Spiczka: Please rake tree debris OUT of storm sewer drains, not INTO them.

Spiczka has a storm update, diamond point park could reopen tomorrow or next day for dangerous tree removal. Got a pic of park from a pontoon over the weekend

The services contract is $350,000; for design and bidding services. Anderson said expected trial date is in September, presumably, the administrative trial for the fate of who gets to sewer around the Lake, Bemidji or Northern Twsp. Motion passes unanimously.

Now that that's over, Sam Anderson, city engineer and public works director, is discussing a professional services contract for design for extending sewer and water to the North end of Lake Bemidji, as Beltrami County plans to tear that road up in '26.

Eaton has no questions but thanked duran for sharing "his philosophy"

There are some charts, with sources from "IRS" and "American Experiment."

Duran is providing an overview of the legislative session plus his thoughts on toning down rhetoric in the wake of the politically-motivated shooting death of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the non-fatal shooting of State Sen. John Hoffman.

On the agenda, legislative report from 2a rep duran, apparently a power point prepared

I'm back babies
Bemidji city council meeting not yet called to order and i have the stapler table

That is one yellow suit

Dropping into Bemidji city council. Emily thabes from beltrami county historical society is thanking council for attention to hvac issue and info on upcoming events. Now Charles Beberg, my bemidji day buddy who did end up ditching me, for sustainability update re green step cities

Well, the council agrees to send a response to township. Will have more in a story this week! Council adjourned but not before calling me out AGAIN

Updates on the liqua sto

Hand soap here smells like bubble mix.

Adding a response letter from northern township to agenda into New business. If you havent been keeping up with a tale of two cities, the northern mn version, get to kaxe.org I'm too lazy to type it out

Obligatory fashion post is MINE many gasps from chambers upon my entrance. One day I'll get used to it.

Didn't feel like bringing my computer so here is what's called a notebook.

Please tell me someone is co hosting king Charles' music podcast and please tell me he is looking for someone (me) to push his buttons. I think this is my calling.

General consensus among council is to proceed with building one of the city's roundies (Middle School Drive and 23rd Street) this summer while school's out, then do the other city project on Hannah Ave/BK in 2026, with MnDOT's project to start likely in 2027... still many ifs.

"I have kind of an issue with an unelected billionaire making these kinds of decisions for our communities." She might as well be the notorious GFG.

Anderson is recommending going forward with the $5M state grant to start the city street project this year, finish it next year, and wait and see on what happens. "Not a lot of frills" in this RAISE grant compared to others that may have buzz words like EV charging stations...

So with the $18M federal grant "frozen and under review" the project will be delayed. A few choices on what to do next. "We're building the plane as it's flying with the information we have," says Anderson.

I also accidentally attended a planning board meeting. Bemidji's drive thru dairy queen remains delayed.

At a Bemidji city work session as they discuss the frozen multi-million RAISE grant for the 2025-2026 road construction on and around Highway 197/Paul Bunyan Drive/ The Roundies. "I don't know if Elon Musk is personally holding it at gunpoint," says Sam Anderson, re: fed funding freezes.

Housing is a priority... but council member Gwenia Fiskevold Gould points out Bemidji is sitting on a number of housing dollars right now, suggests using those before going to St. Paul to ask for more.

Discussing legislative priorities at Bemidji City Hall ahead of Bemidji Day at the State Capitol. Did you get your bus ticket yet??? I still need a bus buddy.

Alright, sounds like the City has to decide whether or not it will commit with its share of the project. Now for a "very robust landscaping" plan for the Highway 197 project in 2026.

Bemidji's also in a unique spot with $25M in community giving (including $10M Sanford Health commitment), most wellness centers are funded through state bonds or city finance.

Some grant-eligible infrastructure work around this project, with some of the pipes in that area west of MN Ave dating back to 1916-1919 around the railroad tracks, according to Sam Anderson the Engineer.