted streets eight years Sydney Weisinger Nature Center seven years Carrie Harstad police six years Lauren Bakken planning and zoning and building five years Christian Wangan engineering five years Evan Walker library four years Kelly Humphress administration and clerk one year Isaiah Heron police one year Mark Tamke police one year Skylar Thomas police one year Len Morris The third, engineering, one year. Eric Fuchtenberg, got to be careful in this public meeting. Park and Rec and Forestry, one year. And also we have some paid part-time on-call, Jeremy Carolyn, 26 years, and Josh Sia, 10 years. So that's where we congratulate our employees. We always love that we can read those and know that we have a lot of folks with some good long tenure here working for the city. Dave, do you have anything to add?

Mayor, I know that Stephen Lang has some, and then maybe I'll just look around and see if anybody else does. So, Stephen? I just wanted to mention to the council and the public that we're making progress on the Oakland Avenue one-way construction project. And the first phase of construction that started in April from 1st Street to 4th Street, that will be opening up here at the end of this week. And then we will be closing... Phase 3, which is from 4th Street to 8th Street. So generally the remainder of the summer, Oakland Avenue will be closed from 4th Street to 12th Street, where Phase 2 currently is, as construction continues in those two phases. But Phase 1 will be opening at the end of this week. Exciting. Thank you, Stephen. Appreciate the update. Anybody else?

All right. I'll agree.

AS COUNCILMEMBER POSTMAN SAID, WE DID HAVE THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE GOT TO HAVE THE PILLARS CEREMONY THERE AS WELL, SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT. I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE DR. FANNY FEESTER AND SUE RADLOFF FOR BEING NOMINATED AS THE PILLARS OF THE CITY, AS WELL AS THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR ALL THEIR WORK THIS LAST YEAR. their work picking the nominees. And thank you, Mayor, for attending and celebrating with us.

Thank you. It's always a pleasure. All right. With that, looking for a motion to adjourn to our work session. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?