The council’s deliberations on public engagement revealed a split opinion regarding the removal of the open public forum from the agenda the previous year. A council member expressed that the absence of this forum had diminished community engagement, leading to fewer residents attending meetings. They emphasized a desire for open dialogue, stating a preference to hear residents’ concerns directly, even if critical. This sentiment was echoed by another council member who highlighted the logistical drawbacks of the current system, which requires a 30-day waiting period for responses to concerns raised, creating a perception of unresponsiveness.

Several residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the council’s current engagement practices, noting difficulties in requesting agenda time and a lack of immediate feedback during meetings. A resident, Tom Whitiki, criticized the council’s representation. The council defended their efforts to communicate and engage with constituents and acknowledged the need for improvement.

Proposals for enhancing public participation included the reintroduction of a listening session before formal meetings, allowing residents to bring matters directly to the council for discussion. This idea was met with interest, though logistical challenges, such as time constraints and professional staff’s presence at meetings, were noted as potential obstacles. The council considered the possibility of implementing a structured format where residents who did not get a chance to speak could be prioritized for future agendas.

In addition to public engagement, the council discussed issues surrounding the city’s rentable land. Concerns were raised about the legitimacy and terms of land rentals, with debates over whether it was permissible to charge rent in addition to taxes. The council expressed interest in exploring how other municipalities manage such rentals, particularly given concerns about potential flooding on one of the plots.

The meeting also touched on the city’s budget, where updates were provided regarding insurance savings. The League of Minnesota Cities had increased the city’s deductible, resulting in a savings of approximately $4,500 per year. Members were reminded that the preliminary budget set in September could still be adjusted before final approval in December. The financial pressures faced by the city, including decreased revenues and rising insurance costs, were acknowledged.

Traffic safety was another topic of discussion, with the council considering a request from GFW Schools to designate an area as a school zone to slow traffic. The request, supported by a well-written letter from the school, was approved unanimously by the council.

The police department’s achievements were highlighted during the meeting, particularly the success of the K9 unit. The council acknowledged the seizure of over 600 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 10 grams of fentanyl in the past month, emphasizing the critical role of law enforcement in addressing local drug issues. This initiative was praised as a community-driven project, with gratitude extended to the officers involved.