The meeting’s most contentious moment revolved around a debate over the participation of council members in committee meetings. Mayor Carnahan asserted her responsibility and statutory authority to be informed about city affairs by attending relevant meetings. This statement sparked a debate about the legality and propriety of attending meetings without official designation. A council member clarified that Minnesota state statute requires public notice for meetings attended by two or more council members to prevent violations of open meeting laws. The discussion became heated when the mayor insisted on equal rights for all council members to attend meetings, provided proper notice is given. The council member reiterated that specific committee meetings, such as labor negotiations, are not public and cannot include more than two council members. The debate underscored the need for clear protocols to avoid legal issues, with the mayor maintaining her stance on attending meetings in accordance with her understanding of state law.

Amid these discussions, the council approved a resolution related to Mayor Carnahan’s conduct, which had been under scrutiny for two months. The resolution, which lacked specific allegations or code of conduct violations, was criticized for its vagueness and lack of transparency, as it was not included in the public council packet. The mayor stated that the resolution had no legal implications and merely expressed dissatisfaction without impacting her authority as mayor. The council adopted the resolution with a majority vote.

The council also engaged in discussions about committee liaison appointments. Personnel changes necessitated updates to appointments, including the interim city administrator’s name change and a new police chief. Discussions on committee memberships highlighted the importance of keeping assignments current, particularly for public works and planning commissions.

Another topic was the presentation on the Wonder Trek Children’s Museum by Peter Olsen. He discussed the museum’s mission to encourage childhood play amidst a technology-focused era. The museum, located on a 9-acre campus in Baxter, has raised over $6 million, with $800,000 still needed to complete its capital campaign. The council expressed support for the project, recognizing its potential to impact early childhood development positively. The museum’s first phase includes an “adventure outfitter studio,” designed to promote outdoor play for children.

The council’s agenda also included infrastructure-related discussions. A proposal was made to proceed with the 2027 street improvement design, focusing on parking lots and drainage issues. The council approved the proposal, which involves a total fee of $269,000 to cover stages leading up to bidding. There was a brief discussion about figures from past proposals, confirming that current estimates align with previous costs. The council also authorized advertising for bids for the 2026 street improvements, keeping the construction schedule on track.

Additionally, the council addressed a request for street lighting at Hills Crossing, estimated at $1,500 per light. Concerns were raised about setting a precedent for future lighting demands, leading the council to table the proposal for further discussion. The meeting also covered routine matters such as a scheduled local board of appeal and equalization meeting and the 2026 pay equity report.