The meeting opened with a contentious public hearing on the final assessments for the street and utility improvements. The total project cost had escalated from an initial estimate of $1,342,820 to $2,745,834. The city was responsible for $2,053,594 of this amount, with the rest attributed to specific ripsaw expenses. These financial details sparked a heated dialogue among residents and council members.

Residents Todd Primers and Bob Vernick were at the forefront, challenging the city’s assessment policy. Todd questioned the legality and justification of the assessments on his property on Peter Avenue, arguing that the cost exceeded the increase in property value, contrary to what state law permits. He expressed disbelief over the city’s rationale. Bob echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the city had previously used a lower assessment rate of 16% compared to the current 20.43% rate. Both residents emphasized the need for a fair assessment process that accurately reflects property value enhancements.

The council attempted to clarify the reasoning behind the increased assessments. It was explained that the improvements included enhanced drainage, which required adjustments to the road’s profile. However, residents remained unconvinced, noting that water had drained adequately before the project. Moreover, Bob raised issues about discrepancies in his assessment notices, which the council attributed to omitted costs in initial calculations.

The urgency of certifying the assessments compounded the situation, with the city facing a deadline by the end of the month. Council members debated whether to hold a special meeting to address the residents’ concerns, as missing the deadline could jeopardize the city’s bonding and financial stability. The city needed to cover 20% of the project costs, a point of confusion and contention during the discussions. Some participants suggested that the city absorb part of these costs to ease resident burdens, while others feared risking the city’s financial health.

Council members acknowledged the need for consistency in assessment practices. The financial advisor’s input was considered critical in setting the assessment rates, with the council keen on avoiding excessive charges that could provoke further objections.

Beyond the assessment debate, the meeting also covered several routine matters, including the approval of various resolutions. The council approved resolution 2024-125-1 for final assessments, despite the unresolved resident objections. Resolutions for mutual aid agreements with the Kayuna Range Fire Service and Ripsaw were also passed without opposition. These agreements involved standard procedures for equipment sharing and utility billing, reflecting ongoing collaborations between Pierz and neighboring entities.

Further discussions touched on the completion status of the street improvement project, with 87.7% of the work certified as complete, amounting to $1,843,875. Concerns were raised about the timely installation of street lighting, essential for safety during the darker months. The delivery and installation were expected to be completed by January.

The council also dealt with routine administrative tasks, such as renewing tobacco licenses for local establishments and designating the polling place for 2025. A permit for basketball gaming was approved, alongside department updates on winter preparations and street maintenance. A notable point was the significant cost reduction in a Minnesota Power bill for the street project, which came in lower than the initial bid.

Personnel matters saw the resignation of a Planning and Zoning Committee member, with the council moving to fill the vacancy. They also discussed a TA Grant for sidewalks, emphasizing safe routes to school, and scheduled a public hearing on the budget and truth in taxation for December 9.

In concluding the session, the council planned to address the swearing-in of new members on December 9, potentially skipping the traditional pre-Christmas meeting if no matters arose. The meeting wrapped up with a reminder that December meetings would begin earlier, at 6 p.m.