City Council - Regular Meeting

get all this excitement in the air tonight. So I think uh it is uh more or less 5:30. So it's British time. So [laughter]

it's so so Fergus Falls City Council um 4th of May. It's 5:30 and we'll start with the invocation followed by a pledge of allegiance. And thank you, Pastor Lawson. Let us pray. Almighty God, thank you for this opportunity to gather here tonight as the city council. I thank you for these men and women who have answered the call to serve in civic duty. And I just pray you give them wisdom as they discuss the business of our fair community and just ask for your blessing upon the people and this town of Fergus Falls. May your grace and favor rest upon our community and upon all of our elected officials and city officials. Thank you for this gathering here tonight. Bless it now. We ask in your mighty name. Amen.

Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Right. I will call this meeting to order. Uh roll call, please. Yes. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here.

We have a quorum. Uh the first item on the agenda is open forum. Time to address items of city business that are not on tonight's agenda. Does anybody wish to say anything this evening? No, [laughter] [snorts] I said anybody. I know you're not an anybody. You're Lisa.

And it is on the agenda. So, I'm I'm going to try to not break the rules. [clears throat] Um, good evening, Mayor Hicks, city council members, and residents of Fergus Falls. I'm Lisa Workman, president of the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and just as a reminder, one of our strategic priorities is to inspire community vitality. And this has been an inspirational week filled with vitality. So tonight I just want to share three examples of things going on with the chamber the last week. Uh number one is the solid maybe miracle. So to Mayor Hicks, city staff, and our incredible business partners and volunteers, thank you. Truly, thank you for diving into the impossible, planning a $20,000 communitywide event for 10,000 people, including a parade and a free concert on just a few days notice, maybe. It's a massive undertaking, and we are ready to celebrate Chris Tungth's journey from Fergus Falls to Hollywood. The anticipation isn't draining us, it's fueling us. Which brings me to number two, the good kind of exhaustion. Our hearts are full, even if our minds are a little bit blurry. Amidst the whirlwind, we celebrated four four ribbon cutings in a single week. This is undeniable proof that Fergus Falls continues to grow and thrive even in the middle of organized chaos. And finally, number three, the joy of the rally and our call to action. For me, the most emotional part has been watching this community show up. From the mayor chaperoning Chris, giant Chris around town to businesses sponsoring signs for other businesses and volunteers [snorts] stepping up at a mo moment's notice. This is who we are in

Fergus Falls. Our local businesses haven't just participated, they've jumped in with both feet. They've been filming funny videos with Giant Chris, smashing deadlines like getting stuff done before we needed it, and even building a Viking ship in less than a week. And I there's got to be a joke about the the sculptor, the builder, and the restaurant owner. What do you get something? Somebody will figure that out, right? But again, this is small business week. This is the essence of small business. And it's been so cool to watch competitors become teammates to support one of their own. I feel like we've been guided by the spirit found in Philippians 2:es 3 and 4. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. The spirit of looking out for the interests of our neighbors is exactly what makes Fergus Falls such a remarkable place to live and to do business. I could not be more proud of our city, our businesses, and our volunteers. So, I want to wish everyone a happy Small Business Week and vote Chris Tongath. Thank you.

Thank you, Lisa. Would anybody care to match that? Right. If not, then the next item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. Uh, new items must be stated and approved by unanimous consent. Any changes to the agenda? If not, would somebody care to make the resolution to approve the agenda? So move. Thank you, Jim. Second. Thank you, Scott. Um, roll call, please. A motion. All those in favor say I. I.

All again, same sign. Hearing none, the agenda is approved. There are no public hearings this evening. The next item is awarding of bids. A resolution awarding a contract to Mark Sand and Gravel for the low bid of $228,116.90 for the Dair Trail project. And I will call upon Kyle May.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, City Council. Uh we opened bids uh for the Dair Trail project which is south of the railroad tracks in between St. Andrews and Broadway. Uh we received three bids on the project. They ranged from 405,000 to 228,000. The engineers estimate was uh just under 410,000. Uh the uh funding for this project is coming through the state legislature money that we received for the dairy property. So that those funds will go towards uh uh paying for that project. So tonight we're asking uh to award a contract to Mark Sand and Gravel for their low bid of $228,116.90.

Would somebody care to make that resolution for that? Thank you, Scott. Would somebody care to second it? I can second it. Thank you, Laurel. Um, any questions of Kyle? Just one, your honor. Uh, Mr. Meyer, I appreciate it. Uh, and I have no issue with the project or anything with that. Uh, I kind of just I was taken back when the engineer had 409,000. Some of the other bids were around 409 and we get a 228 bid. Is there is there ever a time where as an engineer or as an entity we've got to maybe re-examine if something can even be done at 228? I mean that's a quite often. Yeah.

Yep. Um we when we have a low bid like that sometimes we do get worried and and look at all the items and go, okay, what? Why? How come it's this? Um, this project was bid uh by Interstate Engineering. We had them bid it based on a time frame where we had contractors come in where we had just opened multiple bids on uh the projects in town. So, we have multiple uh concrete and contractors that are in town doing work. So, this is the type of a project that's a perfect add-on where they may be able to be here working on the in town projects and going over to this dairy project at the same time or we're eliminating some mobilization costs, things of that nature. So, I think that played into why this is less than what the engineers estimate was.

Makes sense. I appreciate it, your honor. Thank you, [snorts] Kyle. [clears throat] When we go to bid and you have your engineers estimate, do you think that flavors the bids coming in? It can in some instances. Uh it's a it's a standard practice to have an engineer's estimate. So, um and they do ask for it. We tell them what that number is. Um but we've been coming in high and I'm wondering about that. Well, the last ones we've been low. No, I think what Mark's suggesting is engineers bids are higher than the actuals. Oh, yeah. I'm sorry.

Yep. The engineer cost bid has been higher and we're coming in lower. So, is there a a multiplier or subscription that you guys go or you just grab a number? Yeah. So, the way we the way we do it is we look at all of the bids that are coming in. uh we may look at from last year what were the bids that we got for these specific items and look at those uh as we compile these bids now throughout the year we will continue to look at those and adjust as you know the annual bids are coming in so we do look at uh many many bid tabs uh to to come up with those costs

and I appreciate it it it's subjective at best yeah And and just to give you an idea when uh Duran I know the projects that we bid uh the three projects we bid here last month our engineers estimate was actually right in the middle of the bids we received. Now if I received five bids I want my engineers estimate to be right in the middle. Okay. Thank you. the [clears throat] um Broadway railroad crossing. Is that where are we at on that? Where's that because I want to get that question asked? I know. Um and the St. Andrews one if that heard nothing about that. That's another kind of subject matter.

It is. But I just just a quick because you right now it's going to be we're going to prove something that goes nowhere. I mean we can't get across them. Just just a there's gonna be questions people ask and I just thought it'd be a good time to talk about it.

Yeah. We're working with um a company called Banish who works with the railroad. uh they're the design company that they use. We have a we have a plan in or a request into them to review for uh the Broadway St. Andrews and three other crossings in town. Uh I have gotten uh confirmation back from them that they have that they're reviewing it. They will be getting back to me shortly on that. Once we have that approval, then we either have to do a diagnostic meeting on site, determine exactly what those crossings will be, and then they can go to design after that. Thank you. [snorts] That roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. [clears throat] The resolution is approved. [cough] Thank you. The next item is uh petitions and communication. The first is a resolution acknowledging the retirement and 20 years of service from Rob Foreman. Um I don't know if the maybe I can uh police chief wants to say something before I read the uh the resolution. I'll do it. We should do it before because that might change somebody's mind whether they want to do this or not. Good evening, Mayor and Council.

So, this retirement is not easy for me. And not just because we're losing our most senior employee who walked through the doors of the Fergus Falls Police Department on November 1st of 1997, but also because it's hard to say goodbye to the one who has acquired the most institutional knowledge within the police department. But it's also hard to say goodbye to a fellow generation Xer. I'm going to describe a few characteristics of Gen Xers, and I encourage you to listen and see if you think that they are relevant to Sergeant Foreman. So, you hear people argue about generations all the time. The boomers killed everything. Millennials killed everything. Uh, Gen Z is changing everything. But there's one generation that you almost near never hear anything about. They never really get talked about. They're not loud. They're not defensive. And they're not trying to trend. They're just there. Born roughly between the mid 1960s and the early 1980s. They're your co-workers who don't complain and your parents that don't overexlain. The people who help build the modern world without constantly narrating their lives online. And here's the strange part. Psychologically, they might be the most misunderstood generation alive. Generation X was the first generation to grow up with widespread independence forced on them at an early age. Not as a lifestyle choice, but as a necessity. Imagine as a child you come home from school, unlock the door to an empty house, knowing that no one would check in on you for hours. No smartphones, no cameras, no messages asking you if you made it home safely. You just figured it out. You made your own food. You did your homework. and then you waited. You couldn't always rely on someone else showing up. So, this helped develop Generation X into one of the most quietly effective work ethics you will

ever see. They don't announce it. They don't brand it. They don't talk about grind culture. They just work and they are quietly dependable. Gen Xers think three steps ahead and they are excellent in emergencies. And when someone needs help, they show up. No announcement, no credit, no performance. These are very important characteristics for a police officer. They understand that every decision has weight. Gen Xers grew up in a time during layoffs, seeing many of their parents lose their jobs. They don't believe a job will save them. They believe that being useful will. So, Generation Xers developed skills that would help them stay useful and relevant in their careers. During his time with the Fergus Falls Police Department, Sergeant Foreman was a patrol officer, a detective in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, an evidence technician, an arson investigator, a field training officer, and a volunteer firefighter. Over 28 plus years, Sergeant Foreman made himself very useful to the city of Fergus Falls and its residents. Now, Generation X isn't better than other generations. They're just different. They grew up between eras after the old world cracked and before the new one stabilized. They are the bridge and bridges don't get applause. They just hold everything together quietly without asking if anyone noticed. These are perfect descriptions of Sergeant Foreman. I encouraged him to come here tonight, but his comment to me was that he'd spent his entire career staying out of city hall, [laughter] and he wanted it to end that way. Now, he's not he's not taking a shot at the city. He's simply following a Gen X trait that has been hardwired into him. He's been here for 28 plus years,

quietly holding the city together without asking for accolades and attention. It is quite fitting that this is how his law enforcement career concludes and how his retirement begins. With that, if you have any questions about Sergeant Foreman or his retirement, I'm happy to answer them. Thank you.

So, we have a resolution obviously regarding the retirement of Robert Foreman. Whereas, uh, Robert Rob Foreman has submitted his intent to retire effective May 1, 2026. And whereas Rob was hired on November 1, 1997 as a police officer. And whereas he moved to the status of master patrol on March 17, 2013 and was named a detective on July 9, 20, 2014. And whereas uh Rob moved from detective to patrol on September 19, 2016. And in July of 2025, Rob moved into the role of interim sergeant, a position he has held until his retirement date. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to accept the resignation of Robert Foreman, and thank him for 29 years of dedicated service as an employee to the city of Fergus Falls. The above and for mentioned resolution was offered at a regular meeting of the city council held on May 4th, 2026 by council member

I'll do that Jim Fish who moved its adoption and was seconded by council member Mark Leon and adopted by the following [snorts] vote. All those in [clears throat] favor say I. I. You want to roll call. Roll call. Okay. Hi. Yes. Rachel. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I whereupon the above resolution was duly adopted. Thank you Mr. Foreman in your absence. Just mayor.

Could I just say one thing, a couple things? Um I've had the opportunity to work with Rob many, many times along with many of the other police officers in this city. And you know, it's times like this when somebody retires, you go back and you think of what all went on throughout these years. But I think even with the new guys coming up, too, you've got some really good people, and we have a lot of good people to keep us safe. So, I appreciate what you're doing, Chief, and all the guys that are working to keep everybody healthy and safe in our community. It's it's there's some really great people here. Thank you. Thank you. I agree. Appreciate that.

Thank you. The next item is a pro proclamation declaring May 6 as Chris Tungst day. Um whereas Chris Tunga, the resident of Fergus Falls, has recently received national recognition as a contestant on season 24 of American Idol. And whereas Chris was selected from over 100,000 auditioning contestants and has successfully advanced through multiple rounds of judging and public voting to become one of the top five finalists. And whereas his exceptional vocal talent, engaging performance, and genuine personality have earned him widespread admiration and a growing national fan base. And whereas Chris Stonith has represented the city of Fergus Falls with pride, demonstrating love, respect, and honor for his family and community while showcasing his remarkable musical abilities to audiences across the country. And whereas the city of Fergus Falls encourages residents and supporters to vote for Chris through official American Idol platforms. [laughter] Um, and I lost my place. The official Yeah. [laughter] to help advocate him to to the season 24 finale on May 11th, 2026. Now therefore be it resolved that the city council of the city of Fergus Falls, Minnesota hereby proclaims May 6, 2026 as Chris Tongith Day in recognition of of his achievements and in appreciation for the pride and honor he brings to our community dated this 4th of day of May 2026. And whilst on proclamations, we have another proclamation because as uh Miss Workman from the chamber pointed out, it

is small business week. And um having spent the last me and Chris, my buddy, cardboard cutout, Chris, we're we're pretty close actually now. [laughter] Um we we we have pounded the pavements of Fergus Falls uh you know popping in to a variety of businesses um to give the opportunity for people to to promote Chris and to get cross-pollination between the businesses in downtown. And I think that's actually it's actually worked. Um, and we've had a lot of creative videos and clips that have been put on Facebook um, with Chris having everything from a manicure to sun bed to having his hair done. Um, and uh, so there's a lot of those and I think uh, yeah, this is this is Mate's rendition and what they've done to post post that in their windows. So, um, in recognition of Small Business Week, whereas our small businesses are the heartbeat of Fergus Falls, driving the innovation that fuels our economy and providing jobs that sustain our families. And whereas local ventures built by our neighbors define the unique character of our city and demonstrate an unbreakable commitment to our community success. And whereas Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce stands as a relentless champion for small local business, ensuring the economic climate remains vibrant and competitive. And whereas Small Business Week May 4 through 10 of 2026 serves as a vital reminder that when we shop local, we invest in the very future of our city. Now therefore, I on behalf of the city of Fergus Falls do hereby proclaim May 4 through 10, 2026 a small business week and call upon our citizens to shop boldly where no man has gone before. Prioritize local storefronts and

services to keep our dollars working at home. Advocate, engage with the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen our commercial work network. Celebrate. Honor the resilience and spirit of the entrepreneurs who make Fergus Falls a destination by attending the state of business community on Friday, May 8th at the Bigwood Event Center. In witness whereof, I here unto set my hand and casual cause the seal of the city of Fergus Falls to be affixed this the fourth day of May, 2026. So, yep. Thank you very much. So that is all our proclaim proclamations and resolutions for this evening. The next item on the agenda is the consent agenda and we have numerous items. A motion approving the minutes from April 2026 city council meeting and the April 29 committee of the whole meeting. A motion approving licenses and updated version on your desk. Resolutions approving amendment number two, license number L486 with the state of Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services for the lease of the Fergus Room at the Bigwood Event Center. A resolution authorizing the allocation of $15,000 to the Small Business Development Center for Economic Development Services. A resolution setting a wetland protection plan public hearing on May 13 at 7:00 a.m. in the council chambers. A resolution declaring firearms as surplus equipment and authorizing their disposal through a federal firearms license dealer. Resolution approving amendment number one to engineering task order number seven in the amount of $41,5334 construction management of the alley and parking lots in public improvement 5966 of the Kavore Avenue improvement project. Resolution authorizing the

advant advertisements of bids for Pebble Lake and Fryberg Avenue mill and Overlay projects. a resolution authorizing the submission of a housing study application. With that, would somebody care to make that resolution to adopt these things? I can offer that. Thank you, Laurel. Would somebody care to second it? I'll second. Thank you, Scott. [snorts and clears throat] Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. [clears throat] Yes.

Yes. The resolution is approved. The next item on the agenda is um a second reading of ordinance 79 8 series reszoning the property at 1397 South Tower Road from RA to B2 and I believe that is a roll call. Yes. Mortensson. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. abstain. [snorts]

The resolution is approved. The next item is a resolution declaring the May 6, 2026 Chris Tonsith a day of community festival and wavering city charges for this event. And this would be obviously the likes of the stage and kind of any barriers and things like that that the city would be typically doing unless Andrew wants to address it differently. No,

I just want to add one thing, your honor. Uh this says May 6th and we're hoping that's the case after a successful evening. I just want to also make it make the council aware that uh should it not go the way we anticipate tonight, there still will be some sort of event and we would like for this resolution to cover that date as well. Thank you. With that a roll call, please. Someone can make the res. Okay, I can do that or [laughter] second. I can second. Allan. Alan Laurel. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. [clears throat] Yes. The resolution is approved. The next item on the agenda agenda is the presentation of claims in the amount of $573 197 94. Would somebody care to make that resolution? I'll offer the resolution to pay the bills. Thank you, Jim. Would somebody care to second it or not? It doesn't matter. [laughter] Well, it kind of Oh, Bill thinks it matters. I will offer that. Thank you, Laura. Roll call, please. Yes. A little bit. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The um the bills apparently will get paid after all. [laughter] The next there is no old business or unfinished business. Under new business. We have uh a miscellaneous announcement regarding um obviously the uh Chris Tungath um for the past three weeks um the community has shown the the community of Fergus Falls has been remarkable in how it's come together with a common goal. Uh tonight the goal is clear. Rally behind Fergus Falls resident Chris Tongith and help him earn a spot in the top three on American Idol. Chris has already made it into the top five and now he needs our votes and your family's votes and your friends votes and your cousins votes and everybody else that you can get to vote to get him into the top top um three. So tonight obviously you know from 7:00 on ABC American Idol each contestant or each contestant can receive up to 50 votes through texting the American Idol website and social media. the city uh Facebook page as has full voting instructions and I know that there are multiple people also cir circulating instructions on on how to do that. When we get Chris into the top three American Idol producers will bring him along with the production crew back to Fergus Falls on Wednesday, May 6, so the day after tomorrow. And we will be ready to celebrate like no other. And that will include a red and white blue parade essentially the Summerfest route. So we'll start kind of a Broadway um station in vehicles on Lincoln and uh Kavore and we'll follow the roots kind of peeling in at Gate City Bank at 5:30 p.m.

And then that will be followed by a live performance at 7:30 at the Kurt Bride behind the RTC. Um, shuttle rides will be available from Mstate. MState has kindly allowed um their parking lots to be used with a bus collection point and Ottertale coaches will deliver those people that choose to park there downtown. Um and then ultimately after the parade uh the same buses uh will collect those people and take them up to the RTC grounds at the back. Um the bus um the theory at this point in time is the bus will drop people off um on Kavore kind of next door to Goodyear um state you know tire place and then we'll obviously do a loop and that would be the same place where people will get collected again. Um if uh if Chris, you know, if if if if everybody lets him down and doesn't vote um and he doesn't make it, then u we we already have plans in motion for a homecoming celebration later in the date. The reason it will not take place on the 6 is because that American Idol will hold him hostage until after the uh show is finalized. Oh, contractually contractually obligated or a hostage. Um, so I think a hostage sounds better. Then we can have a rescue mission to go and get him back.

Um, it gets more attention, Anthony. Oh, really? Yeah. Um, [clears throat] so obviously he he has contractual obligations and that will also detect that will determine what day that we can obviously get him back to Fergus and hold the parade. Uh the city extends a huge thank you to the many community partners working behind the scenes to create an unforgettable event that will show Chris just how proud we are of him. Let's make it happen. Uh vote for Chris tonight and get him into the top three.

Your honor, on on that, I had the question, are there going to be handicapped accessible buses or will there be handicapped parking at the RTC? What should people that need that do? Um we we looked at handicap buses, but the to go from an offsite parking to the RTC um it takes 7 minutes plus to load a handicapped person onto the bus. And so it was uh parking will be available behind the uh county office building. Um but once that's done full obviously that would be kind of it. Uh but there will be restricted parking um going beyond kind of for one of a simpler kind of place. The front of the Kurt bride, you know, back will not be vehicular accessible. Um the food and beverage trucks we're planning will be downtown for the parade. There will be no food and beverage trucks at the RTC. The concert is only going to be 30 minutes um or so. And uh and likewise the venue the the grounds for the uh concert won't um American Idol don't want that opening up. So you won't be able to get up there and kind of like pitch. Uh the other thing um is that you know American Idol do not want chairs. They do not want coolers. Um and uh

standing energetic crowd. They want as as Len said a standing energetic crowd. We want to fill it with people uh that have scream at the top of their lungs um in sport and then we have designated an area at the RTC grounds for kind of anybody that has challenges with mobility. So your honor y um obviously we all give him the greatest uh support. On an unrelated note, Kyle, I see there's counters on some various roads in town. Are you familiar with them or I've seen them. Uh they're not they're not the cities though.

Not a city is it? Thank you.

So um obviously you know on Krink Tungsworth Day on a positive uh vibe um the parade would start at 5:30 downtown and uh that would be followed then by a concert starting at 7:30. Um May 8th the the 7:30 a.m. state of the business community at the Bigwood Event Center. Uh May 13th 7:00 a.m. a committee of the whole meeting. And May 18 will be a 5:30 city council meeting with um the other thing uh just as another reminder. Um you know it is 250 years of of America this year. Um, I noticed, you know, as I, those that know me know I walk quite a bit around the place. Um, we're starting to see a spring of, uh, various various signs in the public right of way, you know, advertising anything from lawn care to cleaning. Um, you know, with American Idol coming and filming on Wednesday, um, you know, it would be nice if we didn't have signs like that in our boulevard. Um, technically if you want to, you know, erect a sign, you need to get a permit for it like that. And, uh, if not, the city will remove those signs and you can collect them from usually the public works department, you know, if they get picked up and they'll be in the like lost and found. But it's a big occasion for Fergus Falls to be on the national kind of screen. Granted, they're going to be here for like a day filming and we'll get three minutes of fame, but you know, um if if you can mow your grass, a lot of people mow grass, a lot of people tied it up. Um you know, and as I say, it's 250 years. Let's make the city look nice and pristine, not just for this, but for the rest of the summer. And with that we