Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/01/2025 - Special

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residential properties to commercial properties. He said there are more businesses than ever petitioning the court on these taxes. Mayor Heineman asked if they are only seeing these petitions from commercial properties or if they are also seeing it from residential properties. Economic Development Manager Sullivan said he has never seen a residential tax petition. He noted that it is getting harder to be a business as the tax system is currently not in the favor of businesses. He stated he does not know what this will mean for businesses in the City or the State. Planning Manager Larson asked what the rest of the Highway 10 project up to Hwy 169/101 will look like and if it will be done in the next five years. City Administrator Hagen said it could be done by the end of the five-year mark. Councilmember Stewart asked about the impact of the water treatment plant onboarding and its impact on water quality. City Administrator Hagen explained that when they turn the water treatment plant online it will stir the system up and there will be a temporary impact to the water supply for a short period of time. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby noted that the water will be safe to drink during this time but the water will look a little dirty. He said they are working on messaging to send to residents to explain the situation. He stated they are still months away from this and would want to send the messaging closer to the time of impact. City Administrator Hagen said they would be putting an article in the newsletter and would be posting on social media to get the word out to residents. Mayor Heineman added that this is an inevitable byproduct of switching over the water system. He said residents may be upset by this; however, there is nothing they can do to change it. He noted they can do a study to ensure the safety of the water and communicate this to the residents. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby explained that they could run some of the dirty water to waste rather than into the distribution system to alleviate the impacts. Mayor Heineman asked what opportunities the City will have over the next five years. Councilmember Specht said they have opportunities for efficiencies and process improvements. Mayor Heineman added that there will be opportunities for COR development. Councilmember Riley said there is an opportunity to improve and continue to shape City identity. City Council Special Work Session / April 1, 2025 Page 12 of 15