One of the central topics was the potential construction of a sidewalk extending from Main Street to Eighth Street. The existing right-of-way of 33 feet presented challenges for accommodating both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Various road configurations were debated, including a one-way street, to balance safety and functionality. The council also considered placing a five-foot sidewalk directly against the curb, but expressed concerns about the practicality of snow management. Members emphasized the necessity of visualizing options in the field to understand the impacts on current parking and residential driveways. The city engineer suggested a site visit for further discussion.

Discussions on Eighth Street included input on street width and sidewalk configurations. One proposed design included sidewalks on both sides of a full-width street, while another suggested narrower configurations. There was a debate about the practicality of reducing the street width, with one council member noting challenges posed by the current 25-foot wide street from Pine to Birch. Concerns about potential property purchases to achieve the desired street configuration were also raised.

The meeting also tackled issues with rental licenses and housing code enforcement. Several landlords had not applied for or were slow in obtaining their 2023 licenses, leading to some properties being deemed uninhabitable. The city placarded these properties, prompting landlords to begin necessary repairs. The city attorney is now involved with the remaining non-compliant units, seeking administrative warrants for inspections or orders to vacate. Out of the final three landlords, one manages multiple properties, while the others are responsible for single units. The urgency to resolve these issues was emphasized, especially since landlords had been collecting rents without valid licenses.

Another notable agenda item involved preparations for winter. The Public Works Department reported the repair of a damaged storm sewer line and the installation of new class 5 gravel. Maintenance of plow trucks was underway, with DOT inspections scheduled for early October. Two trucks were listed for auction, set to close that Friday. The department also completed several maintenance activities, including sidewalk repairs at the fish cleaning station and the installation of a concrete dumpster pad at the campground. Additionally, seven new trees were planted along Park Road following tree inspections and removals. The splash pad was officially closed for the season, and preparations for winterization were completed.

An update on the 2025 building improvement project revealed that the existing insulation did not meet commercial code requirements, necessitating additional insulation. Discussion included the potential for reduced utility costs if a natural gas unit were incorporated into City Hall. The peeling exterior insulation on the south side of City Hall was flagged for future attention, although it might not be part of the current project.

Concerns about erosion control were raised regarding a site where black dirt was being dumped. The city engineer committed to investigating the matter further. The truck stop storm sewer project was nearing completion, with grass growing well in the area. Discussion also included the 2025 project, where the condition of sidewalks was assessed, revealing that most were in poor shape, although some could potentially be salvaged.

During action items, a resolution to order an improvement was presented for approval. This resolution would initiate a series of steps, including design approvals and advertising for bids, with the project having multiple phases before finalization. A key topic of discussion centered on Eighth Street, where several design options were presented regarding street width and sidewalk configurations. The city engineer explained that the width measurements provided were minimum requirements. Debate arose regarding the existing street widths and the feasibility of reducing the street to one-way traffic while maintaining sidewalks, as well as the implications of property lines and right-of-way widths.

The council also addressed the appointment of winter seasonal employees. Clint Ouse was appointed for work at the arena, with Dwayne Wetco and Sarah Linow taking on additional responsibilities. Dennis Christensen was appointed for outdoor rink management. These appointments were presented as routine actions requiring council approval.