Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – May 28, 2025
- Ryan Tungseth
- May 30
- 4 min read
Time: Morning (exact time not specified), 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 (Andrew Bremseth, Klara Beck, Connor West, Ryan Muckow, Rolf Nycklemoe), no public speakers noted.
This concise summary is tailored for a busy professional, highlighting key outcomes and significant discussions with timestamps, focusing on city business priorities. Name spellings are corrected as per your provided list.
Key Items
Police Vehicle Surplus Declaration (0:22–2:15)
Action: Approved declaring a police vehicle (reached life expectancy) as surplus for sale to Staples Police Department, for consent agenda.
Discussion (2 min):
Connor West detailed included equipment (light bar, cage, computer mount, radar, printer; computer, air card, radio head removed) to make the vehicle attractive for sale (0:49–1:55).
Kilde clarified equipment details; West confirmed package deal simplifies sale (0:49–1:55).
Outcome: Unanimous approval via motion (2:01–2:15).
Significance: Routine disposal, supports budget efficiency.
Chicken and Quail Permit Code Update (2:15–4:36)
Action: Approved amending city code 91.52 to remove the 20-home cap on chicken/quail permits in R1/R2 zones, for consent agenda.
Discussion (2 min):
Klara Beck explained 2009 ordinance, recent demand due to grocery prices, and waiting list. Animal control supports removing cap, with neighbor consent required (2:37–3:27).
Kvamme confirmed one person on waiting list, demand cyclical in spring (3:52–4:12).
Outcome: Unanimous approval via motion (4:12–4:36).
Significance: Enhances resident self-sufficiency, responds to demand.
Statewide Affordable Housing Aid for 801 West Stanton (4:36–7:18)
Action: Approved resolution to use $240,769 in statewide affordable housing aid for 801 West Stanton mixed-income project, reducing funding gap to $71,000, for consent agenda.
Discussion (3 min):
Beck outlined 2022–2023 state funds for affordable housing, proposing use to cover acquisition gap for mixed market-rate/workforce housing (5:01–6:36).
No questions raised (6:36–7:00).
Outcome: Unanimous approval via resolution (7:00–7:18).
Significance: Advances housing development, leverages state funds.
Otter Express Public Transport Joint Powers Agreement (7:18–14:48)
Action: Approved public transportation joint powers agreement with Otter Tail County, Wilkin County, Pelican Rapids, for consent agenda.
Discussion (7 min):
Bremseth detailed agreement forming a seven-member board (Fergus Falls: 2 seats, Otter Tail County: 3, Wilkin County: 1, Pelican Rapids: 1), proportional to contributions. Fergus Falls’ $50,000 annual commitment continues, with Otter Tail County as fiscal agent. Includes one-year withdrawal provision (7:31–9:56).
Kilde questioned garage location; Bremseth noted Productive Alternatives’ lease, state ownership, and board’s future decisions (10:35–11:55).
Leighton asked about budget timeline; Bremseth confirmed $50,000 static, board to develop 2025–2026 budget with state grants (12:25–14:03).
Fish noted $50,000 historical senior transport funding (14:10–14:36).
Outcome: Unanimous approval via resolution (11:55–12:07).
Significance: Formalizes regional transit collaboration, ensures Fergus Falls’ influence.
Emergency Management Code Update (14:48–26:06)
Action: Approved motion directing City Attorney Rolf Nycklemoe to draft amendment to city code 34.02, shifting emergency management duties from police to fire department, for consent agenda.
Discussion (11 min):
Bremseth proposed transferring duties from retiring Chief Kyle Bergen to Fire Chief Ryan Muckow, citing Muckow’s training and trend of fire departments handling emergency management. Simplifies police chief hiring (15:09–17:33).
Leighton sought definition; Muckow clarified emergency management as pre-planning (hazard mitigation, tabletop exercises) and recovery, not incident response (17:53–21:05).
Kilde confirmed Muckow’s resource needs (council support sufficient) and transition with Bergen (21:05–22:10).
Hicks noted need for frequent plan updates, alignment with Otter Tail County (22:16–23:08).
Job asked about timing (post-new chief) and workload; Muckow anticipated shared responsibilities, manageable ebbs and flows (23:14–24:19).
Bremseth praised police-fire collaboration, tabletop exercises (24:32–26:06).
Outcome: Unanimous approval via motion (24:19–26:06).
Significance: Streamlines police chief recruitment, leverages fire department expertise.
Contracting Engineering Services with Moore Engineering (26:06–1:02:04)
Action: Approved resolution to enter master service agreement and task order #1 with Moore Engineering for general/project engineering, not for consent agenda (per Mortenson’s request).
Discussion (36 min):
Bremseth outlined proposal post-city engineer vacancy: $16,000/month ($192,000/year) for general engineering (management, plats, compliance, GIS, grant-seeking), saving ~$440,000/year vs. $633,000 in-house costs. Project fees at 15% (vs. 20–40%), e.g., $745,000 saved on splash pad. 10-year agreement, terminable, with Moore as city engineer for 150 communities. Three affected employees offered Moore jobs; separation agreements (June 2 end date) pending June 2 approval (26:32–36:20).
Kilde emphasized employee care, Moore’s conflict-of-interest safeguards, and subcontracting (39:12–41:45).
Kremeier criticized process, citing lack of RFP, employee input, and conflict during Moore’s interim role negotiations (41:54–45:13).
Hicks supported proposal, noting savings, employee protections, and Moore’s local presence (45:32–47:58).
Mortenson opposed, calling process “flawed and discriminatory,” apologizing to employees and other firms (Interstate, Bolton & Menk) for lack of RFP, urging non-consent agenda placement (49:00–50:42).
Kvamme defended staff, personnel committee’s diligence (50:49–51:28).
Kilde challenged Kremeier’s shift from support, citing union constraints; Kremeier clarified post-meeting research raised concerns (51:35–57:01).
Leighton proposed closed session; Bremseth rejected, citing open meeting law violation (57:26–59:00).
Hicks emphasized committee’s role, transparency, and savings (59:30–1:01:52).
Outcome: Approved 6-2 (Kremeier, Mortenson opposed) via resolution (1:01:58–1:02:04).
Significance: Major cost-saving shift to outsourced engineering, contentious due to process concerns.
Announcements (1:02:04–1:03:01)
Aquatic Center open house/tour (May 29, 4–6 PM), grand opening (June 2, noon).
Audit work session (June 2, 4:30 PM), council meeting (5:30 PM).
Committee of the Whole (June 11).
Humane Society groundbreaking (May 29, 4 PM), Sculpture Walk (June 1, 1 PM).
Next Steps
June 2 Council Meeting:
Approve consent agenda items (police vehicle, chicken/quail permits, housing aid, Otter Express, emergency management).
Vote on Moore Engineering agreement, separation agreements; expect robust debate.
Otter Express: Board to meet, develop 2025–2026 budget, pursue state grants.
Emergency Management: Draft code amendment, transition duties to Muckow.
801 West Stanton: Apply housing aid funds, plan mixed-income development.
Public Engagement: Encourage attendance at Aquatic Center events, town halls. 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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