[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106099,"mediaKeyId","2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1","parentId",2784401,"title","Council discusses parks improvements, tree grants, economic development and community events","audioSeconds",387,"startMs",1099000,"endMs",1486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1&start=1099&end=1486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106099/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-discusses-parks-improvements-tree-grants-economic-development-and-community-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106099-8462649c6f77cc9db111d3c8168ee466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202257&Signature=mIdTVcf7x5XfLp7b~YW-rlNV7i6wsjfiMoz-pGCYF-33d91r-UJPoO2iBcldHTvqSTOPYf-dQma3gIsv2ZrjLi6piwMC3biqyYSOblog2klCaUVWfba6WZsfV053GlDhZVOqGgXUJSu~aA~3rqdQkJXja1nNgMxRdFGtfZxf2p11yAbFeiDs5ItkuRwZfzCKuBCOKPjVJNRPZuVKF2iTUg5ScUcrBhxKUKxTluK~hCs21pccSP5gPSxzqZNLDM0kAp9N6oZvovzw8FZiWgVd1WLyMhB-ZLKmXc6UJaDXIxlfQjWFMVxeBEAjmOTsjoKlmNqmL8UmiJ~gEFnmUs-FvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mound, MN","date","2025-03-26T21:21:05Z","article","Council members used their reports section to update colleagues and the public on parks planning, tree grants, economic development and community events.

Parks and recreation: Council members discussed the prospect of a parks passport program to encourage families to visit and rate neighborhood parks, and noted interest in natural play features on underused park parcels. Members said they plan to meet with staff in April to prioritize park improvements and discuss wayfinding signage and scheduling of maintenance.

Trees and grants: A council member asked staff to pursue a Metro regional grant program the city has used in past years to remove ash trees affected by emerald ash borer and to purchase replacement trees for public boulevards and parks.

Utilities and rate review: Council members described membership in the SRA (a joint utility-rate review group of about 30 cities) that helps pay for legal and engineering representation when disputing fee proposals from utilities; the council’s membership fee is paid in two installments and varies by population.

Economic development and events: Council Member McHenry announced community events and fundraising activities, including support for the West Tonka robotics team advancing to a world championship in Houston (April 16), a retirement reception for Paul Falls (March 26) and a West Tonka baseball kickoff fundraiser on April 1. A council member also described a Senate bill being tracked that would exempt municipal construction purchases from sales tax if enacted.

Why it matters: The items relate to long‑range city image, park use and maintenance, public‑tree canopy management, utility costs, and community economic‑development outreach. Several items will require follow-up from staff to pursue grants or return recommendations to council.

Details and next steps: Staff was asked to follow up on the Metro tree‑grant webinar, to continue engagement with the parks commission and public‑works staff on signage and scheduling, and to clarify SRA membership billing. Council members will publicize community events and return with recommendations at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mound City Council Meeting - 3/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members reviewed parks initiatives (including a possible parks passport and natural play elements), asked staff to pursue tree‑planting grant opportunities, discussed membership in a utilities rate review association, and announced community events and retirements.","taxTitle","Mound City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",71061,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106103,"Police report: trespassing at vacant commercial building; K9 program and speed-trailer data discussed",436,260000,696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1&start=260&end=696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6106103/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Police-report-trespassing-at-vacant-commercial-building-K9-program-and-speed-trailer-data-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106103-2ea1793daa5f14ea8fd5dada33164e53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202257&Signature=Ve23REgWS2ZD6NsxF-Aa-zmPaGQLRl48sglrV7~f7qrGcduc7ugZCb9jfihgz1fnUeOufNGPt3ydlSL28rkTCpLAJcd-iIXoq1qkfPxOResU3b-xC5lPTCpzMRPux~~wFGB-8FfE87JEV1WkG2uS-BeFX6mHrNjY2a5anERcCLaJhlZON7FoIq-ILc3xbb8TOQua0hC4EA5sNrWzb-2tZyvw0j2AOAQSBLN48Ez2xCoYEOrnKlcy-4DNm08tFyvCGkbcH6K-WOONSg3x1ei0Re0UPd4g2rfkXUTTbAf05PlgiJIIRpFKzFpADdHjCzP1LnFBhB3mG91~aGEcMPZ4lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 25 meeting the Mound City Council heard the police report covering recent calls and department activities.

Deputy Chief Wikky (police) told the council there had been trespassing incidents at a vacant commercial building; investigators believe the suspects are juveniles and are working to identify them. The department reported no serious incidents in the previous two weeks but is tracking trespassing tied to unsecured vacant property.

Wikky briefed the council on training: the department completed a two-day in-service training and will move into firearms training through the summer and fall. He reminded the council of a community event, “Coffee with a Cop,” scheduled for April 16 at 7:30 a.m. at Caribou.

On the K9 program, Wikky said the department is continuing training with the dog Onyx and expected Onyx to be in service about the week after Memorial Day weekend.

The department has deployed a speed trailer and is collecting technical data. Staff said the trailer’s detection range is broad and preliminary counts showed a substantial number of vehicles on West Edge; staff said the report will provide more detailed data in about a week. The department also reported one recorded overweight vehicle so far and said officers certified in scale enforcement are monitoring weight-restricted roads as required.

Why it matters: The report addresses public-safety and traffic-enforcement matters that affect policing priorities, community outreach and downtown traffic patterns.

Details: Council members asked follow-up questions about when weight restrictions are lifted (determined by state engineers) and noted interest in the speed-trailer counts for West Edge. No formal action was taken on the police report; it was presented for information and community awareness.

","The council heard a police report about juvenile trespassing in a vacant commercial building, upcoming training and firearms sessions, the K9 'Onyx' nearing service, and preliminary speed-trailer traffic counts that showed elevated vehicle volumes on West Edge.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106111,"Council approves consent agenda including downtown sidewalk pay request and summer event permits",102,128000,230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1&start=128&end=230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1/thumbnail_128000.jpg","/articles/6106111/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-downtown-sidewalk-pay-request-and-summer-event-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106111-a57c548847b6443a01e24f1eaf0184ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202257&Signature=XiQScHM2OPRD~ZLe9voZHbCakzRHGimLyOpUNmvW9rLZOkWtUJHYdT~vgSS2sBlz~Zp9adPCfMak~~kBAuGQlzp2jzjGD2LKaWnQu3iJ1lW6LLD5-ARIS1H19WdhlOY1MK6RJOxHmdhXqpSkMswixmck2JSMcXTm1ZoS55wEPBVBbt7l0h5KQymo7ofOB~xrUjlzdAlH5YizJUiV8ZOhm-cAi5ear5dKicWDICN2vq~oMzQabGnIIMOOIvLfPzGOp2SX4UvZUiAlCkB6FiIAYsraYZC1gxTwVcTBmEthu9M7SAfzLrHo39kUdlo5gLHE2aGSKK9n7cYRYkZ~cyifig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mound City Council approved its consent agenda, which the packet listed as items A through F. The consent agenda passed on a roll-call vote with Council Member Herrick, Council Member McEnany, Council Member Pugh and Acting Mayor Castellano recorded as voting “Aye.”

Items listed in the consent agenda included: approval of payment of claims; approval of minutes for the March 11, 2025 meeting; approval of a THC off‑sale retail license; pay request number 4 in the amount of $10,749 to Concrete Construction for the downtown paver sidewalk replacement project (group 2); a resolution approving permits for the 2025 Music in the Park summer concert series at Surfside Park Beach and waiving fees because the event was identified as serving a public purpose of gathering; and a resolution approving permits for the 72nd annual Mount Fish Fry and Dance on Saturday, June 7, 2025, with similar fee waivers.

Why it matters: The pay request advances the downtown paver sidewalk replacement work and the event permits clear the way for summer community gatherings. Fee waivers were authorized on the basis of public purpose for both events.

Details: The council read the consent items into the record and took a roll-call vote approving items A through F. No council member requested that any item be pulled for separate discussion.

Next steps: Staff will process payments, finalize the pay request for Concrete Construction, and issue the approved permits according to the resolutions in the packet.","The Mound City Council approved the consent agenda covering routine items: payment of claims, minutes from March 11, a THC off-sale retail license, a $10,749 pay request for downtown paver sidewalk replacement (group 2), and resolutions permitting the 2025 Music in the Park and the 72nd Mount Fish Fry and Dance with fee waivers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106115,"Council authorizes advertising bids for County Road 15 sidewalks; city and county cost shares discussed",507,741000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1&start=741&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6106115/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-authorizes-advertising-bids-for-County-Road-15-sidewalks-city-and-county-cost-shares-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106115-330bebd7a66d5a68d468677b267ff2aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202257&Signature=nzq1UTp5T6dTr8JULgLTdUM0KtDySVZyP2r~2zgdvjaG44tMKwpa-4xFurWpNXWEVMsDFHsVDvHkdbrtTsdEkH6Y9S6QE-kNpfSYjQzDhJo5qaS8VXZZgmzJmaty6sfG9X4M5IpH0UxeTYozXDpQx8hL5nh4iU9gAOFSHIXOpJjvBQj9d5FSZHmXL78o8mv8RrXGku0hcOXNSdflTkMeyLYJDrpIN4iEWudF6mcjqWznjyQwg-jezH3g-qjntP5-vLlWQ7UyesE9bxZd1mvGxcZrnG~ralVRQE4I6OEnT0HHHC0yfsRDQNIMqdf--68ijrsK0R5e~wk3lfGrw~E6BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mound City Council voted to receive plans and specifications and to order advertisement for bids on two sidewalk projects along County Road 15.

Brian Simmons, consulting city engineer, briefed the council on updated designs and cost estimates for the two segments, Belmont to Fairview and Fairview to Seton (project numbers 2508 and 2509). Simmons said Hennepin County has committed to a portion of the cost and that staff’s updated estimates project the county’s participation will be within their committed amount; the engineer cited a county figure in the packet (transcript: “$502.20”) and said the city’s portion was estimated at $784,256 in the materials.

Simmons told the council some sections of the work will be concrete; portions will be stamped and stained to match previous downtown work. Council members asked about the construction timeline and how the work would interface with downtown summer activities; staff said they would provide a construction schedule and clarifying timeline to be part of the public record.

The council approved the resolution to receive plans and specs and advertise for bids.

Why it matters: The sidewalks are meant to replace dilapidated pavers, improve pedestrian accessibility along County Road 15, and coordinate with county cost-sharing. Updated cost estimates will guide budgeting and scheduling for construction.

Details: Staff said final soft costs and actuals are used at project closeout; the packet used a percentage estimate for soft costs in its current numbers. The council requested staff supply a clearer construction schedule for public notice and coordination with other downtown events.

","The council approved a resolution to receive plans and specs and order advertisement for bids for two County Road 15 sidewalk segments (projects 2508 and 2509); staff and council discussed cost splits with Hennepin County and the project timeline.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106121,"Mound City awards lift-station rehabilitation contract to Widmer Construction",1244,551000,1795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1&start=551&end=1795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784401-8f98c653ae9e06540b3924bc236be6e1/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6106121/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Mound-City-awards-lift-station-rehabilitation-contract-to-Widmer-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106121-511b13052abbec2c8bb415b9476c835d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202257&Signature=VxFf3O0F3OHOvNEVDB0eTmF2SVl02yV9M9Zg9TJF92BR0dAUFtg97U-VdI0WvPqLbj3lGBvGAgi~-1Y8kdjyhMEQ98JYuvJPqsFmrPWmMLwMttB6pGyLr1ENzNHPiLgpWeTgIaeapcI761Sn7UQpGI1B48y3YBchHCl85pv8szw~CKhCKf498nFkooboIh7O2oKvyZlvaCIWHPUuLMz9pJdI56QcSxzwiVZy~mRitCb6m2s7rI0OXihnI0VEX1Fv6MBWuvTt9FAzV3c9NIAnx~GFxJYFrEvezx30tCZATTJ3sHnEv-sX-WRL18wJ9DAzMjb3pbIjuOncnG~SYWxmAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mound City Council members voted to accept a bid for the city’s 2025 lift-station rehabilitation and replacement program, awarding the construction contract to Widmer Construction.

Brian Simmons, consulting city engineer, told the council Widmer — which has worked on previous lift stations for the city — was the low responsive bidder. Simmons said the bid “came in a little bit at 504,000 hundred thousand dollars and that is quite a bit below the engineer’s estimate.” He added the construction contract does not include some city-procured equipment and that the city expects to spend “about another hundred and $30,000” on pumps and other preordered items outside the contract.

The council voted on a resolution to accept the low bid and award the project; the motion carried.

Why it matters: The lift-station work is part of a multi-year rehabilitation program intended to keep wastewater infrastructure functioning and to avoid emergency repairs. Awarding the contract now also allows the contractor to coordinate work with other projects in town, Simmons said.

What the council decided: The resolution accepting the bid for the 2025 lift-station improvements (project listed in the packet) passed by voice vote. Staff recommended Widmer Construction as a responsible and responsive bidder.

Details: Simmons told the council the city routinely procures some major equipment (pumps and similar items) outside the construction contract; those purchases raise the program’s overall cost above the construction bid. The engineer said final procurement totals were still being finalized.

Next steps: Staff will finalize contract documents and coordinate construction scheduling with other work in town. The council did not set an explicit construction start date during the meeting.

","The council accepted a low bid for the 2025 lift-station rehabilitation project and authorized staff to proceed; city staff said additional equipment procurement will add roughly $130,000 to the total project cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses parks improvements, tree grants, economic development and community events

Police report: trespassing at vacant commercial building; K9 program and speed-trailer data discussed

Council approves consent agenda including downtown sidewalk pay request and summer event permits

Council authorizes advertising bids for County Road 15 sidewalks; city and county cost shares discussed

Mound City awards lift-station rehabilitation contract to Widmer Construction