The council’s decision to move forward with a feasibility report for Minnesota Avenue improvements stands out as the meeting’s most critical development. The city engineer presented a proposal to replace the aging sanitary sewer pipes along Highway 169. The existing clay pipes, over 80 years old, have been prone to infiltration issues, leading to unnecessary treatment at the wastewater treatment plant. The proposed project aims to replace these with newer, gasketed PVC pipes, alongside additional roadway improvements. The feasibility report will assess the project’s cost-effectiveness and potential impact on property owners, with assessments expected to range from $12,000 to $15,000. A council member raised concerns about the assessment policy, comparing it to previous assessments on Pine Street. The resolution to prepare the feasibility report was approved.

Another noteworthy topic was the council’s renewal of a memorandum of understanding with school district 508, focusing on youth development and service programs. This agreement has been in place since the mid-2000s, initiated during budget cuts to community education. The collaboration has allowed the city to assume some programming responsibilities, benefiting both the city and the school district. A representative highlighted the agreement as a collaborative opportunity with an annual payment of about $12,000, although concerns were raised regarding the stagnation of funding over the years. The resolution to authorize the execution of the memorandum was approved without further discussion.

The council also reviewed and accepted a senior citizen community conversation report, which was conducted by a consultant to evaluate the accessibility of city programs for seniors. The report identified barriers faced by seniors in utilizing city services and emphasized actionable findings for improvement. The city staff recommended making the report publicly available and distributing it to local partners. The council underscored the importance of not overlooking the report, viewing it as a tool for enhancing services for senior citizens. The motion to accept the report was unanimously approved.

In labor relations, the council entered an executive session to discuss union negotiations with the utilities union, covering water, wastewater, and stormwater employees. Upon returning to open session, the council discussed a contract with the AFL-CIO Local 70 for the 2025 calendar year. Key provisions included a 3% wage increase, the addition of a lab technician position, and modifications to jury duty and on-call pay policies. The resolution to approve the corrected contract was passed unanimously.

The meeting also addressed the approval of new tree worker licenses. Two applicants, Grant Sergeant of Sergeants LLC and Brandon Kenyon of 507 Outdoor Services, submitted required documentation and passed background checks.

In administrative matters, the consent agenda was approved, including the correction of Eleanor Winterfeld’s wage as a lifeguard and the appointment of several employees, such as Drew Dixon as IT Manager and Corey Johnson as the Sustainability and Communications Coordinator. The consent agenda also involved the disposal of surplus HP printers and the schedule of disbursements.

In community news, the mayor highlighted an upcoming Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Good Neighbor Diversity Council at Minnesota Square Park, encouraging community participation. Additionally, a council member provided an update from the One Watershed One Plan monthly policy committee meeting, noting a shift toward joint powers collaboration. The draft plan for the watershed has been submitted for agency review, with comments due by July 8.