►
From YouTube: City Council Meeting - 7/19/21
Description
City of Austin, Minnesota
A
B
E
A
F
You
I
assume
this
mic
is
working
well.
So
thank
you
mayor.
It's
great
to
see
all
of
you
here
in
austin.
I
really
appreciate
you
giving
us
a
chance
to
just
update
the
council
on
what
we've
been
up
to
now.
I
think
most
of
you
know,
but
for
those
watching
at
home,
the
coalition
of
greater
minnesota
cities
is
an
organization
of
109
cities.
F
That's
up
quite
a
bit,
but
I
just
want
to
say
you
all
probably
know
this
austin
has
been
there
a
long
time
and
has
always
been
a
very,
very
active
member,
and
it
continues
to
be
through
people
like
craig
and
jason
and
others,
and
it's
just.
We
really
appreciate
that,
but
we
work
on
the
issues
that
unite
greater
minnesota,
like
local
government
aid,
economic
development,
annexation
and
land
use,
transportation,
environment
and
energy
and
labor
and
employment.
F
F
You
know:
majority
control,
the
senate
gop
side
was
continued
to
be
controlled
by
the
gop
and
the
dfl
controlled
the
house,
but
with
a
year
of
pandemic
and
other
things,
there
were
just
a
a
lot
of
discussions
that
that
made
it
challenging,
but
we
were
able
to
accomplish
some
things.
We
were
able
to
accomplish
something.
Sorry,
I'm
getting
an
echo.
I
like
my
voice,
but
not
that
much.
F
You
know
legislating
and
lobbying
was
very
different.
The
capitol
was
closed
to
the
public
until
this
past
june.
Just
last
month,
the
house
and
senate
office
buildings
are
still
closed,
haven't
been
able
to
get
in
there.
No
in-person
committee
meetings,
few
in-person
legislator
meetings
and
most
of
our
lobbying
was
done
via
zoom,
the
email
phone
and
text.
F
You
know
that
was
both
good
and
bad.
The
one
thing
that
I
think
was
good
about
it
is
that
it
did
allow
us
for
did
allow
for
us
to
bring
our
members
into
a
lot
of
those
meetings,
and
I
think
that
did
make
a
difference
on
a
number
of
issues
we
adapted
to
that
new
normal.
You
know,
by
doing
things
like
that,
we
had
advocacy
weeks
one
on
lga,
one
on
water
and
wastewater,
one
on
child
care
and
one
on
housing.
We
did
a
lot
of
guest
columns.
F
I
did
social
media
campaigns,
worked
on
doing
videos
and
again
met
with
legislators
via
zoom.
Now
our
goals
going
into
2021-
probably
no
surprise
to
you,
but
lga
was
a
big
one,
but
here
it
was
really
keeping
focused
on
making
sure
there
were
no
lga
cuts.
We
were
pushing
for
a
bonding
bill,
trying
to
get
more
child
care
funding
and
also
looking
for
funding
for
city
streets.
F
The
budget
going
into
the
legislative
wasn't
was
kind
of
uncertain
and
that
really
impacted
sort
of
what
we
did.
You
know
if
you
looked
back
last
spring,
we
were
really
worried
about
like
back
last
may
about
you,
know:
potential
billion
dollar
deficit.
The
prospects
had
brightened
a
little
bit
by
the
time
november
came
around
but
was
still
looking
at
an
out
year
problem.
F
F
We
wanted
to
leave
nothing
to
chance,
and
so
we,
you
know
a
number
of
different
tactics
to
do
this.
We
had
a
guest
column,
for
example
in
february
that
appeared
in
10
different
newsletters.
We
had
a
video,
in
fact
one
of
your
council
members
and
the
disappointing
thing
about
not
having
my
my
powerpoint
presentations.
I
can't
link
to
the
video
it
features
your
that's,
not
disappointing.
F
F
You
know
and-
and
we
were
really
happy-
you
know
honestly,
when
the
budget-
the
picture
swung
you
know
we
were-
we
went
from
looking
to
a
potential
1.2
billion
dollar
deficit
to
february,
up
to
a
1.5
billion
dollar
surplus
and
a
second
round
of
federal
funding
also
really
helped
at
the
state.
So
lga
became
safe
and
you
know
we're
really
glad
we
did
all
that
work,
but
it
you
know
it
was
something
we
did
not
want
to
take
for
granted
the
lg.
F
The
legislature
did
pass
five
million
dollar
one-time
appropriation
to
hold
steady
for
some
cities
that
were
anticipated
to
lose
lga.
So
that
was
a
number
of
our
members.
Not
austin
austin
will
be
going
up.
You
know
in
august
on
your
next
lga
payment,
it's
over
8
million
and
going
up
a
little
bit
more,
but
that
was
a
bridge
for
cities
in
advance
of
the
anticipated
bipartisan
review
of
the
lga
formula.
F
I
think
I
mentioned
this
in
some
conversations
with
craig
leading
up
to
the
meeting,
but
one
of
our
big
focuses
over
the
next.
You
know
six
months
and
going
into
the
legislative
session
will
be
a
discussion
of
lga
all
four
of
the
tax
chairs.
You
know,
because
we've
got
both
regular
tax
committee
and
property
taxes
have
expressed
an
interest
in
looking
at
the
formula.
F
I
don't
think
they
really
know
what
that
means,
but
it
is
not
unusual
when
we
have
a
new
census
for
them
to
take
a
look
at
things
again,
and
so
they
are
probably
going
to
be
start.
I
think
people
right
now,
honestly,
after
having
a
session
that
did
not
end
until
earlier
this
month,
people
want
a
break,
but
I
think
they'll
start
discussing
it.
This
fall
and
and
be
looking
at
that
into
this.
You
know
the
coming
session
and
obviously
that
is
going
to
be
a
top
priority
for
us.
F
It
has
been
and
will
continue
to
be,
other
priorities.
We
worked
on
child
care.
This
has
been
something
again
that
you
know
folks
from
austin
have
helped
us
on
over
the
last
several
years,
but
it's
been
a
really
big
issue
for
greater
minnesota
and
we
were
happy
to
see
that
we
got
funding
for
a
number
of
different
programs
funding
for
the
six
initiative,
foundations,
funding
for
a
deed
child
care
grant
program
that
guaranteed
at
least
50
percent
for
greater
minnesota
funds
for
redeveloping
greater
minnesota.
F
That
can
also
be
used
for
child
care
and
child
care
facility
funds
from
federal
grants.
Housing
was
something
we
did
put
effort
into.
We
had
testified
at
multiple
committee
hearings
had
an
advocacy
week
and
a
webinar
on
this
and
a
statewide
guest
column.
Unfortunately,
there
was
no
bonding
bill
this
year,
and
that
was
somewhat
disappointing.
So
without
a
bonding
bill
there
wasn't
a
lot
of
opportunity,
but
it
will
be
something
we
will
be
pushing
for.
F
We
have
been
working
on
trying
to
create
the
greater
minnesota
workforce
housing
program
and
you
know
we'll
continue
to
push
on
that
now.
You're
all
probably
wondering
what
have
I
been
doing,
but
I
work
on
the
environmental
issues
and
spent
quite
a
bit
of
time
working
on
per
and
polyfluoroalkyl
substances,
also
known
as
pfas,
and
those
are
the
chemicals
that
you
know,
keep
your
gore-tex
non-stick.
F
Keep
the
you
know
the
grime
off
your
teflon,
and
the
problem
is,
is
that
it's
been
known
to
cause
human
health
concerns
and
removing
it
from
drinking
water
is
very
expensive.
You
can
ask
the
mayor
of
bemidji
if
you
know,
if
you
want
to
know
more
about
that,
because
they're
having
to
do
that,
but
the
bigger
challenge
for
us
as
cities
is
that
we
want
to
protect
our
way.
Our
drinking
water,
obviously,
but
removing
it
from
wastewater
is
nearly
impossible.
F
The
other
thing
we
spent
quite
a
bit
of
time
on
was
fighting
legislation
that
would
be
harmful
to
our
cities
and
we
were
very
happy
to
stop
some
legislation
that
could
have
held
cities
liable
for
a
problem.
They
did
not
create,
and
so
that
was
something
I
spent
a
lot
of
time
in
negotiations
on
that,
and
we
finally
persuaded
the
some
of
the
legislators
in
the
mpca
that
it
was
a
bad
idea.
F
Then
just
a
couple
other
environmental
projects,
I'll
mention
we've
been
really
focused
on
trying
to
do
something
about
chloride
and
we
were
happy
to
get
funding
for
chloride
reduction
grants
done.
The
pcig
continues
to
be
an
important
program
for
our
cities,
who
have
to
be
redoing
their
wastewater
facilities.
F
On
that
now,
bonding
bonding
is
always
you
know.
Next
to
lga
is
probably
one
of
our
biggest.
You
know
goals
year
in
and
year
out,
and
you
know
we
spent
a
lot
of
time
last
year
on
it,
because
the
bonding
bill
didn't
get
done
during
the
regular
session,
so
we
had
to
continue
working
on
it
right
up
through
october.
We
were
very
pleased
to
see
you
know
a
1.87
billion
dollar
bill
pass.
F
You
know
engaged
on
that
throughout
the
session,
through
advocacy
weeks,
legislative
meetings,
action
alerts
and
more,
the
house
did
unveil
a
bonding
bill,
but
I'll
be
honest,
it
was
very,
very
focused
on
the
twin
cities
needs
and,
as
you
may
know,
it
takes.
You
know
a
super
majority
to
pass
the
bill
off
the
hou
off
either
floor,
and
that
was
never.
They
didn't
even
try
and
pass
it
because
it
just
in
its
in
its
form,
could
not
have
the
senate
expressed
some
interest,
but
they
they
didn't
advance
anything
forward.
F
F
Quite
frankly,
having
that
bonding
bill
comes
so
late
in
october,
a
lot
of
legislators
just
kind
of
look
at
you
and
be
like
hey
didn't
we
just
do
that,
but
we
will
we'll
continue
to
push
on
that
and
it
will
be
a
very
large
priority
for
us
next
year
as
well,
and
that
just
kind
of
brings
me
sort
of
to
the
close.
We
are
already
laying
the
groundwork
for
that
session,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
and
there
is
likely
to
be
some
discussions
of
the
lga
formula
and
that
will
be
a
top
priority
for
us.
F
It's
extreme.
We
were
very
engaged
and
active
in
that
last
time
that
they
read
the
formula
back
in
that
2012
2013,
and
it
is
extremely
important
to
us.
You
know
that's
when
we
we
bring
in
you
know
we
we
still
have
jeff
van
wyken
out
there
and
and
others
who
you
know,
really
help
us
crunch
the
numbers,
and
then
our
lobbyists
really
engage
in
that
process
to
make
sure
that
our
members
aren't
protected.
F
F
As
you
know,
the
numbers
are
supposed
to
get
released
later
this
summer
or
early
fall,
and
it's
going
to
have
an
impact
on
greater
minnesota,
and
it's
also
going
to
be
an
interesting
year
that
we'll
be
watching
it's
a
it's
a
year
where
all
of
the
legislative
seats
are
up
for
election
as
well
as
the
governor,
and
that
tends
to
have
an
impact
on
how
both
legislators
and
the
governor
act
we're
hoping.
That
means
they
all
want
to
pass
a
big
bonding
bill,
but
we'll
we
will
continue
to
work
on
that
upcoming
events.
F
Our
summer
conferences
in
two
and
a
half
weeks,
love
to
see
some
of
you,
there
fall
conference
this
year
will
be
in
willmar
and
then
legislative
action
day,
which
is
our
most
popular
event,
probably
is
on
march
2nd,
and
that's
that's
all
I
have
today.
We
will
be
affording
you
our
final
report
shortly,
but
this
kind
of
gives
you
an
overview
of
what
we
worked
on,
what
we
accomplished
this
year
and
I
just
again
want
to
say
thank
you.
F
G
A
F
A
A
Item
number
five
is
reviewing
a
taxpayer
application
from
the
austin
housing
redevelopment
authority.
Looking
for
a
resolution
for
approval
or
denial
of
the
abatement,
another
house
going
in
next
to
the
other
one
looks
like
it
was
a
great
cooper,
a
cooperative
effort
between
riverland
community
college
and
and
the
hra.
Is
that
how
yeah
anybody
know?
Yes,.
I
A
A
A
K
The
city
engineering
staff
was
involved
in
extending
about
a
350-foot
segment
of
roadway.
We
designed
it
in
accordance
with
the
development
agreement
to
meet
the
the
width
and
thicknesses
that
was
planned
in
the
development
agreement
took
bids
on
it
last
week,
with
eulen
brothers
being
the
low
bidder
at
just
under
160
000.
It
was
159,
888
and
25
cents.
K
A
A
L
Mayor
and
council,
this
item
was
presented
at
our
june
28th
work
session,
the
after
the
work
session,
the
consulting
corps
reviewed
the
initial
proposal
and
added
some
tasks
and
deliverables
for
themselves,
but
the
city
responsibilities
and
the
cost
of
30
000
remain
the
same
for
those
of
you
who
aren't
there.
The
consulting
corps
is
a
public
service
program
of
the
councils
of
real
estate,
which
provides
real
estate,
analysis
and
action
plans
for
municipalities,
not-for-profit
organizations,
government
entities,
educational
institutions
and
other
owners
of
real
property,
the
additions
and
details.
H
F
C
C
These
were
the
deferred
sewer
assessments
from
the
60s
and
70s,
which
I
believe
there
was
a
law
passed
in
1980
that
required
us
to
defer
them
not
just
keep
them
on
our
books,
so
there
were
174
to
begin
with,
and
now
we
have
29
left.
So
we
talked
about
this
before
and
we
request
that
you
satisfy
that
resolution.
A
Thank
you.
Tom
I've
been
asked
to
speak
louder.
I
don't
think
my
mic's
working
that
well,
but
either
way
moving
on
to
number
nine
is
accepting
resolution.
Accepting
donations,
the
city
of
austin
and
those
gifts
are
as
follows:
477
dollars
from
jason
lynette
for
the
disc
golf
250
dollars
from
dr
potash
and
dr
mitchell
for
the
bike
club
515
dollars
from
berlin
delhanti
in
honor
of
janet
delhante
for
the
library
and
forty
dollars
from
douglas
valpay
for
the
k-9,
our
award-winning
k-9
fund.
So
with
that,
looking
for
a
resolution
on
number
nine.
E
G
G
Yes,
this
agreement
is
a
july
1st
start
of
the
agreement.
The
school
has
indicated
that
they
would
like
to
enter
into
it
for
this
coming
year.
We
are
in
agreement.
We
do
think
it
serves
the
safety
of
our
of
our
student
body
and
teachers
and
staff
there.
The
schools
do
get
two
dedicated
officers
that
serve
solely
their
needs
and
their.
G
That
serve
their
needs
and
are
not
subject
to
our
call
load
in
in
doing
that,
the
school
does
subsidize
and
pay
for
those
positions
for
the
time
that
they
are
in
working
in
the
schools.
Eighty
percent,
in
one
case-
ninety
percent,
the
other.
So
my
recommendation
would
be
that
we
continue
for
another
year
to
serve
the
needs
of
the
school
through
this
particular
agreement.
A
G
C
Yes,
this
is
similar
to
the
festival
application
that
they
apply
for
two
years
ago,
and
this
is
unique
that
the
council
passed
this,
that
they
would
have
that
open
alcohol
zone.
So
that's
going
to
be
similar
to
what
they
did
two
years
ago,
which
seemed
to
work
out
very
well.
The
police,
chief
and
public
works
director
have
reviewed
the
application
and
have
approved
it.
So
we
would
just
request
that
you
approve
it
also.
C
K
Anytime
that
we
are
doing
work
in
the
mndot
right-of-way,
we
have
to
get
a
limited
use
permit
for
whether
it
be
a
trail,
sanitary
sewer
crossing
whatever
that
might
be.
So
if
we
were
working
in
I-90
218
highway
105
any
of
those
state
state
roadways
that
come
through
the
city,
this
one
happens
to
be
a
pedestrian
trail
that
at
the
time,
was
a
connection
between
yonkers
and
target
both.
Unfortunately,
both
of
those
businesses
are
no
longer
there,
but
the
need
for
the
trail
still
exists.
K
A
K
C
I
Thank
you
guys
yeah.
So
this
is
a
second
stab
now
that
we're
originally
significant
designation.
This
is
a
second
stab
at
some
funding.
Some
legacy
amendment
funding
and
this
would
pay
be
a
320
000
project,
paving
trails.
The
the
main
thrust
is
out
to
the
tower
and
back
with
the
real
purpose,
to
improve
accessibility
for
people
who
cannot
easily
walk
on
natural
surfaces,
and
so
80
of
funding
would
come
from
the
greater
minnesota
regional
parks
and
trails,
commission
and
20
from
the
friends
of
the
home
nature
center.
A
J
A
H
I'm
talking
about
the
dan
mueller
issue,
dan's,
a
very
fine
man
he's
got
some
opinions.
His
opinions
are
different
than
some
of
mine
and
all
of
yours,
I'm
sure,
have
disagreements
with
that.
I
have
disagreements
with
each
one
of
you,
I'm
sure,
and
you
have
disagreements
with
me.
This
country
was
founded
on
disagreements.
H
There
was
vigorous
debates
at
every
every
step
through
our
bill
of
rights
through
our
constitution.
I'd
have
its
tendency
or
a
plan,
and
I
have
done
it
for
many
years.
Read
our
constitution
from
the
first
page
to
the
last
page
every
year.
So
I
understand
who
we
are
and
what
we're
here
for-
and
I
urge
you
to
when
you
have
someone
that
is
in
disagreement
with
the
whole
body
as
a
whole.
H
A
J
No,
I
the
only
item
that
I
have
is
we're
going
to
receive
the
finance
and
commerce
top
projects
for
2020
this
year.
Bwbr
was
the
architect
on
the
community
rec
center,
and
so
that
project
was
selected
so
mayor
and
I
will
be
going
to
collect
the
hardware-
I
guess,
as
they
say
so,
that's
exciting,
but
otherwise
they
didn't
have
any
other
staff.
Okay,.
D
D
Wanted
to
congratulate
two
members
of
our
austin
community,
so
obama
bella
for
2020
and
then
mailerio
paolo
for
2021.
They
had
the
outstanding
refugee
awards
ceremonies
today
in
saint
paul
and
both
were
honored.
You
know,
I
think
100
000
plus
refugees
across
the
state
and
the
fact
that
of
the
20
that
were
honored
we
had
10
percent
of
them
should
make
us
feel
pretty
good
about
the
community
and,
obviously
is
you
know
really
positive
thing
for
the
community
and
especially
positive
for
the
people
who
are
the
ones
being
honored.
E
Thank
you.
Thank
you
and
now
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
every
work.
Austin
is
doing
so
this
award
could
not
been
achieved,
if
not
because
of
the
people
being
supporting
all
refugees
here
in
town.
So
I
just
I
will
bring
the
award
back
to
encourage
every
refugee
and
you
know
to
have
our
city
a
welcoming
community
and
thank
you
councilman
for
driving
with
us
there.
So
he
was
our
driver
all
the
way.
So
he
knows
where
he's
going
so
that
way
we
come
back
early,
so
yeah.