City - Regular Meeting

January 14th, we'll call the meeting to order. We'll stand for the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible for all. All right. So, Julie, we all like to do the poll together, right? State your name. Yes. Ready?

I support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Council member, the city of Rockville and the county, the state of Minnesota to the best of my best under in such Yeah, we got we got to practice that next time. Last time.

All right. Um any additions to the agenda? Um we need to add um under 13 as number B is um approval of a sub um group for the sportsman club looking at the building the P the old PW building. I think that's the only addition you had you had one for the fire department. Um I think it was already approved in which it looks like it was approved by council in the past for the airline. So we should be okay. that's been approved and the humidifiers have been approved, right? Okay. Then we're going to move uh Dan Styles up to right after this approval.

Okay. So, I second the motion for the additions to the agenda. We need to add the um resolution. It would be 2026 for the tax abatement. Oh, calling for the tax ab that's going to be 12 C, right? Or you can put it under that 11 A1 and two. So it would be 2026-04 07. What number? It has to be 07. And that's a tax abatement, correct? Yes. For the public public hearing. Yep.

Public hearing. And that would be under 13 C. Are we doing again? Or you can do it under 11 A1 and you can go with number two because you have that res. Yeah, let's just do that, I think. And it's going to be the same date, right, as the other one. Okay. Yeah, we'll just do I think it makes sense to do the other one. Is that a friendly amendment to your motion, too? Yes, that is a friendly MO. I'm sorry. Do the same. So, the motion, a second. All in favor indicate by saying I. I.

Any nays? Hearing none. Um we'll invite Dan Styles up from the bike guys to speak. The bike guys. Well, I I really want to thank uh the city of Rockville for letting us use the old fire hall. It's the first time we've had a bathroom in the place we work for a long time. So, um it was really really nice and we appreciate it and we hope that we can continue that relationship. So this year we took in 300 bikes and um we threw uh about 150 away to the Rockville U place and we fixed 150 and then Bobby uh works with us and any child in this area that does a drawing a color drawing gets a bike. So I think about this year we gave 25 to 30 bikes away to kids from that uh program. So again I just want to really thank you guys for helping us out.

Thank you guys for what you do and thank you guys for doing what you're doing. It's a wonderful thing for a community. So thank you. Thank you. Thanks Dan. All right. Uh first resolution is 2026-01 acceptance of the December 2025 donations. Make a motion to approve resolution 2026-1. I'll second. We have a motion to second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Any nays?

Hearing none. Uh, next item is approval of the December 2025 bills paid. I'll make a motion to approve of the December 2025 bills paid. Second. And we have a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I.

Hearing none. We'll move on. And then the consent agenda is the approval of Rockville City Council minutes from December 10th. uh the acknowledgement of the building permits. Uh the sheriff's report, fourth quarter journal entries, resolution 2026-02 approving Rockville fire relief application, and the approval of the special event for the road closure on March 14th for a couple hours. Um we need a motion and second on that. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. I'll second that.

A motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any nays? Okay. We'll move on to setting the public hearing for ordinance 2026-132 for city fees and charges charge schedule. So, we need to open the public hearing. Correct. So we I need a motion to open the public hearing. No, there is no motion you were scheduling, right? No, no, this is the public hearing. This is fees. So we got

the charge schedules. So yeah. Okay. So anyone uh wishing to speak about the city fees or charge schedule, please please step forward to the podium, give your name and address, and you're welcome to do so now. Going once, going twice, going three times. I need a motion to close the public hearing. Move to close public hearing. Can second a motion a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

I. I. Any nays? All right. Uh department reports motion to approve the city. Make a motion to approve the SK the schedule fees as presented. I'll second that. A motion second. Any further discussion on the fees scheduled hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any nays? Okay. Cody, you're up. Or you want to start with Jason?

Perfect. Mayor, council, as we discussed in the work session, I got two action items for you. I'd like to to request the council to schedule the street reconstruction uh public hearing for your next meeting on February 11th, 2026. uh that meeting and as it reads in the or that public hearing, I should say, as it reads in the uh resolution be held at 6:30 uh for the council to consider uh the street and construction plan adopting uh 6 million of potential uh planned improvements. Make a motion to approve resolution 2026-3 to schedule the public hearing for the street recond construction bomb for 21126.

At 6:30, right? Pardon me. At 6:30. Correct. At 6:30. Okay. We have a motion. I'll second. Have a motion. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any naysay?

And then I'll also make a motion that we uh approved resolution 2026-07 which is scheduling a public hearing for tax abatement for the above said project to follow after the other public hearing on 211. I will second that. So have a motion, a second. Any further discussion on that resolution 20 26-07? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying I. I.

I. Any naysay public works. So, the public works um is looking for approval for the Barnes um pumps for 2026 to go ahead and purchase those as we will be holding the the actual pumps there and they will just be getting them as they need them. Pumps and switches. We have done this last year. We've been on it. Actually, we've been doing it for the last few years, ordering an add so that we have pumps on hand. It was 20 pumps and 35 switches.

I'll make a motion to approve the 2026 um Barnes Razor pumps purchase. 20 pumps and 35 switches. I'll second that. Motion to second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Any naysay? Hearing none, we'll move on.

So the first item for the fire department is reappointing the secretary to another four-year term and that currently is held by James and he has agreed to go on for another four years. Um, so I need a motion and a second and then that would make that date retroactive to 121 45. Make a motion in that terms. I'll second that. Okay, we have a motion, a second. Any further discussion on that hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I.

Okay. appointment of first assistant chief effective and when you see an effective date on that. Um I will be recusing myself from this vote because I am related to the one of the candidates is my nephew. So I will recuse myself of this. I am also recusing myself for personal. So when we make the motion, we need to make an effective date as well. And would you prefer the first of the month or the what what Judy what's easiest from payroll standpoint? And just

I'm going to say James would be happy if you ended it at like if it's January 30th or 31st or if it's if you're having them start on Feb or March March 1st then it' be whatever February. So whatever time that you guys approve, I'd say as of the 1st of whatever that month is. So it' be February 1st or March 1st. Yeah. Okay. Yep. And so you're not dividing the, you know, because we have the first assistant chief. So you're not dividing that, right?

So you're recommending we do the first assistant chief and the secretary for the same dates. Is that what I'm hearing or example when you approve whoever you're approving have them start like February 1st of 2026 or if you wait another month and have them start March 1st of 2026 because don't go in the in the middle of the month. Yeah. Okay. I got you. I think the confusion was is you said James well so James James was would be the secretary James already secretary for for 12. Yes. And their payroll starts at 12 month. Yeah. Thank you.

Now, depending on how we do this next part, are we referring to them because we were referred to them, you know, as candidates? Candidate one, candidate two. Is that how we're going to do the approval to as candidate one or candidate two? Or are we going to use their names? Now, we're going to use their name. Okay. I just want to make sure that because

so we cond we conducted the interviews back on on uh January was it January 10th 29th January 29th

December 29th so we conducted the interviews back on December 29th with with Travis and Jeremy somebody had already mentioned their names earlier um both came in and applied both of the candidates were I I feel they're good firefighters they both were with good candidates for the position. Um, one stood out, I think, a little bit more with some of the answers as far as uh conflict resolution, leadership skills. Um, a few of the other questions. I uh I I think you rose to the top a little bit more. And that's not to diss the the the other candidate, but um I What am I making a motion? Would I make a motion now to to accept what? So I would I would I would like to move forward with with nominating or or with uh appointing Jeremy Gross as the first assistant first assistant chief.

And what date? And that would be effective February 1st. February 1st. And I will second that. All right. You have a motion and a second. Um we'll probably just do a roll call vote right away. you know, just a roll call vote just because there's two recused already or how do you want to do that? More discussion or more discussion? More discussion.

Thank you. Um I I first of all, I got to apologize to the candidates. They're both here. Um I did take liberty to give them a call because I I felt I owed that to them. Plus, I had one question that I wanted to ask each one of those and they both answered very well. Um, the reason I wasn't at the meeting is I was working that night. We were down hauling snow, which that kind of took precedence over me being at the meeting. So, I apologize to everybody that was affected by that. Secondly is my opinion is I I like Travis um for the simple fact that uh he's got 10 more years on the fire department and he's had um captain position where I don't believe Jeremy has and I think that's got some um value to what he brings to the table. Um that's just my two cents. I I think that that person and he's also applied for chief I believe and uh was turned down at that time. Um so I I personally I I think Travis would be our candidate. That's just my two cents and those are my reasons. I will just say that I was here and um Bobby before we did the interviews had said to really listen to their answers and what they said. And um many times during that time I sat here with my eyes closed, not even looking at either candidate because I wanted to hear what they said and not look at them. And with that I felt both did a very good job in many ways. both would be very good candidates in um and be good chiefs, I

feel, but I just really feel that Jeremy is the better candidate at this time. And just for the record, too, I did come down and listen to all the video recordings two separate times and just to do exactly what Julie said to I personally myself, I pick up more on the second goound than the first go around. And and they did. They both interviewed well. They're both very knowledgeable. I think they're both qualified candidates in my eyes. I just feel that the one is better in my opinion.

Yeah. And again, I I'm refusing because it's not fair to either candidate. Um so, are we ready for a vote or not? I am. So, you have a motion of second. Um, so the three of you, all in favor, indicate by saying I. I. I. Any nays? I'm going to say name. Okay. Will we do a roll call Judy, please? Sure. Um, member Mer. Yes. Member Herbert. No. Member.

Yes. And then member Mossman or accuse obstaining abstaining. Okay. And member I willain as well.

Okay. So passes passes two to one. Two to one. Yep. All right. Next item is the approval of the LOA for the firefighter leave of absence for Zack Hansen. And that's just an acknowledgement that we have this paperwork. Is that all? We're not We have to make a motion that we're accepting this paperwork. Okay. Anybody want to make that motion? I can make the motion. I I make a motion to approve the LOA for firefighter Zack Hansen effective 115 of 26. Second motion to second. Any further discussion?

Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Any nays? All right. Action items.

Nope. Stop. One sec. Good. A couple things to the fire department. Um this is given to me to relay on to everybody. Um we had a total of 171 calls last year for the fire department which that is up from what it has been in the past. So just that everyone is aware of that. Um Walt leaders distributing um gave us a quote which was okay by the council last um I believe it was last month. I believe it was the month before and they will be installing that now starting um looks like before March they'll be installing that air compressor system and that was for $11,725 and that will be up at the fire hall and they will be starting so they'll be starting it looks like next week but they will be all done before March. Um they were waiting on an estimate on unit number eight. it keeps stalling um out. Talked to several vendors um in our area to look at and declin you know decline. Um so the emergency um that we look at they are last week to fix unit two also the emergency. So both those units are being looked at um to find out what is actually going on and trying to either fix them or come back and see what they can do next. There are two dehumidifiers being put into the fire hall which was um pre-arranged pre-approved already for $2,300 that will be coming in. Um some of the fire trucks are having some issues and they're wondering if there's too much humidity in the fire hall um where the trucks are. So they are having those installed also. And then just let everyone know the annual fish fry is scheduled for March 20th of 2026 and that is at the parish center. Um, it does not say if that's going to be a drive-thru or if it's going to be a sit down at this time. I believe it's a drive-thru again. Um, if I remember hearing about that. So, if you're looking for raffle tickets, those are out and about here within the next few

weeks. That's all they had. Thank you. Thank you, Julie. All right. the resolution 226-4 business officer resolution for TCM bank. Can you clarify a little bit more than that Judy?

So in the past we used to work with private bank and they would um anytime we had hired a new employee and or we needed to change the credit limit or cancel an a Visa card um we would just work with them. They would work with the Visa. moving forward. Um we were told that Granite Bank can't do that anymore and so now we have to strictly work with the Visa. Well, they will not um they'll allow us to cancel, but they will not allow us to add anybody until we have this resolution signed by you guys. Make a motion to approve resolution 2026-04. And I will second that.

Okay. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any nays? All right. Resolution 2026-05. The annual appointments. We're the only change we're making is we're adding Ashley onto the fire department liaison as a backup for Julie. Um, that's the only change we're going to make at this time. I'll make a motion to approve the resolution 2026-05 as the annual appointments. I'll second it.

Motion and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any nays? Hearing none. uh resolution 2026-06 appointment and reappointment of the planning commission. So we have one candidate that expired at the end of the year. So in the motion we have to put Luke back on if we want to keep him or open it back up to someone else for the planning commission. We are really lucky to have Luke so I would like to see him stay.

I agree with that. And that said, there's been I mean there nobody's like waiting in the wings that we're denying. There's no other application. So yeah, absolutely. So your motion is to put accept the resolution and put Luke back on the planning commission. Is that correct, Ashley? Yes. Okay. And I'll second that. Okay. Motion a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I. Any naysay? All right. And approval of the Highway 23 Coalition annual membership. I didn't see is that the

500? We approve. I'll second. So, a motion, a second for the coalition, Iowa Highway 23 coalition. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Hi.

Any nays? Hearing none. Okay. Next item is uh administration review of the IUP on Hubert Lane. And this would be it expired at the end of the year. We did set a moratorum on short-term rentals until we put some more guide rails in place. So my ask is what would the council like to do with this IUP tonight?

I guess my opinion is is that we extend it for another year. Um just so that everybody's aware, there has been no formal complaints of any kind to it. Um I know we heard from Amy before about the um 7-day rental minimum thing. I guess my opinion to that is if anybody's rented it and they didn't be there the whole seven days, that's a benefit to the neighbors because there's nobody there at that point. Um, and that's the only issue that that's been brought up and I don't think that's a a standing warrant to deny this.

So, I'm going to make approve a motion that we approve extending the IUP for another year. Hey, does anybody second that? Jason, you have to comment.

I was just going to comment that I think the concern wasn't so much that they were there for less than seven days. I think it was the fact that it was being turned over within that 7 days where listening listening going back Amy had sent us out a link um to to the old meeting and going back and listening to it that the dos did say it was brought up like three times that they were going to rent for a minimum of seven days. So, I can see I can see the heartburn from the neighbors with uh with them, you know, agreeing to that and as well as agreeing, you know, that that was their original stipulation was that they were only going to rent it for a couple months, which and I'm I mean, I don't blame them for wanting to extend the months, but they were explicitly clear that they were only going to rent for for 7-day periods. And I and I'm not I'm not saying that I'm in favor of that being part of our ordinance, but that is what they had had told the neighbors they were going to do before they um before they went out to to get the IUP. So my my question would be is if we if we reapprove it, can we put that as a stipulation that it can only be rented once per 7-day period

um as an add-on or would it have to be approve or deny? I think you would have to bring them back in and ask. You guys you guys approved the IEP what certain conditions you added those conditions and and we did not. Correct. Right. So they have to reapply. Yeah.

Well, they have a sixmonth review. They that IEP went. You guys gave them six months to see how if we got any violations or anything like that. Um we normally give it a whole year but you guys wanted to review it in six months. So really technically that IEP my understanding is is it lasts for a year but you wanted to see if you got any complaints and violations.

I think that's why we wanted to see it in 6 months to see if we did have those complaints and that type of thing. So I agree we did approve a year but at 6 months we wanted to re and discuss if we wanted to take that back. But I mean, my personal opinion on this, too, is I guess I I haven't personally read their ad on how it reads, on how they're renting it. Um, I tried looking it up one day and it didn't come up for me and I put in a bunch of different things trying to find it. Um, I think if their stipulations said they were going to rent it for a 7-day, you know, period at a time, and if they're only there three days, that means there's no one going to be there for the other four. I kind of agree with Jason, but I also agree with Brian. um that you know it's a win-win if they don't stay the whole 7 days type situation. But I guess I would want to make a clarification on that that they are definitely doing a 7-day period that they're not doing 3 days and then another 3 days where they're thinking that's in a 7-day period type situation.

And I think that's what is happening, Julie. And that's where my heartburn is with this is because I my personal vote went for it because of the stipulations that we thought we were going to be in place and that technicality has made it okay but I'm currently not okay with how it how they're operating and I don't think it's fair to the neighbors and personally if I had to go back and revote for that knowing that they weren't going to follow through my vote would be no. So I would be in favor of not renewing it tonight. All right. So, we have an we have a motion to approve it for another year. Is that right? Or to extend

extended to extend to six months. Well, that would be take them to their year is six months would take for the year, right? And if that was the case, then the IEP then would expire in June. Correct. We started it July 1st, I think. Does anybody want to second this? which at that point they would need to reapply in June and they will not be able to because we have a because we have a morator.

Correct. So we have no motion or we have one motion but no second at this point. If I'm not mistaken, I think the um we could get ourselves into some trouble if we don't renew it because I think our stipulation was that the complaint issue and there's no complaints and we need you to understand that there has been no complaints. I understand that as well, but it was it was also misrepresented to this group.

What that's what swayed my vote. I I will at this point there is no second on the motion. So it would be a stalemate. We could table it until we get some guide rails or deny it. they'd have to reapply and go through the public hearing process again which they won't be able to do until we lift lift the moratorum

moratorum I do think whatever we decide I know at the time when we when we set the six months and and it was brought up in the meeting again that we were going to create a committee and and firm up to firm up the ordinance and actually get in, you know, get a better ordinance in place. So, I think whatever we decide to do tonight, we need to get the ball rolling on that. So, we either, you know, so can we make the motion with the stipulation of seven days? Judy, how quick could you pull up what all the um restrictions were when we passed that? I said that email.

Yeah. Okay, what we're doing

which was I mean we just we didn't call out the the 7-day portion. It was just agreed to So you guys approve not burden to any public facility um existing So, it must abide by the zoning standards set forth in the R1 zoning district. Uh, must abide by the zoning standards set forth in the shortterm rental ordinance. Must abide by the ordinance 2009-59 regulating dogs. must abide by by the Minnesota basic code 92 health and safety and nuisance. Must by the posting speed limit of 10 miles per hour as it is on one lane road. Must by two car limit and all items such as boats, trailers must keep off the road. must abide by the DNR burning restriction to consider the removal of the fire pit and replace it with a propane fire t um fire table and then

the IUP will go before the council in 6 months for review. Those were the conditions that the council set forth. So, that's what I was referring to about um if we deny for any other reason than what these restrictions are, we're going to get ourselves into trouble. Well, we can add a restriction. Correct.

If we can add at this point, I don't think we can. I don't think you if you table it, maybe have um the dopes come back and you guys can question them in regards to what had what was on their application and see if they're willing to, you know, make the adjustments. Yes. So, do you want to table it until February?

Do we table with the you can't rent it from now till then? I mean, I hate to even because I want to make sure that we're being fair to everybody, you know, but we don't know if they have any rentals at this point, but they originally had said nothing would be in January, you know. So, they had originally said there would be nothing in January. So that's I thought it say

March. So tableabling it till next month won't make a difference, right? And they just can't rent it till is made.

Does anybody want to make that motion? I'll make the motion to table until next month. I'll second. Yeah. Motion a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I.

Any nays? Okay. Uh last item is the form of subcommittee to work with the sportsman's club on the proposal on the old PW building. Um Brian and Jason have agreed to be a part of that group. Um so we'll make a motion to set that up. So it' be Brian and Jason and then Bobby of course and the the sportsman group people sports group.

So I'll make the motion to set up that subcommittee and I'll second that. Motion a second. Any further discussion? All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Okay. Anything else? Make a motion to adjurnn. I'll second. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. I.