Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026

Time: Not explicitly stated in transcript (evening meeting, invocation and pledge conducted)

Attendees: Mayor Anthony Hicks, council members (Mark Leighton, Al Kremeier, Mike Mortenson, Scott Rachels, Laurel Kilde, Jim Fish, Scott Kvamme, Laura Job), city staff (Andrew Bremseth – City Administrator, Bill Sonmor – Finance Director, Len Taylor – Public Works Director, Josiah Rost – Engineering representative for Kyle Meyer), guests (Nicholas Preston – invocation, Brooke Bars – Public Arts Commission).

This concise summary is generated by AI, it is used only for reference purposes. Use the timestamps to view the section of the meeting on YouTube to verify actual meeting information.

Key Items

1. Invocation and Pledge; Technology Issues (0:06–2:41)Action: Invocation delivered by Nicholas Preston (including Lord's Prayer); Pledge of Allegiance recited. Discussion:

   • Mayor Hicks noted ongoing technology problems at City Hall preventing live video stream; meeting recorded by PEG access for later upload to city website.

   • Light comments on similar issues at church and general gremlins in technology. Outcome: N/A (ceremonial opening). Significance: Standard meeting opening; highlights recurring tech challenges affecting public access.
     

2. Open Forum – Public Arts Commission Presentation (3:25–8:20)Action: Brooke Bars presented rotating artwork from Fergus Falls Public Library collection now displayed behind council. Discussion:

   • Artwork descriptions: South side – pen/ink drawing of Kaddatz Hotel (1914 appearance) by Scott Gunvaldson, lifelong local artist/muralist/graphic artist/sign painter/musician with works in Fargo, Fergus Falls, and New York Mills libraries; influenced by Charles Beck, emphasizing landscape, light, and color (though this is a drawing).

   • North side – experimental/surreal photograph "Torren" (2007) by Eric Santwire (grew up in Detroit Lakes, graduated Minnesota State University Moorhead, lived in Minneapolis art scene; since 2004 in Fergus Falls as photographer/painter/videographer/editor/gallery assistant at Kaddatz Galleries, resident in lofts); influenced by film/painting, taken through torn screen at Kirkbride building gazebo (since removed).

   • Building history: Kaddatz Hotel built 1914, scheduled for demolition early 1980s (annex demolished); added to National Register of Historic Places in 1983; restored 2008–2009 via $2.5 million project with Artspace for 10 artist loft apartments and Kaddatz Galleries nonprofit.

   • Kirkbride campus purchased by city 2007 after state demolition plans in early 2000s; listed on National Register in 1986.

   • Emphasis on local artists living/working in Fergus Falls and community's dozen+ historic landmarks. Outcome: Informational presentation; no action required. Significance: Reinforces community appreciation for local historic preservation and public arts integration in council chambers.
     

3. Approval of Agenda with Additions (8:20–9:21)Action: Agenda approved as amended to include three grant acceptances under New Business. Discussion: City Administrator Andrew Bremseth added three grant items (library, police K9, parks/rec). Outcome: Approved unanimously (voice vote). Significance: Allows consideration of additional grant funding opportunities.
   

4. Consent Agenda (9:27–10:33)Action: Approved minutes from January 5, 2026 meetings; licenses/resolutions appointing Jess Steinbrenner (Library rep to Viking Library System Governing Board) and Samantha Van Wischelmeer (Parks and Recreation Board). Discussion: Standard consent items; no discussion noted. Outcome: Approved via roll call (unanimous). Significance: Routine administrative approvals for board representation and record-keeping.
   

5. Engineering Task Orders and Feasibility Reports (10:38–25:38)Action: Multiple resolutions approved for engineering services and feasibility reports. Discussion:

   • Task Order 11 ($180,000): Channing Ave (Cascade to Pebble Lake Rd) and Spring Ave (Mt Faith to Fryberg) 2027 mill & overlay (federally funded STIP project); presented by Josiah Rost.

   • Task Orders 12 & 13 ($20,000 seal coat / $40,000 mill & overlay): 2026 city seal coat and mill/overlay projects; engineering to identify locations, design, bid, construct within budgeted amounts (~$200k seal coat, ~$350k overlay per Finance Director Bill Sonmor); fees 15% of average bid per contract.

   • Feasibility Reports (Chapter 429 bonding): Kabort Ave (PI5966), Cleveland Ave (PI5964), Douglas Ave (PI5967) improvements; acceptance sets public hearing February 17, 2026 at 5:30 pm; neighborhood open houses February 4–5, 2026 (5:30/6:30 pm Kabort/Douglas on 4th, 5:30 pm Cleveland on 5th). Assessments follow city policy (lower for higher-traffic/wider streets); traffic counts/street widths used in calculations, broken down by block.

   • Questions on budget origins (carried forward annually), project scoping to maximize funds, handling soft costs if project delayed (booked to project until completion). Outcome: All resolutions approved unanimously via roll call. Significance: Advances critical street infrastructure planning, maintenance, and potential special assessment projects for 2026–2027.
     

6. Presentation of Claims (25:46–26:16)Action: Resolution to pay bills approved. Discussion: No specific questions. Outcome: Approved unanimously via roll call. Significance: Standard approval for city expenditures.
   

7. Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Street Sweeper (26:22–40:29)Action: Resolution to surplus old unit (Global sweeper, ~8 years/3,800 hours, high repair costs ~$116,000) and purchase new 2026 ODBA mechanical sweeper failed. Discussion:

   • Public Works Director Len Taylor recommended outright purchase at $262,930 (state contract) + optional $11,554 extended warranty (total ~$274,457; initial 3-year chassis/2-year powertrain up to 125,000 miles, low mileage expected).

   • Lease-to-buy options presented (5–7 years, 5.05–5.5% interest, higher total cost $311,880–$332,640 including interest).

   • Mechanical sweeper preferred for heavy sand pickup; demo determined best fit; old unit problematic (obsolete parts).

   • Concerns raised on full ownership/lease cost comparison (annualized), outsourcing potential (loss of flexibility for frequent/emergency use, events, storms), and urgency of quote expiration.

   • Debate on pre-meeting research vs. group discussion for transparency; item advanced from 2027 budget, replacing front-end loader.

   • Transport from Grand Forks (~$0 if driven); surplus via GovDeals auction. Outcome: Resolution (including extended warranty) failed via roll call (4 Yes, 2 No). Item to return with additional information. Significance: Delays replacement of aging, high-maintenance sweeper; highlights council emphasis on thorough cost comparisons and alternatives.
     

8. Acceptance of Grant Awards (40:29–42:03)Action: Resolutions to accept three grants and approve related budget adjustments (to be finalized in one or separate resolutions). Discussion:

   • Library: $2,500 from Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund for summer tutoring program.

   • Police K9 unit: $1,000 from ENGA Johnson Endowment Fund for demonstrations/training.

   • Parks & Recreation: $1,750 from ENGA Johnson Fund (typically scholarship use). Outcome: Pending final resolution vote (discussion only; grants introduced).

     Significance: Provides modest supplemental funding for community programs in education, public safety, and recreation.
     

Next Steps

• Schedule return of street sweeper purchase resolution with additional cost comparisons (ownership vs. lease vs. outsourcing analysis) and updated quote if necessary.

• Hold neighborhood open houses for Kabort/Douglas (February 4, 2026) and Cleveland (February 5, 2026) Avenue improvement projects.

• Conduct public hearing on feasibility reports for Kabort, Cleveland, and Douglas Avenue projects (February 17, 2026 at 5:30 pm).

• Finalize and approve resolutions accepting the three grant awards and associated budget adjustments.

• Proceed with engineering tasks for 2026 seal coat/mill & overlay (identify locations) and 2027 Channing/Spring project.

• Upload recorded meeting to city website once processed by PEG access.

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by an AI system without added opinions. No claims of accuracy are made, though timestamps are included for reference. For the full context, please view the meeting video on YouTube: [YouTube Video Link Here]. This content is provided by Growth Forge Studio, dedicated to helping businesses grow.