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09-16-2024 CCMMeeting of the City Council Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, September 16, 2024 Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Councilmember Mike Beyer, Councilmember Cory Grupa Members Absent: Councilmember Matt Westgaard Others Present: City Attorney Jared Shepherd Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner, Business Services Director/Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Development Director Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, City Clerk Tina Allard, Finance Manager Lori Stich, Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan, Senior Multimedia Specialist Jake Pace, Senior Communications Coordinator Starr Sorheim, Communications Coordinator Klara Porath, Recreation Special Event Coordinator Karen Wingard, Parks and Recreation Manager Jeff Shelby, FT Center Assistant Manager Jen Katke, FT Center Administrative Assistant Laura Estby, FT Center Maintenance Supervisor Tony Seibert and Deputy Clerk Jolene Richter 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. CONSIDER AGENDA Councilmember Wagner added Item 8.3 Downtown Business Retailer Award. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried 4-0. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner suggested an edit to Item 4.1 September 3, 2024, Meeting Minutes. She suggested to amend the motion on Item 4.12 within the minutes to read "to continue Item 4.12 Contract Award: Plants and Things Welcome Complex to the September 16, 2024, Council meeting." Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the following amended consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion Carried 4-0. City Council Minutes Page 2 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- 4.1 September 3, 2024, Meeting Minutes 4.2 Check Register 4.3 Employee Termination 5. OPEN FORUM Nate Ovall, 11025 192nd Ct., stated there is something significantly wrong with the railroad lights. He explained he spent 22 minutes waiting on Jackson Avenue trying to get to the North side of Elk River. The railroad arms have been down with no trains coming through. He further explained that this has happened multiple times and traffic backs up on Main Street and other surrounding streets and is a safety issue. He would like staff to get the data from the railroad, fire, and police departments to review and figure out if there is something that could be done. 6. PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION 6.1 City of Elk River Volunteer of the Month Mayor Dietz recognized the September Volunteer of the Month, Paul Bell. Mr. Bell was not able to attend the Council meeting and was presented the awarded at the last Utilities Commission meeting. Mayor Dietz highlighted the following: Elk River Municipal Utilities commissioner Head trustee at Emmanuel Lutheran Church Executive Director of North Star Boys Choir Completed volunteer mission trip to Costa Rica Former Scoutmaster and youth soccer, and basketball coach Past Elk River Planning Commission member Former president of Minnesota Restaurant Association Served on MN Wellhead Protection and Safe Water Drinking boards 6.2 Award Recognition: Communications Team The staff report was presented. Senior Communications Coordinator Starr Sorheim presented the website redesign project and Senior Multimedia Specialist Jake Pace shared an Officer Spotlight video. 6.3 Proclamation: Constitution Week Mayor Dietz recognized and presented the Constitution Week Proclamation to the Daughters of the American Revolution member, Marilyn Schroeder. 6.4 Elk RiverFest and Sips on Main 2024 Recap City Council Minutes Page 3 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- The staff report was presented. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Simple Plat: Resolution 24-52 - Pullman Place Second Addition, PID 75-00729-0010 - DigniSuites ER The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. Lawrence Cook, 17155 Quincy St NW, read his letter that was addressed to Councilmember Matt Westgaard. He stated Pullman Place residents are concerned regarding the traffic on their private road and are concerned that traffic would increase due to the development of the Pullman Place Second Addition. Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 24-52 approving the final plat of Pullman Place Second Addition with the condition that Park Dedication shall be paid at the commercial rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording. Motion Carried 4-0. 7.2 Conditional Use Permit: Senior Housing/Memory Care Facility, PID 75-00729-0010 - DigniSuites The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. Mayor Dietz asked if they could require the developer to upgrade the street. City Attorney Shepherd answered that considering it is a private drive that would not be an option. Scott Clemens, 4901 West 93rd Street, Bloomington, MN with DigniSuites stated the existing road will not be the same alignment as it is now, but the access points will still be the same. Brian Winges 3900 Van Dyke Street, White Bear Lake, MN - Owner and operator of DigniSuites was available for questions.Mr. Winges stated they will put speed bumps in their parking lot to make sure traffic does not go speeding through. Mayor Dietz asked Lawerence Cook to return to the podium and asked if it would be acceptable to put speed bumps on their road. Mr. Cook stated that due to speed bumps making it difficult for snow plows, they probably would not add speed bumps. Judy King, 17155 Quincy St NW, explained how they enter and exit the underground parking area and noted they have discussed putting a barrier up to deter traffic. Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Councilmember Beyer clarified that on 172nd and Twin Lake Road there was a study done in which the City Council Minutes Page 4 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- outcome did not support a left turn onto Twin Lakes Road. Councilmember Beyer wanted to clarify when the traffic study was done and if it was done before or after the development. Mr. Leeseberg stated it was done when the development was initiated. Councilmember Beyer also asked if there is a way to put in signs that say private road. The residents stated that there were already signs in place. Mayor Dietz asked if people could be ticketed when someone on a private road. City Attorney Shepherd stated that yes, however, the likelihood would be slim. It was discussed and decided that the city cannot deny the CUP due to the possible increased traffic on the Pullman Place private drive. Councilmember Wagner stated there is a need for this type of facility and thinks it will benefit the community. The Council directed staff to work with the Pullman Place Board and the Fire Department to come up with some solutions for the Pullman Place private drive. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve the Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654: 1. The property shall be platted prior to the issuance of any building permit. 2. Staff approval of all site, civil, and development plans. 3. All comments on the Comment Letter dated August 21, 2024, shall be addressed. Motion Carried 4-0. 7.3 Conditional Use Permit: Religious Institution, 21695 Elk Lake Rd NW - River of Life Church The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this matter, Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to approve the Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654: 1. Any addition, of any size, after Phase 2 will require the property to provide access to 217th Avenue with an upgrade of the gravel street to city standards from Elk Lake Road to the second approved location of the second access. 2. A 20-foot-wide fire department access road shall be installed along the east side of the building, connecting the northern and southwestern parking areas. The location and layout shall be approved by the Fire Department. Motion Carried 4-0. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- 7.4 Conditional Use Permit and Platted Exemption Resolution 24-53: Vehicle Sales and Service, 17094 Vance St NW - Cornerstone KIA The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this matter, Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Mayor Dietz asked Steve Rohlf of CornerStone Kia if they were going to plat the whole location. Mr. Rohlf stated that eventually it would be platted. Councilmember Grupa clarified that there will not be a through road. Mr. Carlton clarified that there would not. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 24-53 approving the plat of Jabez Fourth Addition, subject to the condition that the boundary line adjustment (P 24-08) is recorded prior to the plat. Motion Carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve the Conditional Use Permit authorizing the expansion of an existing vehicle sale and service operation (Cornerstone Kia), with the following conditions: 1. The platted exemption (Case No. P 24-09) must be approved by the Elk River City Council and recorded with Sherburne County. 2. Staff approval of all construction plans. 3. Approval of an encroachment agreement, authorizing the proposed parking lot expansion to cross existing drainage and utility easements. 4. Address any comments provided by MnDOT. Motion Carried 4-0. 7.5 Resolution 24-54 for Land Use Amendment, Ordinance 24-20 for Zone Change, and Preliminary Plat: Meadowsweet Bend Residential Subdivision - Twin Cities Land Development The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. Mary Gillette stated she is representing her parents who live to the north and east at 22017 Elk Lake Rd NW. Ms. Gillette has been in touch with the Minnesota Geological Survey and the Trust for Minnesota Public Lands. They are surveying the impact of the tamarack swamp to the north. She is concerned about the traffic impacting County Road 1 and County Road 33. She would like to know if there are plans for the deer population that will be impacted and how hunting will be impacted in that area. Ms. Gillette is interested in the wetland signs and how property owners will know when their property ends versus wetland. She is concerned about the future of the trail location. She suggested that the developer make it clear to buyers that there is agriculture in that area. She stated there will be a lot of trees that will need to be removed, and she would like to know how oak wilt and emerald ash borer will be minimized. She explained that there is a concern about jumping worms spreading from site to site as well. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Mayor Dietz suggested that the trail be removed and instead be replaced with a sidewalk and that they should not receive park dedication credit for the change. Mr. Carlton addressed some of Ms. Gillette's questions. He stated the county had not requested a traffic study due to the development. Regarding the fencing concern for the agricultural property, they would be allowed to put up a barbed wire fence for livestock, and hunting limits are based on the nearest platted property. Therefore, moving the platted property lines closer to their property, they would need to seek permission from the police department to hunt. Mr. Carlton stated the city can provide wetland signs. He explained the trail that extends to the east would dead end to the limits of the property. He also noted oak pruning is in the development agreement, and he is unsure about the jumping worms concern. Benjamin Schmidt, Twin Cities Land Development, discussed the proposed trail. He explained that it was originally understood the city wanted the trail, but they would be willing to move it. He also explained they would be open to switching the trail to a sidewalk and understood in that case they would not receive the park credit. Mr. Schmidt asked if any grading for stormwater would have to be 10 feet off of the right-of-way. He explained they would like to amend that a bit to be able to use some of the existing ditches for stormwater to limit the amount of grading and digging. Mayor Dietz asked Mr. Carlton if condition Number 10 could be amended. Mr. Carlton stated that staff can work with the developer to minimize grading impacts and to place stormwater ponds in the best locations for all parties. Councilmember Wagner asked if Dave Anderson of the Parks and Recreation Commission could further explain the trail suggestions. Dave Anderson 14845 County Road 30 of the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended a sidewalk instead of the trail and stated if you follow the Trail Master Plan there should be a trail in this area, but they made the plan without a specific place to put the trail. He explained that the Master Plan is done without details about what developments look like and without topography. Mr. Anderson explained that he could not see a good placement for the trail and agreed with a sidewalk. The Council agreed to change the trail language to sidewalks in Condition 8 and agreed to change Condition 10 to allow staff to work with the developer on the placement of stormwater ponds to minimize grading impacts. They also agreed to delete condition 16. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 24-54 approving the Comprehensive Plan amendment to change the guidance for certain parcels from Rural Residential to Traditional Single-Family Residential. Motion Carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Ordinance 24-20 approving a Zone Change that rezones the subject properties from R-1a to R-1b subject to the condition that the Council approve the associated Comprehensive Plan amendment. Motion Carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve the City Council Minutes Page 7 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- preliminary plat of Meadowsweet Bend, subject to the following conditions: 1. Council approval of the Land Use Amendment (LU 24-03) and Zone Change (ZC 24-02) supporting the plat. 2. All cul-de-sacs and streets must comply with MN State Fire Code Chapter 5 and Appendix D. 3. Staff approval of all site, utility, engineering, and landscaping plans. 4. State and local approval of all wetland permits related to the proposed wetland fill. 5. The developer shall pay a per lot trunk utility fee, determined by the Public Works Director, at the time of platting. 6. A Sewer Access Fee shall be paid for each lot at the time of building permit. 7. All buildable lots shall include a drainage and utility easement for areas within the 45-foot wetland setback or within 45 feet of the OHW for wet stormwater ponds. 8. A sidewalk shall be constructed on one side of each residential street. 9. Landscape plans shall be submitted for review and approval by city staff. 10. Developer to work with city staff regarding all stormwater ponds within the drainage and utility easements. 11. Address all comments from Sherburne County. 12. A sign noting “future through street” shall be posted on all temporary dead-end streets. 13. Accept the 1.52-acre parcel along the northwest corner of Burr Oak Park, less the area within the overhead powerline easement, as land dedication. 14. Accept the 1.62-acre parcel along the east side of Burr Oak Park as land dedication. 15. The developer shall pay a reduced park dedication rate based on a portion of the required land dedication being satisfied. Cash dedication will be determined with the development agreement and the final plat. Motion Carried 4-0. 7.6 Conditional Use Permit: Government Facility (Electrical Substation), PID 75-00915-0105 - Elk River Municipal Utilities The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this matter, Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to approve the proposed government facility, subject to the following conditions: 1. Staff approval of all site and civil plans. 2. The city shall transfer ownership of the parcel to ERMU. Motion Carried 4-0. 8. GENERAL BUSINESS 8.1 Set Budget Meeting Date and Adopt Resolution 24-55 Preliminary 2025 Tax Levy City Council Minutes Page 8 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- The staff report was presented. Mayor Dietz stated he is disappointed the increase in the net capacity is only 1.7 % and is not happy that the levy is increasing more than it did last year. He suggested taking $100,000 out of the liquor store fund as he calculated the levy would be 6.7% and explained that the Council wanted the General Fund to be less than 4%. Mr. Stremcha confirmed it would be 6.8% or a 0.6% reduction. Mr. Portner stated that it is still a work in progress. There will be some staff changes, and we have not received the fuel contract rates, which may change the numbers. Mayor Dietz asked if the reason the net capacity had such a small increase was due to so little building this year or because the property values didn't increase that much. Mr. Stremcha explained the county did have a number of changes including water valuations. He also stated it is anticipated in future years the tax capacity will increase due to more developments and stated there will be continued growth just not in this round. The Council agreed to add $100,000 from the Liquor Fund. The Council agreed that it is important that we show we want it less than last year. Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Grupa to set the budget meeting for 6:30 p.m., December 2, 2024, when public comment will be taken. Motion Carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 24-55 authorizing the preliminary property tax levy as amended for collection in 2025. Motion Carried 4-0. 8.2 EDA Resolution 24-56 and HRA Resolution 24-57 - 2025 Budget and Tax Levy The staff report was presented. Moved by Councilmember Grupa and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adopt Resolution 24-56 establishing the EDA tax levy of $427,000 for collection in 2025. Motion Carried 4-0. Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution 24-57 establishing the HRA tax levy of $439,950 for collection in 2025. Motion Carried 4-0. 8.3 Minnesota Retailers Award Ceremony Councilmember Wagner announced that the Downtown Elk River Business Association has been named and awarded the Minnesota Retail Community of the Year through the Minnesota Retailers Association. She invited the Council and members of the community to attend the ceremony on October 10, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. 9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING City Council Minutes Page 9 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council. Motion Carried 4-0. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 8:02 p.m. 10. WORK SESSION – UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM 10.1 Commercial Tobacco Use Sherburne County staff along with the following representatives shared the impact of and some solutions to reducing the harm of commercial tobacco use. Presenters who were in attendance: Alicia Maxwell, Community Health Coordinator, Sherburne County Public Health ISD 728 representative Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention Coalition student representatives Emily Anderson, Director of Policy with Association for Nonsmokers-MN Mayor Dietz asked how the underage kids received the products. The student representatives answered saying they commonly see adults using it or older siblings using it, and they get products from them and then share with their friends or some will find retailers that will sell to them or find people that are willing to buy for them. Mayor Dietz also asked if it is more likely that kids who have parents who use tobacco use themselves. Ms. Maxwell answered yes and explained the reasons given by kids that are using it are: family and friends use it, out of curiosity, to experience the nicotine buzz, for the flavors, and for anxiety and depression. Mayor Dietz asked if the kids who are doing this are more involved in discipline problems. The group answered that there is not just one niche, it was all over the board. Councilmember Grupa asked what the Big Lake school district was doing and what is the Elk River school district doing regarding the problem. The ISD representative answered both school districts are advocates of education for both staff and students, they have programs for those who are caught, and they partner with MN Health Fairview to have a chemical liaison onsite. Councilmember Wagner asked if any cities within Sherburne County have implemented the suggested restrictions. Ms. Maxwell answered no, not currently, and explained they are presenting at the city level and then bringing back any interest to the county. 10.2 Elk RiverFest 2025 The staff report was presented. There was discussion regarding moving Elk RiverFest in its entirety to Orono Park instead of downtown. Mayor Dietz suggested shifting the band to a family band instead of an adult band. He also asked if the car show could be moved to Orono Park rather than the fairgrounds. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- Councilmember Beyer asked if there was any input from the downtown group. Ms. Wingard stated that it was brought to the last DERBA meeting and there were no concerns about moving Elk RiverFest out of downtown. She also stated it would not hurt downtown to move it from that area. The Council discussed and agreed it would be great to have it all in one place at Orono Park. Mr. Shelby stated that one of the things they talked about was using the stage as a community stage throughout the day and the focal point throughout the day. Ms. Wingard brought up the alcohol portion of the event and explained that they are moving away from the sample size with multiple vendors and moving towards full-size beer/seltzers served in a fenced-off area that could be then taken to the general area to enjoy the concert. The intent would be so the concert would be open to everybody and also not to put such an emphasis on the alcohol portion. Mayor Dietz asked if the FT Center could supply alcohol. Mr. Stremcha stated that is something they can look into. The Council agreed to move Elk RiverFest to Orono Park and integrate the changes as discussed. 10.3 FT Center User Group Rentals Policy and Procedures. The staff report was presented. Councilmember Wagner asked if there was a response to the Council receiving an email from Ryan Eason stating no one had contacted him regarding his statements at the open forum on August 19, 2024. Mr. Stremcha replied stating as soon as he received Councilmember Wagner's phone call the day of the Council meeting, he immediately reached out to both Mr. Eason's cell phone and work phone and email, but he nor anyone else on staff heard back from Mr. Eason. Commissioner Westgaard stated that Mr. Eason has not had any contact with anybody regarding his issues. Mr. Stremcha explained he has tried on multiple occasions to contact him. Commissioner Westgaard relayed that Mr. Eason stated he had not received a response. Councilmember Wagner recapped with Commissioner Westgaard regarding the communication that happened on the day of the August 19, 2024, Council meeting. She stated Commissioner Westgaard and she spoke that morning, then she called Mr. Stremcha and relayed the concerns and it would be good customer service for Mr. Stremcha to get into contact with Mr. Eason. Mr. Stremcha did reach out to Mr. Eason that day but did not receive a response. Then Mr. Eason showed up to the Open Forum that night at the Council meeting expressing the same concerns that were relayed to Mr. Stremcha. The same concerns that Mr. Stremcha was trying to contact Mr. Eason about to address and never heard back from Mr. Eason. Councilmember Beyer asked if Mr. Eason was expecting a response from the Council or staff. Commissioner Westgaard stated that he was unsure if Mr. Eason knows what the proper procedure is and who is responsible for that building. Councilmember Beyer explained we have open meeting laws that the Council and the commissions need to follow and that is why it should go to staff first instead of copying the entire council on an email. City Council Minutes Page 11 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- Commissioner Westgaard said that it would have been easier back at the February or March meetings to establish who they should contact. He stated that the commission was not aware of whom the leadership was. Mr. Shelby stated that Mr. Dalton was still responsible for the facility until August 1, 2024. Also, Mr. Stremcha was also visibly available in his leadership role. He stated he is struggling with the notion of the MFAC or other users not knowing who to contact and stated that the rest of the staff was there and available, as well. Councilmember Grupa asked if that is something that the user groups would go to the commission versus staff. Mr. Stremcha stated that it is a collaborative effort. He stated that if there was an issue then the commissioner could bring it to staff. Mr. Portner clarified that issues brought up during an Open Forum are typically directed to staff who return to the Council at a later date. He also stated going forward, communication will improve once new staff is in place. Mr. Portner asked if all of Mr. Eason's questions were addressed. Mr. Stremcha, Commissioner Westgaard and the Council concurred that all of the questions were addressed. Commissioner Westgaard stated that hours were offered and that they were not hours that were heavily usable by their groups and said that there were far more early hours and far more late hours. Mr. Stremcha stated that the Sunday hours were offered and not accepted, as were many days between 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. An entire Sunday afternoon was open and not accepted. Commissioner Westgaard stated that the simple takeaway is a simple phone call avoids all of this and to collaborate schedule times. He also stated that ERHYA did not know about the events until a month before. Mr. Stremcha explained that he was crystal clear last November because he knew it would be an issue because it is the try-out season. Mr. Stremcha empathized that he knew the try-out screening and schedule would need to be looked at and gone through in 2023 before they even booked ice in January 2024. Commissioner Westgaard asked him to refresh his memory as to who was at the meeting. Mr. Stremcha stated Commissioner Westgaard, Ryan Eason, Tim Dalton and himself were part of that meeting. Councilmember Wagner made it clear that they knew who to contact, they knew that if they contacted a councilmember, the councilmember would get in touch with the correct staff member. She reiterated after she got off the phone with Commissioner Westgaard that she immediately contacted Mr. Stremcha and Mr. Stremcha immediately reached out to Mr. Eason. Councilmember Wagner brought up an email from July 25, 2024, from the ERYHA ice scheduler that was addressed to Ms. Estby asking when they can schedule ice time and Ms. Estby replied "how about now?" She stated this is showing by the end of July they were working on scheduling ice. Mr. Stremcha asked Ms. Estby when she sent the schedule for October ice. Ms. Estby replied she sent the September and October ice availability in July and then by the end of August the ERYHA had the November-March parameters to Ms. Estby. Mr. Stremcha specifically asked when was Ms. Estby given an October schedule. Ms. Estby stated that she received their October 1-20, 2024 ice times on September 15, 2024. Mr. Stremcha reiterated they were originally given to ERYHA in July. Mr. Stremcha stated the fundamental problem is that we are given their ice schedule too late in the game to be able to have the opportunity to sell the hours that they are not using to other user groups, limiting the ability to sell ice. Commissioner Westgaard stated that they should let the ERYHA scheduler know the situation and City Council Minutes Page 12 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- have that communication. Mr. Stremcha stated that it is deeper than the communication between the ERYHA scheduler and Ms. Estby. It is a fundamental problem that they have tried to remedy with ERYHA to schedule within the policy and procedures of the facility, which is 45 days out, so there would still be an opportunity to sell unused ice time to other user groups. Mr. Stremcha stated he would be willing to sit down with Mr. Eason and whomever they think is necessary to have a collaborative meeting with the team to make things right and stated they will have a fresh note, a clean slate with having new staff at the FT Center as part of the conversation. The Council and Commissioner Westgaard agreed that it would be necessary to do so. Commissioner Westgaard stated that Mr. Eason would like more than anything to work something out and stay at the FT Center. Mayor Dietz stated that they made it clear now who the people are that you need to talk to and explained they are more than willing to sit down and figure things out and if that becomes a problem then they should come back to the Council to talk to us again. It was discussed and agreed that there has to be better communication by all parties. 10.4 FT Center Leased Space Rental Rate The staff report was presented. Mr. Portner explained they were approached by Thumbs-Up, a local non-profit, asking about using the facility for programming for middle school and high school groups. They are asking for a non-profit rate or discounted rate, which has not been established yet at the FT Center. Ms. Estby stated that this has been a common request. Mr. Portner suggested waiting until the new Facility Manager starts to discuss non-profit rates. The Council agreed and directed staff to do some research on rates and what others are doing. Mayor Dietz stated that we have to clearly define what is non-profit or charitable giving and explained that it could potentially be a lot of groups. Mr. Portner asked the Council about scheduling the Police Chief Interviews for Monday, September 30, 2024. It was agreed to move forward with scheduling the interviews for September 30, 2024. 11. MOTION TO ADJOURN Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the meeting of City Council. Motion Carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:04 PM Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter. 12. INFORMATION City Council Minutes Page 13 of 13 September 16, 2024 --------- 12.1 August Financial Reports __________________ ___________________ John J. Dietz, Mayor Tina Allard, City Clerk