Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – June 1, 2026
- Jun 9
- 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, Laura Job (Scott Kvamme not referenced by name during roll call)
City Staff: Kyle Meyer (City Engineer), Klara Beck (Community Development)
Guests: Kim Ebertson (Public Arts Commission Chair), Dwayne Cookman (public comment), Sandra (Airport/Air Show), Paul (Over the River Festival representative), Mary Joe Egleston (public comment)
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 – Public Arts Commission Sculpture Walk Update
Timestamp: 2:20–5:49
Action: No action required; public comment only.
Discussion:
Kim Ebertson, chair of the Public Arts Commission, reported the successful launch of the second year of the downtown sculpture walk, now expanded from six to seven sculptures (the seventh added at the library through funding from the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation).
Funding through the Vine Trust continues for one more year; the commission is exploring a "Friends of Public Arts" entity (modeled after the Friends of the Library) to allow tax-deductible donations and sustain the program long-term.
Mayor Hicks noted the collaboration between the council, city staff, and community donors that makes the program possible.
Outcome: Informational only; no vote taken.
Significance: The sculpture walk continues to grow as a community asset, and planning is underway to ensure long-term sustainable funding beyond the current grant cycle.
2. Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Public Hearing – SCR Solutions Expansion
Timestamp: 6:18–15:13
Action: Resolution approved authorizing submission of a MIF application package to the State of Minnesota on behalf of SCR Solutions.
Discussion:
Community Development Director Klara Beck presented a memo prepared by economic development consultant James recommending a MIF financing structure for SCR Solutions' expansion.
Proposed structure: $200,000 low-interest loan at 2% over 7 years, plus a $100,000 forgivable loan tied to performance benchmarks — 100% funded through the state's MIF program with no draw on the city's local revolving loan fund.
The 2% interest rate is designed to cover city administrative, compliance, and reporting costs.
The forgivable component is justified by public benefits including private investment leverage, workforce stability, tax base enhancement, and long-term economic growth.
The city's revolving loan fund (jointly overseen with BDFF) is currently well-capitalized and does not require recapitalization.
Due diligence on SCR Solutions is complete with no adverse findings to date; additional checks will occur before final submission.
Public hearing opened; one public comment from Dwayne Cookman asking about job creation — staff confirmed 10 jobs.
Public hearing closed with no further comments.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (8–0).
Significance: This positions Fergus Falls to retain and expand a growing industrial employer using state resources, preserving local capital while supporting a high-value economic development project.
3. Resolution Awarding 2026 Mill and Overlay Project – Mark Lee Excavating
Timestamp: 15:14–18:04
Action: Resolution approved awarding the 2026 mill and overlay contract to Mark Lee Excavating for $395,898.50 (base bid plus Alternates 1, 2, and 3).
Discussion:
City Engineer Kyle Meyer reported five bids were received on May 19th; Mark Lee Excavating submitted the low bid of $395,898.50, with the highest bid approaching $585,000.
Three alternates (additional blocks) were included because the low bid came in under budget, allowing all three to be added.
Council Member Scott Rachels raised a quality concern about uneven paving on a prior project; Meyer clarified that last year's Mark Lee project went well and the settlement issue on Summit Street was from a different contractor.
Rachels requested maps showing the three added blocks; Meyer noted he did not have the plan on hand but would provide that information.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (8–0).
Significance: The city secured competitive pricing for street resurfacing and was able to expand the project scope due to favorable bids.
4. Resolution Awarding 2026 Seal Coat Project – Asphalt Preservation Co.
Timestamp: 18:04–19:54
Action: Resolution approved awarding the 2026 seal coat contract to Asphalt Preservation Co. Inc. for $102,611.95.
Discussion:
Kyle Meyer reported two bids were received on May 19th: $102,611.95 (low) and $116,931; both were within the budgeted amount.
Council Member Laura Job requested that project maps be posted to the city website so residents in affected neighborhoods can see what is planned; staff confirmed the maps are already live under "Utility Projects" via the city's GIS map tool.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (7–0; one council member's vote not recorded in transcript for this item).
Significance: Seal coating extends pavement life at competitive cost, and project maps are publicly accessible to keep residents informed.
5. Consent Agenda
Timestamp: 19:59–21:57
Action: All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
Items included:
Minutes from the May 18, 2026 City Council meeting
Licenses
Resolution accepting a $500 grant to the Public Arts Commission
Resolution declaring police vehicle units 2081 and 2098 as surplus and authorizing disposal
Motion directing city attorney to rezone 1420 West Alcott Avenue from RA to R4, contingent on River Oaks Meadow Plat approval
Resolution approving a conditional use permit for a planned unit development at 1420 West Alcott Avenue (R4 district), contingent on preliminary and final plat approval
Resolution approving a 40-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array at 500 West Fur Avenue (RA district)
Resolution approving a variance for a detached garage in the front yard at 616 East Adulus Avenue
Motion directing city attorney to rezone parcels at 1701 West Lincoln Avenue from R4 to B2
Outcome: Approved unanimously (8–0).
Significance: Routine administrative, licensing, and land use items were processed efficiently in a single block.
6. Resolution Accepting the 2025 Audit
Timestamp: 21:59–22:32
Action: Resolution approved accepting the 2025 city audit.
Discussion:
Mayor Hicks noted the audit had been previously presented by the auditor (Nancy) and Finance Director Bill Sonmor at a prior work session.
No additional discussion needed at this meeting.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (7–0).
Significance: Formal acceptance of the 2025 audit closes out the annual financial review process.
7. Resolution Declaring June 27, 2026 Air Show as a Community Festival
Timestamp: 22:33–28:31
Action: Resolution approved declaring the June 27, 2026 air show at the Fergus Falls airport a community festival.
Discussion:
Airport representative Sandra presented the event — the first air show in Fergus Falls since the 1980s, free to the public, with the goal of becoming an annual event.
Five aerial acts planned, including the last remaining flying Red Baron aircraft, a jet-powered biplane (Jet Waco), an RV8 aerobatics performer, one surprise act, and a glider aerobatics act.
Additional programming: bouncy houses, armed services interactive displays, food vendors, and music beginning at 7:00 p.m. (possibly 5:00 p.m. pending an additional act).
Parking: main public parking at Life Church with shuttles to the airport; VIP and handicap parking on-site at the airport.
Council requested a public agenda/timeline be posted online; Sandra confirmed it would be published shortly.
Long-term potential cited at 5,000–7,000 attendees when fully developed.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (8–0).
Significance: The air show represents a major new community event that could become a signature annual attraction drawing regional visitors and economic activity to Fergus Falls.
8. Resolution Declaring July 25, 2026 Over the River Summer Splash as a Community Festival
Timestamp: 28:32–33:03
Action: Resolution approved declaring the July 25, 2026 Over the River Summer Splash a community festival.
Discussion:
Paul (representing event organizer Chris, who is on bed rest) explained this is a summer version of the popular Over the River winter festival, replacing the previously approved "Shop Move and Groove" event.
Planned for all of Main Street; free to vendors and the public, envisioned as a Crazy Days-style event to draw crowds back to downtown.
Features: food trucks, music from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., classic car club, a dunk tank (council members encouraged to participate), and vendor showcases.
Public comment from Mary Joe Egleston confirmed this does not replace Summerfest.
Mayor Hicks jokingly suggested himself as the first volunteer for the dunk tank.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0; partial roll call recorded in transcript).
Significance: This new summer event is designed to energize downtown Fergus Falls and grow into a signature community gathering, with no cost barriers for vendors or attendees.
9. Presentation of Claims – $1,471,132.40
Timestamp: 33:49–34:20
Action: Resolution approved authorizing payment of claims totaling $1,471,132.40.
Outcome: Approved unanimously.
Significance: Routine monthly bill payment authorization.
Next Steps
SCR Solutions / MIF Application: Klara Beck and James (economic development consultant) to complete final due diligence and submit the full MIF application package to DEED (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development).
Mill and Overlay Project: Kyle Meyer to provide council with maps showing the three added block locations; Mark Lee Excavating to begin work under the awarded contract.
Seal Coat Project: Asphalt Preservation Co. to begin work; residents directed to city website (Utility Projects/GIS map) for project location details.
Air Show (June 27): Sandra to post a public timeline/agenda online; handicap parking logistics to be finalized at the airport.
Over the River Summer Splash (July 25): Event organizers to continue recruiting vendors and participants; dunk tank volunteer slots to be coordinated with public figures.
Council Retreat: Scheduled for June 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Next City Council Meeting: June 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Juneteenth Observation: City offices and facilities closed June 19; garbage/recycling collection schedule adjusted (Thursday June 18 and Wednesday June 17).
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 (formerly 4t Creative), dedicated to helping businesses grow.
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