During the public forum, Brian Southeast voiced his frustration over the city’s request for the Cedar Woodlands 2 HOA to turn over the septic field, based on a development agreement from May 2013. Button argued the HOA had no prior knowledge of this agreement and insisted that Cedar Woodlands 2 should retain ownership, citing a precedent where Cedar Woodlands 1 had its development agreement terminated upon request. Button emphasized the need for the city to act consistently with its past decisions and demanded a copy of the recorded development agreement, including the document number.

Following Button, another resident from 1090 Cedar Drive elaborated that the HOA had maintained and insured the land without any communication from the city until after connecting to the city sewer. This resident also pointed out the successful negotiation by Cedar Woodlands 1 to release its drain field and land back to its HOA, requesting similar treatment for Cedar Woodlands 2.

Another resident, Art from 810 Forest Lane Southwest, raised concerns over the problematic placement of a curb stop that had caused property damage. Art suggested a cost-effective solution involving fewer holes and proposed relocating the curb stop to a more advantageous position, supported by his neighbor.

The council then held a public hearing on proposed sewer system improvements for Riverbend Estates. An official outlined the current private sanitary sewer system and detailed the proposed upgrades, including extending a force main to the municipal sewer system and upgrading the lift station with alarms and generator provisions. The estimated construction cost was approximately $155,400, with property owner assessments based on equivalent residential units, potentially around $979 per owner.

In another significant agenda item, the council discussed a substantial project estimated at $4,365,000, with the city’s local share of costs around $11.3 million, financed through the Public Facilities Authority over a 30-year term. The proposed assessment for property owners would span ten years at a 5% interest rate, resulting in monthly payments of about $97. Brian Decker, president of the Riverwood HOA, expressed support for the project, aligning with the proposed assessments.

The council also reviewed the city’s financial audit for the year ending December 31, 2023. The audit revealed the city received over $750,000 in federal awards, necessitating a compliance audit, with expenditures up by approximately $220,000, totaling around $2.24 million. Discussions highlighted the city’s financial health, including a modest change in the general fund balance and the need for transparency and community engagement.

An important topic was the approval of change order number three for a water and sewer improvement project, amounting to $138,832.86. This encompassed water services under Fifth Street, lift station upgrades, and street repairs due to construction damage. The contractor would cover repair costs with no expense to the city.

The council also addressed procedural issues, particularly regarding contract signing. A member expressed concern over a contract signed by the new city administrator without council approval, questioning the legitimacy and authority behind such actions.

A noteworthy item involved a resolution declaring a building hazardous and ordering the removal of hazardous conditions. Concerns were raised about potential financial implications for the city if the homeowners failed to act.

The meeting also included a resignation from a fire department member, Mike Card, who had served for 20 years, and a proposal for a community identity and branding process. Updates were provided on flood damage in parks and trails, with efforts to secure FEMA funding. The council discussed purchasing new financial management software, with a proposal for the BSNA software package priced at $78,575 versus a lower-priced alternative at $17,901. The debate centered on the cost differences, training requirements, and potential benefits of each option.