The meeting opened with a public comment segment that quickly highlighted tensions surrounding Mayor Luke Merrill’s social media activity. Matthew O’Keefe, a local resident, voiced concerns about a Facebook post by Merrill that drew numerous racist comments, which he alleged the mayor had liked. O’Keefe criticized this behavior as dangerous and damaging to the city’s reputation. Despite O’Keefe’s pressing inquiries, the mayor defended himself by stating that he did not make any racist comments and insisted the likes were on his personal profile. However, Merrill offered no direct response when questioned about the appropriateness of endorsing comments advocating deportation of a U.S. citizen. The council’s silence on the matter only fueled O’Keefe’s criticism, as he labeled their response as “embarrassing.”

Further public comments came from Lucinda Riley and Cheryl Davidson, who echoed O’Keefe’s concerns and accused Merrill of blocking dissenting voices on social media, potentially infringing on First Amendment rights. The lack of accountability and the alleged use of social media for public matters raised concerns about the council’s integrity and responsiveness to constituents.

In addition to social media issues, the council addressed infrastructure concerns. Katie Heinrich, a parent of a student at Cambridge Isanti High School, reported a frightening incident involving an exploding light fixture during her daughter’s volleyball practice. Heinrich argued that the school’s infrastructure was beyond the stage of just preventative maintenance and urged the council to support a referendum for essential upgrades. Despite the absence of school representatives, the council acknowledged the importance of community involvement in the upcoming November 4 referendum.

Discussion then shifted to the ongoing construction project at a local roundabout, which faced delays due to utility relocation and asbestos pipe discoveries. While paving was expected to begin soon, concerns about project timing and cost implications were raised. The council emphasized the need for clear communication with local businesses and residents, noting that updates were forthcoming.

Tree management was another significant topic, with discussions on removing ash trees affected by a pest infestation. The council considered applying for a grant to fund tree removals, with a voucher program as a backup if the grant was not secured. The challenge of balancing resident responsibilities with public safety concerns prompted the council to plan further discussions in the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

Finally, the council tackled the issue of social media archiving, as the city’s growing online presence necessitated improved archiving practices. Four options were examined, with a recommendation to adopt “Page Freezer” for efficient record-keeping. Some members advocated for enabling comments to foster community engagement, whereas others cautioned against the workload and risks of social media interactions.