City Council Agendas & Packets

City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025 – 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: The Council Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, November 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; Steve Emery, City Engineer; 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 Jason Stordahl, Public Works Director. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: The Council President Determined a Quorum was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR OFFICER EMILY BARTH Council President Larson invited Police Chief Hedlund forward for the swearing in of Officer Emily Barth. Chief Hedlund explained that Officer Barth had successfully completed her field training program and she’ll be able to start patrolling on her own. Chief Hedlund then highlighted the fact that Officer Barth was successfully hired by the City through the Police Recruit program and brought on the force while completing their skills training at Northland College. Chief Hedlund and Officer Barth then recited the Oath of Office and the Oath of Honor. OPEN FORUM: Council President Larson stated the open forum 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 1|Page City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 Council of October 21, 2025. 2. Consider approving the minutes of the “Work Session” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of October 28, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE (1) THROUGH THREE (3). Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, 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. Would any Council member like to have an item pulled? 3. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-78 authorizing the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to certify the listed accounts for mowing to the County Auditor for collection with the 2026 real estate taxes. 4. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-79 authorizing the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to certify the listed accounts for delinquent utilities to the County Auditor for collection with the 2026 real estate taxes. 5. Consider approving the Fireworks/Pyrotechnic Special Effects Permit Application for the fireworks display for the Hollydazzle event scheduled for November 23, 2025 contingent upon approval of the Fire Chief. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, TO APPROVE ITEMS THREE (3) THROUGH FIVE (5). Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: NONE COMMUNICATIONS: NONE OLD BUSINESS: 6. Consider adopting Ordinance No. 50, 4th Series repealing sauna requirements from Chapter 114 Massage Parlor and Amending City Code by adding Chapter 118 Sauna Establishments and by 2|Page City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 adopting by reference City Code Chapter 10 and Section 10.99 which, among other things, contain penalty provisions (2nd Reading). A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 50, 4TH SERIES REPEALING SAUNA REQUIREMENTS FROM CHAPTER 114 MASSAGE PARLOR AND AMENDING CITY CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 118 SAUNA ESTABLISHMENTS AND BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 10 AND SECTION 10.99 WHICH, AMONG TOHER THINGS CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONS (2ND READING). Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. NEW BUSINESS: 7. Consider approving the lease agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and the Tri-County Community Corrections for the leasing of office space in the City Hall building in 2026 & 2027. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO APPROVE THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS AND TRI-COUNTY COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FOR THE LEASE OF OFFICE SPACE IN THE CITY HALL BUILDING IN 2026 & 2027. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. 8. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-80 ordering improvement and preparation of plans and specifications for the 2026 City Project No. 3 for the Greenway Trail Improvements. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-80 ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND PREPERATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATION FOR THE 2026 CITY PROJECT NO. 3 FOR THE GREENWAY TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. 9. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-81 setting the fees for the licensing for sauna establishments and mobile sauna units. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-81 SETTING THE FEES FOR THE LICENSING FOR SAUNA ESTABLISHMENTS AND MOBIEL SAUNA UNITS. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. 3|Page City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 CLAIMS: 10. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-82 authorizing the City of East Grand Forks to approve purchases from Border States Trophy the goods referenced in check number 45305 for a total of $113.00 whereas Council member Riopelle is personally interested financially in the contract. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-82 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TO APPROVE PURCHASES FROM BORDER STATES TROPHY THE GOODS REFERENCED IN CHECK NUMBER 45305 FOR A TOTAL OF $113.00 WHEREAS COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE IS PERSONALLY INTERESTED FINANCIALLY IN THE CONTRACT. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Helms Voting Nay: Pokrzywinski ABSTAIN: Riopelle 11. Consider authorizing the City Administrator to distribute payment for accounts payable invoices by issuing 89 checks totaling $665,527.97 and the October 31, 2025 payroll totaling $245,930.54. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DISTRIBUTE PAYMENT FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INVOICES BY ISSUING 89 CHECKS TOTALING $665,527.97 AND THE OCTOBER 31, 2025 PAYROLL TOTALLING $245,930.54 Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: Mayor Olstad congratulated Officer Emily Barth on completing her field training and wished her a long career with our Police Department. He also asked to remind residents of School Bus Arm procedures and safety in school zones. Council Member Schumacher offered her congratulations to Officer Barth. She also asked that everyone recognize Veterans Day and a reminder to be thankful for our veterans and all that we have to be thankful for in this month of reflection and gratitude. Council Vice-President Riopelle asked for those that can to recognize Veterans Day with green lights on their homes. Council President Larson offered his congratulations to Officer Barth. City Administrator Huttunen offered condolences to the family of Mark Holy, longtime City Council and County Commissioner. He then updated the City Council on the need for an upcoming Special Election to fill Mr. Holy’s vacancy on the Polk County Board of Commissioners. Special Election dates will be February 10, 2026 and if necessary, April 14, 2026. Huttunen also updated and invited City Council members to a Senate Capital Investment Committee 4|Page City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 presentation at the MN Dept of Ag. Potato Research lab to present the City’s Capital Bonding request to support replacement of Industrial Park roads. The presentation is Wednesday, November 12th at approximately 3:45 pm. City Attorney Galstad offered condolences to Char and the rest of Mark Holy’s family. Park and Recreation Superintendent Jeremy King invited the City Council to an event on Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3:00 pm to recognize Naomi Dunavan and her achievement of riding her bicycle the circumference of the earth on our city’s Greenway trail system. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:15 P.M. Voting Aye: Casmey, Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, and Pokrzywinski, Helms, Riopelle, Voting Nay: None. ________________________________________ Reid Huttunen, City Administrator 5|Page