City Council Agendas & Packets

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 – 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: The Council Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, March 18, 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, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson. Staff Present: Jeff Boushee, Fire Chief; Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director; Nancy Ellis, City Planner; Steve Emery, City Engineer; Ron Galstad, City Attorney; Michael Hedlund, Police Chief, Reid Huttunen, City Administrator; Jeremy King, Parks and Recreation Superintendent; Keith Mykleseth, Water and Light General Manager; Megan Nelson, City Clerk; and Jason Stordahl, Public Works Director. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: The Council President Determined a Quorum was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 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 March 4, 2025. 2. Consider approving the minutes of the “Work Session” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of March 11, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE (1) AND TWO (2). Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. City Council Meeting March 18, 2025 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 Exempt Gambling Permit application for the Sacred Heart Church and School to hold a raffle on May 28, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church and School located at 200 3rd St NW East Grand Forks, MN 56721 and waive the 30 day waiting period. 4. Consider approving the Termination Agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency for the termination of the EV Charger Project. 5. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-23 adopting the fees for the summer recreation programs starting for the 2025 season. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE ITEMS THREE (3) THROUGH FIVE (5). Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: 6. Regular meeting minutes of the Water, Light, Power, and Building Commission for February 19, 2025. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: 7. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-21 approving the plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the 2025 City Project No. 3 for the Lift Station 13 Rehabilitation. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-21 APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE 2025 CITY PROJECT NO. 3 FOR THE LIFT STATION 13 REHABILITATION. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. 2|Page City Council Meeting March 18, 2025 8. Consider approving the request to start the hiring process for a Mechanic position for the Public Works Department. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO START THE HIRING PROCESS FOR A MECHANIC POSITION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. 9. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-22 approving the increases to the transit fares and order the changes to be implemented on April 14, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-22 APPROVING THE INCREASES TO THE TRANSIT FARES AND ORDER THE CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON APRIL 14, 2025. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. 10. Consider authorizing staff to start the Request for Qualifications to select a Construction Manager at Risk for the Recreation Facilities Improvement Projects. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO START THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO SELECT A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK FOR THE RECREATION FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. 11. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-24 approving the sale of lots to North Star Neighbors to include Parcel 83.04141.00 and amending the purchase agreement for Parcel 83.04144.00 to include a $1,000 earnest payment in return for first right of refusal on future purchase of the lot. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-24 APPROVING THE SALE OF LOTS TO NORTH STAR NEIGHBORS TO INCLUDE PARCEL 83.04141.00 AND AMENDING THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PARCEL 83.04144.00 TO INCLUDE A $1,000 EARNEST PAYMENT IN RETURN FOR FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL ON FUTURE PURCHASE OF THE LOT. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. 3|Page City Council Meeting March 18, 2025 Absent: Helms. 12. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-25 authorizing the amendments of the size of home construction for North Star Neighbors homes to allow for a single-story structure no less than 1400 square feet, a bi-level or tri-level no less than 1700 square feet, and an attached garage no less than 400 square feet. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-25 AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENTS OF THE SIZE OF HOME CONSTRUCTION FOR NORTH STAR NEIGHBORS HOMES TO ALLOW FOR A SINGLE-STORY STRUCTURE NO LESS THAN 1400 SQUARE FEET, A BI-LEVEL OR TRI-LEVEL NO LESS THAN 1700 SQUARE FEET, AND AN ATTACHED GARAGE NO LESS THAN 400 SQUARE FEET. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. 13. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-03-26 accepting and approving the grant agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for $15,000 to go towards the LaFave Park boating area. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-03-26 ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND THE BASS PRO SHOPS AND CABELA’S OUTDOOR FUND FOR $15,000 TO GO TOWARDS THE LAFAVE PARK BOATING AREA. Mr. King told the Council for the past few years the local Cabela’s had been supporting the LaFave Park project through their in-store round-up program and this year they were making a significant donation to help complete the project committing $15,000 in sponsorship. He added the funds would be used for a new 40-foot floating dock and in the last three years they have donated $21,500 to the project. He stated Darren, the general manager of the local Cabela’s, was present, and would like to present a check to the Council. Mayor Olstad said he appreciated everything that Cabela’s had contributed to this project along with all they do for the community, they were a pillar of the community, and they took pride being in the community. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. CLAIMS: 14. Consider authorizing the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to issue payment of recommended bills and payroll. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK- 4|Page City Council Meeting March 18, 2025 TREASURER TO ISSUE PAYMENT OF RECOMMENDED BILLS AND PAYROLL. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: Council President Larson said he wanted to express gratitude to all of the people that was involved with the youth basketball tournament over the weekend, there were a number of teams in town, it was run very professionally, it took a lot of volunteer time, and was a great event for the city. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 18, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:10 P.M. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. _______________________________________________ Megan Nelson, City Clerk 5|Page  APPROVED MINUTE SUMMARY OF THE CLOSED MEETING CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 – FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL MEETING CALL TO ORDER: The Closed Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, March 18, 2025 was called to order by Council President Larson at 5:19 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, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson. Staff Present: Ron Galstad, City Attorney; Reid Huttunen, City Administrator; and Megan Nelson, City Clerk. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: The Council President Determined a Quorum was present. 1. The meeting will be closed pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05 Subd. 3(C)(3) to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase of real or personal property identified as Parcels No. 83.02308.00 and No. 44-2213-00001-000. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. Discussion followed in closed session. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO MOVE INTO OPEN SESSION. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 18, 2025 CLOSED MEETING Closed Meeting Summary March 18, 2025 OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 6:02 P.M. Voting Aye: Riopelle, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Helms. _______________________________________________ Megan Nelson, City Clerk 2|Page