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*The council approved a preliminary 2005 tax levy for $465,455, an increase of five percent, or $22,164,00, over the 2004 levy. *The council approved setting a truth-in-taxation public hearing for Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. to review the 2005 city budget and its tax consequences. If necessary, the hearing will be continued on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

*The council set a public hearing for final assessments on this summer's street improvement project for Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. According to estimates by city engineer Pete Carlson, the assessment for residents on streets that were re-built with curb and gutter should be $43.59 per foot of frontage property; residents with new sanitary sewer service will be assessed $800 per service; residents with new water service will be assessed $900 per service; the estimated assessment rate for streets that were overlayed is $5.78 per foot of frontage property; and the estimated assessment rate for the Service Road is $55.66 for foot of frontage property.

*The council approved a payment of $190,020 to Duinick Brothers, Inc., for work on the street improvement project.

*The council approved a feasibility report for improvements to the city's irrigation system. According to public works director Ron Mergen, the city would like to begin a three-phase project to increase the usage capabilities of the irrigation system, which disposes of water from the city sewer.

The first phase, which could begin this fall, involves installing larger pipe, which would be buried at an estimated cost of $485,900. During the second phase, pump house piping would be replaced at an estimated cost of $128,300. During the third phase, new pumps would be added at an estimated cost of $347,900. The total estimated cost of the upgrades is $935,100.

The city does not have a start date for the second and third phases of the project, although Mergen estimate those phases could be 10-15 years away. The project, which would be paid from reserves in the sewer funds and capital improvement funds, could facilitate the city's growth over 20 years, said Mergen.

*The council approved the following general fund transfers as budgeted: $30,000 from the streets and alley fund to the streets and sidewalks capital improvement fund (for street construction); $29,050 from the municipal parks fund to the parks capital improvement fund; $20,000 from the fire fund to the fire reserve fund (for equipment depreciation); another $18,460 from the streets and alley fund to the street and sidewalk capital improvement fund (for street equipment); $5,000 from the fire fund to the fire reserve fund (for building depreciation); $3,000 from the general fund to the emergency services capital improvement fund; $1,500 from the general fund to the police capital improvement fund; and $500 from the general fund to capital improvement for the 2008 community celebration.

*The council approved a bid from Archaeological Research Services to complete an archeological study of the proposed Kruger Lake Nature Preserve for $870. The city was awarded a $150,000 DNR grant toward the purchase of 119 acres that the city would like to establish as a nature preserve. The archeological study needs to be completed before the city can move forward with the project. The cost of the study can not be paid with grant money, according to city administrator Steve Helget.

*The council approved paying its annual dues of $1,790 for the League of Minnesota Cities.

*The council approved paying its annual dues of $20 for the Minnesota Mayor's Association.

*The council approved closing a tax increment finance district for Corner Floral and reimbursing Stearns County $1,055 in interest.

*The council set a special city council meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 12 noon to canvass election results. Local issues on the general election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 2, include the election of two city council members and a mayor and the aquatic park referendum.

*The council set a special city council meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. to address bonding and to accept bids for street construction in Ridgeview Sixth Addition. The city will bond for the project then assess developers for the project and bonding costs. The interest rate on assessments will be two percent over the average bond interest rate, and the city could reimburse any excess interest collected.

The special meeting was set so city leaders could have time to meet with developers and discuss the bonding rate while still meeting the deadline for setting the assessments this year.

*The council approved a variance request for Dan and Kathy Weidell of 667 Mill Street. They requested a variance after discovering that their garage sat partially on their neighbor's property. The Weidells did a lot split to acquire rights to the property, but their garage is only three inches from the property line, instead of the required five feet.

*The council also approved a variance request from Keith and Beatrice Ainsley of 604 Stearns Avenue. They also requested a variance after discovering that part of their garage and driveway were on the neighbor's property. They also used a lot split to acquire rights to the property, but their garage is only two feet from the property line, instead of the required five feet.

*The council re-approved a final plat for Viking Land "N" Lakes Lakeland Villas, a proposed development of condominiums and twin homes on Co. Rd. 34, just inside the city limits. According to Helget, the original approval took place in March, but because of an easement dispute, the plat was not recorded within 60 days as required.