City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. It is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. We will call the city council meeting of the city of New to order. The first item of business today is the consent agenda. Councilors, what are your wishes? I so move. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 2.1 is a lawful gambling premises permit for New Baseball Association. I'll offer the Go ahead. I'll offer the resolution approve the issuance of a prep permit application to conduct pull tubs gambling for New Baseball Association at BNL Bar 15 North Minnesota Street, Newm Minnesota. Second.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Warmup, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Yes. Councelor Mack. Yes. President Becker. Yes. That motion carries. Item 2.2 is a lawful gambling premises permit for New Alm Baseball Association. Offer the resolution to approve the issuance of a premises permit application to conduct pull tabs gambling for the New Home Baseball Association at the Newm Country Club One Golf Drive New. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian. Yes. Councelor Wormka. Yes. Councelor Schmidz. Yes. Councelor Mack. Yes.

President Becker. Yes. That motion carries. Item 2.4 uh or 2.3 is a raffles gambling permit for Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. I'll make a motion to approve the issuance of a lawful gambling permit for Cathedral of the Holy Trinity to conduct gaffle raffles gambling at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 605 North State Street on Friday, March 27th, 2026. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I I. That motion carries. Item 2.4 is a low potency hemp retailer registration.

President and counselors, I'd like to make a motion to approve the issuance of a low potency hemp registration for liquor mart at 1527 North Broadway subject to compliance with all city and state requirements. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? is do we know how many have applied for this yet? This is the first one. Is it really? Okay, that's what I kind of thought. It's a state requirement now. So I would assume there'll be more following. We will. Yeah, there will be more. Okay, very good. I see it see this stuff every everywhere. So good future like when we renew liquor licenses in July, that'll just be added as part of the liquor license renewal. I think that was part of our intention. Yes.

Okay. Any [snorts] additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion carries. Item 3.1 is summary of business conducted during board and commission meetings.

Uh first item was I attended the park uh rec commission meeting. It was very short. Uh it'll be further down the agenda. South Point proposal for a naming rights. Uh after that the the meeting was scheduled to be short because the consultant was here for their master plan gave commissioners a chance to go down to the recreation center review it and whatnot. Uh later that evening then I did attend the League of Minnesota Women Voters. I believe that's the first event ever where the entire council was invited to. Uh was really enjoyable. I'm not going to touch on all of it because other councils do want to report. Uh attended the EDA meeting, general business. We approved uh some of the funding for the grant and loan programs and anything to add again I'll give that to uh President Bker and the last item the mayor and myself attended the network duome program was very interesting the hour went by fast I really enjoyed attending it that was it

slow month for commissions for me but I also attended the League of Women Voters uh gathering that we had I thought that was wellrun well done um got some good questions answered. I thought so.

Uh, Sister Cities Commission will be conducting interviews, uh, February 2nd and 4th for the outbound candidates for this coming summer. So, more to follow on that. And, uh, I also attended the League of Women Voters uh, city council forum, and I, uh, greatly appreciate and thank the League of Women Voters for putting that forum together. Uh, Heritage Preservation recently approved two projects downtown here. Window replacements, uh, the upper windows on Minnesota Street at Mens and Rodney's. Um, and, uh, Cable Communications has not met recently.

Um, I will go. Um, I also attended the League of Women Voters event last Monday. I thought it was very well done. It gave everyone an opportunity to come and see a little bit about what we do, who we are, and we even got to say something about they might not know about us. Um, so that was a fun event. The next one that they're going to be doing is on um school board. So that is very interesting. EDA um as part of our kind of strategic planning and look ahead. Uh we are going to be having multiple work sessions this coming year to evaluate a lot of the loan programs that we have, what's working well, what's not working well. Um so you can see a lot to come on that. Um, also I do serve on the board uh for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. We had a board meeting um this past week to discuss uh very important things like replacement of lead pipelines, uh local government aid, and then that yes to housing bill. Um I'll let uh city manager Dalton kind of touch on that update from that as well. Um and then lastly, um at our region 9 full commission meeting last week, um actually, uh Commissioner Borart, uh and a group presented on some of the rural EMS findings that um we've received some grant funding for uh through the University of Minnesota Extension and how some of the rural communities um and one of some of the things that we can do to better um continue to have access to rural EMS. So, um, pretty busy there, but I'll pass it off to I'll pass it off to Chris and then we'll let the mayor go last. How's that sound?

Um, just really quick on the say yes to housing bill. So, um, it's a bill that's been three years in the making and something will pass uh, this session uh, more than likely. So, the housing chairs are really looking to put together a bill that is, for lack of a better term, ready ready for prime time. So, there's not going to be a lot of back and forth. It's a bill that can be presented um and we'll have some general buyin. Um there's some things in there that are um a little concerning uh that we want to at least have input on. Uh whether or not that input will turn into actual language uh will remain to be seen when the final bill um gets put out. Um but the biggest thing in there um for cities is looking at residential um converting 33% or having 33% of your residential be um four units or less so medium density. Uh currently as it stands right now we're at about 12.9%. So we would have to find an additional 21%. Uh so that is a huge task. Um so what we are trying to pass on to um the chairs is looking at reducing that percentage. Um you know whatever that looks like 33 is essentially too high at this point. Um but maybe it's first class cities you know a tiered system first class second class third class cities have different percentages. Um you know if we can get that down you know to a third class city which we are you know down to about 20% that is a little more doable. um you know 15 to 20 would be ideal but I don't know if le u the legislators will go that low. Um so that's the big thing and the other side is looking at there having a current point system. Uh we just don't want the word points in there because eventually at some point that potentially will be used against cities um like hey you don't have enough points or you only have x points so grant funding is less or you know potentially

LGA you only get a certain percentage of that. So removing the word points and just having an alloc cart menu to select from uh is what we're trying to get there. Um but outside of that, you know, those are kind of two big sticking points. There's a couple other things that we don't like in the bill, but as of right now, it's just a draft, so we'll wait till the kind of more final version comes out. I will say what it does again is essentially ties a city's hands into making its own zoning decisions and allows different types of construction to take place in your residential neighborhoods. So once again, if you're not familiar with this bill, I definitely encourage you to take a look um and write your senators and representatives um if you don't agree with what's in it. Thank you, Mayor. Um very busy time since the last time we reported um with EDA uh commission. Uh just two additional things. We did approve a $50,000 uh support for New Brick and also um our consultant that we use for new business startups. Uh we re renewed that contract as well. Uh we had the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new armory uh which was a lot of fanfare and a a great event. We had a ribbon cutting for Walmart uh with the new improvements that they did at the our store. Uh CBB met and we will be announcing the tourism person of the year. Uh so um wait for the news. It's forthcoming. Uh League of Women Voters was a great evening. Uh it's different sitting in this chair uh answering questions from the league when you're not competing with the person next to you to be elected for a particular office. So it was very relaxing, very informative and we had a great audience that seemed to listen with great interest. So um kudos

to the League of Women Voters for that opportunity. The same thing with the network new alm. Uh this room was full of people wanting to learn or here to learn about new and what we do behind the scenes as elected officials and staff and uh uh Dave Christian had quite a lot to say because he also has had 30ome years I believe 37 years is that what you're saying somewhere there.

Yeah. Affiliated with the city. So he was very informative. on occasion he allowed me to talk and of course I not short on that end as well. So it was it was a great opportunity for us to share and again the audience uh seemed to be very engaged asked some great questions and uh finally in keeping with the fact that EDA is interested in education uh for the city of New uh I attended the robotics competition at Cathedral this weekend. Wow, these young people uh and Clay was there as well covering it. Uh to see what these young people are able to do. I believe it was middle school and senior high. I have video. I don't know how many pictures I took. I'm a wannabe. I want to be 13 again and be able to participate in this. But it was a good opportunity for us to take a look at what could be uh in our education system in New. So that concludes what I have to share. Great updates everyone. Thank you. Anything else? Thank you. Moving on to new business. Item 4.1 is an appointment to the airport commission. President and counselors, uh, since this is a recommendation that I'm making to the, uh, council, I'd like to, um, make a motion to approve the reappoint of Tom Furth to the airport commission for a three-year term ending December 31st, 2028.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I I. That motion does carry. Item 4.2 is an appointment to the Cable Communication Advisory Board. Call for a motion to approve the appointment of Jesse Juel to the Cable Communication Advisory Board to serve a three-year term ending December 31st, 2028. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. I. That motion does carry. Welcome, Jesse. [gasps] Item 4.3, new battery cannon shoot for the 2026 schedule.

I'll make a motion to authorize the new M battery to fire cannons for the following 2026 schedule of events. February 1st, 2026, St. Paul's School's Amazing Race at St. Paul's School. May 2nd, 2026, Memorial Day service or memorial service for Captain Willal Biane at Newm City Cemetery, three rounds. May 25th, 2026, Memorial Day parade at the Newm Cemetery, three rounds. July 4th, 2026, Sunrise Salute at New Alm Cemetery at 5:32 a.m. 13 rounds. Good, good. Uh July 15th, 2026, American Legion Music in Riverside Park at Riverside Park, 10 rounds. September 12th, 2026, Thunder in the Valley at Hermanfest, 11 cannons, 12 rounds each, totaling 132 rounds. November 11th, 2026. Uh, Veterans Day at Shells Brewery at 11:00 a.m. Three rounds. Uh, funeral memorial shots fired upon request of families of former members, members of armed services and fallen dignitaries and training demonstrations at the battery house.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Just one other um kind of point to bring up. Um, this is a list, current list of everything they know that they're going to do. Um, I know there's always a baseball game uh sometime end of summer in November, somewhere around there that they'll do that. Uh, and then for our CGMC conference this year, we're going to ask if they can potentially do are around for a Canon shoot as well, but those will be brought to council uh at later dates. Perfect. [snorts]

We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 4.4 is Newm Recreation Center naming rights agreement. Right,

council president, counselors, before you have the naming rights agreement uh that was uh unanimously approved uh by the parks and wreck uh commission. Uh this would award the fieldhouse um to South Point Financial Credit Union. Um, looking at this would be a 15-year term. Uh, yearly payment would be $45,000. Um, city will pay up to $33,750 uh for the initial fabrication and installation of of signage. Uh, the one key point for South Point is there will be a member discount option for South Point members, including 10% off three-month membership and 15% off um yearly membership. um looking uh and this will come at a later date as well. Um the fee for um front burn front burner sports um will come back. There's three different options uh that are available. Um one is 12.5% over the lifetime value uh if we pay yearly, 11% of the lifetime value if paid over 3 years and then 9.5 of the lifetime value if you paid during the first year. Um we as staff are leaning towards um doing it all in one year but that'll come uh at a later date and Joey uh will be will be presenting that.

Very good. And again just backing South Point I was at the park and rec me commission meeting. They unanimously supported it. They got all their questions answered. South Point attorney is happy. Our city attorney is happy. So if nobody has any questions I want to move forward. Carry on. A motion to approve the naming rights agreement between the city of NOM and South Point Financial Credit Union for the new homem recreation center authorizing the city manager and finance director sign the agreement on behalf of the city of NOM and allow staff to work through minor changes to the agreement if necessary. Second.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Um, I would say that I'm very supportive of the 9.5 uh on lifetime agreement and that if that can be reached, that would be and thank you to South Point. Correct. Um, I would also like to say thank you to South Point. This is something new that we're doing as a city and we appreciate you guys kind of putting your foot out there and saying, you know what, we want to give this a try. you're a great um asset to the community and um I think that it's a win-win because it is encouraging people to both be members of your organization um and get a discount to do some healthier things potentially. So, I appreciate that. Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. Um those in favor signal by saying I.

I. That motion does carry. Thank you. Item 4.5 is the penny rounding policy. Uh counselors, this isn't something that's been an issue for us to date. Um we just wanted to have it in place in case it does become an issue. We have very few cash transactions um utility billing accounts. We would just apply the penny shortage or overage to their accounts. Um we will be using a standard rounding method. So up or down at the normal two, three and four, five. Um, so, uh, like I said, it should really have very small effect on us as we move forward and hasn't affected us yet. But,

President, counselors, I'd like to make a motion, uh, to approve the penny rounding policy and notice to customers effective January 21st, 2025. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 4.6 Six is the deed redevelopment grant application for EBMD.

Council president, counselors, uh before you is just a resolution uh that we need to have with the grant application allowing us to submit the application. Um this would be for the mall project. Um and so what what we'll end up doing is having this we have to essentially get the application out next week uh because it has to be in their hands before the first. Um, so, um, Eric, uh, is currently working on his portion of the application and we'll get that in and submitted. Um, there is a 50% match, um, or we're elig or the applicant has to pay for 50% of the demolition cost. Um, and so we'll be looking at either doing um, probably tax payment for that project. Uh, so, and this will just cover the demolition. This doesn't include any of the let's go redevelopment of the property. Um so this is something that we need to get done and he's ready to move forward.

Let's keep her moving. I'll offer the resolution to submit a grant application to the to the Department of Employment and Economic Development on behalf of EBMD. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian. Yes. Councelor Forka. Yes. Councelor Schmidz. Yes. Councelor Mack. Yes. President Becker. Yes. Motion carries. Item [snorts] 4.7 is a police department donation. Chief, city council president, members of the council. Um, in front of you, we have a generous monetary donation of $200 from Marsha Helverson to support the K9 program.

Thank you. Well, I'll offer the resolution to accept the monetary donation in the amount of $200 from Marshia Halverson to support the new Police Department K9 program. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christians, yes. Councelor Worm, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker,

yes. That motion carries. Our last item of business today is item 4.8, which are library donations and memorials. I'll offer the resolution to accept the donations and memorials to the Newm Public Library for the period of October 1st to December 31st, 2025. God, I must like the sound of my own voice. Uh the first one is anonymous uh for $17.27. Second one, anonymous for $57. Uh third, Vicky Piser, $20 for books. Uh Doug and Betty Royer, $50 for adult books. Uh Lisa S, uh $50 for adult books. Another from Doug and Betty Royer for 50 for adult books. Uh Sylvia Offter Heidi, $1,500 for adult books. Uh Friends of the New Public Library, $742.86 for adult programming. Uh looks like Civil War presentation. Friends of the New Alm Public Library for $150 for adult programs, stories for the season. Friends of the Public Library for 200 for adult programming, adult winter reading program. Dom's German store gave $300 undesated. Dom's German store gave $150 for children's programs. Fenlan uh $59 undesated. Uh Randall and Katherine Friedri's and from Millie Doring, $75 for large print books, anonymous donation for $29 or 24 cents cash undesated. Uh Bill and Lorie Otis, $100 undesated. And last, uh, Nancy Loen, $30 undesated toward a total of $3,600.37 in donations.

Second and thank you, Councelor Warm reading through all that. [laughter] Beta. Thank you. We have a motion in a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Wormcott, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion does carry and with no additional business, the meeting today is adjourned. We will move into a work session to follow.