Fergus Falls meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Fergus Falls Council Approves $597K Lead Line Bid, Rejects EarthCam

The Fergus Falls City Council on Aug. 17 awarded a $597,329.84 contract to Leitch Excavating for Phase I lead service line replacement, funded entirely by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The vote was unanimous. The council also approved a $300,000 Minnesota Investment Fund loan application for SCR Solutions, with $100,000 forgivable if staffing benchmarks are met, and rejected a proposal to place an EarthCam at Spies Riverfront Park by a 1-6 vote.

Council actions

• **Lead service line replacement:** The council approved the $597,329.84 bid to Leitch Excavating. The project is fully funded by the MPCA.
• **SCR Solutions loan:** Resolution #184-2026 authorizes the city to apply for a $300,000 Minnesota Investment Fund loan, with $100,000 forgivable. The council adopted the resolution after a public hearing.
• **Development agreement:** Resolution #191-2026 authorizes a development agreement with Wicklund Properties LLC.
• **Consent agenda:** The council approved a consent agenda (Resolutions #185-190) covering licenses, donations, and grant applications, including a $3,930 donation from Ag Country Financial for the Fire Department and a $5,000 grant application for Northeast Residential Park planning.
• **EarthCam rejected:** The council voted 1-6 against placing an EarthCam at Spies Riverfront Park. It then directed staff to recommend an alternate location by a 6-1 vote.
• **Payments and claims:** The council approved payments and claims totaling $1,691,362.33.

Committee of the Whole recommendations

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Committee of the Whole made several recommendations that later went to the council:

• **EarthCam:** Recommended approval of the EarthCam placement at Spies Riverfront Park, with the city covering electricity, internet, and installation costs. The motion carried with one opposition vote (Leighton). The council later rejected the proposal.
• **Wright Park beautification:** Recommended moving forward with a project to plant 1,000 perennials at Wright Park.
• **Non-disclosure agreement:** Recommended authorizing the mayor and city administrator to execute a mutual non-disclosure agreement with GFY Custom Crafts, LLC.
• **Battery storage ordinance:** Tabled the first reading of an ordinance adding battery energy storage system regulations to city code until additional information is provided.

Coming up

The City Council will present the 2026 preliminary budget on Sept. 1. The proposed property tax levy is $9,279,000, an increase of $729,000 (8.53%) from 2025. Key cost drivers include a 24.9% health insurance increase (adding $502,000 in expense) and the elimination of State Electric Generation Transition Aid ($259,000 impact). The council will vote on Sept. 15 to adopt the preliminary levy, which can only decrease after that date. A public hearing and final adoption of the budget and levy are scheduled for Dec. 1.

Fergus Falls Council approves $2M in engineering task orders, settlement with Carleton Companies

The Fergus Falls City Council on Aug. 3 approved eight engineering task orders with Moore Engineering for 2027 street improvement projects, totaling $2,017,424.04, and approved a settlement agreement with Carleton Companies. Both votes were 7-1. The council also approved payments and claims of $1,166,125.42 and authorized bidding for reconstruction of the City Hall clock tower cupola.

City Council (Aug. 3)

In addition to the engineering task orders and settlement, the council:

• Removed two parcels from TIF District 4-14.
• Approved the consent agenda, which included the 2027 HRA levy request of $285,000, a Towards Zero Deaths grant fiscal-host authorization, and a WorkSTEPS contract for police physical agility testing at $185 per test.
• Authorized soliciting bids for the clock tower cupola reconstruction.

Committee of the Whole (July 29)

The Committee of the Whole, meeting earlier, made recommendations that the council later acted on. Among its actions:

• Recommended a $285,000 HRA tax levy for 2027.
• Authorized the police department as fiscal host for the Towards Zero Deaths grant (Oct. 2026–Sep. 2027).
• Approved a WorkSTEPS contract for pre-employment physical agility testing.
• Authorized a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
• Approved eight engineering task orders totaling $2,017,424.04.
• Updated the water booster pump reimbursement policy to $1,800 for new pumps and $1,200 for replacements.
• Approved an amended data practices policy.
• Recommended a $7,650 city share for an airport optimization planning study.

Planning Commission (July 27)

The Planning Commission discussed a revised draft ordinance regulating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The draft establishes two tiers: Tier 1 (600 kWh or less) permitted in all zoning districts, and Tier 2 (larger systems) conditionally permitted in R-A and Industrial districts. The commission lacked quorum to take action at a prior meeting; no vote was taken at this session. Commissioner Vukonich recused himself due to energy industry work.

Coming up

The Committee of the Whole will meet Aug. 12 to consider:

• A 5-year EarthCam affiliate agreement for a free 4K camera at Spies Riverfront Park (city provides power and internet; $30,000 in hardware/services at no cost).
• An ordinance adding Chapter 154.300–154.308 (Battery Energy Storage Systems) to city code.
• A mutual non-disclosure agreement with GFY Custom Crafts L.L.C.
• A Wright Park donation discussion led by Council Member Mortenson.