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In an open forum, County Commissioner Ben Montzka gave an update from the county level.  Montzka said they were dealing with the ongoing strike. Montzka said the striking workers are valuable and appreciated. He added the county has tried to backfill with supplement employees as best as possible.  Montzka was asked if the county spent an extra $250k for the supplement workers. “Actually the county has saved a significant amount of money due to the striking employees not getting paid while striking,” Montzka said.  “A resolution to the strike is of the utmost importance,” Montzka added.

Eric Coehn of Stacy Fire Department asked the council about the potential of purchasing a new fire truck.  Council told Coehn they did discuss at the last budget meeting and are mostly on board with the purchase.  Coehn told the council the prior bid had expired and the council asked for a new quote.

Council next heard from resident Carol Moss who pointed out the potential cannabis business proposed in Stacy Ponds location to the walking trail.  Moss told council the trail is used by the community including children.  Her concern is the initial ordinance buffer zone which the trail will encroach into.

Nic Kirvida, who owns the property where the cannabis business is planned, pointed out there is no parking lot for residents on either end of the walking path, meaning those who use the path may be crossing private property to get to the trail.

Council next discussed changing the original city cannabis regulations.  Mayor Mark Utecht reminded council when the council votes for or against an issue, if an applicant meets all criteria feelings can not be factored into the decision.  The council then discussed if the original buffer zone the city adopted from the state can be altered to conform better to Stacy.  The council reviewed and agreed there were a number of instances they would like to see language changed as well as distances from schools for example.  Council made a motion to table and rework language in the city wide cannabis regulations.  

Council next approved a payment request for the road improvement project.  $14,354 would be the final payout which would leave the project under budget by 12.5 percent.

Council then unanimously approved the final plat of Walters estates which is at 34897 Kable Avenue.  The property sits on 12.5 acres and will be split into four lots.

Council approved an application from Jeff Selvog of A-1 Tire Service for the 2026 Rib Fest event.  The event is scheduled  for September 19 at the A-1 property.  The event will feature food, bands and fireworks.

Council was then told there is a culvert pushing through the road on 320th just east of the cemetery.  The cost to fix the culvert is $47,000. There is $32,000 remaining in the street fund, so the remaining $16,000 would have to come out of the general fund.  Council passed the request and the fund transfer.

Council then approved the expenditure of burn tower funds for hazmat courses ($4,850) and Bernick’s Distributing ($2,673) for water and Gatorade for firefighters.  

Council then discussed installing security cameras in the Lent Town Hall building.   Mayor Utecht said he was not in favor of interior cameras but would instead spend those monies on a security system for the exterior of the building along with the maintenance building across the street. Some council members voiced their approval of interior cameras which led the council agreeing to ask city attorney James Monge about liability issues with cameras.

Council member Jeff Barrett gave a brief update on the finance committee.  Barrett told council the city earned $5,300 in interest from licensed funds, another $43,000 from CD’s and the city is up to $135,000 interest earned for the year.

Lastly, the council agreed to put out a request for proposals for the city for engineering firms.  The city currently uses Stantec and council wants to see if the City is getting the value they are currently paying for,

Council adjourned at 9:21 pm.

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