[{"_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",6478816,"mediaKeyId","5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5","parentId",5708034,"title","Council schedules Sept. 8 special meetings and returns work sessions to community center","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",5477000,"endMs",5664000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5&start=5477&end=5664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5/thumbnail_5477000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478816/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-schedules-Sept-8-special-meetings-and-returns-work-sessions-to-community-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478816-8187a50aa0439f910a22942fe7882b0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965307&Signature=ltZEZgJPcMXjKZ50sqGdQX~aKOnjo3qXl0tSHZkw4whpqG1WhStTzlto-Np~witzysZcRCcA1opb4lbIPRg1Cv7~lGOpYKIwDV~45qVmfrJtY5U2t-UVt-SSwmIU2vaH7n9TOLBPcr2lEIMb7-uFzRgweN~sgjvb6O5pnqvgS58yi3raOIy4Rcb1eDuvh5umZlxVfBkDmIG0uluQw0UQyv5EECaddGLgySJZzcUr-r7sIv3hmQRsfZoGuxDiiNgowNHEKx7nZJg7n~lsbjPWhv4xXf2NRCv2tkxZ2nwC25YmnTJdWaGFuCR3wu0KwcYj7gag68BvXNISp3YI2rJ93w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Inver Grove Heights","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","City staff proposed moving the regular Sept. 8 council meeting time earlier and coordinating an Economic Development Authority (EDA) special meeting the same day. After a brief discussion of agenda items, which include a purchase agreement extension and a draft business subsidy policy presentation, the council agreed to call a special EDA meeting for 4:30 p.m. and a special council meeting for 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 and to cancel the previously scheduled 6 p.m. council meeting. Staff will post the time change and notice on social media and in printed notices.

On a related item, staff asked where to hold the two remaining work sessions for the year (October and November). Council members said the community center produced more informal conversation and preferred that location for work sessions; staff noted work sessions at the community center are not televised. The council agreed to return the October and November work sessions to the community center.

The council also discussed estimated durations for the Sept. 8 special meetings and staff said the EDA presentation and purchase-agreement extension should be brief (roughly 15–30 minutes), with the council meeting to follow at 5 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Inver Grove Heights - Inver Grove Heights Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The council set a special Economic Development Authority meeting for 4:30 p.m. and a special council meeting for 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 (cancelling the previously scheduled 6 p.m. meeting) and agreed to return remaining fall work sessions to the community center rather than the council chambers.","taxTitle","Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County, Minnesota","taxId",55939,"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},6478821,"Council names two members to interview civil legal services finalists",274,5194000,5468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5&start=5194&end=5468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5/thumbnail_5194000.jpg","/articles/6478821/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-names-two-members-to-interview-civil-legal-services-finalists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478821-0b3b90290554576f35a1644e2092ebe5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965307&Signature=arihbjI3NdSc4hYDUVnbbU3KEw5lfSlRH6i~PMsj5Avq2~hzCZZSXBQ2bVC7pyORPYK4C-kp12N7An5vmb~k372P9aHXUvmFvGE-V6PjJdGUcOCiYDVOdGePk0o41aUSvHojZX7UJpEyWRx7b9CXYHoL0vJp6FpPc~b~BUEmyov9CCIPoI4XqFdwHlSKNp1cc499MdkW~Z1h21CAiRBYvaBC0zbya8zmTCF8DwR7zBcihH~8Qqw~IB3BIA1IXaHQ~i0U2w1zW-HGlrNaxkzMcxkd8X6gK~TuM4gp9TlzKNBxnqrKEwRgKwuFO9d12wZkuSazZtf1zynQkHl2Ea3X-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city's standard request-for-proposals process for civil legal services produced five responses. Staff and an internal review committee recommended three finalists for further consideration and asked the council whether interviews should be conducted by the full council (open meeting) or by a subcommittee.

Council members appointed Council Member Murphy and Council Member Gleva to serve as the council's representatives on the interview panel alongside staff. Staff said proposed interview dates are Sept. 29 or 30; firms and council representatives will be coordinated to confirm times. The interview packet will include proposals from the firms and a suggested question set; staff indicated a feedback form will be provided to help organize impressions and recommended firms for contract award.

City Administrator Wilson said a staff recommendation will come forward after interviews and the council would award the contract formally. No contract was awarded at the meeting.","After staff reviewed five RFP responses and recommended three finalists, the council asked two council members to join staff interviews of law firms; interviews will be scheduled for Sept. 29 or 30 and the council will receive a recommendation for contract award in October.",{"_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},6478826,"Council considers dropping mandatory residential addresses from public-comment requirement",621,4558000,5179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5&start=4558&end=5179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5/thumbnail_4558000.jpg","/articles/6478826/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-considers-dropping-mandatory-residential-addresses-from-public-comment-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478826-016ed572fab03c98185d76b30893fe0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965307&Signature=Shn9a4gqkYh8BmFnT2Iq4kGGO46TcL3aghW4noIwI~3wSDPaC3nPL6frjqnkYidkQ00Yuz5Boh0fqYdjccOq-CufkUxVYs-RQ4RAa8oPl2DLp-GQdDLJFLuoXxkp1Cs9XVgPTlo78sbU3ys182tM2~Tip~jdOpWFNzGPzK9nHcPGp8UtubFj4TRF-QhFgk9L9ATUcdwR6m8fUDhGj7MyCGwtk5t-swEfx2pXBxN1ZdTm5LAbLV-ZUb69uHyB7L4teYtQjOduYsa5oL35AAbP3vTiD3mGbIDhg8fZS6xlsZ6Ho5i3uu26M50A2TlZfJY0slBmI~z-2qGhh24cKiCnfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors discussed a staff proposal to amend city code that currently requires residents to state their name and address when speaking during public comment or public hearings. The change was prompted by a resident concern that publicly giving a street address while meetings are broadcast or streamed can discourage participation.

Staff said U.S. Supreme Court precedent protects anonymous speech and suggested several options: invite — but not require — speakers to give their name and address; ask speakers to provide name and city of residence instead of full street address; or offer a sign-in clipboard or contact form so people can provide their address or phone number privately for follow-up.

Council members expressed support for a permissive approach. Council Member Scales said inviting a city of residence would help the council know whether a speaker is a constituent. Council Member Strange suggested a clipboard or written form to collect contact information without asking speakers to state it on the public record. Staff said a form already exists at the back of the chamber and could be made more visible.

The city attorney's office had cautioned that the case law supports the right to anonymous speech, so staff will prepare draft ordinance language and administrative options reflecting council direction. The drafts will be returned for council consideration; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting.","Councilors discussed revising code that requires speakers to state their address during public comment; staff will draft ordinance options to invite (but not require) name and address, allow city-only written contact forms, and permit city to accept city-only residency statements.",{"_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},6478832,"Council reviews draft ordinance to limit non-election yard sign size and placement",500,3378000,3878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5&start=3378&end=3878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5/thumbnail_3378000.jpg","/articles/6478832/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-reviews-draft-ordinance-to-limit-non-election-yard-sign-size-and-placement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478832-ed40b2c3964550ddff7b37792a22bdf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965307&Signature=Z7gNJKQeZuQnmSJJH2RbnXlYdzu6rlXcDBuALJlk6piDab9MPjFq7f5R9zQCSTxPxn1eUEI7xJ-zxNiow5FBwlhce9hvLDtGMBUhDvtZACLqghUA60rb77JmwkWH3YoUzf0NLjebQiFvcCaZ0WekLY-4~LnSq404ZwXHyjU4Rpga8tww6YpdqlXmb0ZR4L4P5bMyrxMd5d29jqIlueTAjFW-CAFFVlbE0pR49ymKdNM9yJ4WiJpHAvKhX6clTb-yO49jVrjyVqXNiU1ywrGJEYSfOhKhKlTbhR8~fbCAQ3S-3N~XrpiCP6B0nAb6N3S53PKk84Xw-f9Tf~W5h69lNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft amendment to the city's zoning sign code to replace content-specific language about campaign signs with a content-neutral \"temporary sign\" standard and to clarify placement, size and number limits outside of state-defined election seasons.

The draft would: require yard signs to be set back 10 feet from the curb or edge of pavement on city streets; limit temporary residential yard signs to roughly 18 by 24 inches (or an equivalent square-footage limit) outside of election season; and set a suggested maximum number of temporary signs per parcel (staff proposed four, but council discussion left the final number open). The draft would not regulate signs on state or county right-of-way; staff said complaints on those roads will be referred to MnDOT or the county.

Staff said state law preempts local limits on the size and number of noncommercial signs during the statutory election window (46 days before primary through 10 days after the general election in even-numbered years), but that location standards may be enforced during that period. The draft seeks to give staff a consistent, easy-to-explain standard (10 feet from the curb) to avoid confusion that arose during the last election when wide rights-of-way created uneven enforcement outcomes.

Council members generally favored moving the draft to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and asked staff to return with any planning commission recommendations. Council also discussed exceptions and enforcement practices for real estate signs, painted wood signs and groups placing signs without property-owner permission; staff noted some items (commercial sign code, lighting rules) are outside the immediate draft's scope and could be reviewed separately.

City staff said outreach and clearer public messaging (newsletter, social media, door hangers for enforcement visits) will be part of implementation if the ordinance is adopted.","Council sign code changes would set a 10-foot setback from curb, recommend 18x24-inch limit outside election season and cap temporary yard signs per lot; city staff will send the draft to the planning commission for public hearing and further recommendation.",{"_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},6478837,"Inver Grove Heights council directs staff to prepare preliminary 2026 levy at 5.74%",3291,89000,3380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5&start=89&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708034-ed54f5431b34869fe811aafe7028a1e5/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6478837/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Inver-Grove-Heights-council-directs-staff-to-prepare-preliminary-2026-levy-at-574","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478837-58f044a2beb5edf3c1547b67cdc94145/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965307&Signature=KcDtTfTgnOWUOpDSeIZxLQNo0IspRS~efHb~xV06Woxe1bHt-GzF4FJp2b~~57WS7Jwpyhj8117SWv7i4K9tthK4S7mKxNfAWoGlBuS6gPSbrRDt8L6GG0oHOUpYeqSb2QytaBRxcxVeAMliuX0zKWswsCzLfj25yANDphAjyEFdKEBh0A6qogoYGm7vQeJJKKvfXGSrAPy7dpAFrT4iqZkf96V0m1~Y~RluDYwAv~zmak05UcwCtR3Gv8eFpjhQEqklpSmHn0zn1QWhRkqVurlsGYRPgA7LxJI3br0JVILpJOPt~DpLhB5UoU0isr2~vcCDEtMZgyTtS8p-hpxZlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Administrator Wilson told the Inver Grove Heights City Council that the proposed 2026 general fund budget totals $36,668,206 and that about 83% of general fund operations would be funded by the property tax levy.

Wilson said Minnesota cities must adopt a preliminary levy no later than Sept. 30 and that a preliminary levy can be lowered but not raised later in the year. He proposed a preliminary levy package that would produce a 6.3% increase over 2025, which he estimated would add about $91.37 in city property taxes for the owner of a median-valued home in Inver Grove Heights ($362,200). Wilson attributed most of the levy growth to payroll costs from the new Minnesota paid family and medical leave requirement, settled union contracts, phase-in costs for federally funded police and fire hires and other previously committed items.

Council members questioned and discussed options to reduce the levy. Wilson outlined possible one-time and fund-balance options — including freezing the technology allocation, postponing the levy phase-in for COPS-funded police officers and using fund balances — but cautioned those would substitute one-time money for ongoing costs.

After discussion about staffing requests, reclassifications and parks maintenance needs, Council members expressed differing preferred maximum levy targets. Multiple council members said they could support a preliminary levy no higher than 5.74 percent; Administrator Wilson then summarized council direction. \"If I'm hearing the council right, we can bring forward a preliminary levy at the 5.74% and we'll continue to go through the budget,\" Wilson said.

The finance director will prepare the formal levy resolutions and related materials for the council packet for the Sept. 8 meeting; the council will still be able to reduce the levy before the final adoption required by Dec. 28.

The council also discussed a menu of smaller budget reductions and the trade-offs implicit in cutting services (for example, sidewalk snow removal and park hours), and members emphasized the need to explain budget choices and service reductions clearly to residents.

Looking ahead, Wilson said the full community center, golf course and utility budgets — which are enterprise funds not supported by the general levy — will be on the October work session agenda, and the public truth-in-taxation hearing is proposed for Dec. 8 with final levy adoption planned for Dec. 15.","City Administrator Wilson presented a proposed 2026 general fund budget and recommended a preliminary property tax levy increase of 6.3%; after discussion the council directed staff to prepare levy resolution targeting a 5.74% preliminary levy for action at the Sept. 8 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council schedules Sept. 8 special meetings and returns work sessions to community center

Council names two members to interview civil legal services finalists

Council considers dropping mandatory residential addresses from public-comment requirement

Council reviews draft ordinance to limit non-election yard sign size and placement

Inver Grove Heights council directs staff to prepare preliminary 2026 levy at 5.74%