Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – April 30, 2025
- Ryan Tungseth
- May 5
- 5 min read
Time: Morning (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; Kramer left early), city staff (Andrew Bremseth, Clara Beck, Grant Cooper, Chief Kyle Bergen), public (Dwayne Cookman).
This concise summary is tailored for a busy professional, highlighting key outcomes and significant discussions with timestamps, focusing on city business priorities.
Key Items
Routine Business (0:00–0:33)
Roll Call: Quorum present (0:06–0:20).
Agenda Addition: Interim city engineer item added between items 3 and 4 (0:25–0:33).
Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Delegation (0:33–2:33)
Action: Approved resolution to delegate WCA oversight to Otter Tail County’s Land and Resources Department, at no cost to the city, for consent agenda.
Discussion (2 min):
Andrew Bremseth explained county’s voluntary delegation to manage WCA, reducing city’s resource-intensive tasks (0:38–2:00).
Staff supported move as practical (1:42–1:54).
Outcome: Unanimously approved (2:11–2:33).
Significance: Streamlines wetland oversight without financial burden.
2025 Mill and Overlay Project (PI 5381) (2:33–6:19)
Action: Approved plans/specifications and bid advertisement for mill/overlay on Ward 4 streets (e.g., Westside Dr, Park View), budgeted at $335,200, for consent agenda.
Discussion (4 min):
Bremseth outlined project scope, estimated cost ($314,100), and May 20 bid date; additional segments possible if bids favorable (2:55–4:39).
Mortonson requested mileage; Bremseth to follow up (5:27–5:39).
Mayor noted cyclical ward rotation (5:51–6:05).
Outcome: Unanimously approved (5:16–6:11).
Significance: Routine road maintenance to enhance infrastructure.
2025 Seal Coat Project (PI 5382) (6:19–9:04)
Action: Approved plans/specifications and bid advertisement for seal coating (e.g., Summit Ave), budgeted at $178,300, for consent agenda.
Discussion (3 min):
Bremseth detailed project, estimated cost ($160,500), and September 15 completion; mostly Ward 4, some Ward 3 (6:31–7:51).
Rachels clarified seal coating as chip sealing with tar/rock (8:16–8:50).
Outcome: Unanimously approved (8:09–9:04).
Significance: Extends street life through maintenance.
Interim City Engineer Appointment (9:04–16:31)
Action: Approved appointing Tyson Hyjek (Moore Engineering) as interim city engineer, at no cost, for consent agenda.
Discussion (7 min):
Bremseth explained need for a licensed engineer to sign state-funded project plans, as required by MnDOT; Hyjek familiar with city projects (9:18–10:30).
Mortonson questioned late agenda addition and selection process; Bremseth cited timing urgency and personnel committee support (10:42–16:01).
Debate on Moore vs. Interstate Engineering; Hyjek’s COO role noted as unusual but interim (14:05–15:21).
Outcome: Approved, one opposition (Mortonson) (15:30–16:31).
Significance: Ensures project continuity amid city engineer vacancy.
Delagoon Campground Change Order #3 (16:31–35:04)
Action: Motion to approve $137,891.92 change order for electrical wiring/conduit (due to incorrect plan scale) failed 5-3 (Rachels, Swenson, Fish in favor).
Discussion (18 min):
Grant Cooper explained error by electrical subconsultant (50% underestimation); change order uses contingency, leaving $150,000 (16:47–20:53).
Kramer and Rachels criticized Bolton & Menk’s error, arguing city shouldn’t bear cost; suggested firm accountability (21:05–27:44).
Cooper clarified error due to text scale on 11x17 plans, not gross neglect; work already underway (27:49–35:04).
Hildy asked about budget impact; Bill Som confirmed contingency funded by sales tax, excess to debt service (23:58–25:10).
Outcome: No alternate motion; issue deferred to engineering firm/contractor (33:38–35:04).
Significance: Highlights accountability concerns; delays campground electrical completion.
Regional Treatment Center (RTC) State Funds (35:04–47:40)
Action: Approved re-engaging Stantec to update 2021 tower reconditioning proposal (~$390,000 remaining funds), for consent agenda.
Discussion (12 min):
Clara Beck outlined Heritage Preservation Commission’s plan to use 2018 state funds for tower safety upgrades to attract developers; funds expire January 14, 2027 (35:50–38:18).
Mortonson sought tower condition assurance; Beck suggested Stantec’s engineering assessment; 2023 master plan indicated good condition (38:41–41:06).
Rachels emphasized funds’ project-specific restriction; urged timely action (43:41–44:56).
Kramer favored RTC over mall for redevelopment potential (45:14–45:56).
Outcome: Unanimously approved (38:18–47:40).
Significance: Advances RTC preservation; council tour planned.
801 West Stanton Development Update (47:40–1:07:27)
Action: Approved staff/HA to pursue infrastructure grant for 34-unit housing project (24 single-family lots, 6-plex, 4-plex), for consent agenda.
Discussion (20 min):
Michael (HA) presented plan for moderate-density housing, citing smaller lots in nearby cities; infrastructure grant covers 50% (~$15,000/unit) (49:44–51:55).
Mortonson questioned alignment with dairy site master plan, preferring other locations (e.g., Noren property); Mayor clarified site’s rail-adjacent location (1:03:59–1:05:43).
Hildy suggested larger garages (18-ft doors) for family needs, based on Horace feedback (59:40–1:01:12).
Rachels noted lower infrastructure costs vs. Noren; supported proving concept (1:06:02–1:06:31).
Outcome: Approved, one opposition (Mortonson) (1:03:30–1:07:20).
Significance: Addresses housing need; requires developer commitment.
Town Hall Meetings (1:07:27–1:28:30)
Action: Approved monthly town hall meetings in council chambers, with quarterly noticed meetings for potential full council attendance, for consent agenda.
Discussion (21 min):
Mayor noted prior council’s ban on city hall use; sought discussion on reversing (1:07:38–1:08:24).
Rachels opposed, citing staff burden and open forum sufficiency; viewed chambers as business-only (1:23:04–1:25:25).
Leighton, Kramer, Mortonson, and Cookman supported, emphasizing citizen access, past success, and no staff requirement; monthly meetings with 1–3 councilors proposed (1:09:25–1:19:57).
Hildy suggested quarterly noticed meetings to allow quorum; clarified no streaming (1:10:48–1:28:02).
Outcome: Approved, one opposition (Rachels) (1:22:40–1:28:30).
Significance: Enhances public engagement; balances staff workload.
Police Department Update (1:28:30–1:45:12)
Action: No action; Chief Kyle Bergen provided update.
Discussion (17 min):
Bergen highlighted school safety, EMS partnership with fire department ($15,000 vs. $350,000 alternative), child/adult protection, new K9 officer, and officer wellness (1:28:59–1:33:16).
Challenges: Low bail for violent offenders, lack of local detox, mental health/chemical dependency issues (1:33:23–1:36:14).
Accomplishments: Full staffing via tuition reimbursement, radio replacements ($80,000 grants), coordinated mental health response with social services (1:36:20–1:39:06).
Bergen announced retirement plans; supports hiring new chief by summer, with transition (1:39:44–1:42:07).
Council praised Bergen’s leadership (1:42:35–1:45:05).
Significance: Showcases department’s efficiency; prepares for leadership transition.
Additional Item: Cannabis Interim Use Permit (IUP) Reconsideration (1:45:12–1:50:16)
Action: Motion to bring resolution rescinding prior cannabis IUP vote for May 5 council meeting approved 4-3 (Springer, Fish, Hildy, Rachels in favor; Mortonson, Leighton, Swenson opposed).
Discussion (5 min):
Rachels sought to revisit vote due to new information, admitting possible mistake (1:45:20–1:46:45).
Mortonson opposed, citing unity and procedural concerns; suggested new applications instead (1:47:24–1:47:50).
Rules clarified: Prevailing side member can propose reconsideration (1:48:02–1:48:20).
Outcome: Narrowly approved; Kramer’s absence noted (1:48:20–1:50:16).
Significance: Reopens cannabis debate, potentially delaying business approvals.
Point of Order: Call for Question Rules (1:48:43–1:49:56)
Action: Hildy raised procedural issue; no action taken.
Discussion (1 min):
Hildy noted incorrect use of “call for question”; requires second, 6-2 vote to pass, then immediate vote on motion (1:48:55–1:49:49).
City attorney to address (1:49:49–1:49:56).
Significance: Ensures procedural accuracy in future meetings.
Next Steps
Consent Agenda (May 5): Approve WCA delegation, mill/overlay, seal coat, interim engineer, RTC Stantec engagement, 801 Stanton grant pursuit, town hall meetings.
Delagoon Campground: Engineering firm/contractor to propose solution for change order.
Cannabis IUP: Reconsider prior vote on May 5.
RTC: Schedule council tour; await Stantec’s updated proposal.
Police: Continue chief hiring process; support transition.
Procedural: City attorney to clarify call for question rules.
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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