08-04-25 - City Council Work Session Minutes

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Since its formation, VLAWMO has developed, adopted, and updated its watershed management plan as required by the Act. It has also undertaken, on its own and in cooperation with the member communities, water quality and restoration projects throughout the watershed. VLAWMO is in the process of updating its watershed management plan and is working to update the JPA at the same time. The JPA has been amended and renewed since its original adoption, with the current JPA set to expire on December 31, 2026. The JPA was last updated and readopted in 2016. The updated JPA is the result of a detailed review and work to incorporate VLAWMO's long-standing practices and procedures. This update also includes recognizing the storm sewer utility fee as VLAWMO's primary source of funding. VLAWMO was originally funded through a cost sharing assessment to each community. As with any joint powers agreement, all member communities need to adopt the same agreement language. VLAWMO staff worked with member community staff to seek review and comments. Staff reviewed the City's comments at the June 2, 2025, work session. Those comments were then incorporated into the JPA. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to place the JPA on the August 11, 2025 City Council agenda for formal consideration. 7. City Administrator Update The City Administrator provided the following updates. • Night to Unite is Tuesday, August 5, 2025 and there are 35 registered neighborhood parties. • The second City Council Strategic Planning Session is this Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room. • Staff have been working diligently on preparing the 2026 Preliminary Budget book for discussion at the August 18th Special Budget Work Session at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The budget meeting presentation format will include presentations from the Department Directors of their department budgets. A second budget meeting will be scheduled following this first budget meeting. The Preliminary Budget and Levey must be adopted by the end of September. • The Police and Fire Departments are finalizing the re -branding of the departments, following the move from a Public Safety Department to a Police and Fire Department this year. • The Human Resources and Communications Manager will be bringing forward the recommendation to appoint Lino Lakes Accountant Tracy Thoma to the position of Finance Director and the appointment of a Building Inspector, who is a current employee of a neighboring city at the August 11th meeting. The Human Page 3 of 4