The council’s deliberations began with the approval of a variance for a driveway on Ridge Road. The request involved reducing the current 30-foot setback to 10 feet, allowing for a wider driveway closer to the property line. Nikki McNeilly, a council member with a personal connection to the property, abstained from the discussion and vote. The city administrator detailed the variance, emphasizing that it would not interfere with the drainage and utility easement to the north. A prior public hearing conducted by the planning commission on September 2, 2025, yielded no public comments, and the commission had voted 6-0 to recommend the variance to the council. Conditions attached to the approval included a one-year expiration if construction did not commence, compliance with city engineer comments, and adherence to zoning permits. The resolution passed with four votes in favor and one abstention.

Attention then turned to the significant topic of the city hall parking lot expansion. The council reviewed quotes for asphalt and concrete work, receiving bids from Valley Paving, Northwest Asphalt, CNC Contracting, and Jay Reed Excavating. The total cost of the lowest bids was calculated at $58,069, which fell under the budget expectations. Discussions about the parking lot’s scope highlighted concerns about the potential loss of trees and green space. One council member suggested converting part of the area to grass and trees instead of paving it over, citing the loss of natural features. Another member countered that a hard surface would be more beneficial for events like city celebrations, which utilize the space for tents and beer gardens.

Further debate focused on the feasibility and potential benefits of extending the parking lot further north. The council agreed to seek an updated quote from Valley Paving for this potential extension, considering it could enhance the site’s usability and aesthetics. Despite concerns, the council approved the initial scope of work, moving forward with the project while deferring decisions on additional expansions until further information could be gathered.

The meeting also addressed practical considerations regarding the parking lot. Snow removal logistics were discussed, with a council member noting that an unpaved area had previously caused issues during snowy winters. They remarked, “If we have a snowy year, the plows aren’t ripping up the dirt,” underscoring the functional advantages of paving. The council moved to approve the current contracts, with a unanimous vote, while allowing time for additional quotes to be obtained.

The council then transitioned to the topic of an outstanding write-off for water tower repairs. With no responses received from previous attempts to recover costs, the council approved the write-off, recognizing the need to finalize the matter as they prepared for year-end audits. This motion also passed unanimously.

Another item on the agenda was the approval of a hot air balloon permit for Valerie Rich to operate out of Westridge Park. The council confirmed that all necessary insurance documentation was in place. A discussion arose about whether such permits should continue to require council approval or if staff could handle them, given the lack of issues in recent years. This consideration was tabled for further discussion at a future meeting.

The meeting concluded with reports from various committees and a workshop segment focused on budget updates. The city administrator provided an overview of the proposed general fund levy, set at $420,445, with total levies projected at $1,319,879. The anticipated decrease in tax rate from 37.79% to 35.69% was noted, highlighting the council’s focus on maintaining efficient operations and transparency with the public. The administrator reminded council members of the need to approve the preliminary budget at an upcoming meeting and emphasized the importance of communication ahead of the December truth and taxation public hearing.