WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=nggJWrcgi_g

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.200
That's transcribed. >> Good evening everyone. I'd like to welcome you to the Atwater City Council meeting. Tonight is Monday, August 10th. Audrey, can you have the record show that our assistant city attorney's present? Our city planner's present, our city engineer, all council members, our

2
00:00:20.200 --> 00:00:39.720
assistant city administrator, and our city administrator. At this time, I'll ask you to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

3
00:00:39.720 --> 00:01:00.960
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Our first item of business this evening is the open forum. This is the portion of the meeting where you can come to the podium, state your name and address, and limit comments to 5 minutes or less. Would anyone like to speak at this time?

4
00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:19.000
>> Hi council, mayors. Um, Genie Holland, Wright County Commissioner. And I want to thank you. You guys made it today at 4:00. I got the official word from Chad that the that that 37 is open, ready to go. Uh, congratulations to on the

5
00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:34.720
opening of Costco. Um, I do have to say that the contractors and the highway department and Costco and as well as your administrators really worked hard. I think there was a lot of pressure from Costco to get that

6
00:01:34.720 --> 00:01:50.320
moving. I know your administrator uh, felt it. That's same with the highway department, but so glad we're at this point right now. I wish I could be there on Friday. I'll be at a conference. Uh, I'm the chair of the Central Minnesota

7
00:01:50.320 --> 00:02:05.800
job the Central Minnesota Jobs and Training um, uh, joint powers. That's 11 County um uh uh, consortium. And we're going to go up and find out what our unemployment numbers

8
00:02:05.800 --> 00:02:21.840
are and all things, uh, workforce development. So, I'm sad that I can't be there on at 7:30 on Friday, but I'm sure it'll be great. Um, so, congratulations on getting to this point. You guys did a good job. And

9
00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:39.160
that has been the talk of Wright County. >> [laughter] >> Even little little ladies have come up to me from all points of Wright County and say, "When is that Costco going to open up?" So, it's great to be here. Um, another thing,

10
00:02:39.160 --> 00:02:55.920
I know there, uh, uh, I Albertville, there was a a councilman that uh like pointed me to an article about the substation or satellite station. We bought land about 2 years ago. I

11
00:02:55.920 --> 00:03:13.000
think, Adam, it was Adam, uh, myself, our administrator, and then the Adam from Albertville and Steve Bott from St. Michael that all sat down before Costco even came, knowing that the land around Costco is going to be

12
00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:30.519
very expensive. And so, we looked at Otsego, we looked at St. Michael, and then Adam Nastad from Albertville came up with this piece of property that is the old Highland Bank Pea- Pea- Blue Cafe. Um, we got a heck of a deal. I just wanted

13
00:03:30.519 --> 00:03:47.280
known that we did not use any levy money for this. What we used this is that we have two We had two pieces of property that we own. We owned the one downtown where the old government building was.

14
00:03:47.280 --> 00:04:04.080
And that that is for sale That is in the process of being sold. Um, and then and redesigned. That's going to Burkhardt's, which is going to be apartment building. And then the old HHS building which everybody that's been around would know that that's the old

15
00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:18.920
Pemina building. We had that 20 years for HHS. It's right behind uh Walgreens in Albert in in Buffalo. We sold that to a church. Riverview uh bought that church. So that money was sitting in an

16
00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:36.440
account within our EDA. We use that money because we know this area is growing. And and I just want want you to know that Albertville, even though it it might look like it's a pet project for Albertville, Albertville is not getting

17
00:04:36.440 --> 00:04:52.120
any taxes for ha- having bought this and having the co- with you know, the county will not pay taxes on that prime piece of property. They're doing it for the benefit of their neighbors, which we really appreciate.

18
00:04:52.120 --> 00:05:07.919
Uh Peekaboo Cafe did move out recently. So we're looking at that and we're going to be putting our sheriff's deputies in there as well as some troopers to kind of meet there, have a presence. We're going to have like conference

19
00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:23.280
room, a break room, places for them to go. And then um we have been hearing from our veteran service uh um uh administrator, Greg Pickard, who says the numbers for our veterans are going

20
00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:40.120
up that we service. And he especially noted that on the east side in Otsego, the numbers are are, you know, high. And a lot of Otsego people are going to Elk River. So our thought is let's see if we

21
00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:57.320
can service them in that building um sooner than later. I'm I I said it would make sense because then we could keep our Wright County veterans in the area. So, we're trying to craft a plan, see if that's going to work. We

22
00:05:57.320 --> 00:06:12.960
have facilities out there looking, um but very exciting uh to have a place. But the the nice the the best part about this piece property is that it will save Otsego money

23
00:06:12.960 --> 00:06:29.760
uh in the long run because you guys pay a per hourly rate for your uh deputies. So, and Jason's out here, but uh knowing my husband and how long it takes to book somebody, if somebody would get uh arrested, let's

24
00:06:29.760 --> 00:06:46.200
say at Cowboy Jack's, by the time they get over to the jail in Buffalo, that's already 45 minutes. And then to process them and get back, for you guys, you would see uh a lack of coverage for approximately 4

25
00:06:46.200 --> 00:07:04.840
to 5 hours. So, this way, our goal uh is to eventually have a paddy wagon, which is a holding place for uh the the arrests that are made on this side. It would benefit uh Monticello, Otsego, St. Michael to go

26
00:07:04.840 --> 00:07:20.000
here instead of and the more lights we get through St. Michael and Monticello, the longer drive is for your our deputies. Um this was This would be such a great thing for Otsego and we know it,

27
00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:36.480
and I want to thank uh uh your administrator for, you know, just deep diving into it, but especially thank Albertville for giving up this this prime piece property for future building. Um it's going to be really,

28
00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:51.280
really uh awesome to have, especially for you guys out here, the furthest corner of the county. But, um other than that, uh we the levy looks like it's going to be seven.

29
00:07:51.280 --> 00:08:07.360
We're working on it. As you can see, uh Sherburne County, our neighbors, are at a 9.5, and that is exactly what we were at a while ago. Every levy point that we take off is a million dollars.

30
00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:23.360
Um it's it's because of that snap that snap money that's coming from the state. It it It's really hitting a lot of counties hard. We heard uh Dakota County's probably going to go 22%. I mean, every county's going to is

31
00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:39.599
feeling this big push uh to pay for snap, which should not happen. Uh It it it definitely the only way we can get money is by raising property taxes as of you guys, the same. So,

32
00:08:39.599 --> 00:08:54.880
very very heartbreaking. Hopefully, uh next session, we can see that come back, go back to the state. Sadly, every time they give us a unfunded mandate, going my 14 years in the school board, I've

33
00:08:54.880 --> 00:09:10.800
never seen clawback unfunded mandate. So, we're probably stuck with it, but let's hope not because um it's just not fair. It's not fair for the people that are on fixed incomes, the young family, all of us. We don't

34
00:09:10.800 --> 00:09:25.880
want our property taxes go up. So, still working on that, uh just like you guys, going line by line, figuring out what we can do to bring that levy down, and hopefully, in the long run, it it comes down a little more.

35
00:09:25.880 --> 00:09:42.200
So, does anybody have any questions? >> I just I wondered on um >> [clears throat] >> on that new place you're talking about, is that in addition to that other building that was going to be a DMV at some point. >> Yes, eventually it will be the DMV. >> That same spot?

36
00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:58.800
>> Yes. Yes. But right now, being as we have the building there, we're going to utilize it. Because at first we thought we didn't want to take take the leaser out of business. But the leaser decided that they were that they were not going

37
00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:16.280
to lease anymore. So now it's an empty building and that's why we thought, well, let's let's get in it get her get our officers in there so that they have a place. And and then it still has some room. So

38
00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:33.000
that's why we're kicking around the the veteran services. But eventually it will be, yes, a DMV. Um >> [clears throat] >> it and you know, that project probably won't happen. I'll probably be long gone by the time we get that. But at least we

39
00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:49.839
got a very attractive uh um uh lot and for very little money compared to what the going rate is even now. So >> It was good. >> That's near the post office over there, right? >> Yeah, right

40
00:10:49.839 --> 00:11:05.800
right behind it. Yeah, it looks out at that gas station and Taco John's over there. So really easy on easy off the freeway. Accesses did I'd say go nicely. I just think it'll be really nice.

41
00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:23.240
Central for uh all of us including Monticello. I know that they're excited as well. So >> Sounds good. >> Yes. Any other questions? >> I just want to say um to our city, to Albertville, and to Wright County, you guys everyone did a great job, fabulous

42
00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:38.600
job on County Road 37. I just drove on it today and it's it's exciting. >> Yes. >> It's pretty wild to think that I I for me it didn't seem like it took forever at all. I mean, it was just it was quick and it's it's beautiful. It

43
00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:54.760
it really it changes everything with our cities. >> Yeah. >> Um and it's a great >> Uh >> way to connect. I don't know. It's just there's there's a different feel about it. >> Yeah. >> But I just want to commend everyone that was involved how I mean, how quickly they they did this

44
00:11:54.760 --> 00:12:10.920
construction, how they worked together and and now Costco will be opening up Friday. So, it's just everyone did a great job. So, >> Yeah. Absolutely. As I think October the go-to date and things really came together nicely and they did. You know, and

45
00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:26.440
>> beautiful. >> Uh we were blessed with good weather, too. So, that helped. >> It did. >> So, >> [laughter] >> yeah. And thanks for all of you guys. >> Yes. Thanks, too. >> You know how to get a hold of me. Thanks. >> Thank you. Any other comments?

46
00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:44.000
All right, we will close the open forum and move on to consider agenda for approval. Does anyone have anything that they would like to add or delete at this time? >> Madam Mayor. >> Yes, Ryan. >> I move to approve the agenda as written. >> Second. >> Motion by Ryan, seconded by Corey. Is

47
00:12:44.000 --> 00:13:00.440
there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. Moving on to our consent agenda, a motion would be in order. >> Madam Mayor. >> Yes, Ryan. >> I move to approve the consent agenda as written.

48
00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:17.440
>> Second. >> Motion by Ryan, seconded by Corey. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. Moving on to item four under city

49
00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:34.280
council reports and updates, does anyone have anything? Yes. Oh. >> Oh. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um had a couple things. Um I talked to Tony from OHPC and just kind of checked in to how our um lawn was getting fixed up.

50
00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:49.880
And she mentioned that contractor was out there, but they ran out of dirt. And then she's never heard back from them. So, I was wondering if staff could maybe reach out. >> Yeah, I can I can follow up on that. I did drive by there and I did see that a lot of the areas had been

51
00:13:49.880 --> 00:14:07.280
improved. Um and grass was growing, but um I can do a smart follow up. >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay. >> Um other thing I had was uh OHPC meeting will be next Tuesday, August 18th at 6:00 p.m.

52
00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:23.840
That's That's it. Thank you. >> All right. >> Mayor Mayor. >> Uh the Planning Commission did not meet, but the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17th. Uh there will be a public hearing on Revolution Gym, which is a property northeast of Target next to the church. Uh it's currently city

53
00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:40.839
property. And then just another item, the um on Wednesday I will be attending the uh State Fire Marshal Town Hall in in Blaine. Uh the State Fire Marshal is preparing an assessment of fire services across uh the state. And these town hall sessions

54
00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:56.880
are designed to get feedback from uh professionals and others on the standards staffing challenges uh training, and equipment across the state. So, I'm excited to attend that. >> Okay. Thank you. Mayor I just want to make a one comment

55
00:14:56.880 --> 00:15:13.240
too as far as uh public safety is meeting uh Tuesday, August 18th. So. No meetings tomorrow evening. Correct. Uh final update to Parks and Rec. We didn't meet last time, but we're going to be meeting on the 18th. Tuesday the

56
00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:31.360
18th. Busy night. >> [laughter] >> Right. All right. We will move on to staff reports and updates. Sabrina. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. No reports or updates tonight. >> Uh, Mayor, Council, thank you. Uh, reminder, budget meeting tomorrow

57
00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:47.360
morning, 8:00 a.m. here at uh, the Prairie Center. Uh, Costco is is mentioned by Commissioner Holland is opening this Friday. Uh, just a PSA that there will be ongoing work behind the curb lines yet throughout the remainder of this fall, so please be safe uh, when traversing

58
00:15:47.360 --> 00:16:01.720
that area. >> And the sidewalks are not open. >> Correct. There are still pedestrian facilities being completed, so uh, there will still be work in the area, but it is open to traffic, so. Uh, finally, uh, staff will be doing public works manager interviews uh,

59
00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:19.720
round two uh, on Thursday. >> Audra? >> Uh, thank you, Mayor and Council. Um, tomorrow is primary elections. Your polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. No, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please come out and vote. We've had a a

60
00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:35.080
good turnout for early voting, so. Hopefully. >> Do you have numbers for? >> At City Hall, we had just under 300. I don't know what the absentee voting is from the county yet. >> Okay. >> But compared to the last two primaries, it's an increase. >> That's great.

61
00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:50.240
Thank you. All right. Jared? >> Nothing for me. >> Okay. Dan? >> Mayor, thank you. Nothing to report. >> Ron? >> No updates, Mayor. >> Any updates from Wright County? >> No.

62
00:16:50.240 --> 00:17:05.400
>> You're shaking your head. All right, so no updates from the county. Um, well, if no one else has anything, then a motion to adjourn would be in order. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Tina, seconded by Michelle. Is there any discussion?

63
00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:25.160
All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. The meeting is ended. Thank you all for attending. >> Yeah. Almost ready.