City Council Agendas & Packets
Regular MeetingEast Grand Forks, MN · October 28, 2025
Minutes
APPROVED MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION
CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 – 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER:
The Work Session of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, October 28, 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, 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; Reid Huttunen, City Administrator; Jeremy King, Parks and Recreation Superintendent; Megan
Nelson, City Clerk; and Jason Stordahl, Public Works Director.
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM:
The Council President Determined a Quorum was present.
1. 2025 GrowMN Visit Recap – Maggie Brockling & Barry Wilfahrt
Ms. Brockling thanked the Council for the chance to give them an update regarding visits they had with
local businesses. She explained they visited 12 businesses, the City shared information from this survey
with the State, and increased cost of business was the number one complaint along with supply costs. She
stated the businesses did not like the fact the cost of doing business was increasing and they also did not
like how they had to pass some of those costs on to their customers in order to stay viable. She reviewed
how some of these costs were increases for labor, State mandates such as the Earned Safe and Sick time,
and insurance rates were increasing.
Ms. Brockling said 100% of the businesses surveyed were planning to continue with business as usual so
no planned closures and a third of them were looking at expanding or adding staff. She stated this year
59% of the businesses were stable compared to 42% from the previous year but due to market uncertainty
or tariffs them so they were hesitant to take more on. She added that significant growth was 8% in both
years. She continued with how things had changed in the past year, there was 59% of higher costs, supply
chain issues, and labor costs. She informed the Council the good news was that businesses that did not
require a skilled trade were not having a difficult time finding staff, some places had a wait list, but an
issue that was coming up was regarding skilled workers and how operations could continue if they were
out on sick and safe time for an extended period. Mr. Wilfahrt said this was the biggest change in the last
year, in the last 10 years it had been difficult to find employees, and due to some uncertainties, some
employers were not currently hiring. He commented this was good for employers but not for people that
were looking for a job.
Work Session October 28, 2025
Ms. Brockling continued with future hiring plans, the State information was at 57% of businesses showing
stability and the City was at 50% showing stability, and the City was only at 17% showing an increase in
employees which was lower than the State average but it could be due to companies trying to find
efficiencies. She stated there were mixed opinions on the earned safe and sick time, some were worried
about it being abused, additional costs, but there was one positive because it was an incentive that other
States were not offering with the cost being nominal. She said some key takeaways were how important
it was to support local businesses, it supports the community, and helps keep the community resilient. She
added there were some negative comments that had been included in the staff report about the local sales
tax, that she had included an informational sheet about the sales tax along with information about permits
and contact information for the City Departments when visiting the businesses because they were trying
to be informational and transparent.
Mr. Wilfahrt congratulated the City Council and Mr. Huttunen on getting the Simplot land swap done.
He said that it was a prime piece of real estate in the community to be developed and gave Ms. Brockling
something very major and tangible to work on. He commented on how excited he was about it and in the
community there were many positive things being said, it was a big deal for the community, and would
help build the tax base. There were no questions.
2. Consider Lease Agreement Extension for the Probation Office – Nancy Ellis
Ms. Ellis stated the lease was coming up for the Probation Office, she had included a modest increase in
the new agreement, how space in City Hall was rented to government agencies because it was a
government building, the increase was trying to keep this in line, and got it closer to the rent that the
Metropolitan Planning Organization was paying. There were no questions.
This item will be referred to a City Council Meeting for action.
3. Consider 2026 Greenway Trail Improvements – Jeremy King
Mr. King explained they were trying to keep up with the trail maintenance, the plan was to overlay 1.5
miles of trail in the downtown and LaFave park area, and this project would be paid for using the greenway
maintenance fees. He reminded the Council that fees would be increasing by 5% each year up to 2032,
they would like to advertise for bids this year, and have the project completed in 2026. He stated there
was currently around $280,000 in the greenway maintenance fund, approximately $9,500 was added to
the fund per month, so when the project would be started there would be adequate funds to cover the costs.
He asked to have the plans and specifications prepared for the project.
Council member Helms asked if anything new was being added or if they were just overlaying the existing
trail. Mr. King said they were just going to overlay the existing trail. Council member Helms said there
was $36,000 estimated for staking and inspections and why that was so high. Mr. Emery reviewed what
they would need to survey, mark areas that needed repairs, and the final numbers would be included in
the Request for Professional Services for the project. He added it could be put together for the next
meeting. Council President Larson asked why this area was chosen. Mr. King said they identified this as
the worst area, and this would also help improve the area following the completion of the LaFave Park
project. He stated in three years they would plan to complete another maintenance project to the north of
this area. Council President Larson said he was happy to see they were keeping up with maintenance.
This item will be referred to a City Council Meeting for action.
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Work Session October 28, 2025
OTHER:
Council member Helms asked how the first deer hunt went. Mr. King said there were four tags for the
accessibility hunt, two had dropped out, two tags were issued, and one deer was harvested so he was
considering it a success. He added they were going to be ready for the next season that was coming up in
November.
Mayor Olstad said it was Ms. Nelson’s last meeting so now he would make his comments. He read a
statement acknowledging that Ms. Nelson had worked for the city over 13 years, he thanked her for her
dedicated service, and how she was always willing to help out residents or staff. He stated they wanted
to extend their gratitude for the many ways she helped the organization grow and wished her the best in
her next chapter. Mr. Huttunen presented Ms. Nelson with a plaque, she thanked everyone and said it had
been a pleasure working for the City.
ADJOURN:
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 28, 2025 WORK SESSION OF THE
EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:18 P.M.
Voting Aye: Helms, Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Riopelle.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Pokrzywinski.
_______________________________________________
Reid Huttunen, City Administrator
3|Page
Agenda
AGENDA
OF THE WORK SESSION
CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 – 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER:
CALL OF ROLL:
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM:
1. 2025 GrowMN Visit Recap – Maggie Brockling & Barry Wilfahrt
2. Consider Lease Agreement Extension for the Probation Office – Nancy Ellis
3. Consider 2026 Greenway Trail Improvements – Jeremy King
ADJOURN:
Upcoming Meetings
Work Session – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Training Room – 5:00 PM
Council Meeting – Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Council Chambers – 5:00 PM
Work Session – Monday, November 10, 2025 – Training Room – 5:00 PM
Council Meeting – Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Council Chambers – 5:00 PM
Individuals with disabilities, language barriers or other needs who plan to attend the meeting and will need special accommodations
should contact Nancy Ellis, ADA Coordinator at (218)-773-2208. Please contact us at least 48 hours before the meeting to give our staff
adequate time to make arrangements. Also, materials can be provided in alternative formats for people with disabilities or with limited
English proficiency (LEP) by contacting the ADA Coordinator (218)-773-2208 five (5) days prior to the meeting.
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AGENDA ITEM #_1______
Request for Council Action
Agenda Item: 2025 GrowMN Visits Recap
Date: October 28, 2025
To: East Grand Forks City Council 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.
Prepared by: Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director
Cc: File; Barry Wilfahrt, Chamber President
Staff Recommendation: no action required; informational
Chamber President, Barry Wilfahrt, City Administrator, Reid Huttunen, and I visited 12 large businesses within
East Grand Forks as selected by the Mayor, EDA Board President, and City Administrator. In these 1-hour visits, we
asked business owners about their operations & economic sentiments.
Key Highlights for East Grand Forks’ Economy
• 50% Staffing levels remain stable (6 out of 12)
• 67% (8 out of 12) are having no difficulties finding employees
o Caveat: for more technical, skilled workers, businesses are struggling to find capable candidates
• 42% (5 out of 12) plan to continue business as usual
• 50% (6 out of 12) experienced stable business performance last year
• 58.3% (7 out of 12) experienced moderate to significant growth last year
• 0% (0 out of 12) indicated any form of decrease in business performance last year
• 92% Moderate to significantly increased cost of business has impacted (11 of 12)
• 33% (4 out of 12) anticipate some level of growth for next year
• 58.3% (7 out of 12) anticipate remaining stable or no change for next year’s growth
Various challenges indicated: labor costs & state mandates are driving up cost and were largely noted as the
biggest challenge for 8 businesses. Recent increases in supplies and raw materials are tied for first place with 8
businesses mentioning this is a reason for higher cost of business.
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AGENDA ITEM #_______
Negative impacts of these two factors: higher prices are passed on to the consumer; items are harder to sell;
consumers are postponing purchases / lower market demand; and struggles with retention/training/hiring.
Requests Identified
• Request to re-route beet trucks to access industrial park via north end
• Better curb appeal on Bus Hwy-2
• Some help with ground squirrel population control
Locally
Overall, it seems that businesses are generally content with East Grand Forks. There were a few
mentions of dissatisfaction with the 1% sales tax and negative experiences with the new building
officials/permits. One compliment of appreciation for the support from the city, boards, and
commissions in addressing local issues.
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2025 Survey
Results for East Grand Forks
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The Process Locally, 12 businesses visited
• Roughly 1-hour long visits
• Met with CEO or Owner
• Sample represents our largest businesses in town
Team
• Maggie Brockling, EDA Director
• Barry Wilfahrt, Chamber President
• Reid Huttunen, City Administrator
Purpose
• Gain insight on how the local economy is performing
• Learn about issues on local & national level
• Serve as support for issues or projects
• Information exchange & appreciation
• Relationship building
State Level
• Handful of survey responses spanning 20 NAICS codes of 348
businesses from March and April 2025.
• Grow Minnesota!® partners from 42 counties throughout the state
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
Key Findings
92% of East Grand Forks and 96% of the State data
report increased costs to do business.
Locally, these were the top high-cost categories
• Wages/labor costs
• Mandates – Earned Safe & Sick Time
• Insurance rates
• Supplies/materials
Higher interest rates reduce the number of customers
and have deterred some businesses from moving
forward with planned capital improvements.
100% of local businesses surveyed are planning to
continue business as usual with 33% planning to
expand and/or add staff.
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
Overall business performance last year vs.
projected business performance
Significant growth
8% Moderate decline
8%
Relatively stable/no
change Moderate growth
42% 25%
Last Year Next Year
Relatively stable/no
change
59%
Moderate growth
50%
Significant growth
8%
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
How has the cost of doing business changed in the
past year?
Stable/no change in costs
8%
Factors Driving Up Cost
• Labor Wages
• Earned Safe & Sick Time Mandate
Moderately higher costs
33%
• Cost of Good & Freight
• Insurance
Significantly higher costs
59%
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
Finding Employees
Are you having difficulty finding employees?
yes
33%
33% Yes!
• Skilled trades
• Difficult to find candidates
• Lacking training
67% No.
• Less skills required
no
67% • Job can be done by any age
• Candidate availability remains the same or is
easier to find
State survey results showed 59% of businesses are struggling to find employees
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
Future Hiring Plans
Unsure/ unable to
forecast
8%
Decrease in
employee count
25%
Increase employee
count
17%
50% Stable/No change
17% increase
State survey results showed 26% of businesses
plan to increase hiring and 57% will remain stable
Relatively stable/no
change
50%
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
• There are mixed opinions on ESST for
employees
Employer Employees are abusing it and using it as a
way to get money without actually going to
ESST work, then quitting and repeating this at a new
employer
Mandate The costs are a burden to the business
Toss-Up It’s a nice added benefit to offer employees
and has been helpful in recruitment
The cost is nominal to our bottom line
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
State & Local Program Contacts
East Grand Forks/ Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce
Barry Wilfahrt, President
barry@gochamber.org
East Grand Forks Economic Development Authority
Maggie Brockling, Director
mbrockling@egf.mn
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Sarah Erickson, Economic Development Coordinator
mail@mnchamber.com
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Source: https://mnchamber.com/2025-state-business-retention-and-expansion-minnesota#Overview%20and%20key%20findings and EDA surveying
AGENDA ITEM #_2______
Request for Council Action
Date: October 28, 2025
To: East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Steve Gander, Council members Clarence Vetter, Ben
Pokrzywinski, Tim Riopelle, Dale Helms, Mark Olstad, Brian Larson, and Karen Peterson.
Cc: File
From: Nancy Ellis, Community Development Director
RE: New lease agreement for Probation
STAFF REQUEST:
Staff are asking that you review the lease agreement for Polk County Probations and possibly
approve a two-year lease agreement. The City Council should consider the proposed higher
negotiated rents to match increases in utilities, repairs, and maintenance. Once approved, it will
go to the Probation Board for their approval; or to come back to the Council to negotiate.
BACKGROUND:
I propose the following: TCCC rent would be a $.70/sq ft increase the first year ($12.50 in 2026) and a
$.50 increase the second year $13.00 in 2027) or approximately a 10% increase over 2 years. I recommend
a two-year lease agreement.
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City of East Grand Forks Lease Agreement
Whereas, Tri-County Community Corrections (TCCC) wishes to lease space from the City of
East Grand Forks; and
Whereas, the City currently has available space in its City Hall building; and
Whereas, the City believes Tri-County Community Corrections would provide other positive
contributing factors to City by locating their office at the East Grand Forks City Hall
.
Now, therefore, for valuable consideration, the City and Tri-County Community Corrections
agree as follows:
The City will:
1. Provide to Tri-County Community Corrections an approximately 1223sq.ft. of office
space, currently labeled Rooms E112, E113 and E114, E119 This has been discussed with and
agreed to by the City Administrator and City Council
2. Permit security access outside regular City working hours.
3. Provide reasonable access to use the City Council Chambers or a conference room on an as
needed basis, but only when such use does not conflict with the City’s need for such space, and
all conflicts will be resolved by the City.
4. Allow Tri-County Community Corrections to have an identity sign, etc. on the premises, the
size and location to be approved by the City.
5. Provide use of other customary City Hall service areas for Tri-County Community Corrections
employees, such as the employee lunchroom, restrooms, etc.
6. Provide current janitorial services to the areas proposed to be used by Tri-County Community
Corrections in the same manner as the City receives, including removal of regular trash and
recycling products. TCCC will pay for any special fees for disposal of computers, or the
like.
7. Allow existing parking areas to be used by TCCC employees and visitors.
8. Provide electric, heating/cooling, water and sanitary sewer at no additional cost.
9. Provide fire and general liability insurance on the building.
10. Provide Communication services, phone, network access, GB data storage; and IT desktop
support and technical services at the following prices: (See Page 2)
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Charges for Phone service, Network Access, Data Storage and IT Support
1. Phone Service. This includes basic IP phone station; DID number; voicemail; call
transfer/forward/waiting; routine service requests such as ring group changes, number of rings to
voice mail, voice mail password reset, etc. Any requests requiring in depth planning or
engineering will be charged on a time and material basis (see support service charges).
$6.75 per phone per month $6.75 X ____no. of phones = $__________/month
2. Network Access. Provides access to department VLAN or EGF Metro Area Network, Internet
access with multiple circuit redundancy, firewall services, Active Directory authentication service
(includes basic service requests for password resets, add/remove users, change user groups) and
security services. This does not include phone stations subscribing to EGF phone service (see
above).
$10.00 per device per month $10.00 X ____no. of devices = $_________/month
3. Data Storage. Provides a dedicated data store attached to the Metro Area Network with data
replicated in two geographically separated locations, nightly backups and archives stored at 3
locations. Data recovery from backups will be billed at time and material rates (see support
service charges).
$0.25 per GB reserved per month $0.25 X ____no. of GB = $__________/month
4. Desktop support and other technology services. This is charged at a labor rate of $47.00/hour
during normal working hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm on non-holidays. Billed in
half-hour increments plus actual material and outside resource expenses incurred. Anything
outside of normal working hours, considered after hours calls, or on holidays will be charged at
the labor rate of $70.50/hour and will be a 3 hour minimum charge plus actual material and
outside resource expenses incurred.
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TCCC _____ Will:
1. Make all leasehold improvements to the existing “area” at their expense and in a
manner that is approved by the City.
2. Pay the City rent at the negotiated terms of $_12.50_ base rate per square foot or
$_15287.50_ per year for 2026. Pay the City rent at the negotiated terms of $_13.00_
base rate per square foot or $_15899.00_ per year for 2027.
3.
4. Pay the City rent, on the 1st of each month _____or at a negotiated time, such as
quarterly __X___.
5. Pay for any costs associated with additional access/security improvements as it or the
City desires.
6. Furnish its own computer system; however, the City will provide internet connections
only. The City currently has an agreement with Water & Light Department for IT
services.
7. Maintain a certificate of insurance as required by the East Grand Forks City Attorney
to cover its employees, liability, and personal property, and pay any additional
premium required by the City’s insurers by reason of
presence.
8. Not make any permanent improvements or changes to the area without prior City
approval.
9. Limited storage may be offered in an area to be determined by the City.
Duration and Termination
(1) This agreement shall be for a period through December 2027 , and may be continued
thereafter on terms acceptable to both parties.
(2) Either party shall have the right to terminate this agreement upon written 90-day notice to the
other party.
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Company/Organization ___________________________________
Dated: By___________________________________________
By___________________________________________
CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS
Dated: By___________________________________________
Its Mayor
By___________________________________________
Its City Administrator
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Space Available in City Hall
1st Floor
E112 363.00 sq.ft. (33’ X 11’)
E113 207.00 sq. ft. (11.5’ X 18’)
E114 453.75 sq. ft. (33’ X 13’10”)
E119 200.00 sq. ft.
TOTAL 1223.75 sq.ft.
W118 810.00 sq.ft. (45’ X 18’)
W128 238.00 sq. ft. (17’ X 14’)
W129 396.00 sq. ft. (16.5’ X 24’)
W130 231.00 sq.ft. (16.6’ X 14’)
TOTAL 1675 sq. ft.
2nd Floor
E212 231.65 sq.ft. (13’10” X 16’8”)
E213 198.00 sq.ft. (12’ X 16’8”)
E214 346.50 sq.ft. (24’10” X 14’)
TOTAL 776.00 sq.ft.
W230 198.00 sq.ft. (12’ X 16.5’)
TOTAL 198.00 sq. ft.
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AGENDA ITEM #_3______
Request for Council Action
Date: 10/28/2025
To: East Grand Forks City Council 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.
Cc: File
From: Jeremy King, Parks & Recreation
RE: 2026 Trail Improvements - Greenway
Background:
To continue the maintenance of the Greenway trails system, we have planned a 1.5-mile overlay for 2026.
These improvements would primarily target the downtown and LaFave Park area. The project would be
funded through the Greenway Maintenance Fund. The Greenway Maintenance Fund is supported by a
monthly fee of $2.32 per utility account, with an annual increase of 5% through 2032. The project would go
out for bid in late 2025 and the work would be completed in 2026.
Estimated Project Costs:
Construction: $258,000.00
Plans / specifications (8%) $ 20,640.00
Staking / Inspection (6%) $ 15,480.00
Construction Contingency (10%) $ 25,800.00
Estimated Total Project Cost $319,920.00
Budget Impact:
The Greenway Maintenance Fund currently has $280,000 and generates about $9,500 per month. By the
time the project is ready, we’ll have sufficient funds to cover the costs. However, the project will still need
to be approved by City Council once the bids are opened.
Recommendation:
Authorize Widseth to Prepare Plans and Specifications.
Enclosures:
Project Map
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DRAWN BY:
BY ME OR UNDER MY DIRECT SUPERVISION AND THAT I AM A DULY LICENSED
MBA
PROFESSIONALENGINEER UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. East Grand Forks, Minnesota Bikepath Improvements EX1.0
SCALE IN FEET CHECKED BY:
SRE Proposed Area Exhibit PROJECT #:2025-10070
LIC. NO.: DATE:9-23-2025
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