37:25A central discussion point was the potential development of affordable housing, with a proposal to construct six to eight homes on Hiller Drive. Council members considered the feasibility of extending water and sewer lines to support this initiative, with estimated costs ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. There was debate over whether this area was within city limits, which would affect the permit applications to the Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Despite water usage having decreased to about 35,000 gallons per day, making the additional load manageable, concerns about infrastructure costs remained.

The council recognized the importance of affordable housing and explored strategies to entice developers. One member shared insights from another town where developers were encouraged to build without upfront land payments. However, the potential multi-million-dollar costs of constructing streets and necessary utilities posed a challenge, requiring further deliberation and planning.

17:41In addition to housing discussions, the council addressed waste management and a proposed community cleanup event. Tentative dates of April 24th to 26th were discussed, aligning with water bill distribution in early April to ensure residents received timely notifications. Coordination with the garbage company was considered crucial, especially around Easter weekend. The council acknowledged April’s unpredictable weather and emphasized the importance of clear communication to maximize resident participation.

City Hall remodeling was another key topic, with questions about progress and whether Kelvin had been contacted to provide a quote for the project. The council stressed the need to maintain momentum on renovations. This was part of broader efforts to improve city infrastructure and services.

The Excel franchise agreement was also addressed, with Resolution 35b receiving unanimous approval. This standard 20-year agreement was part of routine council business.

Administrative fees related to city ordinances were discussed, highlighting enforcement challenges. Council members called for the sheriff’s department to address vehicles violating ordinances, particularly those parked long-term near the post office. The discussion included the constraints faced by law enforcement, noting that action could only be taken if vehicle tags were expired. The council emphasized the need to inform the public about the complaint process to enhance ordinance enforcement.

Parking issues around the church on Sundays sparked debate, with reports of obstructed access for elderly attendees. Suggestions included posting signs to discourage parking during service hours and creating diagonal parking lines to improve accessibility.

The meeting also covered the launch of a new city website, intended to enhance user-friendliness. However, the city remains under contract with the previous provider for two and a half more years, raising concerns about the financial implications of maintaining dual contracts during the transition.

Further resolutions authorized the city clerk to make payments up to $3,500 and formalized electronic payment use—a practice already in place. A correction was made to change “God Thunder” to “Good Thunder,” and the resolutions were approved.

The council briefly discussed emailing utility bills to reduce postage costs, although uncertainties regarding technical aspects and potential fees for online payments were noted. Despite these concerns, there was general support for the shift to email billing as the city transitions to monthly billing.

Finally, council members reviewed upcoming educational opportunities for city staff, including a certification program for clerks. Details about associated costs were not clarified, leaving some uncertainty about the financial implications.

37:25In closing, the council considered several maintenance and park-related projects, including insulating the city shop for future expansion, seal coating parking lots, and preserving a weathered World War II memorial. Suggestions to collaborate with local veterans’ organizations to create a memorial park were discussed.