The most pressing topic on the council’s agenda was the organizational restructuring of the city’s administration. The council reached a consensus on maintaining a distinct city administrator role separate from the clerk duties, a structure that had been previously agreed upon during strategic planning sessions. The absence of the mayor at the start of the meeting delayed votes on this matter until her arrival. Upon her participation, the council unanimously approved a motion to establish a hierarchy that includes a city administrator, a clerk, a finance specialist, and a deputy clerk/administrative assistant, with the finance specialist reporting directly to the city administrator. This new structure aims to recognize the experience of current staff while aligning with common practices in municipalities of similar size.

In light of this reorganization, the council agreed to expedite the search for a new city administrator by leveraging existing job descriptions. To ensure a review process, a special meeting was scheduled to finalize these descriptions.

The meeting also addressed the interim assignment of city administrator duties. The council debated the scope of responsibilities to be assigned to the interim appointee, Maggie Wentler, while considering union negotiations that limit certain duties. A motion was made and passed to assign Wentler the interim city administrator duties, excluding those related to labor negotiations and personnel management.

Another topic was the discussion surrounding the implementation of a local option sales tax (LOST) to fund park improvements. The council was divided on the issue, with some members advocating for a public vote and others expressing concerns about the financial burden on residents. The conversation highlighted the park’s critical condition and the need for strategic funding to address its infrastructure. While one member emphasized the necessity of leveraging existing funds for smaller projects, others argued for the benefits of a sales tax, especially considering the tourist-driven use of local amenities. Despite differing opinions, the council agreed to continue exploring funding avenues and community engagement to reach a consensus on this matter.

In addition to these discussions, the council addressed the challenges associated with special event and street use permits. While a 60-day submission timeline was proposed, some council members advocated for a more flexible approach to accommodate spontaneous community events.

Infrastructure projects, particularly the Gull Lake Trail, were also prominent in the meeting. Delays in the trail’s completion due to construction and weather-related issues prompted discussions about contractor accountability and the timeline for completion. The council approved a change order extending the completion date.

Finally, the council addressed several routine matters, including the approval of a pay application for the city hall remodel and the hiring of a maintenance technician. They also discussed a proposed streetlight installation, ultimately approving the placement to enhance community safety.