City Council Agendas & Packets

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 – 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: The Council Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, July 15, 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 Ben Pokrzywinski (via Interactive Technology), 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; 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; and Megan Nelson, City Clerk. 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 July 1, 2025. 2. Consider approving the minutes of the “Work Session” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of July 8, 2025. 3. Consider approving the minute summary of the “Closed Meeting” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of July 8, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE (1) THROUGH THREE (3). City Council Meeting July 15, 2025 Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher SCHEDULED BID LETTINGS: NONE. SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS: 4. Public hearing on vacation of streets, alleys, and easements in the plats of of townsite of Elm Grove, O’Leary and Ryan’s Addition, Timberline Addition, Second Timberline Addition, Croy’s Second Addition, Folson Park Addition, Townsite of East Grand Forks, Woodland Addition, Traill’s Addition, Whalstrom subdivision, and the replat of Lots 5 and 6 Block 2 Riverside Addition. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. Mr. Huttunen explained all the street, alley, and easement vacations were located in flood plain areas that have been used for the flood protection system. He said this would clean up the plats and update all the utility easements. Mr. Galstad stated this was being done because of the replatting that was being completed. He added he had sent the required notice to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; they did not have any objections to these vacations and requested the resolution adopting the vacations be tabled for two weeks so he could verify everything was ready for the replat. He asked if there were any questions and there were none. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 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. 5. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-07-54 accepting the donation of a bus from the Independent School District 595 and van from Eagle Electric for training purposes for the East Grand Forks Fire Department 6. Consider approving the Parade Application for Heritage Village/Heritage Foundation to hold the Heritage Day Parade on Thursday, August 7, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO APPROVE ITEMS FIVE (5) AND SIX (6). Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 2|Page City Council Meeting July 15, 2025 ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: 7. Regular meeting minutes of the Water, Light, Power, and Building Commission for June 18, 2025. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: 8. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-07-55 accepting and awarding the Fire Station 2 Garage Renovation project to JC Renovations for a total of $11,250.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-55 ACCEPTING AND AWARDING THE FIRE STATION 2 GARAGE RENOVATION PROJECT TO JC RENOVATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $11,250.00. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 9. Council President Larson said item nine was going to be pulled and brought back to a future meeting. 10. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-07-57 accepting the quote and awarding the 2025 City Project No. 1 for the sidewalk extension to RJ Zavoral & Sons Inc for a total construction cost of $29,775.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-57 ACCEPTING THE QUOTE AND AWARDING THE 2025 CITY PROJECT NO. 1 FOR THE SIDEWALK EXTENSION TO RJ ZAVORAL & SONS INC FOR A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF $29,775.00. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 11. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-07-58 authorizing and directing the City Administrator and the Mayor on behalf of the City of East Grand Forks to execute the temporary construction easements and permanent walkway easements with the adjoining property owners affected by the 2025 City Project No. 1 for a sidewalk extension. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-58 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE MAYOR ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TO EXECUTE THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS AND PERMANENT WALKWAY EASEMENTS WITH THE ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE 2025 CITY PROJECT NO. 1 FOR A SIDEWALK EXTENSION. 3|Page City Council Meeting July 15, 2025 Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 12. Consider approving the A133 and A201 agreements between the City of East Grand Forks and Construction Engineers for Construction Manager at Risk services for the Parks and Recreation Facility Improvement Projects. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO APPROVE THE A133 AND A201 AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK SERVICES FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. CLAIMS: 13. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-07-59 authorizing the City of East Grand Forks to approve purchases from Border States Trophy the goods referenced in check number 44725 for a total of $115.00 whereas Council member Riopelle is personally interested financially in the contract. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-59 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TO APPROVE PURCHASES FROM BORDER STATES TROPHY THE GOODS REFERENCED IN CHECK NUMBER 44725 FOR A TOTAL OF $115.00 WHEREAS COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE IS PERSONALLY INTERESTED FINANCIALLY IN THE CONTRACT. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. Abstain: Riopelle. 14. Consider authorizing the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to issue payment of recommended bills and payroll. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK-TREASURER TO ISSUE PAYMENT OF RECOMMENDED BILLS AND PAYROLL. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. 4|Page City Council Meeting July 15, 2025 COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: Council Vice-President Riopelle thanked American Crystal Sugar for their generous donation to the Grigg’s Park project, it was appreciated, and hopefully the project would be completed soon. Mr. Huttunen thanked the Council for their support on the construction manager at risk process. He stated JLG had held a kick-off meeting last week with the steering committee members, they were going to get started quickly, and they could expect to start seeing a bid packages this fall. He thanked everyone that was a part of the process. Mr. King also thanked American Crystal Sugar for their generous donation for Grigg’s Park playset, the Aker family had applied for the funds, and a ceremony had been held earlier that day where $5,000 was donated for the project. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO ADJOURN THE JULY 15, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:13 P.M. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, and Helms. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Schumacher. _______________________________________________ Megan Nelson, City Clerk 5|Page