Fosston public meetings in 2024
17 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Fosston City Council adopted the 2025 General Fund budget of $2,404,111 and certified a total gross property tax levy of $530,103, a 2.1% increase from 2024. The council also approved plans and bid advertisement for the 5th Street NE street and utility improvement project, with an estimated cost of $1,859,547. Several pay estimates for the Industrial Park/Airport T-Hangar project were approved.
- Adopted 2025 General Fund budget of $2,404,111 (unanimous)
- Certified final 2025 property tax levy of $530,103 (unanimous)
- Approved plans and bid advertisement for 5th St NE improvement project (unanimous)
- Approved $1,200 donation to Embassy Center for Senior Meals (unanimous)
- Approved Pay Estimate No. 3 to Gordon Construction for $197,683.50 (unanimous)
- Approved Pay Estimate No. 3 to Gustafson & Goudge for $253,181.57 (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including $1,211,248.52 in accounts payable (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council voted unanimously to terminate the 2009 Affiliation Agreement with Essentia Health (ECHC) and First Care Medical Services. The resolution authorizes the city administrator and attorney to take legal action if Essentia disputes the termination, and requires monthly cost reports to the council. The decision was made at a special meeting on November 26, 2024.
- Adopted Resolution 24-38 to terminate the 2009 Affiliation Agreement with Essentia Health (3-0)
- Authorized city administrator and attorney to commence legal action against Essentia if needed
- Required monthly cost reports to council on legal expenses
City Council
The City Council passed an ordinance establishing strict distance requirements and registration processes for cannabis businesses. The council also certified the November 5 general election results and approved several infrastructure project payments.
- Adopted Ordinance 24-02 to regulate cannabis businesses (unanimous)
- Certified November 5, 2024 General Election results (unanimous)
- Approved $30,000 IRP loan to Firefly Center (unanimous)
- Awarded $246,352.71 Berge Park Trail Project bid to Gordon Construction (unanimous)
- Approved $832,272.20 pay estimate to Gordon Construction for Industrial Park/Airport project (unanimous)
- Approved $122,084.82 pay estimate to Gustafson & Goudge for Industrial Park/Airport project (unanimous)
- Approved $19,800.00 for Softball Complex fence repairs (unanimous)
- Approved 2025 farm lease with Mike Theis for 9.2 acres (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council adopted Ordinance 24-01, an interim moratorium prohibiting the construction, installation, replacement, or enlargement of solar projects for one year, effective immediately. The council also approved pay estimates for the Industrial Park/Airport T-Hangar & Utilities Project, renewed the workers compensation premium, and authorized the sale of city property to the Danielsons.
- Adopted Ordinance 24-01, 1-year solar project moratorium (4-1, Mulry opposed)
- Approved Pay Estimate No. 1 to Gordon Construction, $980,265.20 (unanimous)
- Approved Pay Estimate No. 1 to Gustafson & Goudge, $210,953.48 (unanimous)
- Approved 2024-2025 Workers Compensation Premium with $1,000 deductible (unanimous)
- Adopted Resolution 24-36 authorizing sale of city property to Ellsworth and Carol Danielson (unanimous)
- Approved reducing excess yellow line to 30 feet at Pine Peak Therapy corner (2-0-1, Pearson abstained)
City Council
The Fosston City Council declared the property at 218 Hilligoss Blvd SE substandard and hazardous, ordering the two uninhabitable units demolished by December 31, 2024. The council also approved the EDA's purchase of the eye clinic for $150,000, a $20,000 loan to Nord's Pharmacy & Gifts, and set the proposed 2025 tax levy at $530,103 with a general fund budget of $4,519,758. Several resolutions were passed, including one affirming the city's pursuit of legal action against Essentia over the arbitration ruling.
- Declared 218 Hilligoss Blvd SE substandard/hazardous; ordered 2 units demolished by Dec 31, 2024
- Approved EDA purchase of eye clinic for $150,000 (unanimous)
- Approved $20,000 FEDA loan to Nord's Pharmacy & Gifts (unanimous)
- Set proposed 2025 tax levy at $530,103 (Resolution 24-32)
- Adopted proposed 2025 general fund budget of $4,519,758 (Resolution 24-33)
- Approved Task Order No. 14 for 2nd St. NE sidewalks to Karvakko, $37,500
- Approved Amendment to Task Order No. 009 for airport runway reconstruction, $92,000
- Approved Change Order No. 1 for airport T-hangar construction, $7,036.75
City Council
The Council approved a boardwalk reconstruction project and awarded the 5th St. NE street improvement engineering to AE2S. Several pay estimates and change orders for the Johnson Avenue, Omland Court, and Airport projects were approved. The Council also authorized a Toolcat trade-in for the Recreation Department.
- Approved $32,500 Rec Department Toolcat trade-in to IronHide (4-1)
- Approved Boardwalk Reconstruction Project by Kosel Services up to $78,881.00 (unanimous)
- Awarded 5th St. NE Street Improvement Project engineering to AE2S (unanimous)
- Voided Pay Estimate No. 6 for Johnson Avenue project to Hagen Construction for $442,592.58 (unanimous)
- Approved Change Order No. 4 for Johnson Avenue project for $24,346.13 (unanimous)
- Approved revised Pay Estimate No. 6 for Johnson Avenue project for $508,031.05 (unanimous)
- Approved $1,200 Change Order No. 2 and $257,979.94 Pay Estimate No. 1 for Omland Court project to Gordon Construction (unanimous)
- Approved $171,161.86 Pay Estimate No. 5 for Airport Runway Rehab to Davidson Construction (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council awarded contracts for the 2024 Industrial Park Project and T-Hangar. The council also established a fire escrow account, appointed new task force members, and approved a wage market study for 2025.
- Awarded 2024 Industrial Park Project contract to Gordon Construction of Mahnomen for $3,972,328.75
- Awarded 2024 Industrial Park Project-T-Hangar contract to Gustafson & Goudge, Inc. for $1,993,646.19
- Established a fire escrow account for insurance settlement proceeds (Res. 24-25)
- Appointed Tracy Ware, Ruby Sistad, Kim Spaeth, Callen Weispfennig, and Todd Selk to the First Care Task Force (Res. 24-26)
- Approved Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota for police and attorney data systems (Res. 24-27)
- Approved hiring Callen Weispfennig as interim Healthcare Administrator
- Approved Wage Market Study implementation effective January 1, 2025
- Approved $442,592.58 pay estimate to Hagen Construction contingent on engineering approval
City Council
The City Council approved Change Order No. 1 for the Omland Park Improvement Project. This action increases the contract price for Gordon Construction to a total of $270,357.83. The project is funded by a $320,000 grant from Minnesota Housing.
- Approved Change Order No. 1 to Gordon Construction for $37,826.38 (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved a $75,000 loan to the local childcare center for staff retention and authorized a $60,000 preliminary engineering report for south-side infrastructure. The council also appointed election judges for the August and November elections and approved a change order for street utility improvements. Additionally, plans for the Berge-Stafford Park Trails project were approved for bid advertisement, contingent on state aid approval.
- Approved $75,000 loan to childcare center (unanimous)
- Approved $60,000 Task Order for south-side engineering report (unanimous)
- Appointed election judges for Aug 13 Primary and Nov 5 General elections
- Approved change order No. 5-2023 for $134,104.91 to Hagen Construction Inc. (unanimous)
- Approved plans/specs for Berge-Stafford Park Trails and ordered bid advertisement
- Approved Accounts Payable listings totaling $215,719.36 (unanimous)
- Approved hiring of Administrative Assistant Nikki Juve (unanimous)
- Agreed to paint lines on pickleball courts for immediate use
City Council
The council approved the final plat for the Fosston Industrial Park Fourth Addition and hired a new Chief of Police and Patrol Officer. Other actions included authorizing a mortgage for an EDA grant and approving office administration restructuring.
- Approved final plat for Fosston Industrial Park Fourth Addition (5-0)
- Hired Phil Juve as Chief of Police and Seth Senn as Patrol Officer (unanimous)
- Approved $308,145.50 change order for Johnson Avenue Improvement Project (unanimous)
- Authorized mortgage and lien to EDA for $5,755,280 grant (5-0)
- Approved office administration changes, including dissolving Assistant City Administrator position (unanimous)
- Approved 2024 tobacco license for Corner Liquor (unanimous)
- Authorized sponsorship of Knightriders snowmobile trail funding application (5-0)
- Added Tracy Ware and Ruby Sistad to First Care Task Force (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council held a special meeting to terminate the employment of an employee identified as Employee A. The termination was effective as of April 18, 2024.
- Adopted Resolution 24-18 to terminate employment of Employee A (3-0)
City Council
The Council established a task force to facilitate hospital operations following a dispute with Essentia Health. Other key actions included moving the city's primary checking account to Ultima Bank and approving a grant application for sidewalks.
- Formed 'First Care Task Force' and appointed 14 members (Unanimous)
- Moved primary checking account from First National Bank to Ultima Bank Minnesota (Unanimous)
- Approved grant submission for 2nd St NW sidewalks with 20% local share of ~$55,000 (Unanimous)
- Approved off-sale liquor license for Corner Liquor LLC (Unanimous)
- Appointed Cassie Heide and Steven Lyseng to Northern Municipal Power Agency (Unanimous)
- Approved March 11, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved Accounts Payable Bill Listings #24-04 ($110,141.10), #24-04A ($104,714.46), and Omland Court ($3,153.38) (Unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved the final plat for the Industrial Park Fourth Addition and adopted a stipulation regarding damages in the Essentia Health dispute. The council also awarded a $232,531.45 contract for Omland Court updates to Gordon Construction and approved 2024 liquor licenses and a lease for the Ignite Youth Center.
- Approved final plat of Fosston Industrial Park Fourth Addition (5-0)
- Adopted Resolution 24-14 approving stipulation regarding damages in Essentia dispute (5-0)
- Awarded Omland Court Updates contract to Gordon Construction for $232,531.45 (5-0)
- Approved 2024 liquor license applications for Ventures Bar & Grill, Daroo’s Pizza, Valley Liquors, and Fosston Off Sale (5-0)
- Approved lease for Ignite Youth Center Incubator space (5-0)
- Approved gambling permit for Fosston Area Sportsmen Club trap team fundraiser (5-0)
- Approved Consent Agenda including AP bills totaling $192,642.29 (5-0)
- Sworn in Abby Pearson to fill vacant council seat
City Council
The City Council held a special meeting to update the public on the ongoing dispute with Essentia Health regarding the Affiliation Agreement. Attorney Stephen Larson reported that an arbitration panel has been selected and hearings are scheduled for July 8-11, 2024. The council took no formal action or votes during this meeting, which focused on discussion and status updates.
- No formal council action taken
- Adjournment motion carried by unanimous vote
City Council
The Council approved the preliminary plat for the Fosston Industrial Park Fourth Addition and adopted several policies required for a Small Cities Development Program housing grant. The city also appointed a new council member and designated its 2024 polling place.
- Appointed Abby Pearson to fill vacant council seat (unanimous)
- Approved $169,507.89 and $912,655.02 accounts payable listings (unanimous)
- Approved $3,133.12 Omland Court accounts payable (unanimous)
- Adopted policies for Small Cities Development Program housing grant (unanimous)
- Approved $4,572 annual tax increment payment to D3D (unanimous)
- Designated Embassy Community Center as 2024 polling place (unanimous)
- Tabled damages stipulation for Essentia dispute (unanimous)
- Approved preliminary plat of Fosston Industrial Park Fourth Addition (unanimous)
City Council
The council convened for a public hearing held by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding the discontinuation of OB services at Essentia Health Fosston. Mayor Offerdahl provided an update on the arbitration process with Essentia Health. No official council actions were taken.
- No action taken during public hearing
- Adjourned meeting (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved wage adjustments for the Police Department, raising patrol officer pay to align with Polk County ($29.13-$38.04/hour), moving sergeant from pay grade 12 to 13 ($33.79-$44.49/hour), and chief from grade 13 to 15 ($78,714.85-$103,640.40), effective January 31, 2024 payroll. The council also passed annual housekeeping resolutions designating official depositories, approving pledged collateral, setting the treasurer's surety bond, naming The Thirteen Towns as official newspaper, and appointing 2024 boards and committees. It approved 2024 tobacco, edible cannabinoid, and non-intoxicating liquor license applications (excluding Ventures Bar & Grill from cannabinoid sales), a social media policy, a $1,000 donation to Embassy Senior Meals, and several project resolutions and pay estimates. No substantive items were denied or tabled.
- Approved police wage adjustments: patrol $29.13-$38.04/hr, sergeant grade 13 ($33.79-$44.49/hr), chief grade 15 ($78,714.85-$103,640.40), effective Jan 31, 2024 payroll (unanimous)
- Approved 2024 tobacco, edible cannabinoid, and non-intoxicating liquor license applications, excluding Ventures Bar & Grill from cannabinoid list (unanimous)
- Adopted social media policy for City of Fosston social media sites (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 donation to Embassy Senior Meals (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 24-07 authorizing sale/disposal of Lot 4, Block 3, Aspen Addition to Rick Forsberg and Rose Mary Smith-Gardner (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 24-08 plans and specs for 2024 Industrial Park & Airport Improvement project and ordered advertisement for bids (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 24-09 plans and specs for Omland Court Resurfacing project and ordered advertisement for bids (unanimous)
- Approved final pay estimates: Veterans Memorial Gazebo and Walks $27,656.50; Pickleball Courts $3,509.05; Omland Court engineering task order amendment $2,000 (all unanimous)