A point of discussion was the increase in deposit fees, which will rise by $50 per event. The council also decided to transition the alcohol deposit from a refundable $150 to a non-refundable $100 fee. This change is designed to cover additional cleaning costs associated with events where alcohol is consumed and to discourage violations of alcohol policies. A council member raised concerns that this could lead to renters being less forthcoming about alcohol usage, as there would be no financial incentive to adhere to the rules. However, the council maintained that the change was necessary given past incidents.

The council’s deliberation also touched upon the effectiveness of the recent change in park closing times from 11:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This adjustment was made to alleviate complications with cleaning crews and ensure that park facilities are vacated on time. Despite some initial reservations, it was noted that there had been minimal issues since the change, with only one cancellation reported due to the earlier closing time. The council reached a consensus that the 10:00 PM closing time remains suitable.

Further discussions highlighted the importance of clear communication regarding rental policies, with council members agreeing to include specific timelines for deposit refunds in the rental contract. This decision followed instances where renters were uncertain about when to expect their deposit returns. It was agreed that clearly stating that refunds could take four to six weeks would enhance transparency and reduce frustration among users.

The council also addressed the demand for facility rentals, which has been consistently high, especially during peak seasons for graduations and weddings. The facilities have been fully booked throughout the summer. Although the idea of having staff on-site during events, similar to a facility in Maplewood, was considered, no immediate plans were made to implement such a model.

In a related discussion, the council examined the pricing structure for rentals, noting that the reservation fee is lower than the actual operational costs. This prompted questions about whether the city might be undercharging for these facilities. Additionally, the logistics of the cleaning process were reviewed, with a suggestion to potentially separate rental costs from cleaning fees, allowing renters to handle some cleaning responsibilities themselves.

Beyond rental policies, the city manager provided updates from various city departments. The historical society’s recent meeting was well-received, facilitating direct engagement between community members and council members. The electric department announced the availability of new energy kits and plans for Christmas decorations. Meanwhile, the police department is set to distribute winter parking notifications, and public works staff are preparing for winter with plows for trucks.

The fire department has put its new truck into service and is conducting hydrant flow testing. The council expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts of city departments. Updates from other committees were shared, with upcoming meetings for the parks committee and the Economic Development Authority noted. The arts and culture committee has not convened since the last council meeting.

The meeting concluded with a focus on community events and upcoming elections. A council member encouraged residents to review a proposed capital projects levy for technology, emphasizing its importance for community engagement. The North St. Paul Christmas Tree Project was also mentioned, highlighting the efforts of a resident instrumental in organizing the event. Lastly, the council was invited to a pancake breakfast hosted by the police foundation, described as a community gathering with activities such as auctions and raffles.