City Council Agendas & Packets

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 – 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: The Council Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, March 4, 2025 was called to order by Council President Larson at 5:00 P.M. CALL OF ROLL: On a Call of Roll the following members of the East Grand Forks City Council were present: Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson, Council Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council members Tami Schumacher, Ben Pokrzywinski, Dale Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson. Staff Present: Karla Anderson, Finance Director; Jeff Boushee, Fire Chief; Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director; Nancy Ellis, City Planner; Ron Galstad, City Attorney; Michael Hedlund, Police Chief, Charlotte Helgeson, Library Director; Reid Huttunen, City Administrator; Jeremy King, Parks and Recreation Superintendent; Keith Mykleseth, Water and Light General Manager; and Megan Nelson, City Clerk. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: The Council President Determined a Quorum was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 2025 GATE CITY BANK HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTATION: Ms. Brockling introduced Ms. Becky Mindeman, Ms. Vicki Geller, Ms. Brittney Clinton, and Ms. Jeana Marshall who were going to present the renewal of the home improvement program. Ms. Mindeman said Ms. Katie Graham was joining them instead of Ms. Marshall. She thanked the Council for their time and informed them their core purpose at Gate City Bank was to create a better way of life for communities, team members, and customers. She stated they were incredibly thankful for the communities that they were able to call home so they could invest in them and this program did just that. She added this program was to help revitalize mature neighborhoods by helping homeowners with repairs and make upgrades at a low market rate. She said property requirements included being located within the city limits, zoned for residential use, outside of the 100 year floodplain, the current assessed value would be under $400,000, and was owner occupied with a single family living there. She added the property would also have to be current on property taxes and special assessments. Ms. Mindeman told the Council there were many qualifying projects including patio additions, new garages, safety improvements such as furnace replacements, and energy improvements. She stated the project would be approved by the City first, once approved they would receive the information, and work on the loan approval for the customer. She said she was proud to announce that $2 million dollars had been allocated for this program so there were a lot of funds for residents to be able to revitalize their homes. She asked if there were any questions. Council Vice-President Riopelle asked if the replacement City Council Meeting March 4, 2025 of doors and windows were included under energy improvements. Ms. Mindeman said they were. Council Vice-President Riopelle said he wanted to make sure that was known because that could be high on the list to have done. Council member Helms asked if this was only for home improvements and not for businesses. Ms. Mindeman said yes for homes that were owner occupied. Mayor Olstad thanked the group for coming to the meeting and for having the program. He added he hoped they would be able to get the word out about the program so more people could use it compared to the previous year. Ms. Mindeman said they had a great rate. Council President Larson asked Ms. Brockling if this information was going to be available on the city website or social media. Ms. Brockling said that it could be set up. Ms. Mindeman said they would also include the information on their social media as well. Council member Helms asked if this program was only for East Grand Forks residents or if Grand Forks was included. Ms. Mindeman said Grand Forks had its own program. Council President Larson thanked them for having this program. OPEN FORUM: Council President Larson stated the open form was an opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items not on the current agenda and items requiring Council action maybe deferred to staff or Boards and Commissions for research and future Council Agendas if appropriate. He asked if anyone would like to address the City Council, please come up to the podium to do so. No one came forward. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Consider approving the minutes of the “Council Meeting” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of February 18, 2025. 2. Consider approving the minutes of the “Work Session” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of February 25, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE (1) AND TWO (2). Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. SCHEDULED BID LETTINGS: NONE. SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE CONSENT AGENDA: Items under the “Consent Agenda” will be adopted with one motion; however, council members may request individual items to be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion and action if they choose. 3. Consider approving the Facility Use Agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the East Grand Forks Blue Line Club for use of the VFW Memorial Arena from March 17th through April 10th for a total rental rate of $13,125.00. 4. Consider approving the Facility Use Agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the Northern Lights Figure Skating Club for the use of the VFW Memorial Arena from March 18 th to April 11th for a total rental rate of $1,800.00. 2|Page City Council Meeting March 4, 2025 5. Consider approving the Exempt Gambling Permit application for the Riverside Christian School to hold a raffle on June 26, 2025 at Riverside Christian School located at 610 2nd Ave NE East Grand Forks, MN 56721 and waive the 30 day waiting period. 6. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-19 authorizing the construction of batting cages at Stauss Park and accepting the donation of the completed batting cages from the Home Run Club. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO APPROVE ITEMS THREE (3) THROUGH SIX (6). Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: 7. Regular meeting minutes of the Water, Light, Power, and Building Commission for February 5, 2025. COMMUNICATIONS: 8. The summary of the 2024 Minnesota State Library report has been provided showing the active library cards for both residents and non-residents, computer usage, circulation of materials, attendance in programs, meeting room use, and volunteer hours. This report also includes the same information for 2022 and 2023. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: 9. Consider approving the agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and Coldspring for the purchase and placement of a columbarium for a total cost of $71,906.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND COLDSPRING FOR THE PURCHASE AND PLACEMENT OF A COLUMBARIUM FOR A TOTAL COST OF $71,906.00. Mr. King told the Council some adjustments had been made to the contract since last week that were all more favorable to the City and asked if there were any questions. Council member Helms asked if the changes were in red. Mr. King said yes. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. 10. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-20 approving the hiring of John Wuitschick as the Recreation Coordinator at a salary of $29.60 per hour. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-20 APPROVING THE 3|Page City Council Meeting March 4, 2025 HIRING OF JOHN WUITSCHICK AS THE RECREATION COORDINATOR AT A SALARY OF $29.60 PER HOUR. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. 11. Consider approving the request to start the hiring process for a Parks and Recreation Specialist position. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO START THE HIRING PROCESS FOR A PARKS AND RECREATION SPECIALIST POSITION. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. 12. Consider authorizing staff to develop and prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of East Grand Forks and townships contracted for fire services to set up the ownership and replacement plan for three fire engines. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO DEVELOP AND PREPARE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND TOWNSHIPS CONTRACTED FOR FIRE SERVICES TO SET UP THE OWNERSHIP AND REPLACEMENT PLAN FOR THREE FIRE ENGINES. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. 13. Consider approving the Facility Use Agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the East Grand Forks Blue Line Club for the use of the VFW Memorial Arena from June 2nd to June 20th for a total rental rate of $12,500.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO APPROVE THE FACILITY USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND THE EAST GRAND FORKS BLUE LINE CLUB FOR THE USE OF THE VFW MEMORIAL ARENA FROM JUNE 2ND TO JUNE 20TH FOR A TOTAL RENTAL RATE OF $12,500.00. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. CLAIMS: 14. Consider authorizing the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to issue payment of recommended bills and payroll. 4|Page City Council Meeting March 4, 2025 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK- TREASURER TO ISSUE PAYMENT OF RECOMMENDED BILLS AND PAYROLL. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: Mayor Olstad thanked Ms. Ellis and Chief Boushee for their professionalism, which he appreciated. He wished the boys hockey team good luck at the State Tournament and how there had been a sendoff for them earlier in the day. Council Member Pokrzywinski stated he wanted to call out the East Grand Forks Robotics team. He said the State tournament was held over the weekend where they did quite well. He told the Council that Team 9821J earned the robotics skills champion award and the Think Award for the high school division, Team 9821C earned the robotics skills champion award and was tournament finalist for the middle school division, and Team 9821D earned the design award for the middle school division. He added that Coach Nathan Blair won mentor of the year and Jessica Johnson won volunteer of the year. He stated the three teams would be heading to Worlds competition in Dallas, Texas in May and they needed help to raise $20,000 to pay for registration, hotel rooms, flights, and rental cars. He said there was Venmo information on their Facebook page if there was anyone that was interested in helping them out. Council Vice-President Riopelle echoed comments about both the hocky and robotics teams, congratulated both of them, he thanked the police and fire department for escorting the hocky team out of town. He added the East Grand Forks Sports Boosters youth basketball tournament was coming up on March 14th through the 16th and town would be busy because there were 60 teams that were already signed up for that event. He also reminded the Council and department heads that they would need to start looking at the 2026 budget sooner rather than later this year. Council Member Helms wished good luck to the hockey team, that figure skaters were heading to Wisconsin this weekend, and he hoped they would continue with their success. Council President Larson said he also wanted to echo what had been said about all the youth programs, there was a lot to be proud of in East Grand Forks. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 4, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:17 P.M. Voting Aye: Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, Casmey, Larson, and Peterson. Voting Nay: None. _______________________________________________ Megan Nelson, City Clerk 5|Page