Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – November 3, 2025

Ryan Tungseth
Nov 4
2 min read

Updated: Nov 5

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

Invocation and Pledge (0:08–1:44)
- Action: Dale Hexom (Good Shepherd Church) led invocation for wisdom/compassion; Pledge of Allegiance followed.
- Significance: Sets collaborative tone.
Open Forum (2:02–5:44)
- Action: Public comments on dairy trail path, railroad negotiations.
- Discussion (3 min):
  - Dwayne Cookman requested trail map (preliminary drawings available); reached out to Layman for negotiation advice (2:20–4:37).
  - Hicks confirmed 1-for-1 St. Andrews crossing, upgrades to South Union/Sheridan signals vs. closures (3:54–4:31).
- Significance: Seeks transparency on Glacier Edge Trail.
Agenda Approval (5:50–6:43)
- Action: Removed item 7 (closed meeting); approved unanimously.
- Outcome: Approved (6:36–6:43).
- Significance: Will not be going into closed meeting.
Consent Agenda (6:50–8:14)
- Action: Approved minutes (October 20 open/closed, October 29 COW), licenses, Pebble Lake lease extension (December 31, 2026), Ottertail County traffic marking/highway-trail agreements, Federated Church encroachment, Smoke and Cloud tobacco denial, surplus Squad 2073 (2015 Ford Explorer).
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (8:02–8:08).
- Significance: Advances routine items, infrastructure partnerships.
$25,000 Economic Development Loan to Shine Therapies for Kids (8:21–24:00)
- Action: Approved 4% interest, 60-month unsecured loan (personal guarantee).
- Discussion (16 min):
  - Beck: Startup occupational therapy (Cara Johnson, downtown); BDFF special session October 20 (8:42–9:41).
  - Mortenson: Process/funds ($1M+ revolving, CDBG origin); unsecured unusual but bank-comparable (10:04–16:01).
  - Kremeier: BDFF guidelines on website; <1% default history (16:11–19:02).
  - Rachels: After-school/weekend hours fill need (21:02–21:14).
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (23:54–24:00).
- Significance: Supports pediatric therapy startup, gap financing.
Claims Approval (24:06–24:37)
- Action: Approved $1,526,416.90.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (24:32–24:37).
- Significance: Funds operations.
Veterans Day Statement (24:50–27:05)
- Action: Mortenson announced second annual 18-minute walk for 18 daily veteran suicides (November 11, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, PMIA bridge).
- Significance: Raises awareness, invites participation.
Announcements (27:22–30:15)
- November 1–December 1: Four-way stop pilot (Lincoln/Court, Lincoln/Mill) for safety/cost savings.
- November 11: Offices closed (Veterans Day); Tuesday garbage/recycling to Wednesday.
- November 12: Committee of the Whole (7:00 AM).
- November 17: CIP/utility rates work session (4:00 PM), council (5:30 PM).
- December 3: Town hall (6:00 PM, Wednesday).
- Closed Meeting Update: No counteroffer on 2010 West Lincoln; buyer requests utility/egress details; target November 17 (29:06–30:04).
- Leaf Pickup: Final sweep; move cars from gutters (30:15).
- Significance: Informs public of pilots, closures, events.

Next Steps

Dairy Property: Provide trail map; Leiman to assist negotiations; counteroffer by November 17.
Four-Way Stop Pilot: Monitor feedback; evaluate spring 2026.
Shine Therapies Loan: Execute agreements.
BDFF: Update council on policies/balances; refine guidelines.
Veterans Walk: Promote November 11 event.
Port Authority Property: Await buyer details for November 17 closed session.
Leaf Pickup: Final sweep; public cooperation on parking.

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.