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Summary of Fergus Falls City Council Meeting – October 6, 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, Kyle Meyer, Klara Beck, Rolf Nycklemoe), guests (Rich Iverson, Kim Ebertson, Lisa Workman).

Key Items

  1. Invocation and Pledge (0:06–2:14)

    • Action: Rich Iverson (Bethel Church) led invocation, praying for wisdom, unity, and gratitude for city services; Pledge of Allegiance followed.

    • Significance: Sets a collaborative tone for the meeting.

  2. Open Forum (2:32–8:40)

    • Action: Public introduced art donation and promoted October events.

    • Discussion (6 min):

      • Kim Ebertson (Public Arts Commission) presented watercolor paintings by Olga Chel (donated to library), highlighting local artist influences (2:39–4:55).

      • Lisa Workman (Chamber of Commerce) invited attendees to October events: Ignite session (October 9), ribbon cuttings (October 14, 20, 27), workshops (October 16, 20), expo (October 15) (5:07–8:38).

    • Significance: Promotes arts, business, and community engagement.

  3. Agenda Approval (8:44–8:59)

    • Action: Approved agenda unanimously.

    • Outcome: Approved (8:54–8:57).

    • Significance: Ensures efficient meeting flow.

  4. Consent Agenda (9:08–11:20)

    • Action: Approved minutes (September 15 council, October 1 Committee of the Whole), licenses, public arts grant application, engineering task orders (Cavour $346,500; Cleveland $268,200; Douglas $21,000; D Lagoon $72,500), cannabis IUP rescission (112 E Washington), and cannabis registration acceptance.

    • Outcome: Approved 7-1 (Mortenson opposed) (11:10–11:18).

    • Significance: Advances engineering projects, arts funding, and cannabis process.

  5. Ordinance Second Readings (11:23–12:22)

    • Action: Approved second readings of tobacco licensing (74-8 series, buffers/background checks) and standalone garages (69-8 series).

    • Outcome: Tobacco approved unanimously; garages approved 7-1 (Mortenson opposed) (11:43–12:19).

    • Significance: Finalizes tobacco regulations, enables garage flexibility.

  6. Junius Avenue Change Orders (12:25–20:33)

    • Action: Approved Change Order #1 ($51,631.18, concrete removal/insertion valve), #2 ($1,256, sewer pipe upsizing), #3 ($6,860, water service upsizing).

    • Discussion (8 min):

      • Meyer explained unexpected concrete block (1950s/60s road) and pipe sizing discrepancies; MnDOT boil order rule prompted insertion valve to avoid jail/Bimbo disruptions (12:47–16:28).

      • Mortenson questioned process; Meyer/Interstate noted reliance on city records, no prior borings (13:52–17:44).

      • Job confirmed contingencies ($100,000) cover costs (17:46–18:14).

    • Outcome: All approved unanimously (18:27–20:47).

    • Significance: Resolves construction surprises within budget.

  7. Cannabis Retail Registrations (20:57–26:50)

    • Action: Approved two registrations (Greenwood Roots/Elevate, NB2A); rejected four (Red Irish Iris, Sugar High, SW Miso, Oola) for lack of motion or vote.

    • Discussion (6 min):

      • Bremseth outlined process: separate resolutions, no block voting; requires two per state mandate, with transfer/zoning conditions (20:58–22:05).

      • Greenwood Roots/Elevate: Approved unanimously (22:57–23:55).

      • NB2A: Approved unanimously (24:11–24:34).

      • Red Irish Iris: Failed (no motion) (24:47–25:05).

      • Sugar High: Failed 3-5 (Rachels, Mortenson, Kilde, Kvamme, Kremeier opposed) (25:22–25:49).

      • SW Miso/Oola: Failed (no motion) (26:03–26:48).

    • Significance: Meets state minimum, resolves applications.

  8. Claims Approval (26:50–27:32)

    • Action: Approved claims totaling $1,781,191.

    • Outcome: Approved unanimously (27:22–27:32).

    • Significance: Supports city operations.

  9. Announcements (27:36–28:43)

    • October 15: Committee of the Whole (7:00 AM).

    • October 20: City council (5:30 PM).

    • October 29: Committee of the Whole (7:00 AM).

    • Fire Department chili feed (until 7:00 PM).

    • Mortenson noted NB2A land proposal for follow-up.

    • Significance: Informs public of events and priorities.

Next Steps

  • Drainage Easement: Schedule site visit for Lake View Drive.

  • Public Arts: Monitor fall grant application.

  • Engineering Projects: Proceed with Cavour, Cleveland, Douglas, D Lagoon tasks; oversee TH 210 utilities.

  • Cannabis: Implement approvals for Greenwood Roots/Elevate and NB2A; review NB2A land proposal at Committee of the Whole.

  • Junius Avenue: Monitor change orders, ensure completion.

  • Ordinances: Enforce tobacco and garages updates.

  • Economic Development: Onboard James Leiman by October 1.

  • Town Hall: Discuss 6:30 PM start time at October 15 Committee of the Whole.




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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