City Council - Regular Meeting

I'll call the meeting to order. Roll call. Mayor Reese. Here. Council member Ask. Here. Gilbertson. Here. Baggerly. Here. Davis. Here. Butterfield. Here. Scholdys. Here. And council members Nelson and Gardner excused. Seven present, two absent. Please stand for the pledge. I 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. Any additions or deletions? Motion to approve the agenda. Second. Got a motion and a second to approve. Discussion? Roll call. Council member Gilbertson. Aye. Davis. Aye. Ask. Aye. Baggerly. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. And Scholdys. Aye. Six ayes, zero noes. Motion passes. Next is the consent agenda. Call on Vernell Larson, city clerk. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Today, and council members, for your approval I have the city council minutes of April 6th, 2026. The city council and municipal utility commission joint work session of April 13th, 2026. The planning commission minutes from April 1st of 2026. The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission minutes of April 13th, 2026 is a draft. The airport commission and human rights commission applicants. The Lakeland Drive Path Improvement Project plans and specs. Authorization and add for bids. And the accounts payable

report from 4 3 2026 to 4 15 2026. And for your information, the director's reports, the financial report through 3 31 of 2026. And the Wilmar Wilmar Municipal Utilities financial report for February 2026. [snorts]

Motion to approve the consent agenda. Second. Got a motion and a second. Discussion? Uh Mayor. Yes, Tom. Thank you. Um looking at the uh Wilmar Planning Commission minutes, um I've informed them that it looks like there were some clerical uh issues on some of the locations through cut and space cut and paste. They said that they'd resolve those, so as long as those are resolved, I'd like to either approve it and uh go from there or uh pull it for another date. [snorts] So, are you proposing the changes? Yes.

Maybe necessary? Yes. We need a second on that. Second. Robert, am I doing something wrong? [snorts] Uh no, Mayor. Um I think usually if there's a just a typo in the minutes, it frequently can just be pointed out and the staff understands they they need to fix the minutes, they can just um kind of be understood. But if you'd prefer a formal motion, certainly you can do that. No. No, that would be fine. It makes no difference to me. So. Are you withdrawing it? Okay, this is withdrawing the motion. Yes. Yes. All right. Thank you. [snorts]

Any other? Roll call. Council member Davis. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Scholdys. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Ask. Aye. And Baggerly. Aye. Six ayes, zero noes. Motion passes. Next is our open forum. We have one individual that wishes to speak. You get 3 minutes to the uh Josh Reeks. And uh speak into the microphone and give us your address. Josh Reeks, 1601 6th Street, Wilmar. Ready.

[snorts]

Um I'm here to speak about Flock cameras. Flock cameras are a private company that has provided license plate readers that use AI to help detain some people faster throughout the USA and has been implemented in Wilmar. Um many citizens don't know we have it, and whoever I tell about it on both sides of the aisle kind of don't really want it. And I'm just going to kind of skip to kind of the most recent [clears throat] issue with them. Um the most frightening part is who can access these cameras. A while ago uh it said only certain parties can access these cameras in the in the town of Wilmar, and other towns say the same, like Dunwoody, Georgia, where they say only two external entities could view the cameras, the neighboring towns, and it was on a case-by-case basis, like what I believe Wilmar is using at the moment. However, a ton of digging in open records request, it was found out that 1,271 external entities could access live streams, and 358 external entities could record live streams. Some of the organizations that could access the cameras were only labeled as do not use or delete. They found created users that do not show up in user logs. Um that Flock employees not only watch the videos, but also they were creating APIs to third-party companies the town doesn't have contracts with, disabling multi-factor authentication for users, and disabling user searches from showing up in audits. They also found auto-proof sharing of data to others with no human approval. And here's where it gets creepy. Entities like fitness centers, schools, or other non-Flock cameras can join the Flock network and have Flock handle the data. In the town of Dunwoody, many Flock employees who are supposedly not able to access the camera were looking at different streets and holding cells, but for some reason would also watch the local fitness center, pool, and gymnasium a lot where little girls will be practicing. This raises a ton of red flags. I really do not think the town should be in business with such a company, and I really hope we do not use Flock in our playgrounds, pools, fitness centers, or schools. We would think it's weird if a few cars showed up to the elementary school or playground and started recording our children, but

we would essentially be doing the same thing if we have Flock handle the data part of our cameras in that area. I do not know how deep a Flock is involved in the city. Uh, like I said, if they are tied in into our parks into any of our parks, schools, or pools, I hope that you would end that contract fast, and if we don't, I hope you stay away from them. I also hope that we would severely limit their use or get rid of them altogether throughout the town as a as the benefit from them does not seem to be better than the risk they provide to the town in my opinion. Um, let's see, some other issues. There's some security concerns. Uh, like where Flock left at least 67 cameras open to the public with no password. I could just use Google Google browser and access these cameras. And the footage history going back for weeks or to search for someone or something or even track police vehicles with live GPS. Now, that may be fixed now, but you should but should you trust a company that takes security this lightly? Yeah. Oh, got it. Thanks, Josh. All right, we'll go to public hearing. Uh, call on Renee Larson. Uh, ordinance amending the municipal code. I'll open the public hearing. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. In the past, we've had an ordinance in the city of Willmar, um, authorizing the use of low-potency THC products being sold by registrants in our city under Minnesota Statute 151.72. Back in February of 2025, the state changed the law under Minnesota Statute 342, and we adopted ordinances in compliance with that statute. So, what I am looking for tonight is the repealing of our original statute and changing in our municipal code chapter 8 licensing permits and business regulations to repeal that

tetracannabinoid product licensing regulation because we now have the new new stat new ordinance under Statute 342 that governs that. So, in essence, we don't we no longer need the original ordinance that was under the old statute. And I'll stand for any questions. Well, I've got open it to the public. Anybody wants to speak? Anybody want to speak on this issue? If not, go ahead. I'll close the hearing. And call for a motion. I'll make the motion to for ordinance repealing the THC regulations as she was talking about. Second. We have motion and a second. Discussion. Hearing none, roll call. Council member Gilbertson. Aye. Davis. Aye. Fagerly. Aye. Ask. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Schultz. Aye. Six ayes, zero nays. Motion carries. Thank you. You're still up. I know.

[laughter]

And uh, who who you lead it off. Why don't you tell us? Okay. Under our municipal code section 3.10, there is penalties for anyone who does a liquor compliance fail, and the Barn, the Willmar Community Theater doing business as Barn Theater, was um, they were checked for compliance and did fail, and so I have members of the Barn Theater here today to speak to you about what they plan to do to remediate this so that they won't fail again in the future, and to so that their uh, serving staff can be more informed and better uh, do better service. Yes, your name and address, please. Robert Stone, 3091, soon to be 3031 77th Avenue Northwest and Northeast, Willmar. Um, I'm here from the Barn Theater, um, on behalf of the Barn Theater. So, we had a a violation. Um, I'm newer at the Barn Theater, and I am the operations manager.

[clears throat]

Um, having previous um, food and beverage industry, um, obviously something I take serious. Um, we've gone through um, I've talked talked with the the individual that was the person that failed it, um, and found some of the areas that it was. Um, we have had we held a in-person meeting um, with uh, Oakleaf, and that went well. And then we're also having the classes out of the at the enforcement center. Um, internally, we're having them review um, their their license as far as far as dates for the ServeSafe, as well as uh, because of some of our population. So, we're a little bit different and we're not asking for leniency in this because our population is volunteers that do this. They don't do it regularly. And so, the frequency, low frequency, low occurrence. Um, so we just said like, "Hey, um, just make sure that you're aware." You know, obviously, if you step in, whether you do it, you know, once a month or if it's, you know, every 6 months. Um, so to have that as well as um, you know, the vision to make sure that you can see the the numbers correctly. Um, you know, just kind of a refresher course. So, just so that we do take it seriously, um, and obviously, we've made some some changes and we'll continue to do that to to maintain it. Thank you.

[snorts] Yes, Justin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, do you require volunteers to have taken that course before they're engaged in We do. Okay. And staff. If any staff do it, too. Any other questions? Yeah, Rick. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So, the person that bought the alcohol, were they actual uh, ticket buyer or they just walk in off the street?

Just walked in, but obviously, we have our lobby, which is a commons area that is there, and so that's not a ticketed area. So, we're not, you know, it was part of the compliance check. Um, so they came in um, a little history on it. It was, you know, it doesn't make it excusable, but it was, you know, right before the show was supposed to start, and we do like not allow entrance after that, and so this person was like, "I need it." And so, the individual tried to do, you know, was a little bit rushed, and so that's another thing we spoke about that, you know, well, they don't need a beverage that bad. So, yeah, but it was, you know, not a So, we don't have anything that says, you have to show us your ticket in order to buy a beverage. Um, you know, for the for the beverage service.

just wondering if they were a paying customer for the play. They were not. Just walked in off the street.

Correct. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? All right, there's no further action, I believe. So, Perfect. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, next is the airport snow removal equipment acquisition uh, project bid award, and I'll call on uh, Public Works Director Shane Saffert. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, as you know, we've been trying to get some snow removal equipment for the airport, and with the help of some federal funding, we've been able to get a bid from RDO Equipment Company in the amount of 68,000 or 680,3656 dollars. My apologies. Um, this bid includes a John Deere 624P loader, wheel loader with a snow blower, a wing plow, a snow pusher, and a broom attachment. The engineers' estimate for this project was 680,000, uh, putting the total amount of the low bid 1.1% above the estimate. This was the only bid we received, and the city's portion, if we do accept this bid, is 17,696 dollars and 50 cents. And then we would receive all of this equipment. The federal funding and state match would cover the rest. And so, I was hoping to recommend well, I was recommending the action of approving this resolution that awards

the 2026 airport snow removal equipment acquisition project to the RDO Equipment Company in the amount of 687,356 dollars. So moved. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. Carl. Is this brand new equipment? Yes, sir. Rick. Mr. Mayor, so what happens to the old equipment then? Do we move it to the street department or Correct. We would public works would take over that equipment. Oh. You don't have any old equipment. We use our street department equipment right now.

Well, the state always pays us so much to do the runway and stuff at the airport. Right. So, don't we have one that's designated for that area? No. No, we won't have designated equipment at the airport. So, they'll stay there and all that.

Yes, they should stay there and not be moved or used anywhere else. And we have a storage area for it then, under cover? And then engineering cost $20,000 to get a bid. Yes, sir. Why is that? Um so, typically when you have um when you have a bid that's put together like this for the FAA, they have so many requirements. And so, with using engineering, um they're researching what equipment is Babb certified. They're setting the specifications for the project or in this case the bid. They're soliciting for the bid. So, they're going out, they're finding the suppliers, they're making sure we get a good quality bids. And then they when the bids come in, they review them for accuracy. And then they issue a recommendation to staff. And so, there's a lot of hours involved with all of that. And it does take um considerable amount of time. I could see if there was multiple bids, but only one bid. Yeah. It So, yeah, there was only one received, but that is not how many we sent out requests for. Um to different companies because different companies are going to supply different like RDO just happens to supply John Deere. Other companies will sub supply different qualified. So, it's different specs for different equipment. There's a lot of homework that goes in prior to uh receiving bids. This was done prior to you coming, right? Or did you have something to do with it? I This I believe this was all set up before I came. Thank you. Yes. Any other questions? Roll call.

Council member Schuldes. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Baggerly. Aye. Ask. Aye. Gilbertson.

Aye. And Davis. Aye. Six ayes, zero noes. Thank you. Thank you, Shane. Next is uh joint resolution for orderly annexation for Vexxanova. And I'll call on our planning and development director, Christopher Corben. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. In front of you today is an executed agreement between the Willmar Township. Um Taking a look at the Vexxanova, so we went over this in the beginning of March. Um March 2nd. Tonight, I'm looking for approval by resolution on the joint resolution for orderly annexation for the subject property as well as the adjacent parcel um 233007 0020. A few things since the last time I presented in early March changed. We are um the Township negotiated that they wanted to receive 4 years of tax revenue that was lost to them. So, that would equate to $8,000 $8,004.40. Um In your packet today is the agreement um that you all probably already reviewed. Basically standard language. There's two things to point out though that there's a phase one of the project, which is the um initial parcel that Vexxanova came um probably a year ago wanting the city to annex. And then the subject property just north of it um is part of phase two. In your packet, you also have a map of the site plan and um and there's a note there in the car about the maintenance agreement um for the road. And the road was constructed

about 5 years ago according to the Township. And so, at this point we don't see any future improvements um near future improvements needed for the road. So, um that's what we have. Any questions or a motion? I'll I'll make the motion, but I also have some questions. Okay. If I can get a find a second. Do we have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. Go ahead with your your questions.

Thank you, Mayor. Um the 4 years, is that a standard or where where does where does this 4 years come in? Is this something that we want to set as a precedent or I guess this where does that come in? Great question. State statutes State statute lays out anywhere from two to eight years um that we can pay revenue tax revenue loss to um the Township or another municipality that we're annexing. And so, we landed on 4 years. I know last time we met, I believe it was 2 years that was being proposed, um but the Township settled at four. And and that will be at today's rate or how is that uh valued as as of as of today's rate uh not once they add a building or something else on there, correct?

You're correct. It's at today's um tax base that they are they are currently collecting. In the car, there's a breakdown of the amounts. And so, the tax revenue that will be lost for them from 2026 and 2029 will be $8,000 total. So, we'll be paying um in lieu of receiving those taxes, we'll just send them back to the Township at $8,000. Once that's done, we'll collect um taxes as as a as we typically do for any city property parcel. Justin. Um out of curiosity, what how what's the timeline for that process? Is that something like we receive and we pass on to the Township until we hit that mark? Or do we send them a check today? Is it a every every year for 4 years? My understanding is that we can do it um either way. Um probably going to look and look at our attorney, Robert Scott, for some clarification, but my understanding you could do you can pay the lump sum and or you can wave um the taxes. Uh that's correct. It's whatever the parties negotiate. As drafted, uh I believe this uh was contemplated to be a lump sum reimbursement payment. So, the city would make the lump sum payment as soon as the annexation is ordered. And that would complete the parties' obligations to each other. Glad to hear that. For what it would be, city tax revenue. Any other questions? Roll call. Council member Gilbertson. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Baggerly. Aye. Ask. Aye. Davis. Aye. And Schuldes. Aye. Six ayes, zero noes. The motion passes. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. Next is a beverage and vending agreement

with Viking Coca-Cola. And I'll call on our recreation director, Bob Gunner. Okay. Mayor and members of the council, um before you tonight is a request to approve the beverage and vending agreement with Viking Coca-Cola Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Um the current agreement is to expire at the end of April here. Um staff has requested a proposal from local vendors for a new 3-year contract. After reviewing at the submissions, the staff's recommendation is to move forward with the Viking Coca-Cola based on their overall value, service, and their community contribution. In their proposal, it includes a $25,000 one-time contribution for scoreboard advertising and an annual support for youth programming and event signage up to $500 each. Um Coke and Vi- Coke Viking Coca-Cola has held a previous agreement with the city the last time for the last 3 years. So, I'm happy to answer any questions. We have a motion or discussion? Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Justin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm curious about the um and pleased about the the $25,000 one-time contribution. Is that has that been part of their agreements in the past? With the previous agreement, yes, for the 3 years. Um we started doing this um 3 years ago when we started using the two vendors basically to bid for the facilities that we use concessions for. Um and it's been present It's been nice to be able to get this contribution because we've not got that contribution in the past. And does the other did the other bid, which I don't see attached to this, is it Am I missing it or is it not It's not here? The other bid is not

Okay. Did the other bid uh also contain a donation for scoreboard? Yes. [sighs] It's It's just a wonderful thing I think to see as part of like a a public private partnership as we're working through what's best for the community. Any other questions? [snorts]

Tom. Um Mr. Mayor, thank you. Um is this $25,000 pretty consistent throughout other communities [clears throat] or is that uh low? Um I know that and vending. I talked to their arena manager to see what they're going to get. They haven't got their proposals back yet. I would say it's it's going it's fair for what Wilmer has because every venue is a little bit different just because of what they can offer and what they sell at their places. I'm happy with the 25,000 right now. It's only for 3 years so hopefully in 3 years we have more information about what our data is and then we can go back and see what we can get. Sure. Is this exclusive to the event center or is this across every public city of Wilmer facility? The facilities that we have right now that this agreement would be for is for the Civic Center and then the baseball and softball fields. The Doak, the Community Center and Swanson Field. The North Swanson. The where Elzie Clemens Field is at where the concession stand is there. Does it cover Baker? It does not cover Baker. Any other questions? Roll call. Council member Fagerly. Aye. Davis. Aye. Gilbertson. [clears throat] Aye. Ask. Aye. Scholders. Aye. Butterfield. [clears throat] Aye. Six ayes, zero nays. Motion carries. Rob, you're on again for scoreboards. Yep. Swanson baseball. Mayor Mayor and the council, before you get tonight is approve the purchase and installation of three scoreboards including related materials for the Swanson baseball so softball complex and not to exceed

$30,000. Staff has got three quotes for the scoreboards from from Daktronics, electrical work also and the I-beams for the red, yellow, and green fields. Those are the current fields that do not have scoreboards on them. Staff has also been working with the Wilmer Utilities and Public Works to make sure that the project can be installed. The funding would come from the previous agreement of the $25,000 that we received from Viking Coke. Any remaining cost would come from the Park and Recreation operational budget. This project is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the amenities and improve the overall quality and the usability of Swanson for recreation use and tournament play. Many of you have gone probably to a baseball or softball game if they don't have a scoreboard. First thing you're asking, what's the score? What inning are you there in? This will really help us out with with our youth games and our adult programming that making sure that we can stay on track on time. So I'm happy to answer any questions.

[snorts]

Tom. Hopefully an agreement that Coke will be able to put their sign to the lower Yes, sir. Yep. Earl. And so do I understand our guys will be putting these up installing these? Or Yeah, we've actually had some practice with it because we had the with the same agreement that we had with Coke, we used those dollars for the scoreboards at the event center. Or the softball baseball sound that's at the Civic Center so we work with utilities there. We dug the holes, set the beams, poured the concrete. That's really where the additional funds is going to be is see how much concrete's going to take to put in the holes. Any other questions, Tom? So so the $500 that they're going to be Viking will be paying, what is that only for a 3-year term? The $500, that's an annual. Yeah. Yeah, so like if we have like we're using our $500 from this past year for the fishing clinic.

Oh, okay. So they're going to be able to supply 500 up to $500 for pop and beverages for the fishing clinic. Okay, I got it. And so that So that'll be an annual thing that we'll be able to use. And that I guess the signage on this is in perpetuity or For 3 years and then we'll redo it again so it can be a a different vendor [clears throat] can go up there as well. [snorts] Any further questions or motion, Rick? Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So what about Sunrise Park? Any sign there? Nothing yet. So that can happen in the when we get another agreement or working with the Baseball Association because I know that's one of ones that they would like to get done as well. Gets used often.

from out of town coming the youth. Yep. You hear that from them, the parents all the time. What's the score? Yep. It's it's in the works. It's just we got I think Swanson is more of a priority right now to get those ones done. Questions [snorts] or motion? Move to approve. Second. Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Roll call. Council member Davis. Aye. Scholders. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Ask. Aye. Fagerly. Aye. Six ayes, zero nays. Motion passes. Thanks, Rob. Next is application for Minnesota State Fire Marshal Grant. Call on Fire Chief Frank Hanson. Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Tonight I am looking for approval to apply and accept a grant of up to $10,000 from the State Fire Marshal's office for a turnout gear washer extractor. Some background. About every two or three years the the state fire marshal's office opens up this grant. This one is for fiscal year 26-27. We last purchased our washer extractor in 2004. And it's got plenty of use and we've had to do some pretty good repair to it over the last probably year or so. Currently it is in the CIP budget for 27. If we were to receive this grant, we can hold that money till 27. I believe it has to be paid by the end of June in 27. So there is a 25% matching fund for the grant.

We have done some quotes for extractors and they're right around the $20,000 mark. So we would end up paying right around $10 to $12,000 out of our budget for that. And I'll stand for any questions. What is an extractor? It's just a washer. It's just a fancy word for a washer. It sucks out more water and so it doesn't take as long for the gear to dry. Okay. Anybody got questions or a motion to approve? Second. Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Roll call. Council member Davis. Aye. Fagerly. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye.

[clears throat]

Scholders. Aye. Ask. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Six ayes, zero nays. That motion passes. Next is apply for State Farm fire fire fire fire fighters. That's easy to say. Safety Grant, Frank. Our second grant that we found that we want to apply for is through State Farm Insurance. They do an annual grant of up to $10,000. This is a non-matching grant. The problem with this grant is they only award 150 throughout the nation. Last year Minnesota got two. And then also it's a very short window. They open it up. I believe it's May 4th and close it May 7th. So we are looking to apply for a $10,000 grant to supplement either our pagers that we're in need of or a another extrication tool that we're looking to purchase out of next year's CIP budget. So with that I'll stand for questions. Move to approve. Second. A motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? Rick. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So do you have the grant already to go so you can send it in?

Yes. Okay. Soon as they open it up May 4th, it's we're hitting send. Did you talk with any of the local agents then with State Farm too to see We have. We've talked to a couple. Um actually last year a couple brought it to us like you should apply and so that was we put it on our calendar now. So they can put a good word in. Yeah, yeah. We're hoping they'll be a good neighbor. Exactly. [laughter]

All right. Any further discussion? Roll call. Council member Gilbertson. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Fagerly. Aye. Davis. Aye. Scholders. Aye. Ask. Aye. Six ayes, zero nays. That motion passes. Frank, you're on again for fire fighter wage increase. One last item. So requesting permission to adopt resolution to increase fire fighter wages um retroactive back to January 1st of 2026. Um little history. Last time that the fire fighters in Wilmer got any wage increase would be in January of 2023. Um over that time at that point I was asked by council to bring it back to council um two to three years to make sure we stay up um to current. Um I did some research and um I believe in your packet is a uh wage comparison. Um the only one that's not accurate out here is Clara City. Um I was not able to get their current wages, but the rest is accurate and with um with the it's actually a 5% increase. Um that would bring us still a little bit under New London Spicer for our top wage, but bring us closer to what we are. And a a little bit better starting wage hoping that will also attract some candidates, which we will be hiring here shortly. So. And I'll stand for any questions. Justin. Um I'd love to make the motion and then a question and a comment. So, um question, um your compensation's not reflected in this agreement. That's correct. Is there anyone else in the

fire department who's not um affected by this? Um any full-time like deputy chief is not in this. Um our maintenance person and um our secretary. It's not reflected in this. This is just for paid on-call firefighters. Okay. Thank you. And I just wanted to say I think, you know, I'm sure I speak for almost everyone in the entire community when I say thank you to you and to the rest of the the firefighters. Um you know, these are folks that leave their lives at a moment's notice, their jobs, their family um to respond when our community needs them and they they do so out of care um for everyone who lives here in Willmar. [snorts]

Um it sounds like the demands have increased, the training has increased, um inflation has certainly increased and this seems like a really modest um way that we can we can say thank you to the people who who serve our community and supporting this is is supporting everyone in Willmar in the public safety that we all care so much about. So, uh please pass on our gratitude to all the folks that work at the fire department with you. I certainly will. Thank you. Well put, Justin. Second. Okay, we got a motion and a second. Discussion. Mayor. Uh Thank you. Uh please, Chief. Was this uh reflected in your budget as you were planning for 2026?

Yes, this is reflected in the 2026 operations budget. Great. Including the pension costs as well? There is no pension cost for the paid on-call firefighters. Okay. Any other questions, discussion? [clears throat] Roll call. Council member Ask. Aye. Davis. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Aye. Scholdys. Aye. And Fagerly. Aye. Six eyes, zero noes. Motion carries. Thank you, Frank. Mr. Mayor, would it be out of line if I had one more question for the Chief? [clears throat]

Um the budgeting process for this, you mentioned that uh back in 2023 Council asked you to consider coming back every two to three years. Is that typical compared to other communities? Is this something that we should be reviewing annually with you and and Director Odin's having conversations about just staying on top of this a little bit more? I think um what the Council direction was is on the off years that um we don't bring firefighter wages in front of you, um we look at the possibility of um raising their uh retirement accounts. Okay.

Which would not cost the city anything. That's strictly city monies. So, we kind of we're trying to do every other or so year. Bounce back and forth. Okay. To keep up to date. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next, I'll call on City Clerk Verney Larson uh for uh intoxicating liquor license for Golden Palace. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council members. Golden Palace did um change ownership um just a little bit in who they're partnering with, so they did have to apply for a new liquor license. They have been licensed with a with a wine and 3.2 license in the past, but due to uh liquor license laws, they did need to reapply, so they need to be reapproved by Council under the new ownership of Golden Palace of Willmar Inc. So, I'm looking for a motion for approval. So moved. Second. Okay, [snorts] we got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Roll call. Council member Scholdys. Aye. Ask. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Davis. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. And Fagerly. Aye. Six eyes, zero noes. Motion passes. Next is uh consideration of a Willmar Ball Club LLC on-sale wine and on-sale intoxicating 3.2.

[snorts]

Thank you. Once again, this is an a similar situation to Golden Palace. Um many of you may be familiar with the fact that the Stingers were sold to another company and they are going by the name of Willmar Ball Club LLC. So again, I'm looking for approval under the new licensing. They did hold a license in good standing before for a wine and 3.2. Um so I'm looking for approval for the new licensing under the new ownership. So moved. Second. Here we have a motion and a second. Discussion. Roll call. Council member Scholdys. Aye. Davis. Aye. Fagerly. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Butterfield. Aye. And Ask. Aye. Six eyes, zero noes. The motion passes. Next is announcements and uh Tom, you've got one. Yeah, uh this weekend uh there was a nice little topic on the Facebook page about Willmar about the our state flag. It was a very interesting uh debate going on. It was very it wasn't a nasty everything, both sides, but for the past 6 weeks I've had people I've ran into been bringing this up to me. I would think it would be good for the city to bring this on the agenda in 2 weeks or 4 weeks to talk about if City Willmar wants to join in with all the other cities moving to the old flag. Why in the old flag versus the new flag? And uh I think the City Council should take a look at the Facebook page and and look at the there's good pros and cons on it. On the topic. You know, it was very nice to see our community reaching out and wanting something done. So, I would be all for bringing that up. What do I do in that case? I mean This is just for information. I'm not making a motion to do it. I'm just bringing up

what the city decided they want to bring it up to Council. Who decides? Well, you and the administrator you guys put together the uh the agenda. Well, that's I think that's a little different. How should I handle that, Robert? Uh Mayor, members of the Council, essentially you have a request from one Council member to add something to an agenda that can be considered in your agenda formulation process with staff. And if uh I [clears throat] guess the member wants to um provide more definitive direction, the member is welcome to make a motion to put it on a future agenda and then if it gets a majority, it would have to go on a future agenda. There's no requirement at this point.

[clears throat] Come back to the Council if the Mayor and the Administrator don't wish to put it on the agenda, but it's Is it Justin? Uh I just have another announcement. Go ahead. [snorts]

Okay. We'll we'll keep moving. Um just uh a request for the Mayor and the Administrator when looking at future agendas, if they would consider Chief Holm and Director Johnson addressing the the Council on the issues of flock cameras, which came up earlier today and I think we've probably all heard um from a few constituents on. Okay. Um Pablo, we've got a the Heritage Festival coming up. Good evening, Mayor and members of the Council. Uh yes, I'm here to remind you that our International Heritage Festival will take place this Friday, April 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Civic Center. The doors will open at 5:00 and um we are celebrating our third uh International Festival. I just want to remind you that this was um proposed by uh neighbors of yours who 4 years ago made a presentation at a panel. Um and uh many of you were present and we took that request to host this festival or this type of festival and um we have learned that when we listen to our uh residents, uh good things happen. So, this is another example. Uh last year we we had close to 900 people. And um we have been encouraged to move that of the high school now to the Civic Center because of the attendance limit at the high school for an event like that. There will be a lot of um cultural performances uh featuring music, dance, and artistic expressions from around the globe. Uh there will be free food while

supplies last. Uh there will be um uh food from across cultures that represent our community. Uh Somali and other local um food from our own uh small businesses that we have. And this is also a very important event uh because it will provide also opportunity for us to exchange and to continue to build relationships uh among city members and neighbors. And especially this year, I'm inviting you all to consider joining us. It has been a long few months um for many of those who are performing um and their families, and they continue to say, "I would like to continue to share uh my heritage and celebrate all of the heritage that Wilmar uh represents." So, I hope to see you all there, and I want to remind also those who are joining us via um streaming that there will be free bus transportation. Uh please go to the Wilmar area Vision 2040 for more details about that. Thank you, Mayor. Uh that's uh Last year we had well over 300 people there. Over 900. Over 900? Mhm. And it was so full. Um and we're expecting a good turnout this year. Yeah, it's a very warm educational uh fun event, and you'll be entertained. Yep. Thank you. Thank you, Pablo. All right. And then we got a recess.

Close part of the regular council meeting. Legal basis for closing is this portion of the regular meeting of the City Council will be closed pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.05 Subdivision 3C. The council may be asked to take formal action after concluding the discussions in a closed session. The following real property will be discussed separately in the closed session. Kandiyohi County Parcel I ID 95-378-0010. I would need a motion to close the meeting. So Second. We got a motion and a second. All in favor, uh roll call, I'm sorry. Roll call.