Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – November 17, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM, City Hall Attendees: Mayor Anthony Hicks, council members (Mark Leighton, Al Kremeier, Mike Mortenson, Scott Rachels, Laurel Kilde, Jim Fish, Scott Kvamme, Laura Job), city staff (Bill Sonmor, Klara Beck).

Key Items

1. Invocation and Pledge (0:08–1:44)

   • Action: David Boss (Bethel Church) led invocation; Pledge of Allegiance followed.

   • Significance: Sets tone.
     

2. Open Forum (2:02–2:20)

   • Action: No speakers.
     

3. Agenda Approval (2:20–3:02)

   • Action: Removed item 7 (closed meeting); approved unanimously.
     

4. Consent Agenda (3:02–8:14)

   • Action: Approved minutes, licenses, Ottertail County agreements, Federated Church encroachment, tobacco denial (Smoke and Cloud), surplus Squad 2073.

   • Outcome: Unanimous.
     

5. Delinquent Accounts Certification (8:46–14:18)

   • Action: Certified ~$106K in delinquent utilities, assessments, garbage, miscellaneous invoices to 2026 taxes.

   • Discussion: Sonmor presented four lists (total reduced from packet due to payments); becomes county lien (8:46–14:18).

   • Outcome: Unanimous approval (combined resolutions 3–6).
     

6. Humane Society Capital Campaign Contribution (14:25–24:00)

   • Action: Approved $25,000 one-time contribution.

   • Discussion (10 min):

     • Beck: Expansion funding; BDFF approved October 20.

     • Mortenson: Fiscal concerns, precedents; questions city role (opposed).

     • Kremeier: <1% default history (opposed).

     • Hicks: Historical support, public safety role (50%+ animals from Fergus Falls).

   • Outcome: Passed 5–3 (Yes: Rachels, Kilde, Fish, Kvamme, Job; No: Mortenson, Kremeier, Leighton).
     

7. Claims Approval (24:06–24:37)

   • Action: Approved $1,526,416.90.

   • Outcome: Unanimous.
     

8. Veterans Day Walk Update (24:50–27:05)

   • Action: Mortenson reported strong community support for second annual walk.
     

9. Announcements & Closed Meetings (27:22–30:46)

   • Four-way stop pilot continues.

   • Thanksgiving closure November 27–28; garbage shift.

   • Three closed sessions (litigation, real estate, administrator evaluation); no reopening.

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.