City Council Agendas & Packets

City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 – 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: The Council Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, November 18, 2025 was called to order by Council President Larson at 5:00 P.M. CALL OF ROLL: Would the City Administrator please call roll DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: 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; Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director; Nancy Ellis, City Planner; Steve Emery, City Engineer; Ron Galstad, City Attorney; 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: OPEN FORUM: “An opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items not on the current Agenda. Items requiring Council action maybe deferred to staff or Boards and Commissions for research and future Council Agendas if appropriate.” APPROVAL OF MINUTES: For the November 4th Council Meeting and the November 10th Work Session. 1. Consider approving the minutes of the “Council Meeting” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of November 4, 2025. 2. Consider approving the minutes of the “Work Session” for the East Grand Forks, Minnesota City Council of November 10, 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRYZWINSKI, TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE (1) AND TWO (2). Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. SCHEDULED BID LETTINGS: NONE 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. City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 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 from the Consent Agena pulled? 3. Consider approving the Exempt Gambling Permit application for the Northern Lights Figure Skating Club to hold a raffle drawing on January 31, 2026 at the VFW Memorial Arena located at 711 3rd St SE, East Grand Forks, MN 56721. 4. Consider approving the Exempt Gambling Permit application for Whitetails Unlimited Red River Valley Deer Camp to hold a raffle drawing on January 24, 2026 at the American Legion Post 157 located at 1009 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721. 5. Consider approving the Exempt Gambling Permit application for the East Grand Forks Home Run Club to hold a raffle drawing on December 14, 2025 at the American Legion Post 157 located at 1009 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 6. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-83 approving the donation of Cities Area Transit Fares for trips to and from the East Grand Forks Food Shelf through the end of December 2025. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE ITEMS THREE (3) THROUGH SIX (6). Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey 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 October 15, 2025 8. Planning & Zoning Commission review of proposed city acquisition of Parcel No. 83.02308.00 and verification of compliance with the City of East Grand Forks adopted 2050 Land Use Plan. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: 9. Consider granting final approval of the Replat of Lots 3 and 4, Block 4 of Garden Valley 3rd Addition and Lot 1, Block 2 of Garden Valley 4th Addition into lots A & B. 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. City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, TO GRANT FINAL APPROVAL OF THE REPLAT OF LOTS 3 and 4, BLOCK 4, of GARDEN VALLEY 3rd ADDITION and LOT 1, BLOCK 2 of GARDEN VALLEY 4th ADDITION INTO LOTS A and B. Community Development Director Nancy Ellis asked the City Council if there are any questions on the proposed replat and summarized for the council that the replat is a simple property transfer. One property owner is purchasing approximately 12 feet of property from their neighbor and the proposed replat doesn’t change the use of the properties. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. 10. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-84 approving the Micro Loan Revolving Loan Policy and Standard Operating Procedure for utilization of the discretionary loan funds that will be administered by the Economic Development Authority. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRYZWINSKI, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-84 APPROVING THE MICRO LOAN REVOLVING LOAN POLICY AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR UTILITZATION OF THE DISCRETIONARY LOAN FUNDS THAT WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. 11. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-85 declaring the official intent of the City of East Grand Forks to reimburse certain expenditures from the proceeds of bonds to be issued by the City. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-85 DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE CITY. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. 12. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-86 approving the hiring of Barry Nelson as a Truck Driver in the Public Works Department at an hourly rate of $23.06 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUMACHER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-86 APPROVING THE HIRING OF BARRY NELSON AS A TRUCK DRIVER IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $23.06. Question from Council Member Helms, asking who Barry Nelson is and if he is an East Grand Forks 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. City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 resident. Mr. Stordahl briefed the council that Mr. Barry Nelson is an East Grand Forks resident. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. 13. Item #13 – hiring of a mechanic announced as having been removed from the agenda prior to the start of the meeting. Consider adopting Resolution No. 25-11-87 approving the hiring of Chad Egeland as a Mechanic in the Public Works Department at an hourly rate of $25.85. CLAIMS: 14. 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 numbers 45305 and 45379 for a total of $134.00 whereas Council member Riopelle is personally interested financially in the contract. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASMEY, 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 and 45379 FOR A TOTAL OF $134.00 WHEREAS COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE IS PERSONALLY INTERESTED FINANCIALLY IN THE CONTRACT. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. Abstain: Riopelle 15. Consider authorizing the City Administrator to distribute payment for accounts payable invoices totaling $465,697.79 and the November 14, 2025 payroll totaling $247,136.65. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DISTRIBUTE PAYMENT FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INVOICES TOTALING $465,697.79 AND THE NOVEMBER 14, 2025 PAYROLL TOTALLING $247,136.65 Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS: Mayor Olstad: Reminder that Northland College has a ribbon cutting and tours for their new learning lab on Thursday, November 20th. Council Member Schumacher: Council Member Pokrzywinski: 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. City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 Council Vice-President Riopelle: Council Member Helms: Council Member Casmey: Council Member Peterson: Council President Larson: Mr. Huttunen: Communications had an acknowledgement of compliance with the Land Use plan for the acquisition of the Simplot Parcel, No. 83.02308.00. Summarizing that MN Statute requires when a City plans to acquire land it needs to verify it is in compliance with the adopted land use plan. The Planning & Zoning Commission met and verified the land acquisition meets the proposed use in the land use plan. Mr. Huttunen also updated the City Council that it had received more than 20 applications for the City Clerk opening and that it will be interviewing candidates in the coming weeks. Mr. Galstad: Mr. Emery: ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 18, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 5:11 P.M. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. ____________________________________ Reid Huttunen, City Administrator 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. City Council Closed Meeting Summary November 18, 2025 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CLOSED MEETING CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 – Following the City Council Meeting CALL TO ORDER: The Closed Meeting of the East Grand Forks City Council for Tuesday, November 18, 2025 was called to order by Council President Larson at 5:19 P.M. CALL OF ROLL: Would the City Administrator please call roll DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: 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: Reid Huttunen, City Administrator DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: The Council President determined a quorum was present. 1. The meeting will be closed pursuant to MN Statute 13D.03 for labor negotiations strategy. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. Discussion followed in Closed Session. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POKRZYWINSKI, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO MOVE INTO OPEN SESSION. Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. ADJOURN: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIOPELLE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HELMS, TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 18, 2025 CLOSED MEETING OF THE EAST GRAND FORKS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL AT 6:43 P.M. 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. City Council Closed Meeting Summary November 18, 2025 Voting Aye: Larson, Peterson, Schumacher, Pokrzywinski, Riopelle, Helms, and Casmey Voting Nay: None. __________________________________________ Reid Huttunen, City Administrator 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.