►
From YouTube: City Council Meeting - 7/17/23
Description
City of Austin, MN
C
B
C
B
A
D
A
F
E
Council
members,
in
late
last
year,
the
City
of
Austin
was
awarded
an
EPA
Community
community-wide
assessment
Grant.
We
have
been
working
with
stantec
to
begin
implementing
the
grant.
The
grant
amount
was
500
000
with
no
match
from
the
city.
Lindsey,
Brown
and
Heidi
pepper
are
here
to
give
you
an
overview
of
the
timeline
and
opportunities
available
through
this
Brownfield
Grant,
and
this
is
kind
of
the
kickoff
of
our
community
outreach.
G
Good
evening
mayor
members
of
the
council,
it's
happy
to
be
here
with
you
tonight.
After
three
years,
Holly
and
Craig
have
working
on
this
EPA
brownfields
assessment,
Grant,
so
I
was
very
excited
to
have
worked
on
it
to
see
it
be
awarded.
My
name
is
Heidi
pepper.
This
is
Lindsey
Brown.
We
are
funding
specialists
at
stantec,
I.
Don't
want
to
bore
you
with
too
much,
but
we
have
a
combined.
You
know
30,
plus
years
of
finding
money
for
our
clients
and
their
projects.
G
Lindsay
especially,
is
a
brownfields
expert,
I'm
more
of
a
jack
of
all
trades,
a
Swiss
army
knife.
If
you
will,
but
in
an
event
it
was
a
lot
of
fun
working
with
Lindsay
and
team
on
this
project,
and
so
tonight,
now
that
the
contract
has
been
awarded
and
executed,
we're
just
going
to
provide
you
with
an
overview
of
brownfields
brownfields
101,
an
overview
of
the
project
and
then
get
into
a
few
of
the
details
related
to
eligible
use
of
the
funds
goals.
G
So
I
already
went
through
the
internet,
Rosita
Clark.
She
is
the
regional
program
administrator
for
the
EPA
and
I
should
back
up
Environmental
Protection
Agency,
so
the
EPA
she
is
your
resource,
and
the
EPA
has
a
lot
of
technical
assistance
tools
at
the
city's
disposal
to
help
leverage
and
make
the
most
of
this
program
in
the
city
of
Boston.
So
here's
her
contact
information.
She
was
hoping
to
be
here
in
person.
G
G
You
know
a
lot
of
people
when
they
hear
brownfields,
they
think
smokestacks
and,
like
heavy
industrial,
that's
not
necessarily
the
case.
A
brownfields
can
be
an
underutilized
property
of
vacant
property,
a
property
with
suspicion
that
there
might
be
contamination
because
of
previous
uses.
The
key
is
is
that
there
is
development
or
was
development
on
that
piece
of
property.
At
one
point:
it's
not
a
green
field.
So
it's
not
an
open,
wide,
open
space,
there's
two
primary
categories
of
brownfields
petroleum
and
hazardous
substances.
So
these
are
the
kinds
of
contamination
that
we're
looking
to
assess.
G
So
it's
not,
you
know
just
debris,
so
these
are
contaminants
that
have
serious
environmental
risks.
So
these
are
the
kinds
of
issues
we'll
be
dealing
with
and,
of
course,
why
are
they
a
problem?
Why
is
there
a
program
at
the
EPA
specifically
geared
towards
brownfields
assessment?
So
this
is
one
category
of
the
brownfields
program
that
they
have.
They
have
assessments,
they
have
a
cleanup
fund,
they
have
a
revolving
Loan
Fund
and
that's
because
they
are
harder
to
develop
as
I'm
sure
you
know
and
have
experience
within
the
city.
G
These
properties,
where
there's
suspicion
or
known
contamination
people,
are
a
little
bit
shy
from
diving
into
those
into
buying
those
parcels
and
it's
more
expensive.
It's
just
harder
to
get
those
into
their
highest
and
best
use,
and
so
that
presents
a
potential
loss
of
tax
revenue
for
the
city,
loss
of
jobs,
not
to
mention
the
threats
to
public
health
related
to
the
environmental
concerns.
So
that's
why
there's
there
are
these
programs
dedicated
to
brownfields
and
now
Lindsay's
gonna
dive
into
the
specifics
of
the
Austin
project,
so.
F
So
a
little
bit
about
the
grant
that
the
city
won,
so
you
all
have
now
500
000
in
a
pot
of
money,
that's
available
to
be
used
throughout
the
city
for
the
next
three
years.
This
money
can
be
used
on
publicly
owned
sites,
the
city
owns
or
it
can
be
used
on
privately
owned
sites.
This
is
a
very
unique
aspect
of
this
grant.
Most
funding
for
redevelopment
and
real
estate
is
very
geared
towards
the
public
sector.
F
This
one
can
also
be
used
by
private
developers
or
private
owners,
which
is
great
because
sometimes
those
are
the
ones
that
are
going
to
sit
the
longest
because
they
have
no
access
for
getting
help
of
figuring
out
what
to
do
next.
So
some
of
the
goals
that
EPA
identifies
are
listed
here,
where
we're
at
right
now
is
we're
really
in
this
identifying
phase.
F
Taking
a
look
at
the
whole
city
of
Austin,
what's
available
out
there
for
redevelopment
talking
to
Property
Owners
really
kind
of
making
our
game
plan
is
where
we're
at
right
now,
so
we're
really
in
the
infancy
stage
of
this
grant,
but
kind
of
how
I
like
to
explain.
It
is
once
things
get
rolling,
it's
kind
of
like
that
snowball
at
the
top
of
the
mountain,
it's
just
gonna
start
building
and
you're
gonna
be
getting
people
really
excited
about
what
the
potential
is
for
this
type
of
funding
and
for
revitalizing
Austin
inside
of
our
grant.
F
F
We're
utilizing,
GIS
features
things
like
that
mpcas,
what's
in
my
neighborhood,
is
something
we're
also
taking
a
look
at
for
site
setup,
had
tanks
removed
or
haven't,
had
tanks
removed
and
then
we'll
start
diving
into
the
environmental
pieces
of
this
grant,
phase
ones
and
phase
twos,
which,
if
you
don't
know
what
those
are
they're
environmental
site
assessments
most
of
the
time
we
do
a
lot
of
those
in
real
estate
transactions
with
commercial
or
industrial
sites.
A
phase
one
is
more
of
your
desktop
survey.
F
So
that's
going
to
be
where
we're
looking
at
the
history
of
the
site.
Taking
a
look
at
what
its
past
uses
were,
seeing
if
there's
a
reason
why
there
might
be
some
contamination
either
underground
affecting
groundwater,
drinking
water,
soil,
asbestos,
lead-based
paint
things
like
that.
So
what
this
grant
will
do
is
anything
on
this
list
up
to
cleaning
up
the
site,
but
not
including
cleaning
up
the
site
so
getting
that
property
ready
to
actually
head
into
the
ReUse
and
Redevelopment.
F
We've
talked
about
today
different
aspects
of
what
we
could
do
with
GIS
features
and
Sanborn
history,
maps
of
the
city
and
all
kinds
of
different
layers
that
we
can
do
that
in
our
geeky
way
or
super
fun
I'm
looking
at
the
City
of
Austin.
So
that's
that's
where
we're
at
right
now
is
developing
this
inventory
of
what
is
available
for
redevelopment
throughout
the
city.
F
Next
is
prioritizing
those
sites
which
ones
are
actually
like:
gonna
become
something
or
which
ones
are.
We
just
gonna
keep
spinning
our
wheels
for
the
next
decade
on
we're
going
to
keep
spinning
our
Wheels.
Those
may
go
to
the
bottom
of
the
list,
but
if
there's
really
a
potential
that
somebody's
going
to
come
along
or
is
coming
along
now
that
wants
to
redevelop
something
those
are
going
to
kind
of
go
to
the
top
of
that
list
and
let's
help
them
get
through
the
process.
F
So
we
can
actually
see
something
done
on
a
site
that
can
include
doing
some
ranking
with
sites
if
needed.
Sometimes
it's
needed.
Sometimes
it's
not,
but
that's
something
we
can
do
with
this
grant
too,
and
here's
a
little
bit
of
just
the
different
ways
that
we
would
prioritize
sites
again.
Looking
at
the
environmental
conditions,
is
there
levels
of
contamination
that
are
potentially
hazardous
to
the
citizens
of
the
city?
Looking
at
the
Redevelopment
feasibility,
like
I
said,
is
it?
F
Is
it
something
that's
slated
to
be
redeveloped
soon,
or
is
this
a
pipe
dream
that
we're
looking
at
in
the
next
10
years
and
then
goals
of
the
community?
What
are
you
all's
goals?
What
are
what
areas
of
the
city?
Are
you
guys
wanting
to
see
redeveloped
that
will
create
those
new
jobs
and
improve
the
blight.
F
F
F
F
Once
the
site
gets
approved
for
use
of
the
funds,
then
there
is
an
access
agreement
required.
So
no
one
is
trespassing
and
you
have
to
get
called
so
that
is
required
that
we
have
access
to
be
able
to
get
on
properties
and
then
from
there
we
start
moving
ahead
with
doing
the
environmental
site
assessments
and
getting
the
site
ready
that
it
could
be
potentially
cleaned
up
in
the
future.
F
So
a
little
detail
on
what
that
phase.
One
is
again
it
identifies
the
potential
environmental
contamination
that
could
be
there.
We
do
not
collect
samples
at
this
point.
This
is
really
just
like
a
walk
around
taking
a
look
around.
Are
there
Dr
empty
drums
on
the
site?
Still
in
the
back
corner
of
a
garage?
Was
there
ever
any
things
spilled
where
there's
still
staining
on
the
cement
or
in
a
grassy
area?
F
F
Asbestos
wrap
pipes,
lead-based
paint
around
windows,
things
like
that
and
that
this
survey
is
necessary
so
that
way
they
can
come
can
come
in
and
Abate
the
material
out,
but
they
need
to
know
where
it
is
first
before
they
can
start
doing
that,
so
this
survey
can
be
paid
for
underneath
of
this
grant,
and
then
the
next
step
would
be
a
response
action
plan.
This
is
a
detailed
cost
estimate
that
goes
to
the
state
and
once
it
is
approved,
then
it's
part
of
the
closure
process
and
getting
the
site
into
Redevelopment.
F
F
The
other
fun
thing
that
we
love
about
this
grant,
which
I
know
Holly
is
excited
about,
is
the
planning
activities.
So
this
is
part
of
this
grant.
Usually
in
the
funding
world,
we
see
a
lot
where
there
are
environmental
grants
and
there
are
planning
grants,
but
they're,
usually
not
together.
So
in
this
grant,
you
can
also
do
plans.
They
are
not
city-wide
plans,
they're
more
Focus
plans,
they
call
them
small
area-wide
plans
for
this
program.
F
F
And
this
is
just
a
little
bit
of
some
of
the
activities
that
can
be
included
underneath
of
those
planning
activities
like
I
mentioned,
just
that
smaller
area
looking
at
land
use
doing
a
market
analysis
taking
a
look
at.
Do
we
need
a
hotel
in
the
area.
Do
we
have
too
much
green
space?
Do
we
need
more
green
space
and
that
all
includes
community
outreach?
It
includes
the
steering
committee
with
people
that
are
involved
or
invested
in
the
neighborhoods
and
really
getting
people's
input
as
we
go
through
the
process.
F
F
So
when
we
wrote
the
grant,
we
had
to
come
up
with
some
target
areas
of
the
city,
and
these
are
the
three
target
areas
that
we
wrote
about
in
the
grant
that
was
funded
so
from
these
target
areas.
This
is
where
we
really
Dove
down
into
the
metrics
of
the
neighborhoods.
You
know
what
the
population
is,
what
what's
the
density,
all
the
different
things
that
we
have
to
look
at
when
we're
writing
the
Grant
application.
F
And
lastly,
roles
and
responsibilities,
so
you
all,
as
the
City
of
Austin,
are
responsible
for
the
overall
administration
of
this
Grant
and
Reporting
back
to
EPA.
It
is
the
city's
Grant
and
Holly
and
Craig
are
in
charge
of
making
sure
that
Heidi
and
I
stay
on
track
and
do
our
jobs
and
coordinating
meetings
with
our
Brownfield
advisory
committee.
These
this
is
the
committee
that
was
put
into
the
Grant
application
it's
of
different
stakeholders
throughout
the
community,
real
estate
agents
non-profits.
F
F
H
How
do
we
with
maybe
a
question
for
how
he
is
with
the
Brownfield
advisory
committee?
How
are
we
connecting
that
to
kind
of
the
overall
priority
of
some
of
the
other
Economic
Development
work,
we're
doing
whether
it's
DCA
or
Port,
Authority
or
HRA,
or
anything
like
that
to
make
sure
they're
all
tightly
connected
together?
Well,.
F
So
that
way
economically
we're
not
just
pulling
random
people
who
aren't
really
that
involved
in
things
into
this
committee,
so
I
think
it
I
think
it's
a
well-rounded
group
that
was
chosen
and
I
think
they'll
serve
well
to
help
one
get
the
word
out
and
then
like
Heidi,
like
Holly
mentioned.
If
we
need
to
utilize
that
for
making
sure
sites
are
prioritized
correctly,
that
we
can
lean
on
them,
sounds.
E
Maybe
you
know
having
them
contact
me
first
would
probably
be
helpful
and
then
or
if
they
feel
comfortable,
just
getting
information
from
our
website.
They
can
check
there
too.
First,
maybe
and
just
get
a
feel
for
what
yeah
it
just
depends
on
the
person.
Some
people
want
to
talk
to
someone,
and
some
people
just
want
to
educate
themselves
too,
but
either
I
either
way
would
be
a
good
good
route.
E
K
Think
you
may
remember:
members
just
want
to
pay
you
back.
One
thing
Lindsay
mentioned
there
is
in
talking
with
Rosita
our
EPA
contact.
This
really
opens
up
the
door.
The
EPA
really
wants
to
see
more
of
a
concerted
effort,
so
this
is
really
I.
Think
the
start
of
potential
that
we
can
address
some
of
these
troubled
sites,
so
they
want
to
see
I
think
more
long-lasting
impact
in
the
community.
So
this
has
been
a
great
Grant
and
appreciate
stantec,
both
Lindsay
and
Heidi,
helping
with
this
and
navigating
us
through
that.
A
A
A
A
K
A
A
A
E
During
the
July
11
2023
meeting
of
the
Austin
Planning
Commission,
the
commission
reviewed
a
request
for
his
own
property
from
Palmer
Cohen.
The
property
is
located
at
1210
14th
Street
Northeast.
The
petitioners
are
requesting
to
Reza
on
the
property
from
B2
community
business,
to
an
I-1
industrial
district,
primarily
to
allow
outdoor
storage
of
inoperable
Vehicles
related
to
their
towing
business.
E
One
individual
appeared
in
opposition
to
the
rezone,
primarily
noting
that
there's
existing
industrial
property
in
the
Northeast
industrial
park
and
citing
concerns
about
size
of
the
parcel
and
possible
traffic
conflicts.
The
petitioner
noted
that
they
have
a
plan
for
traffic
circulation
and
were
established
offensed
and
screened-in
area
for
the
outdoor
storage
vehicle
storage.
They
also
have
additional
sites
for
storage
if
needed.
E
E
They
found
that
the
use
is
compatible
with
the
surrounding
uses
in
zoning.
No
significant
impacts
are
anticipated
with
regard
to
the
existing
infrastructure
and
surrounding
environment,
and
then
just
a
note
that
this
rezoning
action
must
must
be
passed
by
unanimous
approval.
If,
if
it
fails
in
the
first
reading,
it
must
be
a
second
reading.
A
L
A
B
E
At
the
same
meeting
on
July
11th,
the
Planning
Commission
reviewed
a
request
from
the
petitioner
for
a
variance
which
requires
a
20-foot
setback
in
rear
and
side
yards,
that
a
residential
district.
The
petitioner
has
requested
to
build
up
to
5.4
feet
from
the
West
property
line,
which
abuts
one
residential
property.
The
proper
the
the
proposed
Edition
would
then
line
up
with
the
existing
structure.
E
E
The
property
in
question
is
about
0.4
Acres,
with
the
proposed
addition,
the
total
lot
coverage
of
the
structures
would
be
about
40
percent
80
percent,
lock
coverage
is
allowed
at
the
meeting.
Two
neighbors
spoke,
the
neighbor
who
was
adjacent,
objected
to
the
variants
and
another
neighbor
appeared
in
support
of
the
adjacent
neighbor.
E
E
A
E
The
only
issue
was
the
setback,
so
I
think
when
this
gas
station
was
first
established,
it
probably
predated
our
original
zoning
ordinance
and
since
then
we
have
required
a
setback
when
a
business
adjoins
a
residential
district.
So
in
this
instance
their
addition
would
be
subject
to
that
ordinance,
which
is
the
20-foot
setback
requirement.
K
Thank
you
mayor
members,
just
to
add
to
that
the
variance
request
would
be
consistent
to
what
we
afforded
the
muffler
Center
not
too
long
ago
and
in
terms
of
best
use
of
the
property.
A
lot
on
our
first
Avenue
in
Oakland
corridors,
those
business
areas,
the
broader
economic
viability
of
businesses.
These
days
require
a
generally
larger
facilities.
K
Those
lots
are
challenged,
so
it
makes
it
I
think
increasingly
important
that
we
allow
them
to
maximize
the
use
of
their
parcel
to
be
a
successful
business
understanding
that
it
does
have
impact
of
the
adjoining
neighbors,
but
our
long-term
approach
of
trying
to
grow
that
business
Corridor
will
be
impact
both
by
this
and
other
instances.
That
would
be
considered.
K
H
And
how,
if
I
understand
correctly,
so
if
they
want
to
add
a
liquor
store
on?
Obviously
that's
outside
the
purview
of
this
conversation,
but
there's
nothing
because
it's
zoned
as
a
commercial
as
long
as
they
can
qualify
for
a
liquor
license,
there's
not
a
ton
that
we
can
do
as
a
council
to
not
do.
That.
Is
that
the
right
understanding
of
it.
E
C
K
K
C
I
K
Okay
and
I
think
our
our
Interest
really
is
looking
at
long
term.
When
we
look
at
zoning
matters,
we
really
have
to
try
to
accommodate
any
eligible
use
in
that
zoning
area.
So
while
they
have
specific
interest
in
a
specific
use
today,
the
free
market
will
prevail
and
whether
or
not
a
liquor
store
is
successful
or
not
successful
there
Isn't
Our
concern
Our
concern
is
what
what
might
necessarily
be
there.
A
And,
and
with
this
new
information
that
they're
going
to
go
forward
with
the
building
anyway,
Holly
did
go
through
the
extra
step
of
contacting
the
neighbor
that
did
object
to
see.
If
now
you
know
they're
going
to
do
it
either
15
feet
off
the
property
line
or
five,
would
you
want
it
aligned
or
not
give
them
some
say,
maybe
if
they,
if
they,
because
they
might
go
back,
and
so
if
it's
going
to
be
built
anyway,
then
make
it
look
best
on
the
with
it
lined
up.
Who
knows
she
didn't
get
a
response
yet
from.
G
M
M
A
M
A
M
H
Yeah
I
I
mean
generally
I
tend
to
defer
to
the
Planning
Commission
I
mean
we've
haven't
100
done
that,
but
you
know
I
think
they
look
at
a
lot
of
these
and
you
know
typically
I'm
going
to
lean
more
towards
the
economic
development
piece
of
it.
I
do
think
in
this
case,
there's
a
difference
in
a
liquor,
store
and
I
get
that
we
don't
have
the
ability
to
kind
of
impact
that
one
way
or
the
other,
but
I
mean
it's
a
relatively
neighborhood-ish
type
of
thing.
H
So
I
I
don't
have
any
issue
distinguishing
between
the
fundamental
nature
of
it
being
changed
with
the
liquor,
store
and
kind
of
doing
the
okay.
Let's
try
to
protect
the
neighborhood
as
much
as
we
can
versus
a
muffler
Center
at
Oakland,
or
you
know
something
else
like
that.
So
I'm
in
support
of
denying
the
variance
request.
A
A
N
We
do
these
from
time
to
time
for
monitoring
and
controlling
the
discharge
from
industrial
properties
to
the
wastewater
treatment
plant.
This
one
is
a
little
bit
unique
in
that
it
is
a
facility
that
is
outside
of
the
city
limits.
It's
a
part
of
the
demolition
landfill
that
is
north
of
town,
north
west
of
town,
and
so,
therefore,
we
have
a
few
more
stipulations
that
apply
to
a
facility
like
this,
that
is
outside
of
the
city
limits
and
also
based
on
its
use,
there's
a
whole
list
of
testing
that
is
required
by
the
facility
we
regulate.
N
They,
they
haul
the
liquid
in
and
discharge
it
at
the
treatment
plan,
instead
of
it
coming
through
the
collection
system.
So
we're
able
to
monitor
the
number
of
loads
and
quantify
those
there's,
also
different
administrative
fees
and
and
tanker
fees
assigned
to
the
discharge
of
the
liquid
at
the
wastewater
treatment
plant.
This
is
a
three-year
agreement
and
we
would
recommend
approval
of
this
three-year
agreement
with
WCI
Austin
Landfill.
A
N
Then,
a
couple
years
later,
we
applied
for
another
grant
for
First
Avenue
Southwest
and
a
Federal
Grant
and
we're
successful
in
the
amount
of
two
million
dollars.
So
we
have
four
million
dollars
worth
of
federal
grants
along
with
state
aid,
funds,
assessments,
sanitary
sewer
funds
and
storm
sewer
funds.
This
is
a
really
big
project.
We'd
use
lots
of
different
funding
sources
for
this
project
and,
along
with
it
being
a
about
12
blocks
in
each
direction.
N
That
is
also
a
large
footprint
for
us
and
in
order
to
move
this
project
forward,
gather
Community
input
on
on
how
best
to
phase
the
project
things
that
can
be
improved
throughout
the
corridor.
You
know
you
heard
the
folks
that
were
here
earlier
tonight,
talking
about
this
Oakland
Avenue
Corridor
is
one
of
their
spots
for
the
Brownfield.
Look
at
so
we'd.
N
Look
at
how
this
area
is
maybe
converting
from
Resident
essential
to
small
business
and
how
the
roadway
and
commuters
can
impact
that
in
in
a
positive
and
negative
way,
so
a
lot
a
lot
bigger
project
than
we
typically
do
with
Street
reconstruction.
So,
in
order
to
move
this
project
forward,
we
looked
at
getting
proposals
from
three
Consultants
to
assist
us
with
that
process.
N
Whks
was
the
provided.
The
low
proposal
of
the
three
their
Mitch
put
together
an
RFP
and
detailed
nine
different
tasks
that
we
want
them
to
complete,
ranging
from
a
variety
of
things
from
public
input
to
completing
the
necessary
NEPA
documents
that
are
required
to
meet
the
federal
requirements
if
any
easements
are
required
from
the
adjacent
property
owners
and
then
that
that
rotates
right,
then
into
preliminary
design
again
meeting
with
property
owners
on
on
how
that
design
is
developing.
So
it's
very
large
project.
N
Our
goal
is
to
have
all
of
this
ready
for
bidding
by
December
of
2024,
so
about
15
16
months
from
now.
Is
our
goal
to
have
that
ready
for
construction
in
the
summer
of
2025?
It
would
then
carry
into
a
multi-year
project,
probably
a
three-phase
three-year
project
that
would
that
would
carry
over
from
2025
through
2027,
so
a
very
large
project
for
us
when
you
look
at
the
overall
scope
and
the
amount
of
businesses
and
and
traveling
public
that
are
impacted
to
give
you
an
idea.
N
We
scored
the
proposals
based
on
the
four
different
criteria
that
we
have
in
the
memo
and
whks
scored
well
along
with
SCH
and
Bolton
manx.
So
generally,
the
biggest
factor
in
in
determining
the
difference
between
them
was
the
cost
listed
there.
For
you
with
whks,
a
total
cost
is
795
700
dollars.
That
is
going
to
be
split,
two
ways
the
city
portion
is
actually
and
what
we
request
for
you
to
pass
in
the
resolution
tonight
is
744
820.
N
There
is
an
option
for
some
Austin
utilities,
water
main
design
in
the
amount
of
fifty
thousand
eight
hundred
eighty
dollars,
and
they
would
they
would
handle
funding
that
separately
if
they
so
chose.
So
the
actual
City
amount
for
consideration
tonight
that
we
would
request
approval
is
744
820
for
whks
to
do
the
design
services
for
this
multi-year
project.
J
N
D
D
N
N
We
found
that
out
in
recent
years,
when
we
were
down
in
engineering
Tech,
and
we
had
to
hire
a
consultant
to
help
us
cover
Street
reconstruction
oversight,
but
we
don't
have
the
staff
available
for
such
a
large
project,
which
is
why,
on
some
of
these
specialty
projects,
like
the
wastewater
treatment,
plant
airport
projects,
flood
control
projects
and
now
a
big
street
reconstruction
project,
we
look
out
to
those
experts
that
have
experience
all
over
the
state
in
doing
a
project
like
this.
Why?
Why
is
it
744
thousand
dollars?
N
I
N
All
the
ice
cross,
all
the
t's
there's
just
a
large
amount
of
work
that
goes
into
it,
and
you
can
see
there
each
of
the
three
Consultants
looked
at
it
a
little
bit
differently.
This
consultant
was
quite
a
bit
cheaper
than
the
other
three,
when
looking
at
the
volume
of
work
required
for
this
project.
C
N
N
All
the
time,
however,
that
manages
with
staff
and
hiring
Consultants
as
we
bring
these
proposals
forward
to
you
for
for
different
projects,
even
one
more
thing
in
addition
to
this
proposal
before
you
tonight,
we
would
also
there's
also
needs
to
be
surveying
done
on
this
project,
and
soil
boring
is
done
as
well
that
are
done
by
different
Consultants
that
we
would
bring
forward
to
you
in
the
future
in
the
range
of
fifteen
to
twenty
thousand
dollars.
So,
just
to
let
you
know,
there
are
additional
costs.
H
H
N
Do
generally
about
25
to
30
blocks
of
Street
reconstruction
so
and
generally
those
are
residential
street
reconstruction,
low
volume
traffic.
You
you
have
a
small
impact
on
business
Travelers.
You
know
where
this
all
of
a
sudden,
you
start
throwing
in
commercial
businesses
you
throw
in
commuter
traffic.
It
adds
just
a
whole
other
layer
of
of
planning
input.
The
federal
process
on
this
project
adds
a
whole
another
layer
of
of
requirements
that
are
necessary.
N
So
this
is
just
a
bigger
monster
when
compared
with
our
local
Street
reconstruction
program,
and
we
also
plan
to
continue
our
normal
street
reconstruction
program
in
addition
to
this
large
project.
So
that's
where
our
staff
is
tied
up
with
our
normal
things
that
we
do
every
day
and
this
we
just
can't
fit
this
large
of
a
project
into
our
workload
with
our
existing
staff.
So.
H
Then
second
question
kind
of
building
off
the
the
questions
previously.
Would
we
get
a
better
return
as
a
city
if
we
hired
an
additional
staff
or
is
that
I
mean
I'm?
Looking
at
you
know
the
number
of
hours
it's
what
about
two
and
a
half
years
worth
of
work?
I,
guess
all
that
work
take
place
like
right
away,
so
we'd
have
to
hire
like
three
more
people
or
is
it
like
if
we
hired
another
engineering
person,
you
know
that
keeps
them
busy
for
three
years,
then
we
figure,
we
probably
got
something
else
coming
out.
N
The
person
from
the
consultant
that
is
going
to
be
heading
up
this
project
is
my
level
of
person,
my
level
of
experience
and
pay.
We
can't
just
bring
in
someone
right
out
of
college.
This
is
a
high
level
type
of
oversight
position
to
do
this
type
of
work.
So
it's
again
it's
hard
for
a
city
to
ramp
up
with
staff.
To
do
a
big
project
like
this.
Okay
is
that
it.
A
L
We
do
have
a
drone
program,
we
are
bound
by
Statute
and
how
we
operate
that
we
do
currently
have
two
licensed
operators,
because
we
do
operate
it
commercially,
so
to
speak.
They're
also
small
plane
licensed
pilots
who,
over
overview
and
over
cite
our
program
of
the
drones.
We
have.
We
got
a
lot
of
value
out
of
our
very
large
DJI
matrice
and
the
cameras
that
go
with
it.
L
We
have
not
found
that
we've
gotten
the
same
performance
out
of
some
of
our
lesser
drones
and
just
because
of
how
hard
it
is
to
actually
get
a
license.
We
don't
have
a
lot
of
operators
to
use
them
as
secondary
drones,
so
the
operators
that
we
do
have
have
identified
interior
searches
as
something
that
we
are
lacking
in
our
smaller
drones.
Just
were
not
designed
to
pull
that
off.
L
So
we
would
like
to
replace
those
with
the
package
before
you
that
would
allow
us
one
and
more
technologically
advanced
drone,
just
because
they're
growing
in
Leaps
and
Bounds,
and
what
they
can
do
right
now
and,
more
importantly,
this
one
would
fill
a
gap
for
us
to
allow
us
to
safely
put
something.
That's
not
a
person
or
not
an
animal
into
an
enclosed
space.
Allow
us
to
search
it
hopefully
safely
identify
those
factors
that
may
allow
us
to
make
take
an
entry,
thereby
cutting
down
on
staff
time
or
tell
us
that
we
need
to.
O
Thank
you.
This
is
essentially
the
same
thing
we
applied
to
to
the
legislative
citizen
commission
for
Minnesota
resources
and
we
presented
before
them
a
few
weeks
ago,
we'll
find
out
at
the
end
of
July.
If
we're
successful
or
not.
However,
this
is
another
another
source
of
funding.
If
that
one
does
not
work
out.
So
our
plan
is
to
we're
applying
for
the
same
project,
just
two
different
location.
O
If
we
find
that
the
lccmr
funding
comes
through
we'll
we'll
pull
this
Grant
application,
but
the
Greater
Minnesota
regional
parks
and
trails
commission
is
the
source
of
Legacy
funding
that'll
that
we
can
apply
to
because
we're
a
regionally
significant
Park.
So
again,
this
is
the
second
naturalist
who's
really
targeting
outside
out
of
Austin
kids
to
come
into
our
Environmental
Education
programming
for
three
years
and
then
an
intern
every
year.
For
for
each
of
the
three
years,
the
grant
questions
any.
H
O
A
B
B
P
P
The
mpff
holds
an
annual
convention
which
rotates
my
district
throughout
the
state.
Aka
convention
will
be
hosted.
Excuse
me,
every
third
year
is
held
in
the
southern
district
I'm
honored
to
announce
that,
for
the
2023
mpf
convention
will
be
hosted
here
in
Austin
on
September,
20th
and
21st
hosting.
The
convention
is
a
fantastic
opportunity
for
us
to
showcase
the
City
of
Austin
and
the
Austin
fire
department
to
other
members
of
the
mpff
and
leaders
from
throughout
the
state
of
Minnesota,
to
my
knowledge,
Austin's
second
opportunity,
first
time
hosting
the
mpf
convention.
P
2020,
but
that
got
all
canceled
so
three
years
ago
we
had
planned
for
inviting
the
council
to
a
fire
Ops
101..
Normally
it's
a
full
day
of
various
fire
department
scenarios.
Where
we
run
you
through
the
paces
due
to
changes
in
convention
format,
limited
Staffing
and
resources,
we
will
not
be
doing
fire
Ops
this
year.
However,
we
have
access
to
an
acquired
structure.
P
An
old
farmhouse
happens
to
be
on
my
property
for
you
to
participate
in
some
live
fire
training
I'm
here
this
evening,
to
invite
you
all
to
join
us
for
this
unique
opportunity
to
step
into
the
boots
of
a
firefighter
for
a
day,
I
say
a
day,
but
it's
actually
just
a
partial
day.
We
want
to
keep
things
moving
quickly.
You'll
be
outfitted
with
turnout
gear
mask
SCBA
right
on
a
fire
truck
assist
with
set
up
then
experience
what
we
call
level
one
burn
evolution
level.
P
One
is
a
very
basic
entry
level
fire
that
every
firefighter
must
go
through
prior
to
completing
firefighter
one
training.
You
will
see
the
fire
ignited,
observe
it
girl,
push
the
fire
back
and
eventually
extinguish
the
fire
after
three
Evolutions
are
finished.
We
will
burn
the
entire
structure
down
if
you've
never
witnessed
a
fully
engulfed
structure.
Up
close
I'll
just
say
this:
it's
eye-opening
it's
seeing
fire
Behavior
at
its
finest.
P
I
understand
this
sounds
like
a
full
day,
but
the
goal
is
actually
to
have
everything
wrapped
up
between
12
o'clock
one
in
the
afternoon,
so
we
don't
want
to
take
up
your
entire
day
like
like
the
fire
Ops.
What
please
keep
in
mind,
as
some
of
you
may
be
a
bit
hesitant
at
the
thought
of
this
demanding
scenario.
Throughout
the
entire
day,
you
will
be
Guided
by
trained
professionals,
and
medical
personnel
will
be
on
site,
for
safety
is
truly
our
utmost
importance.
Sure.
P
Before
I
am
inviting
Clark
to
him
in
conjunction
in
conjunction
with
local
598
Austin
fire
department,
the
mpff,
the
iff
and
Riverland
Community
College
we'd
be
honored
to
have
you
attend
our
live
burn,
Saturday,
September,
9th
Again.
Full
participation
is
strongly
encouraged.
If
anyone
truly
feels
this
is
just
not
their
thing,
we
would
still
be
happy
to
have
you
attend
an
observatory
role,
just
an
FYI.
We
will
be
extending
the
same
invitation
to
representative
Mueller
Senator
dornick
who's.
Actually
he's
already
done
this
he's
done.
It
live
to
burn
with
me.
P
Craig
Clark
has
actually
done
when
you
first
started
years
back
and
possibly
possibly
to
our
friends
and
Neighbors
in
Albert
Lee
city
council.
We
just
kind
of
have
to
play
that
one
by
year
and
maybe
we'll
even
get
some
media
out
there
too.
So
I
apologize
for
not
getting
on
the
agenda,
because
basically
we
had
to
make
sure
that
we
were
going
to
be
able
to
this.
This
training
burn
was
even
going
to
be
feasible.
There's
a
lot
of.
P
H
P
I
A
A
Moving
on
honorary
council
member
I,
I
told
Mr
Clark
today
that
my
our
first
applicant
is
not
answered.
My
two
phone
calls
so
I
moved
on
to
the
second
applicant,
very
delightful
young
woman,
but
she
recently
moved
to
the
cities
still
owns
a
house
in
Austin,
but
is
kind
of
moved
up
there
for
a
job
and
school
possibility.
So
she
was
honored,
but
now
is
not
the
right
time
to
complete
that
so
I'm
open
for
anybody.
I
got
a
few
ideas
to
ask.
So
just
please
put
it
out
there.
A
H
Two
quick
things:
one
is
congratulations
to
games.
People
play
on
celebrating
40
years
in
business,
great
community
members
and
very
much.
We
have
them
here
and
then
second
just
wanted
to
note
that
we
honor
the
memory
of
Fargo
police
officer,
Jake
Wallen
and
the
officers
who
were
injured
this
weekend.
J
Like
just
again
a
thanks
to
the
parks
department,
the
AEG
folks,
there's
so
many
groups
that
were
involved,
our
First
Responders,
keeping
an
eye
on
things
for
the
Fourth
of
July.
It
was
a
great
event.
We've
not
had
fireworks
with
an
intermission
before
since
I've
been
here,
so
that
was
a
nice
twist
and
then
also
just
excited
the
ajga.
C
So
we
received
word
today
that
our
parks,
recreation
and
Forestry,
director,
Dave
Merrill,
will
be
leaving
the
city.
So
congratulations
to
Dave
he's
found
another
opportunity
in
Illinois.
His
last
day
of
service
will
be
August
11th
on
behalf
of
the
parks,
recreation
and
Forestry
board.
I
need
to
say
that
that
the
board
really
appreciated
working
with
him
and
was
very
impressed
with
a
lot
of
his
skills
and
abilities,
especially
Outreach
to
the
community
I.
C
Don't
think
I've
ever
seen
any
City
at
the
director
level
integrate
into
the
community
as
quickly
as
he
did
so
kudos
to
him
for
his
service
I'm,
going
to
take
this
opportunity
to
recommend
that
the
city
consider
hiring
an
interim
director
from
outside
of
the
city.
Someone
from
another
Community
who
has
run
a
similar
size,
Parks
Department
I
think
that
the
the
department
itself,
having
been
through
a
couple
of
directors
in
a
couple
of
years,
will
benefit
from
stability
and
support
of
having
somebody
in
that
chair.
C
Who
has
the
time
and
expertise
and
I
also
think
that
would
give
us
a
person
to
manage
the
hiring
process
of
the
permanent
director
who
would
have
fresh
eyes
and
who
has
not
recently
been
through
a
process
to
hire
somebody
who
that
may
have
not
gone
as
well
as
we
might
have
hoped.
It
also
would
reduce
the
time.
Pressure,
parks,
recreation
and
Forestry
is
very
seasonal,
and
so,
as
spring
comes
the
feeling
of
we
got
to
get
somebody
in
place,
increases
and
I.
C
Think
if
we
had
a
solid
interim
higher
from
another
community
that
might
really
help
us
make
sure
we
take
our
time
and
and
get
the
right
person
in
the
position.
So
obviously
we
can't
take
any
action
tonight,
but
I
I
wanted
to
advocate
for
that
idea,
and
then
I
also
just
want
to
mention
that
last
month,
I
heard
council
members
ask
our
department
heads
to
come
up
with
money,
saving
ideas
and
ways
to
stretch
the
budget.
C
And
if
you
were
listening
tonight,
we
heard
from
department
heads
that
went
out
and
found
grants
or
found
cost
Savings
in
in
other
ways,
and
so
I
just
want
to
say.
Thank
you
because
I
I
think
that
work
of
really
stretching
a
dollar
is
happening
all
the
time
in
the
city
on
a
day-to-day
basis,
and
and
that's
why
we
have
the
city
that
we
have
so
those
are
my.
A
Come
thank
you
appreciate
that
Lauren.
The
only
thing
I
have
to
add
is
Council
some
staff
and
then
some
Port
Authority
members
were
able
to
tour
the
mill
on
Main
apartment
complex
day,
opening
up
on
August
1st
92
units
very
impressive,
and
they
have
they
report
that
they're
40
percent
occupied
at
this
time.
So
it's
going
to
be
a
nice
facility,
nice
addition
to
to
our
city
and
with
that,
looking
for
a
motion
to
adjourn
to
August
7th
2023.