Fosston public meetings in 2020
16 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Fosston City Council adopted the 2021 General Fund budget of $2,145,634 and certified a final 2021 property tax levy of $413,067, an 8% increase over 2020. The council also approved a new ordinance adding phosphorus to the sewer surcharge formula, adopted several debt service levies, and approved the 2020 street and utility improvement assessments. Additionally, the council approved a $27,413 change order and a $85,764.57 pay application for the 2020 street and utility project, and authorized proceeding with plans for the 2021 Eaton Ave N extension.
- Adopted 2021 General Fund budget of $2,145,634 (unanimous)
- Certified final 2021 property tax levy of $413,067, an 8% increase (unanimous)
- Adopted Ordinance 20-02 adding phosphorus to sewer surcharge formula (unanimous)
- Adopted assessment resolution for 2020 street and utility improvements (unanimous)
- Approved change order no. 3 from Hagen Construction for $27,413 (unanimous)
- Approved pay application no. 7 from Hagen Construction for $85,764.57 (unanimous)
- Approved proceeding with plans for 2021 Eaton Ave N extension (unanimous)
- Approved purchase policy with statutory updates (unanimous)
City Council
The Council established a property tax abatement program for new residential construction through December 31, 2021. They also approved several payments for city bills and street improvements and submitted a coronavirus relief fund expense report.
- Adopted Resolution 20-26 for a two-year housing incentive tax abatement program (5-0)
- Approved $119,520.12 payment to Hagen Construction, Inc for street and utility improvements (unanimous)
- Approved October 2020 coronavirus relief fund (CRF) expense report submittal (unanimous)
- Approved Accounts Payable Bill Listing #20-11 ($170,208.03), #20-11A ($320,152.03), and Omland Court ($8,624.53) (unanimous)
- Continued public hearing regarding hazardous conditions at 204 Inderlee Avenue North to next meeting (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved $175,244.17 in CARES Act business relief grants to 31 local businesses, funded by Polk County and city CARES funds. They also approved a $50,000 loan to Ed Lavelle for the purchase of the 13 Towns newspaper, the 2021 law enforcement contract with a 9% increase, and several other routine items. All votes were unanimous.
- Approved $175,244.17 in CARES grants to 31 businesses (unanimous)
- Approved $50,000 loan to Ed Lavelle for 13 Towns purchase (unanimous)
- Approved 2021 Law Enforcement Contract with Polk County (unanimous)
- Approved employee health insurance renewal for 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved 2021 COLA, step increases, and wage study updates (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permit for Fosston Lengby Lions raffle (unanimous)
- Approved $11,650 donation from Columbia Township for fire dept PPE (unanimous)
- Approved $122,516.38 pay application #5 to Hagen Construction (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved several items, including the receipt and administration of $170,000 in CARES funds for small business relief, a development agreement with D3D for dental facility expansion with TIF reimbursement, and two zoning variance requests. The council also passed an ordinance amending temporary dwelling regulations and accepted donations from Queen and Rosebud Townships for fire department PPE. A decision on terminating an employee was tabled to a special closed meeting.
- Approved CARES funds receipt and administration for small business relief (unanimous)
- Approved development agreement with D3D for dental facility expansion, 90% TIF reimbursement up to $65,000 over 9 years (unanimous)
- Approved variance for garage at 205 Larson Ave N (unanimous)
- Approved variance for building addition at 203 Inderlee Ave N (unanimous)
- Adopted Ordinance 20-01 amending temporary dwelling regulations (unanimous)
- Accepted $5,325 donation from Queen Township for fire department PPE (unanimous)
- Accepted $8,525 donation from Rosebud Township for fire department PPE (unanimous)
- Tabled employee termination decision to special closed meeting on Sept 21 (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved a development agreement with D3D (Todd Sandwick) for a dental facility expansion, including a 90% tax increment financing (TIF) reimbursement up to $65,000 over nine years. The council also approved a zoning amendment for an assisted living facility, a variance for D3D, a lot rent increase at the mobile home park, and several other items. All votes were unanimous.
- Approved D3D development agreement with TIF reimbursement up to $65,000 (unanimous)
- Approved zoning amendment for Tyler & Melissa McGlynn to Commercial-Industrial for assisted living (unanimous)
- Approved variance for D3D building addition with 6-foot setback (unanimous)
- Approved mobile home lot rent increase from $260 to $295 with $50 late fee (unanimous)
- Approved employment agreement with Public Works Director David Larson for Sept 1, 2020 - Aug 31, 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved two farmland leases with Mike Theis for 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved coronavirus relief fund expense report for March-July 2020 (unanimous)
- Approved pay application #3 and change order #2 for Hagen Construction street/utility work (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council adopted Resolution 20-18 to apply for a Point Source Implementation Grant from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. The grant is intended for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project.
- Adopted Resolution 20-18 to submit a grant application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (3-0)
City Council
The City Council approved a $20,000 loan for Maple Pine Café and a payment deferral for D3D. The council also adopted a COVID-19 preparedness plan and a Civic Center lease. Bids for sidewalk replacement were tabled for further staff assessment.
- Approved $20,000 loan to Beth Munter for Maple Pine Café (unanimous)
- Approved principal payment deferral for D3D loan until occupancy certificate is received (unanimous)
- Approved 2020-2021 Civic Center Lease with Independent School District 601 (carried, 1 nay)
- Approved COVID-19 preparedness plan (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of new garbage truck and chassis under state bid process (unanimous)
- Tabled awarding sidewalk replacement bids to allow staff to re-assess needs (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council held an appeal hearing and voted to reverse and vacate the Polk County Sheriff's Office's 'potentially dangerous dog' designations for two dogs, 'Judge' and 'Jolly', involved in a May 30 attack on a cat. The council found the dogs did not exhibit unusually aggressive behavior and that the owners provided mitigating information. The decision was formalized in Resolution No. 20-17.
- Approved Consent Agenda items A, B, and C, including minutes and accounts payable listings totaling $192,180.45 (unanimous).
- Adopted Resolution No. 20-17 reversing the potentially dangerous dog designations for 'Judge' and 'Jolly' (unanimous).
- Approved a credit card policy for the City of Fosston as presented (unanimous).
- Approved sending the civic center lease back to Fosston ISD 601 with the force majeure clause struck from the lease (unanimous).
- Approved pay application no. 1 from Hagen Construction, Inc. for 2020 street & utility improvements in the amount of $127,637.25 (unanimous).
- Approved a $270,000 loan to D3D at 2.5% fixed interest for five years, resetting every five years at 1.25% under prime for a 20-year term, per F.E.D.A. recommendation (unanimous).
- Did not consider a loan application from Maple Pine Café as F.E.D.A. is gathering more information.
- Heard reports on law enforcement, city administration, street/utilities, civic center, and community development.
City Council
The Council approved the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-13 to support the expansion of D3D. Other key actions included appointing a new City Administrator and approving a gym floor replacement for the Civic Center.
- Established Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-13 for D3D expansion (5-0)
- Approved 2% increase and language changes for 2020-2021 Civic Center lease (3-2)
- Approved $47,080 Civic Center gym floor replacement via inter-fund loan (5-0)
- Approved letter of intent to Prairie Pet Clinic for childcare facility 501c3 (5-0)
- Authorized sponsorship of Knightriders Snowmobile Club trail funding (5-0)
- Appointed Cassie Heide as City Administrator effective July 1, 2020 (5-0)
- Appointed Sarah Manecke as Assistant City Administrator effective July 1, 2020 (5-0)
- Authorized letter to Governor Walz requesting local authority to reopen businesses (5-0)
City Council
The Fosston Board of Review met April 29, 2020 to review and correct city assessments. Polk County Deputy Assessor Wes Oian presented valuation changes, including increases to several city residential, commercial, and apartment map factors, and reported no change to tillable acreage or the land value schedule. The board unanimously approved the county's recommendation to reduce parcel 87.00100.00 to land only, removing building value after a building was demolished due to excess snow in 2019. The hearing was then closed by unanimous vote.
- Approved reducing parcel 87.00100.00 to land-only value, removing building value (unanimous)
- Closed the Board of Review hearing (unanimous)
City Council
The joint meeting approved an interfund loan to provide emergency funding for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) was authorized to approve and disburse these loans.
- Approved borrowing up to $100,000 for COVID-19 emergency loan applications with a five-year payback at 0% (unanimous)
- Authorized EDA to approve and disburse COVID-19 emergency loans up to $120,000 (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved Resolution 20-11 authorizing the issuance and sale of a $853,000 general obligation improvement bond to finance water utility, storm sewer utility, and street improvement projects. The council also approved a $5,000 Build Fosston Rebate for Neal Schmidt, a task order for wetland mitigation at the airport, and a transfer of funds to the EDA for COVID-19 emergency loans. Additionally, the council passed Resolution 20-12 authorizing an application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for a small business loan guarantee.
- Approved Resolution 20-11 authorizing $853,000 GO improvement bond (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 Build Fosston Rebate to Neal Schmidt (unanimous)
- Approved task order 16 from Karvakko, P.A. for airport wetland mitigation (unanimous)
- Approved transfer of funds to EDA for COVID-19 emergency loans (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 20-12 for DEED loan guarantee application (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and accounts payable (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved several items, including awarding the 2020 street and utility improvement project to Hagen Construction and Trucking, Inc. for $631,022.54. The council also approved a sanitation rate increase effective April 1, 2020, and a resolution calling for a public hearing on a new tax increment financing district. All decisions were made by unanimous vote.
- Awarded 2020 street and utility improvement project to Hagen Construction and Trucking, Inc. for $631,022.54 (unanimous)
- Approved sanitation rate increase effective April 1, 2020 (unanimous)
- Adopted Resolution No. 20-10 calling public hearing on TIF District No. 1-13 for May 11, 2020 (unanimous)
- Approved liquor licenses for Ventures Bar & Grill, DaRoos Pizza, Palubicki's, Inc., and Fosston Off Sale (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permit for First Care Medical Services Foundation's Tango and Cash event on April 4, 2020 (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 build Fosston rebate to Glenn Bergerson (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 donation request from Fosston Senior Meals (unanimous)
- Approved task order 015 from Karvakko, P.A. for airport snow removal equipment (unanimous)
City Council
The Fosston City Council approved plans and specifications for the 2020 Street and Utility Improvement Project and ordered advertisement for bids, with bids to be opened March 5, 2020. The council also adopted a resolution accepting the wastewater treatment facility plan and authorizing applications for state and federal assistance. Additionally, the council approved a transient merchant license for Oof-Da Tacos, authorized planning for school safety zones and radar speed signs on Highway #2, and approved Civic Center use for an art class fundraiser with wine service.
- Approved Resolution 20-08 accepting wastewater facility plan and authorizing assistance applications (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 20-09 approving 2020 Street and Utility Project plans and ordering advertisement for bids (unanimous)
- Approved transient merchant license for Greg Parenteau, DBA Oof-Da Tacos (unanimous)
- Authorized planning for school safety zones and radar speed signs on Highway #2 (unanimous)
- Approved Civic Center use for art class fundraiser with wine service (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, accounts payable, and Omland Court bill listing (unanimous)
City Council
The joint City Council and Utilities Commission meeting was held to review a facility plan for wastewater expansion, with eight options presented by Widseth Smith Nolting. No formal decisions were made; the meeting was informational, and the engineer recommended alternative 2, which involves a 20 and 16 acre pond west of the current ponds. The meeting adjourned without any votes on the options.
- Adjourned the City Council meeting (motion by Hoialmen, second by Anderson, unanimous)
- Adjourned the Fosston Utilities Commission meeting (motion by Offerdahl, second by Veum, unanimous)
City Council
The City Council approved several annual administrative resolutions, including the designation of official depositories and the appointment of boards and committees for 2020. The council also adopted the 2020 Housing Study and approved a TIF reimbursement.
- Approved Accounts Payable Bill Listings totaling $2,771,839.27 (Unanimous)
- Designated First National Bank, American Federal Bank, and Ultima Bank Minnesota as official depositories (3-0)
- Appointed 2019 boards, committees, and council roles per Resolution 20-02 (3-0)
- Approved collateral pledged by depositories totaling $2,685,000 (3-0)
- Approved $100,000 surety bond for the Treasurer (3-0)
- Designated The Thirteen Towns as the 2020 Official Newspaper (3-0)
- Approved 2020 tobacco and non-intoxicating liquor licenses
- Approved $2,192 TIF reimbursement to Total Track & Performance Products (Unanimous)