Summary of Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Meeting – September 10, 2025
- Ryan Tungseth
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 16
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, Len Taylor, Klara Beck, Grant Cooper), guests (Sander, Dan Dru, Chad Lingren).
Key Items
9/11 Remembrance (0:24–3:28)
Action: Hicks read a poem by Robert John Noah honoring 9/11 and announced Fire Department’s remembrance ceremony on September 11 at the fire station (7:46 AM, 8:03 AM, 8:37 AM, 9:03 AM, 9:28 AM).
Significance: Commemorates 9/11, honors first responders, invites public participation.
Friends of the Airport Update (3:28–24:19)
Action: Received update on airport operations; recommended resolution to change name to regional airport.
Discussion (21 min):
Sander reported on airport (730 acres, 15,000 sq ft terminal, 17 city/22 private hangars, 43 aircraft, ~7,500 operations in 2024, projected 9,000+). Master plan ($368,000, 5% city-funded) supports growth (3:45–6:31).
Recent upgrades: runway reseal, new fuel system ($800,000, 30% local), AWOS (state-funded). All hangars full, waitlist exists, $1M hangar proposed (95% state/federal-funded) (6:51–10:27).
New services: aircraft maintenance, Nordic Plains flight training (out-of-state students), Redbird simulator. Community events (waffle feed, EAA youth flights, Santa Fly-In) draw crowds (10:39–13:22).
Bremseth proposed regional airport status to spread costs county-wide, name change to reflect economic goals, and grant pursuit with PURM (13:34–16:54).
Mortenson supported hangar revenue; Kilde ensured Einar Mickelson’s recognition despite name change (21:14–24:04).
Significance: Highlights airport’s economic potential, plans expansion.
Ottertail Valley Railroad Signal Replacement (CP9776) (24:24–27:55)
Action: Recommended accepting construction/maintenance agreement with Ottertail Valley Railroad ($90,582) and MnDOT funding ($110,000) for Fryberg crossing extension.
Discussion (3 min):
Grant Cooper outlined sidewalk extension at Fryberg crossing, fully reimbursed by MnDOT. Work awaits right-of-entry permit, may delay to spring (24:48–27:13).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (27:49–27:55).
Significance: Advances infrastructure with no local cost.
2026 Preliminary Budget (28:06–1:13:36)
Action: Recommended approving $9,279,000 levy (8.53% increase) for council discussion on September 15.
Discussion (45 min):
Sonmor presented $59M revenue, $56.5M expenditure budget. Levy increase driven by 24.9% health insurance hike ($344,500 levy impact), 3.5% wages, utilities, and equipment rental (28:27–41:02).
Savings from outsourcing engineering/GIS ($143,978), eliminating communications position ($135,000), restructuring HR reduced levy impact to 6.46% (41:10–41:41).
Energy transition aid ($243,000) at risk; legislative fix sought to avoid fund balance use (45:37–46:52).
Rachels questioned stable capital outlay (24%) despite planned projects; Sonmor clarified project timing and bonding (58:52–1:01:47).
Job noted communication cuts’ risks, Humane Society funding ($12,000), and cannabis impact on liquor sales (1:02:04–1:05:15).
Hicks and Leighton highlighted insurance challenges, need for taxpayer leniency (1:06:00–1:12:27).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously (1:13:30–1:13:36).
Significance: Addresses fiscal challenges, targets levy reduction by December.
Airport Maintenance and Operations Agreement (1:13:43–1:15:04)
Action: Recommended approving Sky Crew Services agreement ($71,000/year, 75% state-reimbursed) for 2026–2027.
Discussion (1 min):
Bremseth outlined agreement for snow removal, lawn care, and maintenance, totaling $142,000 over two years (1:13:55–1:14:36).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (1:14:57–1:15:04).
Significance: Sustains airport operations with state support.
Tobacco Ordinance Amendments (1:15:11–1:22:50)
Action: Recommended directing city attorney to draft amendments to Chapter 111, adding buffer zones and background checks for smoke shops.
Discussion (7 min):
Bremseth proposed 1,000 ft (schools) and 500 ft (daycares, treatment facilities, child-focused parks) buffers for smoke shops (75%+ tobacco sales), plus background checks for owners/managers, excluding convenience stores (1:15:24–1:17:14).
Rachels and Job questioned fairness, police presence, and opioid sales concerns; Bremseth noted grandfathering for existing shops (1:17:37–1:21:30).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda and first reading (1:22:44–1:22:50).
Significance: Enhances regulation of tobacco sales, aligns with cannabis rules.
Surplus Vehicle Disposal (1:23:20–1:24:26)
Action: Recommended surplusing 2001 Ford Winstar van for auction.
Discussion (1 min):
Taylor noted van’s age (81,000 miles) and poor presentation; replaced by city minivan (1:23:33–1:24:09).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (1:24:20–1:24:26).
Significance: Streamlines city assets.
Surface Water Inlet Protection Plan (SWIP) (1:24:33–1:26:50)
Action: Recommended approving SWIP report for Hoot and Wright Lakes, Ottertail River.
Discussion (2 min):
Taylor noted two-year collaboration with Department of Health and MPCA to protect water treatment plant inlets (1:24:39–1:25:30).
Rachels commended inter-agency effort (1:26:02–1:26:44).
Outcome: Motion passed unanimously; recommended for consent agenda (1:25:50–1:26:02).
Significance: Protects water quality infrastructure.
Announcements and Community Events (1:26:56–1:30:49)
September 15: Port Authority (4:30 PM), council meeting (5:30 PM).
September 29: Town hall (time TBD, quorum may attend).
October 1: Committee of the Whole.
Events: Dandelion Days (September 13, 1–4 PM), Wissota Days (300 cars, 500 campers, 6,000 spectators), Walk of Flags expansion (200 spaces, $200/flag) (1:27:18–1:30:29).
Significance: Promotes community engagement, veteran recognition.
Next Steps
9/11 Ceremony: Support Fire Department’s remembrance event.
Airport: Prepare resolution for name change, pursue regional status and hangar grant.
Railroad Project: Monitor permit status, plan for spring if delayed.
Budget: Discuss levy reduction on September 15, pursue energy transition aid fix, review insurance options.
Airport Maintenance: Include agreement in September 15 consent agenda.
Tobacco Ordinance: Draft amendments for September 15 first reading.
Surplus Vehicle: Auction Winstar at I-94 Speedway.
SWIP: Include report approval in September 15 consent agenda.
Town Hall: Consider 6:30 PM start time for September 29. 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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