The most contentious topic was the proposed ordinance concerning mobile food units, which had been posted for the required 10 days. The ordinance aimed to regulate the proximity of food trucks to established events and restaurants. It stipulated that mobile food units could not set up within 500 feet of pre-approved festivals, sporting events, or civic gatherings unless licensed to participate in those events. Additionally, a 200-foot distance requirement was set for mobile food units near brick-and-mortar restaurants unless specific licensing conditions were met.

Concerns were raised about the ordinance’s potential implications. One member noted that the 500-foot rule was intended to prevent food trucks from benefiting from events without contributing to them. However, there were concerns about the ordinance’s impact on established vendors if their location fell within the proximity of a newly scheduled event. The council discussed the possibility of reducing the distance requirement to align it with the 200-foot limit already applied to restaurants. Ultimately, the council chose to leave the ordinance unchanged, opting to revisit the issue if future problems arose.

In a bid to enhance local amenities, the council discussed installing new shade structures in Rum River Meadows Park. These structures, measuring 10 by 10 feet and costing approximately $6,000 each, were debated due to their price compared to cheaper alternatives available online. One participant suggested that the city consider less expensive options that could be replaced more frequently. Despite the cost concerns, the council approved the purchase of the more durable shade structures, with a focus on providing larger coverage for accessibility. The structures were planned for placement near playgrounds to offer shade without interfering with volleyball activities.

The council also addressed the potential for a community-driven naming contest for Fairway Greens North Park. The contest aimed to involve local residents and schools, leveraging social media platforms like Facebook to gather name suggestions. The council discussed narrowing down submissions and conducting a poll to finalize the park’s name. A motion to create the contest was passed unanimously, with ideas to engage students by allowing teachers to submit class suggestions.

Additionally, the council revisited a resolution regarding a contract for plumbing and HVAC services with Sun Mechanical. With the existing contract nearing expiration, only one proposal was received in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). Concerns were raised about the lack of competitive bids and whether the RFP process might have deterred potential contractors. Despite debates over pricing and the bidding process, a motion to approve the contract was passed by majority vote.

In the meeting’s concluding remarks, a council member expressed gratitude to Little Sprout Daycare for their contribution to the “Illuminate Isanti” initiative and acknowledged a departing staff member for her service. The council also approved the consent agenda and announced an upcoming closed session for the city administrator’s annual performance review, in accordance with Minnesota statutes.