Big Falls public meetings in 2024
24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved the final general fund budget and set the 2025 tax levy via Resolution 2024-08. They also approved disbursements totaling $320,602.23, the November payroll, and several routine items. The cannabis ordinance was tabled pending attorney review.
- Adopted Resolution 2024-08 final general fund budget and 2025 tax levy (all in favor)
- Approved consent agenda including November minutes, financial reports, cigarette licenses, and wellhead protection summary (all in favor)
- Approved disbursements of $320,602.23 and November payroll (all in favor)
- Approved liquor report and purchase/install of sink (all in favor)
- Approved Fire/EMS report (all in favor)
- Approved Clerk's report and pay reclassification for Liquor Store Manager (all in favor)
- Tabled cannabis ordinance pending attorney review
Council
The Big Falls City Council will consider a resolution adopting the final general fund budget and setting the property tax levy collectible in 2025. Other business includes updates on the campground project (on hold until spring) and a multi-housing project (propane tank installed). A second reading of the cannabis ordinance remains tabled pending attorney review. Several consent agenda items and reports are also scheduled.
- Resolution 2024-08 adopting final general fund budget and setting 2025 tax levy
- Second reading of cannabis ordinance tabled awaiting attorney review
- Campground project update: on hold until spring
- SCDP Multi-Housing project update: propane tank installed
- Approval of cigarette licenses for Pritchard’s Corner and Muni
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved the 2024 election results, confirming Dick Ferguson as mayor and Kenneth Kennedy and Kenneth Warner as councilors. The council also approved $239,514.37 in disbursements and payroll, the liquor and maintenance reports, and a campground payment application. A first reading of a cannabis ordinance was held, with further review planned.
- Approved consent agenda including October minutes and financial reports (all in favor)
- Approved disbursements of $239,514.37 and October payroll (all in favor)
- Approved liquor report (all in favor)
- Approved maintenance report (all in favor)
- Approved 2024 election results via Resolution 2024-07 (all in favor)
- Approved Campground Application and Certificate for Payment (all in favor)
- Approved Clerk's Report (all in favor)
Council
The Big Falls City Council will hold a first reading of a cannabis ordinance and canvass the 2024 city election results via Resolution 2024-07. The council will also discuss updates on the campground project and a multi-housing project, and consider approving gift certificates for a children's Christmas program.
- Canvass of 2024 City of Big Falls election results via Resolution 2024-07
- Cannabis Ordinance first reading
- Lions Gift Certificates for CERC Kids Christmas ($20 in 2022 & 2023)
- Campground project update
- SCDP Multi-Housing project update
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved the consent agenda, disbursements, liquor and maintenance reports, water and sewer budgets, and a campground change order. The council also agreed to move forward with the MRWA Disaster Recovery grant and voted to terminate the camp host.
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, financial reports, seedling order, Fire/EMS bylaws, and Building Permit #218 (all in favor)
- Approved disbursements of $95,336.63 and September payroll (all in favor)
- Approved liquor report (all in favor)
- Approved maintenance report (all in favor)
- Approved water and sewer budgets (all in favor)
- Approved campground change order and payment application (all in favor)
- Agreed to move forward with MRWA Disaster Recovery grant (no formal vote recorded)
- Approved clerk's report and termination of camp host (all in favor)
Council
The Big Falls City Council will discuss and potentially act on a consent agenda including minutes, financials, a building permit, and adoption of Fire/EMS bylaws. Key agenda items include an update on an MPCA planning grant for stormwater and wastewater resilience, a campground project document review, and an update on the SCDP multi-housing project.
- Approve Building Permit #218
- Adopt Fire/EMS Constitution and Bylaws
- MPCA Planning Grant for Stormwater, Wastewater, & Community Resilience
- Campground Project Update (Document Review and Approval)
- SCDP Multi-Housing Project Update
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council held a special meeting and adopted Resolution 2024-06, which sets the preliminary General Fund budget for 2025 and the tax levy collectible in 2025. The motion was made by Boes, seconded by Sursely, and passed unanimously. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Adopted Resolution 2024-06, preliminary 2025 General Fund budget and tax levy (unanimous)
Council
This special meeting is primarily to review the 2025 preliminary budget and adopt a resolution (Resolution 2024-06) setting the preliminary General Fund budget and tax levy for 2025. No other items are on the agenda.
- Review of 2025 Preliminary Budget
- Resolution 2024-06 adopting Preliminary General Fund Budget for 2025 and setting the tax levy collectible in 2025
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved the consent agenda, disbursements totaling $119,321.72, and August payroll. Reports from the liquor store, maintenance, campground project, and clerk were approved. The council agreed to use rebar for the pavilion floor and discussed raising fitness center fees by $5 for individuals.
- Approved consent agenda including August minutes and financial reports (all in favor)
- Approved disbursements of $119,321.72 and August payroll (all in favor)
- Approved liquor report (all in favor)
- Approved maintenance report (all in favor)
- Approved campground project report, agreed to use rebar for pavilion floor (all in favor)
- Approved clerk's report, including write-off of delinquent fitness account (all in favor)
Council
The City Council will meet to approve August financial records, disbursements, and payroll. The session includes progress updates on the Campground Project and the SCDP Multi-Housing Project.
- August Regular Meeting Minutes approval
- August Financials approval
- Campground Project Update
- SCDP Multi-Housing Project Update
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved the consent agenda (excluding Ordinance 227), disbursements and payroll totaling $78,606.38, the liquor report, and the maintenance report. They also approved the Resurrectors Reunion street closure, a propane price of $1.49 per gallon, and a LRIP grant resubmission, while declining a key fob computer upgrade.
- Approved consent agenda without Ordinance 227 (all in favor)
- Approved disbursements and payroll of $78,606.38 (all in favor)
- Approved liquor report (all in favor)
- Approved maintenance report (all in favor)
- Approved Resurrectors Reunion street closure (all in favor)
- Approved propane at $1.49 per gallon (all in favor)
- Declined key fob computer upgrade at $1,900 plus $40/month
- Approved LRIP grant resubmission (all in favor)
Council
This meeting is largely procedural, including approval of minutes, financials, cemetery lot agreements, and the Big Falls Fire Department 2025 budget. Reports and updates on the campground and SCDP-multi housing projects will also be discussed.
- Approve BFFD 2025 Budget
- Approve Cemetery Lot Agreement(s) Hiemenz and Promersberger
- Campground Project Update
- SCDP-Multi Housing Project Update
- Approve July Financials and Minutes
Meeting
The City Council approved Ordinance #227 to update the schedule of fees and charges. The council also accepted a $15,000 donation from the Lions Club and approved a low bid for Phase II of the campground project.
- Approved Ordinance #227 Schedule of Fees and Charges (carried with one opposed)
- Approved low bid from Gustafson & Goudge, Inc. for Campground Project Phase II
- Accepted $15,000 Lions Club donation
- Approved disbursements of $102,426.15 and June payroll
- Approved Building Permit #217
- Approved June regular meeting minutes and financial reports
- Approved liquor report and hiring of Joslin and Jack (one opposed to hiring Joslin)
Council
The Big Falls City Council will review financial reports and department updates. The agenda includes approving Ordinance #227 regarding fees and charges and accepting a $15,000 donation from the Lions Club.
- Approval of Ordinance #227 (Schedule of Fees and Charges)
- Acceptance of $15,000 Lions Club donation
- Campground Project Update
- Approval of Building Permit #217
- Review of June financials
Council
The Big Falls City Council will review departmental reports for Fire/EMS, Liquor, and Maintenance. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding a Water & Sewer Rate Study and the approval of May financials.
- Water & Sewer Rate Study
- Approval of May meeting minutes
- Approval of May financials
- Approval of disbursements and payroll
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included April meeting minutes, financial reports, the 2025 CERC Budget, and a Lions Offsite Gaming Permit. The council also approved disbursements totaling $96,213.00 and reviewed reports on liquor, maintenance, and clerk activities, including decisions on building rentals and land leases.
- Approved consent agenda including 2025 CERC Budget and Lions Offsite Gaming Permit (unanimous)
- Approved disbursements of $96,213.00 and April payroll (unanimous)
- Approved Liquor Report (unanimous)
- Approved Maintenance Report (unanimous)
- Approved Clerk’s Report regarding rentals and land leases (unanimous)
- Agreed to charge Ducks Unlimited for building rental as they are not a non-profit
- Agreed to draw up new land lease for requested party
- No assessments necessary for forfeited properties
Council
The council will review April meeting minutes, financials, and the 2025 CERC budget. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding a water and sewer rate study and a Lions offsite gaming permit.
- Water & Sewer Rate Study
- Approval of 2025 CERC Budget
- Lions offsite gaming permit
- Review of forfeited properties
Meeting
The City Council approved the March financial reports, payroll, and a $10,000 fireworks contract. Members discussed the potential sale of the city liquor store and moved a $14,000 LMC rebate to Economic Development.
- Approved $10,000 fireworks display agreement with J&M Displays, Inc.
- Approved disbursements of $78,448.09 and March payroll
- Acknowledged $7,060.62 tax apportionment for Economic Development
- Approved March regular meeting minutes and financial reports
- Approved liquor, Fire/EMS, and maintenance reports
- Moved $14,000 LMC rebate balance to Economic Development
Council
The Big Falls City Council will discuss the possible sale of the liquor store and consider a $10,000 agreement with J&M Displays, Inc. for a fireworks display. The agenda also includes reports on fire/EMS, maintenance, and campground firewood.
- $10,000 agreement with J&M Displays, Inc. for a fireworks display
- Discussion about selling the Liquor Store
- Firewood for Campground, Rylan Street
Meeting
The City Council approved February payroll and disbursements totaling $50,490.62. The council also approved the audit report prior to its final delivery and authorized licenses for a Ducks Unlimited event.
- Approved disbursements of $50,490.62 and February payroll (unanimous)
- Approved Audit Report prior to receipt of document (unanimous)
- Approved one-day liquor and gambling licenses for April 13 (unanimous)
- Approved $250 campground ad in Borderland Area Resource Guide
- Approved February regular meeting minutes and financial reports (unanimous)
- Approved liquor report (carried)
- Approved Fire/EMS report (unanimous)
- Approved maintenance report (unanimous)
Council
The meeting agenda consists of procedural boilerplate and departmental reports. The council will review updates from the Commissioner, Liquor, Fire/EMS, Maintenance, and Clerk-Treasurer departments.
- Approval of regular meeting minutes
- Approval of financials
- Approval of disbursements and payroll
- Commissioner’s Report
- Fire/EMS Report
Meeting
The City Council approved a $13,000 audit agreement and adopted new language for the city personnel policy regarding Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST). The council also adopted a new rental policy for the SCDP Multi Housing Rehab and approved $85,517 in disbursements.
- Approved Audit Agreement with Brady, Martz & Associates for $13,000.00
- Approved Resolution 2024-01, Adopting of Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan
- Approved MOU adding ESST leave language to Union Contract
- Approved disbursements of $85,517.00 and January payroll
- Adopted New ESST Language to City Personnel Policy
- Adopted New Rental Policy Language for SCDP Multi Housing Rehab
- Approved January regular meeting minutes and Financial Reports
Meeting
The Big Falls City Council approved its consent agenda, including December meeting minutes, December financial reports, and acknowledgment of a $1,203.00 League of Minnesota Cities dividend. The council approved disbursements of $100,032.25 (check #20869-20915 and ACH 18124E-18142E) plus December payroll. It adopted Resolution 2023-16 governing write-in vote counting and approved the liquor and Fire/EMS reports. Gary Kjellgren was elected Fire Chief, and the next regular meeting was set for February 12, 2024.
- Approved consent agenda (December minutes, December financial reports, $1,203.00 LMC dividend) — all in favor
- Approved $100,032.25 in disbursements (check #20869-20915, ACH 18124E-18142E) and December payroll — all in favor
- Adopted Resolution 2023-16 governing write-in vote counting — carried
- Approved liquor report — carried
- Approved Fire/EMS report — all in favor
- Elected Gary Kjellgren as Fire Chief
- Set next regular meeting for February 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.
- Adjourned — all in favor
Council
The City Council will conduct regular business including reports from the Commissioner, Liquor, Fire/EMS, and Maintenance departments. The agenda includes approving financials and a resolution regarding write-in vote counting.
- Acknowledge LMC Dividend announcement of $1,203.00
- Approve Resolution No. 2023-16 governing write-in vote counting
- Approval of financials and disbursements