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Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – July 6, 2026

  • Jul 8
  • 6 min read

Time: 5:30 p.m. Attendees: Mayor Anthony Hicks, council members (Mark Leighton, Al Kremeier, Mike Mortenson, Scott Rachels, Laurel Kilde, Jim Fish, Scott Kvamme, Laura Job), city staff (Klara Beck, Kyle Meyer, Bill Sonmor, and others), guests (Sander, airport manager; Lisa Workman, Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce president; James Layman).


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. Open Forum (approx. 1:31–4:30) Action: Comments received; no formal action. Discussion:

    • Sander (airport manager) thanked the council and community for support of the recent air show, describing it as fantastic with strong turnout (roughly 50% local, 50% out-of-town), good weather overall, local vendor support enabling free admission, and successful operations.

    • Lisa Workman (Chamber president) invited attendance at July ribbon cuttings, including the new building inspector’s office at the Fergus Falls Fire Department on July 20, and announced a free “Run for Rural” candidate workshop on Wednesday, August 5 (for current or prospective officeholders at any level, including city council, township, school board, or county; register at fergusfalls.com). She thanked council members for their service and encouraged civic involvement. Outcome: No votes or formal actions. Significance: Highlighted successful community events and upcoming opportunities for public participation and candidate education.

  2. Approval of Agenda with Closed-Session Amendment (approx. 4:30–5:08) Action: Agenda approved as amended. Discussion: Addition of closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05 subd. 3(b) to discuss threatened litigation, in addition to the already-noted labor negotiation strategy session under 13D.03. Motion by Laura Job, second by Jim Fish. Outcome: Approved unanimously (voice vote “I”). Significance: Formalized the closed-session topics for the end of the meeting.

  3. Public Hearing and Resolution Approving $150,000 Business Subsidy Loan to Good Neighbors Properties / The Cottage LLC (approx. 5:08–12:46) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Klara Beck provided background: The Cottages (assisted living on the Kirkbride campus) opened in 2023, faced licensing issues tied to the building’s historic nature (not operator fault), received legislative assistance to reopen, regained licensure under new management, and sought working capital. Business Development for Fergus Falls reviewed extensively and recommended a $150,000 loan (24-month term, 5.5% interest) with personal/corporate guarantees, life-insurance assignment, and monthly reporting (financials, rent rolls, job creation, subordinate debt).

    • Public hearing opened and closed with no public comments.

    • Council questions (Mortenson and others) clarified the loan bridges reimbursement gaps while the facility is already reopening/hiring (not contingent solely on the loan); it supports 33 full-time and 12 part-time jobs; reporting requirements are situation-specific but not unprecedented and align with bank documentation; funds are disbursed upfront as a working-capital loan (not a draw/reimbursement structure). Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Provides targeted working capital to stabilize and fully reopen an assisted-living facility, securing local jobs.

  4. Resolution Awarding Bid for PI 35376 – D Lagoon Park Road Project to Ferguson Brothers ($471,508.90) (approx. 12:46–18:29) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Kyle Meyer explained the project repairs and overlays the deteriorated asphalt roadway in the park (patching plus full overlay), with work timed for late August after summer activities. Four bids received; Ferguson Brothers low at $471,508.90 (range to ~$625,000); engineer’s estimate ~$608,000.

    • Discussion addressed why the low bid is significantly under estimate and other bids (contractor workload/scheduling, item-level pricing variations such as mobilization and Class 5, local subcontractor involvement); Meyer confirmed Ferguson is a responsible bidder based on past work and noted estimates aim for the middle of received bids. No connection drawn to change orders on other projects. Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Advances park roadway improvements at a cost well below estimate with a responsible local-area bidder.

  5. Resolution Awarding Bid for Fryberg to Pebble Lake Road Project to Ferguson Asphalt Paving, Inc. ($1,494,720.47) (approx. 18:29–20:21) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Kyle Meyer described the federally funded mill-and-overlay project. Three bids received; Ferguson Asphalt low at $1,494,720.47 (range to ~$1,951,000); preliminary engineer’s estimate ~$1,865,000.

    • Brief positive comments noted the benefit of federal funding (minimal city cost). Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Secures a major federally funded roadway overlay at a substantial savings relative to estimate.

  6. Resolution Awarding Bid for 2026 Pavement Maintenance – Runway 17/35 and Taxiway B to Asphalt Technologies Corp. ($84,xxx, contingent on FAA grant) (approx. 20:21–22:20) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Kyle Meyer noted crack/joint sealing and paving work at the airport. Three bids; Asphalt Technologies (Aztec) low at approximately $84,xxx (range to $122,000). Project is ~95% FAA/state grant-funded; city share ~$2,820. Work was deferred from prior maintenance pending the airport master plan (now FAA-approved). Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Advances needed airport pavement maintenance with very low local cost share.

  7. Resolution Awarding Bid for 2026 Airfield Signage Replacement to Otter Electric LLC ($107,844, contingent on FAA grant) (approx. 22:20–24:44) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Kyle Meyer described repair/replacement of airfield (runway/taxiway) signage. Three bids; Otter Electric low at $107,844 (range to $161,500). City share ~$3,500 (2.5%).

    • Laurel Kilde asked about relatively higher engineering percentages; Meyer confirmed they are within acceptable ranges for this specialized airport work (different engineer than typical city projects). Clarified these are internal airfield signs, not the main airport beacon. Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Improves airfield safety signage with minimal city contribution under FAA grant.

  8. Consent Agenda (approx. 24:44–26:05) Action: Approved. Discussion: Included minutes of the June 15, 2026 open/closed City Council meeting and July 1, 2026 Committee of the Whole; licenses; resolution certifying election judges for the August 11, 2026 primary; Change Order No. 1 for PI 5966 (Cavour Avenue) at $148,981.74; Change Order No. 1 for PI 5964 (Cleveland Avenue) at $37,725.45; and Change Order No. 1 for Summit Avenue drainage (North Oak to Broadway) at $32,627.50. Motion by Laura Job, second by Jim Fish. Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call. Significance: Routine approvals, including necessary change orders on ongoing street projects.

  9. First Reading – Ordinance 808, Series, Rezoning 1701 West Lincoln Avenue from R-4 to B-2 (approx. 26:13–26:36) Action: Introduced by Laurel Kilde; no further action required at this meeting. Discussion: Brief introduction only. Outcome: First reading completed. Significance: Advances the formal rezoning process for the property.

  10. Resolution Authorizing Read-Only Access to the City’s Online Invoice System (approx. 26:36–28:38) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Bill Sonmor explained the request (raised at the council/staff retreat and prior discussion) for council read-only access to view invoices (similar to access provided to auditors this year for disbursement testing). No cost to the city; training sessions would be offered. Access would allow searching by vendor and viewing current/prior invoices in the system. Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call (motion by Mark Leighton). Significance: Increases transparency and ease of council review of invoices without additional cost.

  11. Resolution Adjusting Placement of the Resolution of Accounts on Future Council Agendas (approx. 28:38–32:20) Action: Motion failed; placement remains unchanged. Discussion:

    • Bill Sonmor noted the item is flexible (he is indifferent to location) and was raised for potential streamlining; the full list would still appear in packets and could be pulled from consent if needed.

    • Several members (including comments emphasizing public accessibility and invitation for questions) preferred keeping it as a regular agenda item rather than moving to consent. Outcome: Failed on roll call (mixed yes/no votes; exact tally not fully verbalized but clearly failed). Placement remains as currently structured. Significance: Preserved the current agenda format to maintain visibility and opportunity for public/council questions on claims.

  12. Presentation of Claims / Resolution to Pay Bills in the Amount of $4,592,250.75 (approx. 32:20–34:07) Action: Resolution approved. Discussion:

    • Brief clarification that a $500+ payment listed under “Poor Farm” is the LLC name of the custodial/cleaning service for the police department (not a cemetery or similar commitment). Outcome: Approved unanimously on roll call (motion by Mark Leighton). Significance: Authorized payment of current claims.

  13. Miscellaneous Announcements and Adjournment to Closed Session (approx. 34:13–end) Action: Announcements noted; meeting adjourned to closed session. Discussion:

    • Candidate filing period for city council opens July 14–28 at City Hall during business hours.

    • Upcoming: Committee of the Whole July 15 (7:00 p.m.); George B. Wright statue 100th anniversary celebration July 16 (6:45 p.m.); City Council meeting July 20 (5:30 p.m.); Santa Splash downtown July 25 (including dunk tank with girls high school soccer team assistance; volunteers sought for ~18–20 dunking slots of 20–30 minutes; Mayor Hicks volunteered if hit).

    • Adjourned to closed session for labor negotiation strategy (Minn. Stat. 13D.03) and threatened litigation (Minn. Stat. 13D.05 subd. 3(b)). Outcome: No formal votes. Significance: Informed the public of key upcoming civic and community events and election timelines.

Next Steps

  • Proceed with the $150,000 working-capital loan to Good Neighbors Properties/The Cottage LLC under the approved terms and reporting requirements.

  • Award and execute contracts for the four successful low bids (D Lagoon Park Road, Fryberg–Pebble Lake Road, airport pavement maintenance, and airfield signage), contingent on FAA grants where applicable; schedule D Lagoon work for late August.

  • Continue the ordinance process for rezoning 1701 West Lincoln Avenue (subsequent readings).

  • Implement read-only invoice system access for council members, including training sessions.

  • Process approved change orders on Cavour, Cleveland, and Summit Avenue projects.

  • Conduct the closed session on labor negotiations and threatened litigation.

  • Open city council candidate filing July 14–28; hold listed upcoming meetings and community events (COW July 15, statue celebration July 16, Council July 20, Santa Splash July 25).

  • Certify election judges and prepare for the August 11 primary as approved.


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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tfImpVfpvQ. This content is provided by Growth Forge Studio (formerly 4t Creative), dedicated to helping businesses grow.

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