The proposal to purchase two software programs—Perform for employee performance tracking and Next Request for managing data requests—sparked a discussion among council members. The Next Request software was particularly emphasized as a solution to streamline the management of data requests, which had skyrocketed from 1,600 in 2024 to 939 by mid-2025. A police department representative articulated the challenge, describing the existing methods as inadequate and prone to error. They advocated for the new software to mitigate these risks, noting the complexities of managing data through dispersed email threads rather than a centralized system.

Despite the software’s potential benefits, hesitation emerged regarding the timing of the purchase. One council member suggested postponing the decision for two weeks to gather more information from the IT department, expressing a need for clarity on the software’s integration with current systems. This sentiment was echoed by others who stressed the importance of ensuring that any new expenditure was justified and effectively utilized.

The debate also touched on the procedural aspects of data requests, with concerns about potential vulnerabilities if all data were accessible through a single portal.

Ultimately, the motion to delay the decision passed. This resolution allowed the council to prioritize a thorough understanding of the software’s implications before proceeding with the purchase.

Next on the agenda was the fire department relief association’s annual report, which included a request for an increase in their annual benefit level to $16,750 per year of service. This request followed the governor’s signing of an omnibus pension bill on May 23, which raised the state cap to $20,000. The department’s fund demonstrated a 107% funding status, with a surplus of $419,000. The motion to approve the report and authorize the increased benefit was moved, seconded, and carried without further discussion.

The meeting also addressed the potential sale of a retired police squad vehicle, specifically squad 432. A motion to authorize the sale was made and passed with little deliberation.

Health insurance proposals for 2026 were another significant topic of discussion. The city’s HR director introduced an insurance broker, who reported on the midyear review with the insurance committee. It was noted that claims utilization had decreased, making the city a favorable risk for insurers. The broker recommended seeking bids from various providers, including Minnesota Healthcare Consortium and Blue Cross Blue Shield, for both fully insured and self-funded proposals. A motion to authorize the broker to conduct a request for proposal (RFP) was made and passed.

Finally, the council reviewed the preliminary levy timeline presented by a city representative. The proposed timeline for budget discussions was accepted.