East Grand Forks meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

East Grand Forks officials to weigh fire chief promotion, equipment purchases, budget plans

East Grand Forks city officials have a busy week ahead, with the City Council set to consider a fire chief promotion, equipment purchases, and hiring actions, while the Water & Light Commission will review its 2027 budget and capital plan. Recent meetings laid the groundwork for these items, though minutes have not yet been published.

City Council recent meetings

On Aug. 4, the council's agenda included awarding two concrete projects: $28,460 to OPP Construction for concrete panel and curb & gutter replacement, and $35,100 to H&S Construction for concrete street panel replacement. The council also considered temporary street closures for a craft show and a memorial run, and authorized Widseth to prepare documents for 2027 street and ADA improvements on Demers and Central Avenue.

On Aug. 11, a work session agenda included promoting Paul Hansen to Fire Chief at an annual salary of $103,982.46, effective Aug. 18, as well as purchasing a wastewater sampler from MNX Inc. for $48,989 and dispatch radio equipment from Motorola Solutions for $54,644.40. The council also discussed hiring for a Public Works mechanic and truck driver, and starting a promotional process for Fire Department engineer and assistant chief.

Minutes for these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions have been confirmed.

Water & Light Commission recent meeting

On Aug. 5, the commission's agenda included authorizing plans and specs for a lime pond cleaning project at the water plant, with a preliminary cost estimate of $350,000. The commission also considered hiring a Utility Operations Administrative Assistant, approving power access for a 5K event, and authorizing $289,207.37 in accounts payable and payroll.

Upcoming City Council meeting (Aug. 18)

The council will consider several purchases and personnel actions. It will vote on promoting Paul Hansen to Fire Chief at $103,982.46 per year, purchasing a portable wastewater sampling unit and flow meter from MNX Inc. for $48,989, and buying dispatch center radio equipment from Motorola Solutions for $54,644.40. The council will also authorize hiring for Public Works mechanic and truck driver positions and approve accounts payable totaling $2,132,501.13 plus Aug. 7 payroll. A special work session on the 2027 budget will follow.

Upcoming Water & Light Commission meeting (Aug. 20)

The commission will consider a $2,000 contribution to Tri-Valley's Reach Out For Warmth program and the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program agreement. It will review the proposed 2027 Five Year Capital Plan, which includes $1,524,738 in capital improvements, and proposed 2027 Electric Fund expenses of $18,036,406.11 (a 2.46% increase) and Water Fund expenses of $3,615,404.17 (a 7.68% decrease). No action is required on the budget documents at this meeting. The commission will also approve 40 checks totaling $1,532,388.49 for accounts payable and Aug. 7 payroll.

Coming up

• City Council regular meeting and work session, Aug. 18, 2026.
• Water & Light Commission meeting, Aug. 20, 2026.

East Grand Forks boards weigh $1.4M street project, $350K lime pond cleaning

In the past two weeks, East Grand Forks city boards and commissions met to consider a range of items, including a $1.4 million street and ADA improvement project, a $350,000 lime pond cleaning, and staffing proposals. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet known.

City Council

The City Council met on July 28 and August 4. On July 28, the council discussed authorizing plans for the 2027 City Project No. 1: Street & ADA improvements on Demers and Central Avenue, with a total cost of $1,401,500 and a $1,040,000 federal grant. The council also reviewed special event applications for the Nick Minske Memorial Run (street closure and temporary liquor license) and the Unique Dreams Décor Craft Show on September 18, 2026. Other items included renewal of a mutual aid agreement with Warren and Alvarado, MN for the Fire Department, proposed 2026-2027 Winter Activity fees, and an ordinance amendment for the Greenway.

On August 4, the council considered awarding two construction contracts: a concrete panel and curb & gutter replacement project to OPP Construction for $28,460, and a concrete street panel replacement project to H&S Construction for $35,100. The council also approved temporary street closures for the Unique Dreams Décor Craft Show on 3rd Street on September 19, 2026, and for the Nick Minske Memorial Run on 4th Street NW (Up North Pizza area) on August 11, 2026. Additionally, the council authorized Widseth to prepare project documents for the 2027 Street & ADA Improvements on Demers and Central Avenue.

Library Board

The Campbell Library Board met on July 29 to review budget ideas for 2027, including a proposal for a marketing position and discussion on part-time staff. The board also received updates on facility projects, the Summer Reading Program, Sensory Garden plans, and funds raised for Storytime Tables.

Water & Light Commission

The Water & Light Commission met on August 5. The commission considered authorizing plans and specs for a Lime Pond Cleaning Project at the water plant, with a preliminary cost estimate of $350,000. It also considered hiring a recommended candidate for a Utility Operations Administrative Assistant position and approving power access for the Law Enforcement 10-78 5K on River Street on August 8, 2026. Routine items included authorizing distribution of $289,207.37 for accounts payable and July 24 payroll, and approving minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

East Grand Forks Council Eyes $1.2M Payment, $1.4M Street Project in Recent Meetings

East Grand Forks officials have weighed a $1.2 million payment for invoices and payroll, a $1.4 million street and ADA improvement plan, and several contracts and event permits across three recent meetings. All three meetings are listed as agenda-only items — minutes have not yet been published, so final outcomes and vote tallies are not available in the records provided.

City Council — July 21, 2026

The council agenda included authorization of a $1,204,345.68 payment covering accounts payable invoices and the July 16 payroll.

Road repair contracts were also on the agenda: $27,360.00 to RJ Zavoral & Sons for Rhinehart Road SE and $53,791.00 to the same contractor for Bygland Road SE.

Other items listed for action:

• A $6,830.00 fire department Turnout Gear Dryer grant reimbursement.
• Hiring police officer Grant Ackerson at $35.76 per hour, pending a background check.
• Declaring police vehicles as surplus.
• Resolutions for a socioeconomic study, a police hire, and road repair contracts.
• A fire-gear grant and a transit operating grant.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved.

City Council — July 28, 2026

The council was set to discuss authorizing plans for 2027 City Project No. 1: street and ADA improvements on Demers Avenue and Central Avenue. The total project cost listed is $1,401,500, with $1,040,000 covered by a federal grant.

Other agenda items:

• Special event application for the Nick Minske Memorial Run, including a street closure and temporary liquor license discussion.
• Special event application for the Unique Dreams Décor Craft Show on September 18, 2026.
• Renewal of a mutual aid agreement with Warren and Alvarado, MN, for the Fire Department.
• Proposed 2026-2027 Winter Activity fees.
• An ordinance amendment for the Greenway.
• Council appointments and a change order for a watermain project.

Final actions are not confirmed without published minutes.

Campbell Library Board — July 29, 2026

The Library Board agenda included a review of budget ideas for 2027 and staffing proposals, including a marketing position and discussion on part-time staff.

Facility updates on the agenda included Sensory Garden plans and funds raised for Storytime Tables, along with an update on the Summer Reading Program.

No outcomes are available; minutes have not been published.

Coming Up

The East Grand Forks City Council meets Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Items on the agenda include:

• Awarding a concrete panel and curb & gutter replacement project to OPP Construction for $28,460.
• Awarding a concrete street panel replacement project to H&S Construction for $35,100.
• Temporary street closure for the Unique Dreams Décor Craft Show on 3rd Street on September 19, 2026.
• Temporary street closure for the Nick Minske Memorial Run on 4th Street NW (Up North Pizza area) on August 11, 2026.
• Authorizing Widseth to prepare project documents for 2027 Street & ADA Improvements on Demers & Central Avenue.

Residents can attend the August 4 meeting to hear discussion on street projects, event permits, and contracting decisions.

Water & Light Commission awards $130,500 lead pipe replacement contract; Council road repairs and police hire on deck

The East Grand Forks Water & Light Commission awarded a $130,500 contract to Big Al's Construction, LLC for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project, the largest dollar action among recent city meetings. Minutes for that session have not yet been published, so the action is based on the commission's agenda summary.

Water & Light Commission — July 15

The commission authorized payment of bills and payroll totaling $305,099.86 and approved two banner displays on Sorlie Bridge: one from Aug. 31 through Oct. 5, 2026 for the Arts & Crafts Fair, and another from Sept. 7 through Oct. 4, 2026 for UN-Dakota Homecoming Week. It also agreed to provide complimentary power and electrical hook-ups for the 2026 CATS Incredible Celebration, scheduled for July 24–25, 2026, and recognized a staff retirement. The Lead Service Line Replacement Project award to Big Al's Construction, LLC was set at $130,500.

City Council — July 7

The council's agenda listed several items for review, with minutes not yet published. Road repair projects on the agenda included Rhinehart Road SE at $27,360.00 and Bygland Road SE at $53,791.00. A Fire Department Turnout Gear Dryer grant reimbursement of $6,830.00 was also listed. On personnel, the agenda included a Parks & Recreation Superintendent hiring at an annual salary of $89,575.55, plus a Police Department vehicle and cell phone surplus declaration. Because minutes are not published, these items are described as agenda topics rather than confirmed actions.

City Council — July 14

The council was scheduled to review a draft final socioeconomic study covering population and employment growth projections. The agenda also included conditional approval to hire Grant Ackerson as a Police Officer at $35.76 per hour, a request to declare a vehicle as surplus property for auction, and a Special Event Application for the Memorial Run on Aug. 15, 2026. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

The City Council meets July 21 with a packed agenda. The largest item is authorization of a $1,204,345.68 payment for accounts payable invoices and the July 16 payroll. The council is also set to award the Rhinehart Road SE repair contract to RJ Zavoral & Sons for $27,360.00 and the Bygland Road SE repair contract to the same firm for $53,791.00. Other items include the fire department Turnout Gear Dryer grant reimbursement of $6,830.00 and hiring Grant Ackerson as a police officer at $35.76 per hour, pending a background check. The agenda also references special event street closures, police vehicle surplus declarations, resolutions on the socioeconomic study, and a transit operating grant.

East Grand Forks Council, Water & Light Commission Consider Road Repairs, Lead Service Line Replacement, and Grants

East Grand Forks city boards are reviewing several infrastructure and equipment items this month, including road repairs on Rhinehart and Bygland roads, a lead service line replacement contract, and a grant for a fire department gear dryer. No final votes have been recorded yet; all items were up for consideration at recent meetings or are scheduled for upcoming sessions.

City Council: Road repairs and grants

At the June 23 City Council meeting, the council was scheduled to consider awarding contracts for Rhinehart Road SE repair and Bygland Road SE repair to RJ Zavoral & Sons. The council also was to vote on accepting a $6,830 grant for a turnout gear dryer for the fire department, with a required local match of $1,707.50. Other items included approving a 2027 Transit Operating Grant application, updating a resolution for Mighty Ducks Grant funding for VFW Arena refrigeration replacement, declaring a surplus vehicle, appointing new public works staff, and authorizing a hiring process.

The same road repair projects appear on the agenda for the July 7 council meeting, with specific dollar amounts: $27,360.00 for Rhinehart Road SE and $53,791.00 for Bygland Road SE.

Water & Light Commission: Lead line replacement and events

The Water & Light Commission, meeting July 1, considered awarding a $130,500 contract to Big Al’s Construction for the 2026 Lead Service Line Replacement project. The project is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. The commission also planned to approve accounts payable of $305,099.86 across 37 checks, approve banner requests for the Arts & Crafts Fair (Aug 31–Oct 5) and UND Homecoming (Sept 7–Oct 4) at Sorlie Bridge, and approve complimentary power for the CATS Incredible event scheduled for July 24-25.

Upcoming City Council meeting on July 7

The City Council will meet again July 7. The agenda includes the same road repair contracts—$27,360 for Rhinehart Road SE and $53,791 for Bygland Road SE—as well as the $6,830 fire department gear dryer grant. The council also will consider hiring a Parks & Recreation Superintendent at an annual salary of $89,575.55 and declaring a Police Department vehicle and cell phone as surplus.

Coming up

• **City Council**: July 7, 2026 (agenda includes road repairs, staff hires, and grants).
• No other upcoming meetings are listed in the provided data.

Residents can find full agenda packets on the city’s website.