Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – October 15, 2025
- Ryan Tungseth
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
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 (Andrew Bremseth, Bill Sonmor, Klara Beck, Kyle Meyer), guests (Senator Jordan Rasmussen, Brienne Kennedy, Nate Door).
Key Items
Agenda Shuffle (0:26–0:47)
Action: Moved dairy property to first item for Senator Rasmussen's video appearance; added Visit Fergus Falls contract termination as item 5.
Significance: Accommodates guest schedule, addresses fiscal priorities.
Dairy Property Rail Crossings (0:54–16:16)
Action: Discussed resolution of intent for two new crossings (Broadway/St. Andrews); no formal vote.
Discussion (15 min):
Hicks outlined $4M state grant ($1.2M spent on demolition/transaction, $1.3M for crossings, $800K trail); funds expire June 30, 2026 (0:54–2:05).
Rasmussen (video) detailed two-year negotiations with Genesee & Wyoming; railroad demands signal upgrades at South Union ($ lights) and Sheridan ($ bed/signals, ~$1.3M–$1.4M total); offers 5-year completion window (2:26–6:04).
Bremseth noted no MnDOT grants available; bid as alternates next year for cost control (6:09–7:37).
Mortenson questioned grant awareness of costs; Bremseth/Rasmussen explained 50/50 match waiver, initial 6-crossing demand reduced (9:02–12:20).
Kilde sought timeline flexibility; Rasmussen confirmed railroad's liability concerns (13:45–15:13).
Significance: Unlocks 27-acre site for redevelopment, trail; requires funding strategy.
Four-Way Stop Pilot Project (20:29–32:05)
Action: Recommended pilot flashing red lights/four-way stops at Lincoln/Mill and Lincoln/Court intersections.
Discussion (12 min):
Bremseth proposed pilot to save $100K on signal upgrades, improve flow; one-month fall trial, pause winter, resume spring (20:35–22:02).
Job supported for traffic/pedestrian benefits; Mortenson cautioned against budget-cut perception, requested traffic counts vs. Washington Avenue (24:28–27:19).
Kilde suggested maintaining wiring for reversibility; Rachels raised pedestrian signals at Union/Speece Park (28:18–29:29).
Outcome: Motion approved unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (32:05).
Significance: Tests cost-saving safety measure, gathers feedback.
Surplus Police Squad (32:36–36:40)
Action: Recommended declaring 2020 Tahoe (Squad 2091, 91K miles) surplus for auction.
Discussion (4 min):
Paul praised fleet maintenance (indoor parking, inspections); West noted incompatible equipment, proceeds to general/equipment fund (32:50–35:57).
Outcome: Motion approved unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (36:34–36:40).
Significance: Streamlines fleet, recoups value.
Housing Code Audit Presentation (36:48–1:12:41)
Action: Received Greater Minnesota Housing Fund review; no formal action.
Discussion (36 min):
Beck introduced Brienne Kennedy (funded by Nate Door's organization); Ottertail County needs assessment: 115 new homes, 443 for existing residents ($200K–$250K range) (36:54–42:28).
Kennedy highlighted aging population (43.8% single households), mismatched stock (few 0–1 bedroom units); barriers: restrictive setbacks, exclusive zoning, procedures, parking, dimensions, infrastructure costs (42:35–50:31).
Recommendations: Adjust R3/R4 setbacks/lot coverage, streamline procedures, expand PUDs, evaluate infill (e.g., Stanton site), incorporate Lincoln plan, add zoning/parcel data online (50:37–56:55).
Tax base analysis: Infill/multifamily yields highest EMV/acre ($41K artist lofts vs. $9K Walmart); missing middle (small lots/townhomes) key (57:15–1:01:02).
Mortenson requested comparables (Alexandria/Brainerd); Kennedy noted Winona similarity, trends consistent (1:02:10–1:04:06).
Rachels sought multi-generational/ADU impacts; Kennedy: Reduces barriers but limited scale (1:04:48–1:12:34).
Significance: Identifies zoning reforms for housing affordability/tax base growth.
Visit Fergus Falls Contract Termination (1:12:47–1:23:19)
Action: Recommended terminating 2021 contract to renegotiate admin fee (3% to 5%, +$34K revenue) and Bigwood marketing commitment.
Discussion (10 min):
Bremseth/Job outlined annual renewal, 3% fee (statute allows 5%); seeks dedicated Bigwood promotion amid $150K subsidy (1:12:53–1:17:00).
Mortenson questioned nonprofit rates for occupancy; Job confirmed review, noted summer Google ads (2K views) and part-time outreach (1:18:04–1:20:00).
Rachels emphasized city-wide promotion over "heads in beds" (1:20:26–1:21:54).
Outcome: Motion approved unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (1:23:06–1:23:12).
Significance: Enhances fiscal oversight, boosts Bigwood utilization.
Announcements (1:23:26–1:24:28)
October 20: Port Authority (4:30 PM), council (5:30 PM, closed session on property).
October 22: City Hall/police/fire admin closed (8:00 AM–1:00 PM, staff training).
October 29: Committee of the Whole (7:00 AM).
October 16: AI workshop (11:00 AM–1:00 PM, city hall).
Significance: Informs public of schedules and events.
Next Steps
Dairy Property: Draft resolution of intent for crossings; explore bonding for signals, bid alternates next year; encumber trail funds by June 30, 2026.
Four-Way Stop Pilot: Implement flashing reds/four-way stops for one month this fall; gather feedback from businesses/public; evaluate spring resumption.
Surplus Squad: Auction 2020 Tahoe via Midwest Auction; allocate proceeds to funds.
Housing Audit: Planning Commission to review recommendations; prioritize setback/PUD/infill updates; compare with peer cities (e.g., Winona).
Visit Fergus Falls: Terminate contract on October 20; negotiate new terms (5% fee, Bigwood marketing plan); review nonprofit rates/staff collaboration.
AI Workshop: Attend October 16 session for business tools.
Port Authority: Prepare for October 20 closed session on property.
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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