Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – November 12, 2025

Time: 8:30 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, Kyle Meyer, Klara Beck, Len Taylor, Guy Kollman), guests (Nancy South, Lynn Walters).

Key Items

1. PI 9774 – Otter Tail Valley Rail Crossing Change Order (0:45–4:24)

   • Action: Recommended approving Change Order #1 (+$8,226.71) and extending substantial/final completion to spring/summer 2026.

   • Discussion (3 min):

     • Meyer: Concrete discovered under Mill St. required removal instead of mill/overlay; offset by changing Cascade to mill/overlay. Railroad construction permit delayed start (late Oct) → project pushed to 2026 (1:13–3:14).

     • Kvamme: Comfortable with Cascade mill/overlay (3:50–4:02).

   • Outcome: Motion approved unanimously (Kilde/Fish); recommended for consent (4:17–4:24).

   • Significance: Keeps MnDOT-funded project on track without city cost impact.
     

2. MnDOT Limited Use Permit – TH 210 Bridge Planters (4:30–5:55)

   • Action: Recommended entering 10-year maintenance agreement for planters on new I-94/TH 210 bridge (beautification).

   • Discussion (1 min):

     • Meyer: City requested planters during interchange project planning (4:54–5:30).

   • Outcome: Motion approved unanimously (Fish/Rachels); recommended for consent (5:50–5:55).

   • Significance: Enhances gateway aesthetics at no initial cost; city maintains.
     

3. Human Rights Commission Update (6:06–10:30)

   • Action: Informational update; no vote.

   • Discussion (4 min):

     • South (via Beck): Adopted Fergus-specific declaration (May 2025); Welcoming Week library display; updated webpage (Juneteenth/Indigenous resources); new event sponsorship policy (in-kind only). On break until Jan 2026; welcoming new members (6:45–10:22).

   • Outcome: No questions.

   • Significance: Strengthens education/advocacy; prepares for 2026 growth.
     

4. Park & Recreation Advisory Board Update (10:37–22:10)

   • Action: Informational update; no vote.

   • Discussion (11 min):

     • Walters: 5-member board (Reing, Wolves, Jacobson, Nelson, Walters). Recent projects: archery range, Higgins Dog Park, bike playground (WIP), Kirkbride ski trails, disc golf expansion, Ferber MTB trails, BMX move, pickleball, splash pad, aquatic center success (11:21–14:20).

     • Fish: Mini downtown dog park idea; Rachels: 911/suspicious activity signage at playgrounds; Job: Lake Alice memorial process transparency/website clarity; Mortenson: food-shelf fruit grove, library equipment checkout (pickleball/tennis already available), shuffleboard interest (14:32–21:28).

   • Outcome: Positive feedback; ideas referred to board/staff.

   • Significance: Highlights diverse amenities; generates new project ideas.
     

5. Humane Society of Otter Tail County Capital Campaign Contribution (22:17–36:45)

   • Action: Recommended one-time $25,000 contribution from 2025 unspent Economic Development funds.

   • Discussion (14 min):

     • Hicks/Sonmor: >50% animals from city; clarified newspaper article (city residents contribute ~10%, not 3–4%); current annual ops support $12,000 (quarterly, doubled ~2 yrs ago) (22:17–27:10).

     • Mortenson: Proposed larger gap loan (0–1%) from EDF fund instead of $25k; Hicks: Humane Society already solved ~$200k gap internally (short-term funds + year-end giving) and declined loan (30:09–33:58).

     • Consensus: $25k appropriate now; Tax Levy to consider ongoing increase/inflation adjustment for 2026+ (34:15–36:31).

   • Outcome: Motion approved unanimously (Kvamme/Fish); recommended for consent (36:40–36:45).

   • Significance: Supports facility expansion; clarifies partnership (ops vs. capital); sets stage for future budget planning.
     

6. Encroachment Agreement – 702 Beech St. (36:52–41:09)

   • Action: Recommended encroachment agreement (existing house into ROW).

   • Discussion (4 min):

     • Beck: Cleanup for sale (old Candy Bar Shop → residential); Monday version will change to personal liability insurance, remove workers comp, “upon request” policy submission (37:03–38:46).

     • Rachels: Future street widening impact (none foreseen; prior widening addressed; any change requires mutual agreement) (39:09–40:19).

   • Outcome: Motion approved unanimously (Job/Kremeier) (41:03–41:09).

   • Significance: Removes title cloud; protects city interests.
     

7. Announcements & Informal Discussion (41:09–44:09)

   • Alley maintenance: Gravel/crushed asphalt being added before winter (41:09–42:19).

   • Cascade/Lincoln flashing lights: Not part of pilot (only Court/Mill); positive feedback noted (42:26–42:54).

   • Nov 17: City Council meeting (5:30 PM).

   • Nov 27–28: Thanksgiving closures; liquor open Nov 28; Thu/Fri garbage → Wed Nov 26.

   • Work session postponed.

   • Veterans event highlight deferred to Nov 17 (43:45–44:09).
     

Next Steps

• Rail Crossing: Execute change order; complete spring/summer 2026.

• TH 210 Planters: Sign 10-year maintenance permit.

• Human Rights: Welcome new members Jan 2026; continue education/partnerships.

• Parks: Explore mini downtown dog park, 911 signage, fruit grove, shuffleboard, improved memorial/sponsorship info on website/Facebook.

• Humane Society: Issue $25,000 capital check; Tax Levy evaluate 2026+ ops increase (inflation-adjusted).

• 702 Beech: Finalize revised encroachment agreement for Nov 17.

• Alleys: Continue gravel/crushed asphalt fill before snow.

• Flashing Lights: Monitor pilot; consider expanding if successful.
  

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.