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Residents ask about trench assessments; council addresses firefighter surplus equipment, lien on 100 Kendall and clerk training
Summary
During public comment a resident asked if trench work will be assessed to property owners; the council directed staff to delay action pending the mayor's input. The council approved guidance for selling surplus fire trucks, learned that an MVAC lien on 100 Kendall likely will not fall to the live‑in fiancee, and authorized clerk training and conference attendance.
At the meeting Todd Schwarz asked whether planned trench work would be completed this year and whether property owners would be assessed; Acting Mayor Lisa Peterson said Mayor Ziegler recommended tabling the issue until he could attend a meeting and that work would not start until spring.
Clerk Kara Hansen told the council a homeowner at 100 Kendall had died and that an MVAC lien remains on the property for rehab work; Hansen said she contacted Judd Schultz of MVAC, who advised that because the homeowner's fiancee, April Hurst, lived at the property when the rehab occurred she would not be required to repay the lien, though a future owner who was not resident at the time could be responsible. The council took no immediate action and said it would await developments.
On surplus equipment, the fire department asked how to sell a 1‑ton and an older tanker. Councilor Adam Finney said the department could advertise sales provided the trucks do not sell for more than $25,000; Acting Mayor Peterson added the trucks should not be sold to city employees and directed staff to relay those conditions to the department.
The council approved adding part‑time Clerk Roelofs to Dropbox access and authorized Clerk Kara Hansen to attend the MCFOA clerk training conference March 18–21 in Brooklyn Center using budgeted training funds. Hansen also briefed the council on Minnesota Paid Leave, which takes effect in 2026 and will require budgeting; Councilor Emily Edwards noted the state is still estimating employer costs and that employers may require employees to pay up to 50% of the cost.
The meeting concluded with the council approving the 2025 fee schedule and scheduling the next meeting for Feb. 4 before adjourning at 7:26 PM.
