The council’s primary focus was on a comprehensive website redesign facilitated by Civic Plus, the city’s current hosting provider. This endeavor, postponed due to the election cycle, plans to incorporate a new .gov domain, shifting away from the current ci.-beth.mn address. With this change, all city email addresses will also transition to the .gov format. Carrie, a staff member involved in the project, highlighted the potential modules under consideration, which aim to enhance both public and staff interactions with the website.

Among the eight main modules discussed, the community development module stood out as a priority. This module would modernize the process of issuing building permits and allow residents to access property files online, thereby increasing transparency about active building permits. The module intends to replace the outdated Permit Works system, aligning property file imaging with the new permitting software. This integration would offer residents, such as Suzanne, access to comprehensive property records, including past permits and inspection reports.

Other notable modules include social media archiving to automate the retention of social media interactions. Currently, this process involves manual tracking via screenshots. Process automation was identified as another critical upgrade, streamlining online form handling and ensuring accountability through automated checklists. Additionally, mass notification capabilities would enable the city to send targeted alerts and updates to residents.

The council also considered an audio compliance module to meet ADA standards, checking website content for federal regulation compliance by June 2026. The agenda and meeting management module would simplify the creation of council packets, reducing staff workload and automating ordinance numbering and codification processes. Lastly, a module for tracking data requests would automate the redaction of sensitive information, streamlining public data access.

Staff members expressed varying opinions on the modules’ importance, with some deemed more critical based on staffing levels and workload. Carrie noted, “It’s kind of a Christmas wish list sort of thing, but they all come with a price tag.” The council must prioritize the most beneficial and feasible modules, considering costs and potential operational impacts.

The meeting also delved into historical document digitization, emphasizing the necessity of preserving these files against potential loss due to events like fires. The council discussed hiring a service for this transition or engaging community volunteers, particularly tech-savvy youth, to assist with digitization. This initiative aims to safeguard historical data for current and future researchers.

In terms of infrastructure, the council considered a citywide facility study to assess city facilities’ age and condition, particularly fire stations, amid potential population growth. Although beneficial for long-term planning, budget constraints might delay this study. The fire chief reported on flooring conditions in fire stations, presenting a quote for repair work at Station 2 and highlighting the need for multiple quotes, as is standard practice.

A public forum allowed residents to voice concerns, particularly about the BDM situation and city administration issues. Residents like Brian Bazansen and Matt Dwire expressed dismay over perceived attacks on BDM, urging the council for transparency and thorough discussion on the matter. Concerns about financial obligations and transparency in city dealings were also raised.

Additionally, the council addressed employee compensation, noting public works employees’ salaries lagging 10% behind neighboring communities. An 8% salary increase was proposed for the current year, followed by 3% increases in subsequent years.

Finally, land acquisition updates were provided, particularly concerning a property on Sims Road, with plans for potential uses like a fire station or retail space. Discussions on park fees and the financial management of a local business operating within a residential district highlighted broader debates on financial accountability and public fund use.