A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing concerns raised by a resident, Dean, regarding the East Bethel Village Apartments. Dean detailed that a resolution passed by the council in July 2020 included the construction of a second building with 70 units, with a stipulation that at least 20% of these units would be affordable to low-income families. However, he reported that currently, all units are being offered at market rates, contrary to the council’s original intentions. Dean pointed out that the developer’s agreement lacked any language mandating the affordability of these units. An annual compliance report from 2023 revealed that two units designated for low-income families were occupied by employees of the property management company, which raised questions about compliance and the integrity of the reporting process. Dean urged the council to investigate the situation and ensure that the developer adheres to the intended purpose of assisting low-income families. He also recommended that any excess rent collected should be refunded to tenants.

The council acknowledged these concerns and faced calls for action to uphold previous council commitments to affordable housing. This prompted a broader discussion on accountability in city projects and the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in agreements that impact the community.

In addition to the affordable housing issue, the council tackled staffing challenges following the unexpected resignation of Aaron Berg, a vital staff member. The resignation created a backlog of time-sensitive matters, compelling the council to consider a contract service to manage the workload. The proposed contract would involve hiring a qualified planner to address zoning inquiries and prepare planning packets, with the planner being available in the office one day a week. It was noted that the contract would be similar to the city’s arrangement for legal services, based on hourly work. The cost of the contract was projected to be comparable to the previous position held by Berg. However, concerns were raised about the financial implications, with estimates ranging from $12,000 to $14,000 per month depending on the team members involved.

Discussion ensued about why a request for proposals had not been issued immediately after Berg’s resignation on December 20. A representative explained that the urgency of ongoing projects would not have aligned with the timeline for responses to such requests. The difficulty in securing qualified talent in the planning field was highlighted, with many professionals already engaged in similar roles across various cities.

The council deliberated on the contract’s termination clause, with the city attorney recommending a modification to include a 30-day termination clause for any cause, instead of the existing seven-day clause based on performance failures. The need for an attorney review of the contract before approval was emphasized, with the council inclined to approve it contingent upon this review.

Further discussions in the meeting revolved around the recruitment process for city administrator and community director positions. Concerns were raised about the visibility of job postings, and it was confirmed that the city employs multiple platforms for advertising these roles. The council also addressed the assignment of members to various commissions and committees, emphasizing the importance of representation in community discussions.

In staff reports, the council was informed about the Sunrise River Water Management Organization’s successful grant acquisition of $221,375 for wetland restoration along ditch 20. This restoration is expected to positively impact the water quality of nearby lakes. The council discussed the budget for 2026, indicating that it anticipates remaining at or below the current year’s budget, though future increases may be necessary due to a 10-year planning cycle.