The council’s decision to modify the city charter drew attention as it involved substantial structural changes to the police department’s oversight. The proposed amendments, which received a examination by the charter commission, included the removal of the mayor as the head of the police department, changes to civil penalty assessments, and clarifications within the parks, recreation, and forestry sections. Craig, likely a city official, presented these proposals, emphasizing the importance of these changes for preventing legal ambiguities and aligning with practices in comparable Minnesota cities. The council expressed unanimous support for these amendments, with one member noting the proactive nature of the changes to avoid future misunderstandings. The public hearing that followed invited comments, but none were forthcoming, leading to a swift approval of the ordinance preparation and its subsequent adoption.

Another item was the awarding of bids for engineering services to construct eight new pickleball courts. Jason, presumably a city staff member, discussed the project, highlighting a $35,000 donation from the Austin Area Pickle Ball Association to fund the engineering costs. The council approved the proposal from Larsson Engineering with a 6-0 vote, recognizing the importance of efficient collaboration with community organizations to enhance local amenities.

In matters related to infrastructure planning, the council set a public hearing for December 15, 2025, to discuss a five-year capital improvement plan. This resolution was passed with minimal delay. Additionally, the council approved a resolution to award a bid to Chosen Valley Testing for analyzing water table fluctuations citywide, essential for informed construction and environmental planning.

The council also addressed several resolutions concerning local businesses and property developments. These included approvals for various liquor licenses and a renewed agreement with a truck wash facility for livestock trailers in the industrial park. A variance request for property enhancements at 70131st Street Northwest was approved, with the Planning Commission noting the proposal’s compliance with zoning regulations and minimal public feedback. Similarly, an amended variance for the Sterling property, reducing green space from 11% to 9.4%, was sanctioned following the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

A notable addition to the agenda was a new agreement with Hormel regarding wastewater discharge. This 20-year agreement, replacing a previous 30-year arrangement, clarified responsibilities for property insurance, transferring liability to the city. Some council members abstained from voting, but the resolution ultimately passed with four votes in favor and two abstentions. This agreement highlights the importance of clear delineation of responsibilities in long-term partnerships with major local stakeholders like Hormel Foods, a significant user of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities.

In the final resolution, the council approved an MOA with the A.EA bargaining group concerning health insurance rates for the upcoming year. This agreement included a waiver of bargaining rights, a standard procedure in such negotiations. The resolution was passed without objection.

The public comments section featured Brad Johnson of the Austin enhancement group, who promoted an upcoming post-Thanksgiving celebration, including a downtown lighting event. The meeting concluded with council members acknowledging recent achievements by local teams, including the Austin Packer swim and dance teams. After addressing all agenda items, a motion to adjourn was passed, leading to a recess before the subsequent work session.