City Council - Regular Meeting

All right. Good evening, everyone. I am Mayor Shelley Carlson and today is March 9th, 2026 and it's 5:30 p.m. Um, the Morid City Council welcomes public input on issues that are listed on the agenda or of general community interest. time and council permitting. Speakers will be limited to three minutes each. If you would like to address the council during the meeting, please fill out a form provided by our city clerk and I will call you up during the citizens to address the council item on the agenda. You'll need to state your name and if you're a Morhead resident. If comments were submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting via email or phone, those comments will be entered into the record. For more information on participation, please visit the council mediates page on the city of Morhead website at morheadmn.gov. We the Morhead City Council collectively and with gratitude acknowledge a sacred land the city of Morhead is built upon. We acknowledge the people have resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota Ojiway Mati and all uh indigenous communities permeate this land. And with that, could I get a roll call, please?

Ryan Nelson here. Nicole Matson, here. Heather Nissmeer here. Emily Moore here. Deb White here. Lisa Borggan here. Sebastian McDougall here. Chuck Hendrickson present. Mayor Shelley Carlson here. And for those who are able, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. All right. And city manager Molly, do we have any agenda amendments?

Yes, Mayor. We have a request to add an item um to the agenda this evening um uh related to the adco group to discuss ICE and border control control activities locally. Okay. Um with that [clears throat] uh amendment um do I have a motion to approve the uh amended agenda? So move naire white second. Any discussion?

See none now. Yep. Uh council member Borggan. I just wanna just for the record and to understand, you know, what does it take to add things to the agenda and, you know, it seems like we're adding things to the agenda frequently and I just I think it's unusual and it's hard to be prepared for a discussion when you don't know that something's going to be added to the agenda until we get here. So, I'm just wondering if if there is some kind of a rule or how how are we handling that? I I would just like to know for my own edification.

Yes. Um and Cat can correct me if I'm wrong on a legal basis, but I understand there are three items to three ways to add something to the agenda. The mayor can do so, the city manager, or the request of two council members. And so that could happen before, during the meeting um at any point. Okay. Thank you. Any additional questions or comments? All right. Seeing uh none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Moving on to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Have a second. Second. More. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Any opposed? That motion carries as well. Right. Um uh the first under recognitions and presentations is a presentation from Gate City Bank um for the City of Morehead Neighborhood Impact Home Improvement Program. And I will turn this over to Brandy and Eric.

Good evening everyone. Thank you so much for having us. Uh my name is Brandy Olsen. I serve as a assistant vice president um retail manager in the Fargo Morehead Market. Uh we're incredibly thankful for the communities we call home and we're proud to invest in them and um so they remain beautiful years to come. Today I'm excited to share how our neighborhood impact program will create a better way of life for our residents of Morehead. The home improvement partnership does just that and is one of the multiple similar programs we offer across our region and is designed to revitalize neighborhoods, helping homeowners make repairs and upgrades at below market interest rates. In 2026, we're happy to allocate 2 million for this initiative, which will encourage the preservation of wonderful homes and add to the long-term value of properties and neighborhoods. Qualifying projects will range from patio additions and new garages to safety repairs like furnace replacements and accessibility adjustments. Funds may also be used to address code and structural corrections, energy improvements, and general property upgrades. Gate City Bank has been supporting and investing in these programs for many of our local communities since 2003, contributing 127 million to date. In 2026 alone, we have allocated a total of 23 million for participating communities across North Dakota and Central Minnesota. In 2026 alone, the bank has allocated a total of 23 million. Like I had said, um we can't say enough how thankful we are for this opportunity to help create a better way of life for our friends and neighbors here in the Morehead community. Um and so we have our great big $2 million check that we would like to take a photo with today. Um and open to any questions that you may have.

Any questions? [laughter] No. All righty. Thank you so much. [applause] Would you be okay with taking a photo?

Just a vertical and a horizontal. Thank you. Thank you so much for having us. You can take it cuz we can't. [laughter]

We can't reuse it. So, it's all yours. Thank you again. Thank you so much for continuing to make that investment in Morehead. I know um there are many homeowners that utilize that low interest rate to be able to make those improvements and and make uh their homes accessible, especially for, you know, individuals who are in wheelchairs and things like that. So, thank you um for continuing to contribute and and help people stay in their homes. So, thanks. All right. Next is um the swearing in and badge pinning for a few new Morehead police officers. I'll turn this over to Chief Helmick.

Good evening, Mayor Council members. I'm happy to be back again with another opportunity to swear in a couple new officers. Uh we have two new officers joining us tonight and both of these officers are coming to us from outside agencies. Uh that's really significant because both of these folks are making us a significant sacrifice to leave their previous job, their place of residence, friends, family who might live to where they're at now and uh they're making that sacrifice to come join our team. So, we are really appreciative of that and we are extremely excited to have them join the the Morhead police team tonight. So, with that, uh we are now at six openings in our department and we're continue to making progress. So, just to give you a quick update, uh we're looking at bringing another group in in June for swearing in and another group in September. Um, so with that, hopefully with that September group, that'll fill up all of our openings and then by the end of the year, we hopefully will be 100% operational with all those folks completing their training and what have you. So again, really good progress. It seems like it's slow. It seems like every time I've come in here, I've given you an update, but we are gradually working towards uh zero opening. So going to continue to press that towards that. Uh, with that, let's get started with the swearing in. Uh, first of all, we have Officer Seth Ologger. He's coming to us from the Ottertale County Sheriff's Office where he visited jailer for the last six years. So Seth, if you want to come up here. Okay. And he is having uh his girlfriend Tori pin on his badge. So if you want to come up here in front and please feel free to take photos and do whatever. It's kind of a big deal if anyone wants to.

All right. You want to just [applause] All right. Next, we have Officer Faith Schaefer. She's coming to us from the New York Mills Police Department where she was an officer since 20 or 2022. And she will be having her mom pinned on her badge tonight.

[applause]

All right. And mayor, if you'd like to do the honors, we'll have you front here. So, one thing that is a little bit different when I uh have sworn in every single officer the last this will be my sixth year as mayor. I have something else that I share with as far as qualifications of being a police officer. And this is primarily um not just for you guys because you guys know what the qualifications are, but it's for the the friends and family and also for the general public. Um because I think being a law enforcement officer, uh you guys have to have a lot of unique skills that um maybe people don't have in their uh that they don't think of as what needs to go into being a police officer. Um, and sometimes I get a little choked up because my husband used to be a Morehead police officer. When he left for the private sector, he was a sergeant. And so, um, I have always thinking of, you know, when I was waiting at home for him to come home or getting a random call at 2:00 in the morning, um, I kind of put myself in in the shoes of your friends and your family members at home. So, um, we all know that in the state of Minnesota, you have to have at least minimum of two-year degree. You have to go and get skills training. Um, the closest for Minnesota is in Alexandria, and I think that's about, is it 10 weeks? 10 weeks now. Um, and then you have to take your Minnesota peace officers and standard training. You have to pass that. You have to do all these things before you can even be hired to be a police officer. But there's other qualifications. So, a police officer has to be able to run miles through alleys in the dark,

scale walls, enter homes a health inspector wouldn't go into, all while wearing 20 plus pounds of equipment. Officer must be able to sit in a car during surveillance all day, cover a homicide scene that night, canvas a neighborhood for witnesses, and be able to show up in court the next day to testify about a case that's a year old, and remember all of those details on little or no sleep. A police officer must be in top physical condition on a diet consisting of black coffee, Mountain Dew, or energy drinks, and halfeaten meals frequently consumed in their squad car in less than 5 minutes. A police officer needs to have three pairs of eyes. One that sees through a bulge in a coat pocket before asking, "May I see what's in there?" already knowing what's in there and kind of wishing they would have taken that accounting job. A second pair of eyes on either side of their head to look out for his or her partner's safety. and a third pair of eyes in front to be able to look reassuring at a bleeding victim and say, "You're going to be okay." even when they know it's not true. A police officer must be able to talk to a 250 pound intoxicated and combative individual into a talk him into a squad car without incident and raise a family on a civil service paycheck. The officer must be able to tell you the elements of a hundred different crimes. Recite the Miranda warning in their sleep. Detain, investigate, search, and arrest a criminal on a street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the arrest and somehow keep a positive attitude and maintain a sense of humor. A police officer must have phenomenal personal control. They must be able to deal with horrific graphic crime scenes. coat coats confessions from pedophiles, comfort a sexual assault victim, know the names, numbers, and services of dozens of community resources, and respond to chance interactions with the public with friendliness and a ready

smile at all times. You are each member of an elite group of individuals who swear to honor, serve, and protect the citizens of Morehead. and for these attributes and your willingness to serve myself and the council and the rest of the community. We thank you. You're deeply appreciated and I'm grateful for both of you for choosing Morehead. So, thank you for that. And this is the second time I've gotten through that without um becoming choked up. So, I would like to make sure that people know that I'm getting better. So with that, if you want to raise your right hand and I state your name, do solemnly swear that I will support and comply with the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution and laws of the state of Minnesota, the charter laws and ordinances of the city of Morehead, the policies and procedures of the Morhead Police Department and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as a police officer to the best of my ability. I further pledge that on my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to holds and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold my community and the agency I serve. Congratulations. [applause]

Oh, the Oh, they're not here. Okay. Oh, okay. All right. Did I bring up Also, and Chief Elmik, if you could just step back to the podium really quickly. I just had one quick question. Um, and congratulations to the new officers, but you have been the chief for less than a year because I think you started in April of last year. And can you remind us how many openings we had a year ago versus six? And and

you're you're testing my old brain here. [laughter] I just think this is incredible that we're continuing. We only have six openings.

So, I'm going to give you the safe answer. I know it was at least a dozen. I just don't recall off the top of my head where we were at at that point because it's all been a little bit of a blur when it comes to hiring and swearing in, but uh it was much worse off than where we're at right now. So, and again, I I've done this before and I know he gets a little embarrassed when I do it, but Sergeant Brandon is really the uh brains behind that. And he has just been working I I would say daily uh trying to draw in the uh excellent applicants and and and cadets that he's been bringing in. And I know that we have some other folks that are in the works right now that we'll be bringing before the council here very soon. So, uh uh like I said, we are on the right track and and very very uh optimistic about our outlook for this year.

All right. Well, thank you and and thank you to uh Sergeant Brandon. I know he was here and I think he just stepped out, but um it's just really good to know that we are seeing the end and the hopefully we'll cross the finish line at the end of this year and have all those positions filled 100%. Thank you. All right, moving on to the approval of the February 23rd, 2026 meeting minutes. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. You have a second. Second, Nelson. Motion and a second. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I.

Any opposed? All right, that motion carries. And we do have one individual who would like to speak. Um, and that is Katherine Ferguson. Um, if you want to come to the podium, uh, and how this will work is you'll need to state your name. Um, if you're a Morehead resident, you'll have three minutes on the po uh on on the podium. Um, three minutes on this time clock. When the you see a button that goes red, that means your time is up and you'll need to wrap it up. Um, and any uh comments that you make, it's not a back and forth between the council. It's just for us to listen to and if there's something that we can address with somebody that's already here, we'll have um I'll have them meet with you outside in the outside of the council chamber. So, feel free and go ahead. All right. [clears throat and cough] Hi, I'm Katherine Ferguson. I'm a Morehead resident uh resident of Ward 3. Um I appreciate having had the opportunity to speak at the last council meeting along with other concerned residents about immigration enforcement in our city. Um I'll be brief. I I just wanted to formally request an update regarding the committee reviewing the possibilities around the city's response to immigration enforcement and just have a couple follow-up questions I'm wondering if can be addressed. Um uh my understanding of the committee's purpose was to kind of explore what the council can do to safeguard citizens and to gain a better understanding of legal parameters around the issue. Um but I wanted to check if my understanding is correct or if the committee could clarify what its goals are. Um, I'm specifically wondering if the committee has discussed limiting access to city spaces and pre preventing immigration enforcement from setting up staging areas outside of places like schools, clinics, polling locations. Um, lastly, I'm wondering whether residents are able to receive updates on the committee's progress and if residents are allowed to observe committee meetings. Thank you.

All right. Thank you very much. Right. See where we are at. Okay. We are on to public hearings at 5:45. Um and this would um and if uh Matt Lysath wants to come to the podium. Um, we need to open the public hearing regarding the application of bidan assisted care LLC leasing to Gold Thorp Core Beehive Homes multifamily housing with health related services tax incentive for an expansion of the senior living community located at 10001 Caddy Avenue. Do I have a motion to open the public hearing?

So move Nissa Meyer. Is there a second? There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? That motion carries. We are on public hearing. And welcome, Mr. Lysathth. Um, this is the first time you've presented as the new executive director of Downtown Morhead, Inc.

Yes. Thank you very much, Matt Lys, downtown Morehead. Uh, excited to be here for my first uh round. Um before you uh in your council packet was a uh recommendation to consider the approval of a property tax exemption and employee credit for Midland Associated uh assisted care um doing business as Beehive Homes um which uh is a memory uh care facility that's located at 101 Caddy Avenue. So, if you see the map um on your screens, it is just uh on um Caddyy Avenue as you turn into the uh Morehead Country Club. They're adding a second facility. This is the second of two uh excuse me, the second of four planned facilities uh here in Morehead. This is an all uh memory care unit that will be added. It has uh it will have 22 studio uh units which include uh bedrooms uh closets and private bathrooms for the residents. Uh in addition to that um there are community spaces uh for the residents that are there uh that have the outdoor patio, shared living room, dining services and uh uh just spaces for them uh for um entertainment and uh activities during the day. Um they will also extend their parking lot on that site. What is uh one exciting part about it is unfortunately this is a very needed uh service in our Morehead community adding um more memory care. Um it continues to fill up and we need to make sure that we have areas for our residents to uh to take those services right here in town. Um, as we look at the property valuation, um, the value of the property right now is 1.7 million, even with the exemptions that will continue to stay on the tax roles. Um, the assessor's, um, opinion is that the building improvements will add another $2 million. Um, once it is fully uh, back

onto the books, this is the exemption is for four years. um that will start as you know um construction if it starts if and approved it's going to be uh starting in April and finishing uh if it's on time by December of 2026. That means it will get assessed in 27 and this exemption will start in 2028. So it is a delayed and then it's four years uh from that point on. Um it is residential medium density. it does fit for it zoning uh and it is um it it's ready to go. Um the plans that have been submitted are preliminary um and they'll be finalized before they uh before a building permit is approved. Um and Mark, I have to say Mark Goldaddy with Beehive Homes is here today if you have any questions for him or myself. Uh and I'll open the floor.

Thank you. This is a public hearing portion of the item. This means that this is opportunity for the public to ask questions or make comments. So, are there any members of the public who wish to speak to this agenda item? Call again. Is there any members of the public who wish to speak to this agenda item? If not, I would look to the council to make a motion to close the public hearing portion of this agenda item. So, move Nissa Meyer. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Any opposed? That motion carries. The public hearing portion um of this item is closed. Um with that, I will open it up to council members if you have any questions or comments uh for Mr. Lysa. Council member Nisser.

Um Mr. Lysath, I don't know if this question is for you or for um our guest here this evening. I am curious. you mentioned it's the second of four buildings and you um my first question was timeline just so people could hear like when the buildings are going to be happening um and look forward to perhaps they already have a wait list I don't know but um as you mentioned memory care in our community and in our county as a whole is a high need um and I'm curious if um you or our guest could speak to the timeline for buildings three and four just sort of looking ahead as people are uh going to the golf course or MB Johnson puck park MB Johnson Park driving by and seeing things um happening so they have some more sort of ideas of what's happening. Of course it is not set in stone things can always change but just out of curiosities for our community members um looking to see that growth and um interested in thing buildings that are going up.

I'll ask Mark to come on up and share that. I do not know his plans for the future. I was hoping he'd feel that hard question. [laughter] So, when we opened our first home in 2019, I think we just full of hope thought great, let's go. Every two or three years, we can pop up a new one. And I think about seven months after we opened is when COVID hit. So, slowed up stuff. and uh things have balanced out greatly with uh the workforce. Also, you're starting to see a lot less turnover, a lot less people moving and out. So, our hope again, maybe it's just over the top again, is that after this home is open at the end of the year, uh December, January, filling up, uh we do have a wait list. We get lots of calls, um and feel horrible turning people away, especially for memory care. Um so we hope that kind of every two years we can have that next home uh starting to go again kind of getting that stabilization bank sees kind of that stable period and then can get approved again and just move right into the next one. So kind of the hope kind of every two years just kind of get that third that fourth home ready to go.

Marvelous. I appreciate that. Um not that um elder care always comes up on the list. Usually it's snow removal. Uh but uh I think that uh a lot of people are interested in staying in Minnesota in our community and having additional facilities for our elders um and easy access for them to be visited by family is great. So I want to thank you for um sharing your hopeful uh timeline and um thank you for continuing to grow in Morehead. I think it means a lot to our residents. We appreciate it.

You um Council Member Matson. Thank you, Mayor. these this um these are questions back to Matt. So um uh I just want to say from the outset I'm not opposed to the project. I I have questions but the the fact that I have questions shouldn't be read as opposition.

Um the first one is on the timeline and I'm sorry I didn't ask this earlier. I noticed earlier and then I forgot to to flag it. Um so the um the very end or towards the end the um on it's on page 11 top of page 11. Um the first year of the proposed exemption would be 2028 if construction is only partially completed on January 2, 2026. The operator may choose to pay taxes for the partial year and begin the full exemption on in 29. Assume that's 28. So, if it's not done by January 2 of 28, they can bump they could push that out to 29. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Um, financial considerations.

Am I reading this correctly that the the the total of the property tax exemp exemption, the dollar total for this project is $35,200. That is the property tax exemption, which is our standard uh for apartments and living quarters within there. And yes, that would be um $35,200 for the for the four years. Yes. Perfect. Okay. And then the employee credits $1,500 per employee per year. How many years or is it until we get to 50 grand? That that is also four years. Four years. Okay. With a maximum within those four years. Yeah. Okay. Those are my questions. Thank you very much.

Right. Any other council members have any questions or comments? Um, seeing none, I would entertain a um a motion to approve the resolution, which would be 9B. Move to approve 9B. A motion and a second. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

I. Any opposed? That motion carries. So, um, Mark Oh, I was like, where did you go? You were sitting there. Now you're over here. Uh, thank you. Um I in my day job I work at an elder justice um organization and we daily hear about the need particularly for memory care. So thank you for um pursuing that that business I guess um but also doing it with care for the the residents who are living there. So thank you and I agree with Counciloman Bernice. there are a lot of people that are wanting to continue to live in Morehead and being able to have that additional option for them um is wonderful and for families who want to continue to be able to go visit them. So, thank you.

Right. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Lysa. All right, we are at mayor and council reports. Any council members mayor and council reports that comes before any council member uh council member ner.

Thank you, madam mayor. Um I would like to report on our SWAC uh meeting that was at the end of February. Um we had uh some great discussion about um machinery tools and keeping things up to date. Um mattress recycling is going very well in Klay County. And so um it's something always to remember. We don't have to wait for um what is that week? Cleanup week. That is now two weeks, not just one. Um we can always um go to recycle and uh see that our things potentially are reused by utilizing the resource recovery center which is on 15th Avenue North or if you just keep going east nope north after Aldi. Um I'm not great with streets and directions. So finding uh things to look for. The off the opportunity that we also have um in Klay County is that we um had a new uh Klay County um SWAC or solid waste advisory committee member added. Um and so if people are interested in serving on um boards or commissions for Klay County, I encourage you to go out to the um Klay County website. they have them all listed and you can fill out an application and get more information. The reason I mentioned that in addition to SWAC, we just appointed somebody um and uh for the extension committee and the extension committee meeting is this Wednesday. We are looking for um an open seat to serve. And so if you are interested in serving on the Klay County Extension Committee, it is a three-year term and there's information as well as an application. If you search for Klay County, Minnesota Extension Committee, we would love to have um you serve on that committee if you would like to know more about the extension committee. Please feel free to reach out. We can have some um coffee or tea and uh visit

about that committee as well. The uh Cass Clay Food Commission meeting is also this Wednesday and so if you would like to go to the Family Healthc Care Center and meet uh attend extension that is from 8:30 until 10:00 and the uh Klay County Cass Clay Food Commission. There we go. Is 10:30 to noon um at Metro Cog's office in downtown Fargo. So, I encourage people to continue to reach out with interest and information regarding our boards and commissions. And um if you would like to know any more details beyond what is on our brand new fabulous website, please shoot me an email or a text. I'd love to visit with you.

Thank you. Any other council members have board and committee appointment or information I should say. Council member Moore.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. I just wanted to report u we had a park board meeting on February 26th where there was great collaboration and I always love a good collab. So I'm going to talk about those. Uh MB Johnson Park did a trail head with the FM trail build trail builders. So go check that out at MB Johnson as well as a fantastic collaboration called Rink Drinks where Swing Barrel provided drinks at our new skating area Memorial Park. Last but not least, talking about park board, um the Celtic Festival is this Saturday, March 14th, from 10 to 4. Doors open at 9:30 and it's $5 admission, but 10 and under, kids are free. So, second is the economic development authority. I wanted to thank Matt Lysa. Is he still here? Any he did a fantastic job um presenting the comprehensive downtown report for us. And we also nominated a new chair. He might be familiar to all of us here, Derek La Point. We're so excited. And then our vice chair, Kim Schaefeld. And last but not least, uh the library is on the move. We're in phase two. And just to let folks know, the library, the old former library, will be open this Wednesday 9 to 7 and Saturday 10 to 6. You can find out more at ll.org/morad. and not a report just to save the date would be Saturday, March 28th, there is the 35th annual Woodlands and High Plains Pow-Wow at MSUM. So that's it.

All right. Thank you, Council Member Matson. I just I have two things now. I had one thing, but I just want to I just want to put a plug in for to the earring vendors at the Pow-Wow. Three of us right here are sporting earrings that we got at various um local events, handmade earrings. So, go check those out. Um, Council Member White and I attended the Greater Fargo Morehead EDC. It's not the annual meeting. It was like the sort of annual meeting or something like that. Unmeating.

Unmeating. Okay. Uh, unannual meeting. That's I don't know. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Why I mention it is because we talked to um the people at the Dakota business lending booth. Um they are lenders to small businesses and um I asked them, you know, your name says Dakota Business Lending. I get the business lending part, but are you only in the Dakotas? and they said no, they do um they they are they have done work in M in Morehead and they um I believe they said they were one of the lenders for the Speedy um oil change uh building in Morehead and they are very interested in doing more um lending in Morehead. So if you're a Morehead small business and you need some financing it, you can either connect with me and I'll connect you with them or go to dakotaabuslending.com. Thank

Right. other uh council member White.

Thank you, Mayor. Well, after the greater Fargo Morehead EDC unmeating, um I attended the stand with Ukraine event on the bridge and that was the to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and it was a um I was happy to be there and be in support. And one of the difficult things was also hearing from folks about in addition to trying to um you know escape a war torn country, many of them now are facing difficulties because their asylum status or their ability to stay here in the United States is is in jeopardy. Um and so you know just to get the word out about that of supporting our Ukrainian refugees. um their country's in peril and they just want to be here and be safe with their families and unfortunately um it looks like some of them are you know being forced to leave the country and don't have anywhere to go. Um I also on the 26th attended the CAPLP meeting and um just wanted to share the uh again about some of the important work that they do on homeless outreach um which has expanded greatly but also with um things to prevent people from becoming homeless. So such as their homeless um I'm sorry their rent assistance programs that they've really been expanding those and also educating possible homeowners. So, folks that maybe um have uh are um have not been able to become homeowners and don't know some of the intricacies of it to help educate them so they can become successful homeowners. Um and I wanted to mention that on March 24th, we will have a global market here as part of a women's history event, women's history month event. Uh there'll be a women's history month trivia event there. Uh it's through the same collaboration between immigrant development center, the city historical and cultural society, Klay County, um the inclusive

Morehead and the Indigenous Association, but we won't be holding it every month now. They're just doing it um together and parks and recreation. We're doing it with different events. So you can come um enjoy the global market here in the building and do some Women's History Month trivia on March 24th. Thank you.

Thank you. other council members. All right, seeing none, uh for the mayor report, um first of all, I wanted to thank uh Mayor Promchuck Hendrickson for handling the meeting last month. Um I guess it was last month the last time. Um and also just to give a shout out and congratulations to the Morides hockey team for taking state second year in a row. Um, for those who watched, it was a exciting game. And congratulations to Tiden Berguson for being named Minnesota's 2026 Mr. Hockey and Brandon Mickelson for receiving the 2026 Reed Larson Award, which is for defenseman in across the state. Um, and not to only focus on hockey, but we also had another state champion two years in a row, which was Billy Ward for winning his second state title in wrestling. Um, and there were probably more, but those are the ones that I was finding when I was googling um, all the great young people that we have that are representing Morehead across the state of Minnesota. Um, since the last council meeting, uh, things that I've been asked, uh, to represent the city of Morhead at, um, was to present at Fargo South Career Day, which might seem really odd and weird, but it was a Morehead resident who asked. And actually, several of those Fargo South students um, were expressing interest in attending either MState or MSUM. So I did my uh dragon recruiting and MSAT 2 um to try to explain some of the programs that we have um available to individuals who are looking to attend some of our local colleges and universities. I also particip participated in a conservation Minnesota webinar to discuss the lead pipe um replacement project that we have in the city of Morehead. Um, so that was a great uh webinar to um showcase the great work that Morehead Public Service

um and the city of Morhead have done um working with residents. I also spoke to residents at Even Tide about the ribbon cutings and all the other great things that are happening in the city of Morhead in 2026 and invited them and they're very excited that um they will be coming to the opening which is April 18th for the new library. and I read a proclamation recognizing women in construction week. Um and uh went against Mayor Tim Mahoney with Hammer Hammershagen. Um I didn't lose. It was it was a tie. So um I told them they have to put both of them on there. And last but not least, I met with the MREs, which is the Minnesota um River uh Missouri River Energy Services Ambassador and Coordinator. Um I'm an ambassador for MREs. Um, and then I had uh we convened the mayor's ad hoc committee. Um, I was going to give an update, but since that was put on to new business, I will wait until that point in time um on the agenda. And with that, I will turn it over to city manager Molly.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, t the season for flooding and weekly updates from the National Weather Service, um, which are underway now. Um, flood risk this year is low to moderate. I think moderate sounds at best. I checked in with our city engineer, Bob Zimmerman. Um um we're anticipated to be uh the river is anticipated to be about 17 feet right now as we stand. I mean we always we all know this changes and the valley is is on a tabletop so we never know but water's running through u the city already. So that's good news. I want to assure everyone that we have a solid team of professionals. I I kind of think of it as probably some of the best flood fighters on earth. Um and that um boy when you check in with them they really know what they they stand ready and and certainly know what to do. So um that's where we stand as far as flooding goes. Uh at this time in two weeks we'll have another update or sooner. Uh the engineering team has also developed a set of frequently asked questions related to the 40th Avenue South project. Um that information is available on the website on social media and other communications channels. Um, want to share with everyone that that information explains why a roundabout is recommended at the intersection of 40th Avenue and uh, 14th Street, how the design enhances safety, and how community concerns are being addressed. U,, we know there's a lot of conversations that are happening around that. I'll also add that the proposed um, roundabout also um, increases safety um, while reducing the likelihood of um, crashes. This is what is showing up in the data as we studied it. You know, frankly, the stop signs um are intended to do well, but individual behaviors we noticed. We saw if there's a there's a really uh incredible video. It's frankly it's it's longer than it should be. In the future, maybe we'll break those down into a series of three to five minute videos. Um but uh boy, we had cameras on that intersection at all hours of the

day and there were people going through at slower speeds, medium rate speeds, different things like that. So, um, the roundabout kind of really addresses some of those longer term traffic operations and mit mitigates known driver behavior issues. Um, it also supports the city's broader uh safety strategy and emphasizing uh pedestrian safety uh citywide and especially around schools. So, I wanted to share that. And finally, Ghost Buds. Those really that this weekend was a lot of fun. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Um, and I'm not sure who were the council members who put on the new business, so I guess turn over. Council member Nissme.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Yes, I had uh been in touch with a number of residents um over the weekend and um had reached out to council member city manager Molly um following um some conversation with uh council member White about having this on um a new business item versus an update um just so we could have some more engagement um across the council um and allow multiples of us to do updates. I wasn't sure if the mayor wanted to include some as well as council member McDougall. So, um, information about this ad hoc group. Um, there are 13 of us on the group. uh the mayor, the city manager, myself, uh council member McDougall, the Morehead Chief of Police, the city attorney, the council or the economic development um authority chair, the human rights commission chair, um as well as uh representatives from a number of local organizations including the immigrant development center or IDC, the Immigrant Law Center, the Kurdish Diaspora, New Roots Midwest, and the United Liberian Association. And so, um, we, uh, first met this last Friday, which was March 6th, I believe, from noon to 1:30 in the Willow Room. Uh, we have plans to meet again, um, Friday, April 3rd, um, uh, at the Yum Compst. I cannot speak to, uh, the question of whether or not these are publicly posted meetings and whether, um, residents can or cannot attend. And so, uh, my question goes will go to the city manager. I'll email you later about that information and I will make a note to get back to the resident who spoke tonight about, um, the attendance or observation of these meetings. So, at this meeting, um, we were able to cover a great deal of things. I really want to, um, appreciate

the mayor for calling this ad hoc group together, um, because there has been a lot of desire and need. Uh we were able to hear uh feedback for um folks of a variety of different cultural backgrounds um races, ethnicities who are not engaging in our community in the way that they would like to. They're not able to attend um their faith community um engagements or events. They're not able um or comfortable to send their children to school or go to work. um there are needs in the community, but there are also lots of um area organizations that are participating in addressing some of these needs. Um and so one of the goals that we came out with was gathering a list of um resources and things that folks are already doing and just putting together a list or a link perhaps even to organizations that already exist for that purpose. Uh first link which has a lot of resources that are going on in our community. Um there was talk about um information. So we currently have a one sheet um about frequently asked questions um in regard to the Morhead Police Department and I had made the request that that be translated into a number of languages. There was um talk uh somebody had mentioned the four or five top languages other than English and so I want to appreciate um Chief Helmick for um reaching out to the communication staff to get working on that. I think that that accessibility of a really outstanding handout, if you haven't seen it yet, um you can find it on our website or you can email me for it and I can email it to you directly. I think having that um accessible in multiple languages will really be beneficial for our residents and community members. I also think that um there was some thoughts about what we still have needs of and for um and so there was going to be some gathering of feedback and insights um as well as um

uh like a one-pager of what the city can and can't do with lots of questions. Um, for those who have emailed me, I often email a very long and it is multiple pages of frequently asked questions in the hopes to address questions about federal agents in the city of Morehead. But I think making it that in a more accessible form was an ask that was made to city staff. And I am um hopeful that perhaps before even April 3d that that document will be in existence and be um shared out with our community so people have that information about um who they can call, what they can do and supports that they have within our community. Um some items that we didn't get to talk to uh or talk about at length and I hope to get to another time is uh we didn't get to talk about um the gaps in the services that are currently being made. There was a quest request for what aren't we doing? Um there were also requests for um the city to sort of help or aid in grants. Um and there was some discussion about what we can and can't do to support that. But there are lots of agencies and nonprofits within our community who have received grants and funds to do a lot of work. And so getting some sort of centralized idea and link or information about where people can go in certain situations. I also think uh we didn't get a chance to talk about um businesses that are being impacted in Morehead. Many of them are visited by uh local residents and if our residents don't feel comfortable going out of their homes, those businesses may be struggling as well. And so my hope is is that on April 3rd, we have another 90 minutes set forth to review what we've been able to gather and what we have to put forth as well as have some more discussion topic items. And so, um, if anybody has any, uh, thoughts, comments, ideas, I would like to, you know, just

let people know that I'm on the ad hoc committee and I'd love your feedback and insight. So, that is just the reason why I wanted to have this as a new business item to let you know we did meet. We do have a future meeting um, set up and we've got action items that we are taking and moving forward with. And that was going to be my report, too. [laughter] So, um, thank you, Council Member Nissyer. Uh, Council Member McDougall, did you have anything to add as far as, um, the meeting? I'll say just video it next time because I was almost verbatim for the meeting. Good job. [laughter]

Yeah, really excellent summary, Council Member White.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I was really pleased to hear that after two months that we did have a meeting. Uh and uh unfortunately it sounds like it was um not a you know just more of an information gathering. Um and now they're not meeting again for another month. Um so that's a little disappointing. Um I just thought it was would be a good time after talking to Council Member Nissa Meyer um just continuing in that vein of focusing on what we can do. And um since I'm not on that committee, I just wanted to share again some of the things that other cities are already doing to um help people are that are impacted. And before then, just to again um reiterate that it's nice that we it sounded like part of this was confirming from people directly in the community some of the impacts that we that we're seeing that you know people are afraid to leave their home that um that people who uh are here legally are being detained that businesses have been affected and I know that there was an article in the forum on March 2nd that also um went into details about that, about how individuals and businesses um and other organizations in our community have been affected and it's nice to see community members that are stepping up to help. But so in the vein of just again, you know, here's some things to think about next month when you meet um some things that other cities in Minnesota are already doing um including ones that are outside of the metro uh and um cities that are smaller than than we are. Um, in some cities they're using uh the state housing funds for emergency me rent stabilization. I know that that was one of the things that came up is people that are now um worried about becoming

homeless because if you can't go to work um if you're afraid to leave your home uh it's hard to make ends meet and pay your rent. And so, um, I know that in some places that's one option that they've used is to look at, um, some of the funding, and I know we receive that some of the state housing funds that might be used for emergency rent stabilization that's being done in some other cities. Um, in other places, they are working on um, restrictions uh, in order to um, prevent um, evictions. Um, and you know, I think part of why this is important is we know, I know from working with CAP LP, once people become homeless, it's so much harder. And so, if we can intervene now for these folks that are being harmed by the things that are happening and keep them from being able being having that become even worse by having them lose their housing, then we should be focusing on those types of things for because it will be long-term much better for our community if we do so. Um, in some other communities in Minnesota, the cities are um providing support for food pantries for families that are afraid to leave their homes. And so, again, I, you know, if you wanted to, I just feel like we don't need to reinvent the wheel that if we look at some of the things other cities are doing um with their resources, uh, we know that these can be done. And so, that those are things that you might think about doing. Um, in some of the other cities in Minnesota, their economic development staff are meeting with businesses um to better understand how businesses are affected and ways of supporting them. Um, that to me just kind of seems like a no-brainer. I know we've did that during COVID. We um did a lot of changes during CO to help businesses. Um, we don't we always talk about how important it is that we keep our small businesses here in Morehead. Um, and we know that we've got a lot of them that are immigrant and refugee run.

And so, um, it sure would be great to see some outreach, you know, and I and I I hate to think that we're going to wait a whole other month on that when we've got businesses that are struggling right now. Um, the other reason I just wanted to say why this is important is the state is also looking at relief options. Um the legislative session has started and they're gathering information or they're looking at things like the governor has talked about um some grants for businesses um other things for rent relief and if that does happen and we haven't gathered information to document what's happening in our community we wouldn't be necessarily be eligible for it. So even just making sure that we're well prepared. So, if those resources become available that we could tap into to help the people in our community that are struggling, I would really love it if we're doing the work um and not falling further behind, doing the work now so that we can make sure that we can take advantage of those opportunities. Um so, again, just to give you some ideas. Uh as I said, I'm at least I'm glad it I'm glad there was a meeting. I'm really disappointed that now another month will pass. Um, I think for the folks that are struggling, um, you know, that's that's a a whole other month that, um, that, uh, you know, that we could be helping them. And so, again, I'm appreciative of the people in the community that are out there doing things and look forward to seeing um, us get on board with doing some more to help people in our community. Thanks,

Council Member Matson.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, this I think it's important for us to all try to inhabit the same reality. And I think that's part of the problem that we have right now is that we are not currently inhabiting the same reality. So I don't know who all got this letter. Some of us got this letter from this anonymous letter about um subject is ICE/immigration. The first sentence on this letter is illegal aliens have no rights in the state or country. I am not a lawyer. I'm pretty confident that is not true. That the United States Constitution actually does apply to everyone. We don't all have the same rights, but we but we do all have rights. It's not that we they have no rights. People have everyone has rights if you're in this country, however you got here. Um, so that's item number one. Item number two. I was reading the news this morning um over my breakfast. Why do I harm myself in that way? I do not know, but I can't help but keep myself informed. It's a sickness that I have. Um I was reading this article. Uh family says Evstonborn US citizen detained for hours after returning to O'Hare. This was this morning on um the Chicago news. a 28-year-old American American-born woman went to travel overseas um had to change her travel plans kind of at the last minute but went to Turkey instead of where her original plans were and then came back and was detained by um Homeland Security for only because she had tra changed her travel plans and apparently because um she comes from um an immigrant background. She's not an immigrant. She was born here, but her parents were immigrants. And so, um, she was held in Terminal 3 for nearly 30 hours. And then she was, um, taken and

no one was told where, but her phone went with her. And so, um, they her family was able to track her to the Broadview Ice Facility. I think that's in Illinois. And, um, they called they tried to get to reach her to find out where was she where was she okay? and the inside the facility they said she's not here. Um and then um her phone turned back on. Let's see. At 2 am Saturday her phone turned back on ping from an ICE facility in Wisconsin. And uh once again her family says federal authorities there denied she was being held. We know she was there because it kept showing her location right in the middle of the facility. And then they got a phone call from her. Her name is Sunny. She was um just sort of like left outside by DHS at 5:00 am, no phone, had to hitchhike to get to a gas station to make a phone call to her family. That was a US-born citizen and that happened this weekend. So, I don't want anybody to tell me that this is over. Okay, things have calmed down in the Twin Cities. It look like looks like that is phenomenal news, but this is not over. Does that mean that we have control over what happens? Not not really. I mean, there's still a lot of things we cannot do. But I do want us to all inhabit the reality that we are in, which is this is still happening and it is happening to a lot of people and sometimes it's random US citizens that are getting caught up in this. Thank you.

Thank you. Other council members have comments or things to add under this new business item. Council member White.

Thank you, Mayor. I, you know, I um just looping back on Council Member Borggan's question. You know, to me, it's just that this is I've mentioned this before. Um we're in a crisis. It's maybe not a crisis that's affecting everybody, but for the folks that are directly impacted by this, this is a crisis and we are elected leaders and they're looking to us to respond. And so, I guess, um, you know, I think we've brought it up in lots of other meetings. Um, I have an easy solution. Let's put it on every agenda for now. I mean, we're wait we're we now have a month until this ad hoc committee is going to meet again. Um, I'm happy to add I can let you know right now. what's added to every every um new business uh for the time being and as we're dealing with this and so we can get updates, we can find out what's happening and ways that we can help folks in our community. So I think if there's if you want preparation for it, let's we can just say it right now. will add it to every I was I was at frankly surprised I don't put together the agenda the um that it that the meeting last week wasn't even put on the agenda to me that was pretty um surprising that it that something that I think is so important wasn't even put on um this meeting agenda so I am fine with we for now just for the time being while we are dealing with this and again um if we are really trying to find ways that we can work on helping people and getting through this crisis. Let's have some time at every meeting to talk about it.

Thank you. Other council members. Okay. Um, yep. And I was going to provide that update and like I said, uh, Council Member Nissyer did a fantastic recap and job of um, providing that and I've taken notes on other things to put on the agenda uh, to discuss. Um you know one of the things um I know that you talked about the m mor moratorium on evictions there's always um you know just for as as an example to think about some of the counter effects um that's one of the things that I think about that um with in the realm of elder abuse that there are individuals who have people that are living in their houses that are being very financially exploitive and abusive and they are trying to evict those individuals. You put a moratorium on um evictions, um you have to think of some of the consequences of what that can do to people who might be living with uh violence at home and that kind of stuff. So, you know, anytime we're having these conversations, um you have to think of all the unintended consequences sometimes of things like that happening. So, um and I think with that then

can I just respond to that? You know, I think that I just want to correct the record. I actually never mentioned moratorum on evictions. It it wasn't any language that I used. What I talked about is is um rental assistance to help people that are at risk of becoming homeless. Well, I certainly apologize. Thank you. And just in that vein, um again, I uh I would love us to focus on what we can do rather than what we can't do. Absolutely. But we also have to always think about unintended consequences. So that is 6:35 and we are adjourned.