City Council - Regular Meeting

We'll call the meeting to order. Roll call.

Mayor Reese.

Here.

Council Member Osk.

Here.

Nelson. Here. Gilbertson.

Here.

Gardner.

Here.

Baggerly. Here. Davis. Here. Butterfield.

Here.

Conchaldes.

Here.

Nine present, zero absent.

Please stand for the pledge. Next is proposed additions or deletions to the agenda.

Motion to approve the agenda as presented.

Second. We got a motion and a second. Discussion? Roll call.

Council Member Osk.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Gardner.

Aye.

Gilbertson. Aye. Hildes.

Aye.

Daggerly. Aye. Nelson. Aye. Butterfield.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion passes. Next is consent items, and we'll call on City Clerk Nick Larson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. Tonight for your approval, I have the city council minutes of May 18th, 2026. The police civil service commission minutes of May 21st, 2026 is a draft. The Wilmer Municipal Utilities Commission minutes of May 26th, 2026 is a draft. The local board of appeals and equalization minutes of April 20th and April 26th of 2026. The city park special event on sale license permit holder for Green Mill. the amendment to number three for lease, number NR40015 and NR40020 amendment, the Human Rights Commission applicant, and the accounts payable report from 5-15-26 to 5-27-26. And for your information, I have the Wilmer Municipal Utilities Financial Report from March 2026 and the Planning Commission applicant.

Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We got a motion and a second. Discussion. Roll call.

Council Member Childers.

Aye.

Osk.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Gardner.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Vaggerly.

Aye.

And Butterfield.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Next is the regular business, dealing with Project 2604A, Lakeland Drive Path Improvement. Call on City Engineer, Jared Voege.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Closing your packet this evening are the results of the bids we received for the Lakeland Drive Path Improvement Project. On May 22nd, we did receive five bids for the project. The low bid was in the amount of $1,113,139.85. That bid was submitted by Dunick Incorporated. There are two actions before you this evening. First is a resolution awarding the project, and then the second is the resolution adopting the as-bid budget. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions that council might have.

Do we have a motion, first of all? So moved.

Second.

We got a motion and a second. Discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Mr. Mayor?

Yes.

I just got a question. Jarrett, does the ad bid budget, does that come in, that includes engineering fees, correct? Correct. Does that come in under budget, over budget, or where does that come in? I don't... Can you restate that? The as bid budget, is that under budget as a whole for the project? Correct. As bid?

Correct.

Okay, all right. That's it.

Anything else? Roll call.

Council Member Gilbertson.

Aye.

Osk. Aye. Nelson.

Aye.

Gardner.

Aye.

Butterfield.

Aye.

Baggerly. Aye. Childers. Aye. And Davis. Aye. Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Next is the ASBID budget for Project 2604A and the amount of $1,552,100. So moved. Second. We've got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Councilmember Butterfield.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Baggerly.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Schuldes.

Aye.

Gilbertson. Aye. Gardner. Aye. And Osk.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Thank you. Thanks, Council. Next is a request to apply and accept a FEMA assistance to firefighters grant and call on

Not Frank.

Not Frank.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. Before you and your packet is a request to apply and accept, if awarded, a FEMA grant, Assistant to Firefighters grant. FEMA is providing this grant opportunity to fire departments for funding for firefighter equipment and safety under fiscal year 2025 AFG. Through this funding opportunity, we'll be purchasing a new fire truck pumper to replace our 2002 pumper. This truck is due for replacement in 2027. We are starting to see some repair issues and soon we'll be not compliant with new NFPA standards in a few areas. The timeline for building fire trucks now is approximately two years, so that's why we're looking at starting this process with the grant opportunity this year. The amount of the grant would be approximately 1.2 million. 1.2, you said? 1.2 million, and there's a 10% match.

Move to approve. Second.

Got a motion and a second. Discussion?

Yes, Steve. Real quick, what do you think the chance we're going to get this grant is?

We have not been successful over the years. This will be my third attempt writing for Engine 1 replacement grant. If we don't get it, what happens to Engine 1? We will look at... SOME OTHER WAYS TO FUND IT, OBVIOUSLY. I KNOW THIS YEAR WE'RE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY STARTING TO PUT SOME MONEY AWAY INTO AN EQUIPMENT FUND, SO WE'D HAVE HOPEFULLY SOME MONEY, BUT OTHERWISE WE'D POSSIBLY BE LOOKING LIKE ENGINE, OR LADDER 9 WAS A BOND, OR AN EQUIPMENT BOND. EQUIPMENT BOND, YEAH.

DIRECTOR BOX, DO YOU, EXCUSE ME. Do you know if, I don't see Director Owens here, have we accounted for this fire truck in any way in our capital improvement plan for 2027?

Yes, Council Member Gardner. This was identified in the last year's CIP. There was approximately 90,000 that was put away for the fire department towards their equipment. Right now, we're contemplating what additional funds for 27 could be put in there and or the sale of the ladder truck that was replaced could go towards the future purchase of this capital equipment as well.

Thank you.

Anything else? Rick? Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Is this open to all the fire departments in the state or just?

This is nationwide. This is a FEMA. Nationwide. Yep. Okay. If I remember right, if I read correctly, like $4 billion this year is going, being awarded through this grant nationwide. Four billion? I believe so.

Do any of our elected officials have anything to do with this? No, no. Put pressure on them.

No, no, I wish we could.

Thank you.

Any other questions? Roll call.

Council Member Gardner.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Nelson. Aye. Osk. Aye. Childers. Aye. Butterfield.

Aye.

And Fagerle. Aye. Eight ayes, zero noes.

Thank you. Thank you. That motion carries. Next is acceptance of a federal grant, and I'll call on Operations Director Kyle Box.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council. Tonight, you're asked to consider a resolution accepting the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant for the Wilmer Industrial Park Readiness Project. This grant was submitted, I believe, late 2021. We had worked with the federal EDA office on expansion of the industrial park, moving road, water, sewer from Wilmer and Trott Avenue to the boundary of the park. recently sold Wilmer Rail Park. So this would be an extension east and west, as well as north and south as we move into the industrial park. In addition to the infrastructure for roads, water, sewer, this also includes a portion for fiber that would be throughout the entire industrial park. Again, just within the city right-of-way. As you recall, this is what was, the fiber portion was what was removed from phase one when the council approved that project earlier this year. With that, Mr. Mayor, I'll pause for any questions. I will add that the award amount is $2,363,110. Do we have a motion to that effect?

Second. We have a motion and a second. Discussion?

Tom? So on this $2 million, we're going to be Moving on with the fiber over there, is that gonna be more do you think than previous before we pulled off industrial park?

That will be determined when the project is bid. We know what our specs and the bid amounts, or we know how the project will be architected strictly on the fiber portion, but with the federal project, we can expect probably a little higher cost that would come with it, but it's still additional dollars that would come back towards the city. Again, this is not just for fiber. This is for the entire industrial part. portions for the industrial park as well. So all in all the project is right around 6.3 million, a little over 2.3 coming from the feds, 2 million coming from the state, and then the difference would be made up by the local share.

Any further discussion? Roll call.

Council Member Waterfield.

Aye.

Bosque.

Aye.

Gardner.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Paggerly.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Childers. Aye. And Davis. Aye. Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Next, Operations Director Kyle Box, you have a joint statement.

Yes, good evening, Mayor. As a follow-up to the council joint work session with Wilmer Municipal Utilities that was held back in April, one of the tasks that was identified at the conclusion of that meeting was to come forward with a joint statement from both entities. Wilmer Municipal Utilities has identified The Commission has seen and approved the joint statement that is attached in your packet. I can say that both city staff and utility staff worked collaboratively putting this joint statement together to reflect not only the continued desire for strong partnerships, which we'll continue to continue to work towards, but overall the importance of working for the work that we do to work towards the overall community as well. The statement is attached in your packet, included in your packet, as well as the joint session and summary report completed by the facilitator. I will pause for any questions.

Is there a motion or discussion? I'll make the motion.

Second.

Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Council Member Davis. Aye. Gilbertson. Aye. Schuldes.

Aye.

Osk.

Aye.

Butterfield.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Gardner.

Aye.

And Fagerle.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

That motion carries. Thank you, Kyle. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council.

Next is a consideration of a new on-sale intoxicating liquor license for De Monte nightclub. City Clerk, Vernay Larson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Tonight I have for your consideration a new on-sale liquor intoxicating liquor license for Diamante Nightclub. On January 12th to 26th, Diamante Nightclub located at 1108 North Business Highway 71 closed with the intent of moving and relocating their business. At that time, then they canceled their liquor license because they weren't going to be open and they didn't know when they'd be opening again. And at the end of May now, they came in and applied for their new liquor license or for a new liquor license at their new location at 951 High Avenue Northeast. They are pretty much operating as before. Their liquor manager, Barb Marino, is their resident manager and will be their liquor manager again. And ownership has remained the same, just the location is changing. So I'm looking for approval of that liquor license that fell on sale from you tonight.

So moved.

We got a motion and a second. Discussion? Tom.

On High Avenue, this is going to be towards where all the other businesses are.

It's on the backside of, kind of behind the community center.

It's the old Wings building, I think. Yeah, it was the gymnastics.

I just want to make sure it was in the business section of IM.

Yes.

Any further discussion? Roll call.

Council Member Osk.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Baggerly.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Childers.

Aye.

Butterfield. Aye. Gardner.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Next is amend the motion of May 18th, 2026 regular city council meeting regarding reconvene executive session to discuss the evaluation of performance of the city of Wilmer city administrator, Leslie Valiant under Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3A.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to amend the City Council's May 18th, 2026 duly approved motion. City Administrative Valiant be placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave without pay until she is otherwise notified by the Council by adding the following language at the end of that motion. and to continue the reconvened Executive Session of May 18th, 2026 to discuss evaluation and performance of Leslie Valiant pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D5 Sub 3A. Second.

We got a motion and a second. Discussion?

Roll call.

Council Member Schuldes.

Aye.

Nelson.

Aye.

Thaggerly. Aye. Davis. Aye. Osk.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Butterfield.

Aye.

Gardner.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

Motion carries. Next is announcements. Anybody got an announcement? If not, we're going into closed session. Legal basis for closing the meeting, this portion of the regular meeting of the city council will be closed pursuant to Minnesota statutes section 13D.05 subdivision 3C. The council may be asked to take formal action after concluding the discussion in a closed session. The following real property will be discussed separately in the closed session. Parcel Kandiyohi County, parcel ID 95-917-5510. We have a motion to close the meeting. So moved. Second. We have a motion and a second to close the meeting. Discussion? Roll call.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Davis. Here. Gardner.

Aye.

Childers.

Aye.

Gilbertson.

Aye.

Tiger Lee.

Aye.

Butterfield.

Aye.

And Osk.

Aye.

Eight ayes, zero noes.

That passes.

The City Council is now in a closed session.