City Council Meeting

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 07, 2025 at 7:00 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Patrick Sundberg, and Mark Cross were present. Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Community Development Director Josh Doty, Police Chief Matt Maier, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, and Police Officer Luke Hall were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE All joined Mayor Olson in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENTATIONS 1. The Center Presentation Darcy Walkowiak, executive director of The Center, provided a 2025 update to the council. Council Member Lyscio explained Darcy has done a great job managing The Center. 2. Chief Maier Presentation Chief Maier explained he wants to start recognizing new police officers that have completed their field training. Officer Luke Hall was recognized for completing the field training program and at a quick pace. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Assistant City Administrator Steele asked to add a presentation by Chief Maier to the agenda and explained a typo has been corrected in the agenda item related to the rainbow bridge donation policy. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Comments received from the public may be placed on a future meeting agenda for consideration. Amanda Hiemann, 13392 Memorywood Drive, explained she represents the Essentia Health APP union and Essentia Health is refusing to negotiate with the union. CONSENT AGENDA - The following items are considered non-controversial by staff and are recommended to be read and passed in one motion. Any council person, staff, citizen, or meeting attendee can request one or more items be pulled from the Consent Agenda and the item will be pulled and addressed immediately after the passage of the Consent Agenda; otherwise, the following items will be passed in one motion: 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 2. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes from September 16, 2025 3. Approve City Council Minutes from September 16, 2025 4. Approve City Council Special Minutes from September 25, 2025 5. Approve the Payment of Bills and Finance Report (Addendum A) 6. Elect Not to Waive the Monetary Limits on Municipal Tort Liability Established by State Statutes with the 2026 LMCIT Insurance Renewal 7. Approve the Issuance of a Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Registration to Kwik Trip Inc. for the Period of October 8, 2025 through December 31, 2025 8. Approve the Issuance of a Microbusiness Cannabis Registration to Costal Greenery LLC, Kevin Luers, and Pine Mountain Ventures LLC, Nick Garcia-Cartaya 9. Authorize Contract Execution for Employee Dental Insurance Renewal with Delta Dental 10. Schedule a Public Hearing for Certification of Delinquent Utility Bills, Invoices, and Abatements for Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., or shortly thereafter 11. Approve the Bolton & Menk Proposal for Land Surveying Services Related to the Crow Wing Power Real Estate Option at an Amount not to Exceed $6,455 12. Approve Rainbow Bridge Memorial Bone Donation Policy for the Baxter Dog Park 13. Approve the J.R. Ferche, Inc Change Order No. 2 to modify the Substantial Completion Date for the 2025 Design Road & TH 371 Stormwater Improvements Project, Municipal Project Number 4135 14. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-082 Adopting Assessments for the 2025 Design Road & TH 371 Stormwater Improvements Project Municipal Project No. 4135 MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PULLED AGENDA ITEMS None. OTHER BUSINESS 15. Public Hearing – Adopt Resolution 2025-081 Approving a Modification to Crow Wing County HRA’s Redevelopment Plan Finance Director Vacinek explained a public hearing has been scheduled to consider changes to Crow Wing County’s HRA redevelopment plan. The changes to the plan allow the HRA to financially participate in the sale of four tax forfeited lots in Baxter. Tonight’s hearing allows the public the ability to comment. Mayor Olson opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. and closed the hearing at 7:17:30 p.m. after hearing no public comments. 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to Adopt Resolution 2025-081 Approving a Modification to Crow Wing County HRA’s Redevelopment Plan. Motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL COMMENTS 16. Connie Lyscio -Explained the ribbon cutting ceremony for Baxter’s dog park will be held on Friday, October 10tth at 11:00 a.m. 17. Zach Tabatt – Explained he ran into a new Baxter resident that lives in the Forestview neighborhood. The resident explained how happy they are to be living in Baxter and that they found a home to purchase in Baxter. The resident explained they paid for the special assessment on the property because they wanted to purchase the home. After hearing negativity regarding the Forestview project, it was refreshing to hear someone was proud to be here. 18. Patrick Sundberg – Provided comments related to the 210/371 improvement project and explained this project will change Baxter. Council Member Sundberg explained there should be an option to not go over the railroad tracks and local connector roads should be explored to take pressure of the intersection. 19. Mark Cross – Expressed he agrees with Council Member Sundberg’s council comments. The council is holding a work session on October 21st to discuss the 210/371 project with the Chamber and MnDOT. Business owners are encouraged to bring their solutions. 20. Darrel Olson – Talked to a Brentwood Circle home owner who explained they were excited to get a new road and city sewer service. Council Member Tabatt reminded everyone of his prior work commitment which will prevent him from attending the October 21st council meeting. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT No report. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT 21. The City Council will meet in a closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.03, to discuss Labor Negotiations MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to enter into a closed session at 7:28 p.m. under Minnesota Statute 13D.03, to discuss labor negotiations. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to return to an open session at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Upon returning to an open session, the council directed staff to continue negotiations with the labor unions. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator