The council commenced with a detailed update on the city’s new water tower, a project that has captured widespread attention due to its rapid progress. The bowl of the water tower was successfully lifted into place much faster than anticipated, taking just part of a morning instead of the entire day. Once completed, the tower, which will display the Rapids logo, is expected to become a prominent landmark. This new composite structure will require less maintenance than traditional towers, as it will not need to be entirely painted. The completion of this water tower will allow for the dismantling of an older tower on Foley Boulevard and Northdale, thus ensuring improved water pressure and supply for the city’s growing needs.

The council then pivoted to waste collection and recycling, adopting an ordinance that modifies the city code regarding these essential services. This topic has been a point of discussion for several years, with resident feedback gathered through surveys. The new ordinance reduces the number of licensed haulers from five to three, with the two remaining haulers being grandfathered in. The council emphasized the importance of established performance standards to ensure reliable waste collection services, addressing resident complaints about missed pickups. These standards, developed collaboratively with the haulers, aim to define quality service within the city. Haulers failing to meet these criteria will face penalties and could be removed from the list of licensed haulers. Although organized hauling is not yet implemented, residents are encouraged to coordinate within their neighborhoods to select a single hauler, potentially reducing the number of trucks on their streets.

In another development, the council approved the purchase of new community development and business licensing software. The current system is nearing its end of life and will no longer be supported. The new software module from BSNA, already used for financial purposes, will streamline operations and enable online transactions for licenses and permits. This is expected to save time for both staff and residents by reducing the need for in-person visits to City Hall.

The council also resolved to amend the 2024 budget and authorized an inter-fund loan to address the removal of boulevard trees affected by the emerald ash borer, prioritizing neighborhoods with the most severe infestations. The removal process will begin promptly, with replanting to follow as funding and planning for future years are coordinated. Residents with affected boulevard trees can report concerns online or via voicemail to ensure their trees are assessed promptly.

Discussion shifted to a site plan for Family Promise of Anoka County, which will provide housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The site plan was approved with adjustments, including the addition of a fence instead of a berm for screening purposes. The facility will offer eight units aimed at helping residents stabilize their lives before moving into permanent housing, with an average transition period of about 90 days.

Additionally, the council ordered the preparation of a feasibility report for street reconstruction planned for 2025, covering approximately 3.9 miles across various neighborhoods. Residents will be kept informed of preparations through notifications and are encouraged to subscribe to a construction newsletter for updates, particularly concerning any potential disruptions like water shut-offs or curb removals. Property assessments will be levied for the reconstruction, with Coon Rapids’ assessments noted as comparatively lower than those in neighboring cities.

The council further approved plans and specifications for the 2024 lift station rehabilitation project, emphasizing the importance of preventative maintenance for water and sewer infrastructure. The public works team received commendation for their efforts in maintaining these essential services.

The council also set the rental rates for the Coon Rapids Ice Center for the 2024-2025 period. The annual review aligns rates with neighboring facilities, taking inflation into account while ensuring the Ice Center can be more self-funding. Contracts with various user groups, including local youth programs and high school teams, were discussed.

In budgetary matters, the council set a preliminary tax levy for 2025 at a 7.85% increase. The presentation highlighted the extensive work involved in budget preparation, noting that staff is already considering the 2026 budget. Essential services such as police, firefighters, and public works receive the majority of the general fund allocations. There was a discussion about potential adjustments before the final adoption of the tax levy, with the possibility of a decrease before finalization in December.

The meeting also provided updates on the upcoming election, with early voting starting on September 20. City Hall will facilitate absentee voting, and residents can check their registration status there. Four city council seats are up for election, and the community was reminded of various races on the ballot, including county, state, and federal positions.