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Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – August 13, 2025

Time: 7:00 AM, 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, Len Taylor, Ryan Muchow, Michael Olson), public speakers (Emily Mchuan, Roy Neielsson, Chris Christo).

Key Items

  1. Community Arena Rates (0:25–7:06)

    • Action: Recommended approving 2026 arena rates: $225/hour (ISD 544, down from $237), $185/hour (hockey association, down from $194), $175/hour (skating club, down from $183).

    • Discussion (7 min):

      • Sonmor presented rates aligned with user request for March year-end reconciliation. Rates decreased due to lower electric costs and reallocating half an arena employee’s salary to parks (0:32–2:19).

      • External group rate (e.g., curling club) remains $195/hour, no reconciliation; curling club treated separately (2:44–4:36).

      • Rachels confirmed no change in user group hours for 2026; skating club hours increased to reflect actual use (3:28–4:04).

      • Mortenson questioned rate reduction pressure; Sonmor noted user group negotiations in 2024 to keep programs viable (4:44–6:54).

    • Outcome: Motion to approve rates passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (6:54–7:06).

    • Significance: Balances arena affordability with operational sustainability.

  2. Fire Department Ladder Truck Update (7:13–22:31)

    • Action: Received update on ladder truck replacement; no formal action.

    • Discussion (15 min):

      • Fire Chief Ryan Muchow reported on 1995 ladder truck (originally $527,000), well-maintained but nearing end of 30-year lifespan. Replacement costs ~$2M (E1 preferred for stability, warranty), with $400,000 in capital account and $205,000 proposed for 2026 levy (7:19–15:51).

      • Awaiting FEMA grant ($1M max); cannot sign contract until grant decision to avoid disqualification (12:48–17:51).

      • Kilde asked about payment timing; Muchow noted full payment due at delivery (~2029), with prepayment options (16:52–17:21).

      • Mortenson urged maintaining levy funding, citing past reductions (18:46–21:27).

    • Significance: Prepares for critical equipment upgrade, pending grant outcome.

  3. Lift Station Project Update (22:36–31:24)

    • Action: Received update on Minnesota Motors lift station rehab; no formal action.

    • Discussion (9 min):

      • Len Taylor reported 18 sanitary lift stations, with Minnesota Motors (1970) needing $248,930 rehab (piping, pump, generator) vs. $1M+ replacement. Funds from CIP ($400,000 allocated). Additional $247,000 for other stations’ repairs (22:43–26:58).

      • Kvamme confirmed contractor-led work with city staff support; no council approval needed due to project size (27:14–28:00).

      • Mortenson verified generator placement (outside, on-demand, no easement needed) and sewer backup risks (covered by insurance) (28:19–30:02).

    • Significance: Prioritizes critical sewer infrastructure upgrades within budget.

  4. Easement Relinquishment for Lashwab Development (31:30–33:38)

    • Action: Recommended authorizing relinquishment of utility easement to deed property to city for right-of-way.

    • Discussion (2 min):

      • Klara Beck explained easement relinquishment for Lashwab development, maintaining sewer/water/street access via deeded right-of-way, with no impact to adjacent mall (31:36–33:20).

    • Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (33:25–33:38).

    • Significance: Facilitates development while securing city utility access.

  5. Cannabis Ordinance Update (33:43–1:03:30)

    • Action: Discussed updates to Chapters 121 (buffer zones, registration limit) and 154 (zoning cleanup); motion to recommend rescinded for further discussion on August 18.

    • Discussion (30 min):

      • Klara Beck proposed aligning buffer zones with state maxima (1,000 ft schools, 500 ft daycares/treatment facilities/child-focused park attractions) and removing zoning redundancies. League of Minnesota Cities interpreted statute 342.13H as requiring two registrations for cities over 12,500 (33:51–37:01).

      • Mortenson challenged the two-registration interpretation, citing statute’s “one per 12,500” language, advocating for one license unless law changes (38:14–44:55).

      • Job and Kilde recalled cannabis committee’s buffer reduction (from 1,000/500 ft to 250 ft) to accommodate existing businesses (Sugar High, Elevate); Job suggested expanding B6 zone (45:00–50:28).

      • Public input: Emily Mchuan (Sugar High) opposed first-come, first-serve, citing unfairness and advocating for merit-based scoring (1:03:41–1:08:52). Roy Neielsson (NB2A) supported no cap, emphasizing local ties and merit (1:09:03–1:13:36). Chris Christo (Elevate) requested 30-day window to finalize partnerships (1:13:52–1:15:20).

      • Rachels proposed reverting to scoring matrix; Mortenson defended first-come, first-serve for local businesses (1:01:27–1:21:50).

    • Outcome: Motion to recommend ordinance changes rescinded; set for August 18 discussion (1:22:36–1:23:08).

    • Significance: Addresses licensing fairness, public health, and statutory compliance.

  6. HRA Levy Request (1:23:14–1:35:22)

    • Action: Recommended approving 2026 HRA levy (0.185% of estimated market value, ~5% increase).

    • Discussion (12 min):

      • Michael Olson outlined levy supporting administrative costs for voucher/public housing programs, bringing ~$2M in state/federal funds. Assists ~180 households (~$500/month average) and 25 families via new Bring It Home program (1:23:25–1:27:02).

      • Mortenson questioned zero-levy scenario; Olson noted potential loss of federal funds and housing subsidies (1:27:53–1:30:28).

      • Fish commended HRA’s efficiency and external funding efforts (1:32:51–1:34:05).

    • Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for discussion, not consent agenda (1:35:08–1:35:22).

    • Significance: Supports housing assistance while leveraging external funds.

  7. Announcements (1:35:39–1:36:05)

    • August 18: City council meeting (5:30 PM).

    • August 26: Town hall (5:00 PM).

    • August 27: Committee of the Whole (7:00 AM).

    • Significance: Informs public of upcoming events.

Next Steps

  • Arena Rates: Include in August 18 consent agenda.

  • Ladder Truck: Await FEMA grant decision; prepare financing plan for 2028/2029 delivery.

  • Lift Station: Proceed with Minnesota Motors rehab and other station repairs using CIP funds.

  • Easement Relinquishment: Include in August 18 consent agenda.

  • Cannabis Ordinance: Discuss buffer zones, registration limit (one vs. two), and scoring vs. first-come, first-serve on August 18 with city attorney input.

  • HRA Levy: Discuss levy increase on August 18, explore zero-levy impacts.

  • B6 Zoning: Investigate expanding B6 zone boundaries for future discussion.



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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