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MINUTES <br /> <br />City Council Goal Setting Workshop <br />City Hall Council Chambers <br />Monday, January 26, 2026 <br />6:00 p.m. <br /> <br /> <br />Call to Order <br /> <br />Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. <br /> <br />COUNCIL PRESENT: Krull, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt <br />COUNCIL ABSENT: None <br />STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Finance Director Anna Wobse, Fire Chief <br />Jim Compton, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, City Clerk Michele Lindau, <br /> <br />Hopkins Schoolhouse <br /> <br />City Administrator Bryan Bear began by providing background and an update on the Hopkins <br />Schoolhouse. In 2022, one of the Council’s goals was to determine the fate of the Hopkins <br />Schoolhouse. They agreed it was not a good use of taxpayer money and decided not to offer <br />financial assistance for its restoration. They also supported the establishment of a community <br />volunteer group if there was interest in saving it from demolition. The Hopkins Schoolhouse and <br />Heritage Center Committee was established, and in May 2023, the City entered into a 15-year <br />lease agreement with the committee. Over the past few years, the committee has been successful <br />in cleaning up the building, installing new windows, improving the front entrance, replacing the <br />roof and chimney, and framing the upstairs and downstairs. They were able to complete these <br />improvements through fundraisers, donated labor, and assistance from the Washington County <br />Sheriff’s Department Sentence to Serve Program. They are now preparing for the next steps <br />related to electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work. Recently, Bear and City Clerk Michele Lindau <br />toured the building, and Bear reported that the committee had made tremendous progress. Hugo <br />Historical Commissioner and Committee Member Brad LeTourneau has been instrumental in <br />overseeing much of the work and coordinating the participation of STS. <br /> <br />In response to the Mayor’s recent inquiry as to whether the City should participate financially, <br />Bear met with Committee President Liz Cinqueonce, who indicated they were not asking for <br />help but would gladly accept it. Their greatest need is with the septic system, well, and site <br />improvements. He explained that the committee has proposed using the schoolhouse as a <br />heritage center with historical displays and potential for public events, though they are not <br />completely set on its use. He indicated the County could be approached with the idea of adding a <br />trailhead on the site, noting that two regional trails will intersect nearby. Bear asked the Council <br />for their thoughts on the City’s participation in the completion of the schoolhouse and what their <br />expectations were for the site. <br /> <br />The Council was impressed with the work that had been done and discussed the need for the <br />committee to have sufficient resources to complete the project. There were comments that using <br />public funds would be more justifiable if there were some type of public or rentable use of the <br />facility. They acknowledged that proper management of events would be necessary. There was <br />discussion about having a third-party user or a partnership with the County for a trailhead. If a <br />trailhead were located there, accessible bathrooms and parking would be required. Also <br />discussed was what would happen if the committee halted the project, and they recognized that it <br />would become a City asset.