What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Nowthen Knights ball field maintenance agreement
Council discussed a request for the Nowthen Knights to use the city ball field in lieu of payment by maintaining the facility. Specific expectations were discussed (mowing height preferences, trimming both sides of the fence, mowing around cages, and keeping growth out of the infield lime), and the council indicated the item should go to Tuesday’s consent agenda with contract amendments reflecting these points.
Agenda: A. Speakers: Mayor, Ricker, Brian, Terry Olsen.
Heritage Festival donation request and cost accountability
Council reviewed a request for a $2,500 donation and facility fee waiver for the Heritage Festival and focused on accountability: members asked for an itemized accounting of total city costs (including staff time, facility use, and fire department staffing related to the festival and fireworks) as well as volunteer hours. The council stated it would vote on Tuesday after a complete motion is prepared and the requested information is assembled.
Agenda: B. Speakers: Mayor, B, P, rainville, Ricker, Copeland.
City Hall HVAC replacement planning
Council reviewed HVAC replacement quotes and concluded that more explanation and project-level planning were needed before choosing a path. Discussion centered on whether the building should continue with two systems or move to one zoned system, and on the feasibility and cost of penetrating a load-bearing masonry wall; members suggested starting with an engineer’s opinion and then pursuing a designed solution for comparable bids.
Agenda: C. Speakers: Mayor, building inspector Shader, B, rainville.
Building official resignation and coverage transition
Mr. Shader explained he is leaving the City of St. Francis to expand his consulting/education business, with Feb. 24 as his last day there. Council discussed the city’s contractual relationship with St. Francis (including a stated 60-day notice obligation for coverage) and asked Shader to provide a proposal for potential interim and/or ongoing contract building official services if needed.
Agenda: D. Speakers: Shader, Mayor, Ricker.
East Twin Lake Park adjacent property question
Council discussed whether to pursue any action regarding a property adjacent to East Twin Lake Park and noted the potential legal cost and uncertainty about DNR implications. The consensus in discussion was to take no action and remove the item from the agenda, with the idea of addressing it later only if needed.
Agenda: E. Speakers: Mayor, Ricker, rainville.
Temporary habitation extension for a lake property rebuild (Sirdall/Scdall)
Council received an update that the home rebuild had substantial progress (structure up, roof complete, septic placement issues resolved) and that the owner had been responsive. Council indicated moving the extension request to Tuesday’s consent agenda.
Agenda: F. Speakers: Shader, Mayor.
Recording and posting of meetings
Council discussed a request that all council, committee, and commission meetings be audio/video recorded and posted to YouTube now that technology is available. Discussion included training needs and reminders/policy language so participants understand they are being recorded; the requestor said they would reword and resubmit the council action request.
Agenda: G. Speakers: rainville, Ricker, B.
Workshop meeting summaries/minutes debate
Council debated whether workshop meetings should have summary minutes, noting state minimum requirements for minutes and that audio/video recordings are not a substitute. Members discussed staff workload, whether workshops should continue, and the idea of concise summaries that point residents to the video for details.
Agenda: H. Speakers: Brian, B, Ricker, rainville, Mayor.
Updating and republishing the city code/codification
Council discussed concerns that ordinances were not integrated into the published city code (with one comment that some changes go back to late fall 2015). Members agreed it should be updated but emphasized first determining the process, software and training needs, who would do the work (staff vs contractor), estimated cost, and funding, before proceeding.
Agenda: I. Speakers: Brian, B, Ricker, rainville, Mayor.
City Hall interior repairs and improvements after floor work
Mayor proposed obtaining quotes and investigating several City Hall improvements while the room was already emptied for floor work, including wall repairs/painting, sand-trap rugs, better chairs with proper feet, updated window treatments, and other room-use organization. A not-to-exceed figure of $5,000 was mentioned for moving forward with investigation/quotes before deciding on further work.
Agenda: J. Speakers: Mayor, rainville, Ricker.
Website posting compliance with prior council direction (June 14, 2016)
A council member raised that committee/commission agendas and supplemental materials were not being posted online as directed in June 2016. After discussion, staff explained they followed prior website practice due to being new, and the council member said she would pull the item with the understanding the direction would now be followed.
Agenda: L. Speakers: Raymond, Rickert, Bettinger, staff speaker (Corey).
Warming house recognition and security
Council discussed recognizing the donated warming house with a sign and raised concerns about leaving it unlocked at night due to vandalism and liability. Members discussed potential approaches to locking it up (including council/staff coordination and the constraint of no power for automatic locks), and noted an estimated value range for the building mentioned by a volunteer.
Agenda: P. Speakers: Rickert, Mayor, Lori.