The council approved a joint powers agreement with Lester Prairie to merge police departments. This collaboration has been in progress for some time, and both cities are finalizing details, with the merger set to occur shortly after January 1, 2025. The agreement was slightly modified to include quarterly meetings, which was considered a fair starting point. The exact activation date is still pending but is expected to follow soon after the new year.

In other matters, the council discussed development agreements for the Grass Lake Farm Apartments project, which is part of the Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program. A key aspect of this development is the zero-interest loan from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, which will convert into a grant if executed properly. It was clarified during the meeting that this housing project will offer market-rate apartments, not Section 8 housing, as some residents had speculated.

Community engagement remains a priority, as highlighted by the update from the What Up group, which organizes local family-friendly events. These include movies in the park and a Halloween bash, all funded through donations and city support. The committee noted the importance of these events in fostering community spirit and the challenges of maintaining a tight budget due to rising costs, such as movie licensing fees.