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Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – May 19, 2025

Time: Evening (exact time not specified), City Hall


Attendees: Mayor Anthony Hicks, council members (Mark Leighton, Al Kramer, Mike Mortonson, Scott Rachels, Laurel Hildy, Jim Fish, Joel Swenson, Kim Springer), city staff (Andrew Bremseth, Clara Beck, Ralph Nickomo, Guy Taylor, Alex from Interstate Engineering), public speakers (Cesaly Cookman, Chris Cannon, Christy Louch, Carl Zachman).


This concise summary is tailored for a busy professional, highlighting key outcomes and significant discussions with timestamps, focusing on city business priorities.


Key Items

  1. Routine Business (0:00–3:16)

    • Invocation/Pledge: Led by Pastor Doug Dent (0:08–1:30).

    • Roll Call: Quorum present (1:38–1:47).

    • Open Forum: No speakers (1:55–2:09).

    • Agenda Approval: Approved unanimously; Mortonson requested discussion on city engineering RFP, deferred to next Committee of the Whole (2:09–3:16).

    • Significance: Ensures procedural clarity; engineering RFP discussion planned.


  2. Public Hearing: PI 6081 Sidewalk/Driveway Improvement (3:16–10:07)

    • Action: Approved final cost assessment ($8,400 across three properties, $28,000 total project) unanimously (9:49–10:07).

    • Discussion (7 min):

      • Andrew Bremseth outlined 100% voluntary, petitioned program; assessments over 3–15 years at 5.5% interest (3:44–5:14).

      • Leighton questioned allowing private contractors to reduce costs; Bremseth noted budget management and statute 429 constraints (5:57–8:38).

      • Rachels encouraged public participation, noting only three properties utilized program (9:16–9:43).

    • Significance: Funds infrastructure improvements; low participation highlighted.

  3. Bid Award: PI 8232 Groundwater Storage Reservoir Demolition (10:07–15:51)

    • Action: Awarded $387,500 contract to SF Excavating, unanimously (15:42–15:51).

    • Discussion (5 min):

      • Alex (Interstate Engineering) detailed demolition of 1916, 750,000-gallon tank (leaking, structurally failing), with $575,000 total cost (including engineering) from water fund (10:45–12:24).

      • Kramer questioned high cost; Alex cited difficult access, piping (12:32–14:09).

      • Mortonson inquired about demolition materials (mostly concrete) and disposal; Alex confirmed contractor responsibility, unsure of landfill use (14:15–15:35).

    • Significance: Removes obsolete infrastructure; cost concerns raised.


  4. Public Works Week Proclamation (15:51–18:44)

    • Action: Proclaimed May 18–24, 2025, as Public Works Week, recognizing professionals’ contributions.

    • Discussion: Mayor praised all staff (garbage, water, splash pad, billing) and urged public appreciation (18:08–18:44).

    • Significance: Honors essential city workers.

  5. Wastewater Treatment Plant Award (18:44–20:44)

    • Action: Recognized operators (Stefan Nelson, Neil Sutton, Matt Lumpky) for MPCA award for compliance, accurate reporting, and certification (19:03–20:22).

    • Discussion: Guy Taylor highlighted team’s role in protecting Otter Tail River water quality (19:10–20:22).

    • Significance: Celebrates environmental stewardship.

  6. Otter Tail County Humane Society Update (20:44–36:25)

    • Action: No formal action; Chris Cannon and Christy Louch presented shelter expansion plans, requested funding.

    • Discussion (16 min):

      • Cannon outlined 501c3’s role since 1979, serving 600+ stray/abandoned animals yearly (54% from Fergus Falls), providing cruelty investigations, education, spay/neuter subsidies, and food pantry. Thanked city ($12,000) and county (30% of $360,000 budget) (20:55–23:41).

      • Louch detailed $2.1M expansion (3,500 sq ft addition, remodel), breaking ground June 2, 2025, with features like indoor exercise areas, pulley doors, and medical spaces. Raised $1.9M ($400,000 from reserves), needs $200,000 plus $45,000 for temporary move (23:49–32:08).

      • Cannon requested $45,000 for moving costs or four-year investment account replenishment; noted $75,000 Vidine Trust grant with city match challenge (32:14–34:07).

      • Mortonson praised efforts, asked for donation info (website: humaneocietyotc.org/build, temporary location: 1505 W Lincoln) (34:19–36:05).

    • Significance: Highlights critical community service; funding request pending.

  7. Consent Agenda (36:25–37:30)

    • Action: Approved six items unanimously: minutes (May 5, 7, 14), licenses, school resource officer contract, fire training grounds naming (Daniel C. Nest), Auto Express board appointments (Rachels, Hicks), budget adjustments (36:39–37:30).

    • Significance: Routine approvals streamline operations.

  8. Bigwood Event Center Broker Agreement (37:30–49:59)

    • Action: Approved Marcus & Millichap listing agreement ($500,000, 6% commission), unanimously (49:43–49:59).

    • Discussion (12 min):

      • Ralph Nickomo outlined agreement, noting charter requires two council meetings for sale approval, state consent uncertain. Modified for Otter Tail County mediation (37:51–39:56).

      • Hildy asked about bonding bill to retain funds; Bremseth noted ongoing lobbyist efforts, no council action needed yet (40:03–41:31).

      • Mayor explained $150,000 annual subsidy, hotel synergy, state fund repayment unless bonding bill succeeds. Sale aims to avoid roof repair costs; operations continue (41:57–46:02).

      • Cookman clarified Z103 (hotel property); Mortonson questioned appraisal waiver, confirmed as disclosure of existing documents (46:24–48:49).

    • Significance: Advances potential sale, reduces financial burden; state funds issue unresolved.

  9. 801 West Stanton Grant Application (49:59–1:04:31)

    • Action: Approved resolution for Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant application with 50% match ($350,000–$500,000), 6-2 (Mortonson, Leighton opposed) (1:04:19–1:04:31).

    • Discussion (14 min):

      • Clara Beck detailed 34-unit project (single-family, rowhouses, stick-built/modular) on city-owned site, using TIF district. Total infrastructure cost ~$1M, with $100,000 county match possible (50:17–54:27).

      • Leighton sought “affordable housing” clarity (116% AMI, ~$280,000 homes); requested numbers (54:48–58:37).

      • Mortonson opposed, citing proximity to dairy site redevelopment, preferred alternative locations (58:50–1:00:10).

      • Hildy confirmed no community land trust preclusion, flexibility on modular vs. stick-built (1:00:16–1:02:24).

      • Bremseth noted site’s state-funded acquisition required affordability, engineering study locked location (1:02:32–1:04:06).

    • Significance: Advances housing; location debate persists.

  10. Facade Loan: Nomadic Arcade LLC (1:04:31–1:13:05)

    • Action: Approved $37,000 loan (2%, 7 years), unanimously (1:12:51–1:13:05).

    • Discussion (9 min):

      • Beck described mobile arcade project by Carl Zachman, self-funded, supported by SBDC. Loan for signage, exceeds $25,000 max due to flexibility (1:05:02–1:06:58).

      • Leighton questioned 2% rate (fixed for 7 years), risk assessment (bank-like review); Hildy noted website’s outdated $25,000 cap, requested update (1:07:10–1:12:44).

    • Significance: Supports innovative business; policy clarity needed.

  11. Loan: Maura Inc. (Comfort Inn) (1:13:05–1:15:52)

    • Action: Approved $126,000 loan with subsidy agreement, unanimously (1:15:43–1:15:52).

    • Discussion (3 min):

      • Beck outlined loan for hotel upgrades (stucco, facade), with appraisal, mortgage cleanup ensuring collateral. No public hearing due to amount (1:13:39–1:15:23).

    • Significance: Enhances local hospitality infrastructure.

  12. Claims Approval (1:15:52–1:18:50)

    • Action: Approved $1,936,644.53, unanimously (1:18:43–1:18:50).

    • Discussion: Rachels highlighted $60,000 well pump replacement, praised Public Works’ proactive maintenance (1:16:17–1:18:34).

    • Significance: Routine financial approval; maintenance foresight noted.

  13. Council Comments (1:18:50–1:25:57)

    • Discussion (7 min):

      • Mortonson thanked global military viewers, promised welcome home (1:19:08–1:20:02).

      • Rachels promoted June 30 town hall, urged public participation (1:20:08–1:20:50).

      • Hildy highlighted business/sidewalk programs, encouraged use (1:20:50–1:21:26).

      • Fish supported Humane Society funding, suggested liquor store funds (1:21:33–1:22:06).

      • Springer announced Aquatic Center open house (May 29, 4–6 PM), opening (June 2) (1:22:12–1:22:32).

      • Swenson promoted Sculpture Walk (May 31, 1–3 PM), historical tours (May 22–23) (1:22:38–1:23:19).

      • Leighton urged single city website, clear business loan policies (1:23:25–1:24:42).

      • Mayor supported Humane Society, shared personal experiences (1:24:42–1:25:57).

    • Significance: Reflects community engagement, support for local initiatives.

  14. Announcements and Closure (1:25:57–1:27:30)

    • Events: Memorial Day closure (May 26, garbage/recycling shifted), Committee of the Whole (May 28), Aquatic Center open house (May 29), audit/council meeting (June 2) (1:26:15–1:27:04).

    • Closure: Adjourned to closed session for litigation discussion (1:27:11–1:27:30).

    • Significance: Outlines upcoming activities; closed session ensures legal privacy.

Next Steps

  • Humane Society: Consider funding options ($45,000 moving costs or investment account replenishment).

  • Bigwood Sale: Monitor broker progress, lobbyist efforts for bonding bill.

  • 801 West Stanton: Submit grant application by June 12; council to review state response, funding match options.

  • Business Loans: Update city website for loan clarity; BDF to vote on facade loan cap.

  • Engineering RFP: Discuss at next Committee of the Whole (May 28).

  • Town Hall: Prepare for June 30 public engagement.



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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