Glenn Holum

The primary purpose of this special session was a goal-setting workshop for the next fiscal year, starting with Fiscal Year 2026. Discussions included reviewing goals and priorities set for the current fiscal year and compiling input from surveys to identify shared priorities and desired outcomes. Key ongoing focus areas reviewed included infrastructure and public safety, economic development, community amenities, and engagement. Specific project discussions covered the ongoing water and wastewater projects, noting milestones such as the substantial completion of the water project scheduled for December 2026. The economic development discussion focused on the need to attract businesses to counter the community being solely a 'bedroom community,' including potential utilization of urban renewal districts, addressing unused commercial properties, and improving the beautification and signage along Highway 99E and downtown areas to encourage investment. Infrastructure improvements, particularly for water delivery and the multi-phase wastewater treatment plant upgrades, were emphasized as priorities that require continued funding.

The meeting commenced with the annual Kazinski Volunteer of the Year award presentation to the Harvard Fire District volunteers, recognizing their commitment and service. Following this, the Council discussed adding Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an annual paid holiday for city employees, aligning with state and federal practices. Finally, a comprehensive presentation was given regarding the proposal for the City to join the North Marian Tourism Collaborative. Discussions covered the collaborative's history, its new structure as an independent 501c6 organization, its destination strategy focusing on capacity building, relationship strengthening, marketing, and experience enhancement, as well as its five-year operational funding strategy which emphasizes revenue diversification and intergovernmental agreements.

The meeting commenced with the council delegating authority to the administrator to continue negotiations for a maintenance agreement and pursue closing documents for a submission. Following confirmation that no council members wished to pull items from the consent agenda, the body proceeded to a public hearing concerning Legislative Amendment LA2024-02. This amendment involved adopting an updated Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) and Buildable Land Inventory (BLI) as addenda to the Hubard comprehensive plan. Staff presented findings indicating that the city has very limited available employment land (8.43 acres total, with no sites over 5 acres), which poses a challenge for future economic growth. The consultant emphasized the need for additional industrial and commercial lands to meet 20-year demands and recommended pursuing grants for the subsequent process steps. The council unanimously voted to approve the legislative amendment packet, adopt the staff report findings, and direct staff to prepare an enacting ordinance. Subsequently, the council introduced the new contracted City Planner, Laura Lorac, who was tasked with initiating a sign code amendment, specifically addressing illuminated signage regulations.

The session began with informal conversation regarding coffee consumption habits. The official meeting was called to order after the Pledge of Allegiance. The council immediately announced plans to recess the open public meeting to convene a closed executive session to deliberate on real property transactions, pursuant to specific state regulations.

The council meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. The main action discussed was the recess of the open public meeting to convene a closed executive session to consider the employment of a public officer, employee, state member, or individual agent, pursuant to specific statutes. The council explicitly requested that media and other attendees not disclose matters discussed during the executive session.