Finlayson, MN

City Council

The City Council will discuss the preliminary levy and the hiring process following the clerk's resignation effective December 31, 2025. The body will also vote on whether to pursue blight cleanup for the Sedillo Property on Hwy 18.

• Preliminary Levy approval
• Vote on blight cleanup for Sedillo Property on Hwy 18
• Clerk resignation effective 12/31/25
• New Fire Formula approval
• Rezoning recommendations by P&Z Commission

The council retained Clerk Liz Bernhardt at $30/hr and approved posting the clerk position at $28‑$32/hr. It adopted the preliminary levy option 1 for $143,000, a roughly 6% increase over last year. The council also adopted the fire formula (Option B) for five years, approved a 2.6% COLA for certain employees, and extended regular meetings by 15 minutes.

• Retained Clerk Liz Bernhardt at $30/hr – motion carried, all in favor
• Approved posting City Clerk position at $28‑$32/hr with prior city experience – motion carried, all in favor
• Adopted preliminary levy option 1 for $143,000 (≈6% increase) – motion carried, all in favor
• Adopted fire formula (Option B) for five years – motion carried, all in favor
• Approved 2.6% COLA for Public Works, Bar Manager, and Deputy Clerk – motion carried, all in favor
• Moved security camera allocation from fire department to liquor store – motion carried, all in favor
• Extended regular council meeting by 15 minutes – motion carried, 4 in favor, 1 opposed

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will meet on August 27, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. to consider two new‑business items. Council members will discuss possible actions on snow removal equipment. They will also discuss an engineer’s direction for a PER (Project Engineering Request).

• Snow removal equipment – discussion and possible council action
• Engineer direction for PER – discussion and possible council action

The council approved the engineer’s recommended infrastructure plan, covering upgrades to the water treatment plant, water tower, sanitary sewer relining, and street restoration. The combined cost of those projects is about $7.5 million. A motion to postpone the purchase of a $73,045.14 snow‑removal skid steer failed on a tie vote, so no action was taken. The council also approved a $2,000 filter analysis and comprehensive water testing.

• Approved Engineer’s PER recommendations for water plant, water tower, sewer relining, street restoration (all in favor)
• Approved $2,000 filter analysis by KLM (all in favor)
• Approved comprehensive water testing (all in favor)
• Motion to postpone $73,045.14 snow‑removal equipment purchase failed on tie vote; no action taken
• Adjourned meeting at 5:42 PM (all in favor)

City Council

The council will conduct routine procedural business, including call to order, roll call, and agenda approval. The only new business item is a presentation by Bollig Engineering on the PER. No decisions are listed for this meeting.

• Bollig Engineering presentation of PER

The council held a special meeting on August 11, 2025. No substantive actions were taken; the only formal decision was to adjourn the meeting. The motion to adjourn was made by Jeff Flaws, was unanimously approved, and the meeting ended at 6:16 PM.

• Adjourned special meeting at 6:16 PM (all in favor, motion carried)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council meeting will address a range of items, including a donation from the Finlayson Community Club, a franchise transfer from SCI to Midco, and two minor subdivision proposals. The council will also discuss blight concerns on Front Street, appoint department liaisons, develop policies for personnel reviews and resident complaints, review liquor store operations, and consider amendments to council bylaws.

• Franchise Transfer Agreement – transfer of franchise from SCI to Midco
• Resolution #2025-19 – acceptance of donation from Finlayson Community Club
• Minor Subdivision – Pogatchnik
• Minor Subdivision – Split Rock Storage
• Blight Concerns – discussion of property on Front Street

The council accepted a donation from the Finlayson Community Club and approved a franchise assignment. It approved two minor subdivisions and authorized a welfare check at 6485 Front Street. Council members were appointed as department liaisons, a review of department head policies was deferred to the Personnel Committee, and an ad hoc bylaw committee was created.

• Accepted Resolution #2025-19 donation from Finlayson Community Club – motion carried
• Accepted Resolution #2025-20 franchise assignment – motion carried
• Approved minor subdivision Pogatchnik – motion carried
• Approved minor subdivision Split Rock / Ternes – motion carried
• Authorized Zoning Administrator to request Pine County welfare check at 6485 Front Street – motion carried
• Appointed council liaisons for Liquor Store, Fire Department, Public Works, City Clerk – motion carried
• Deferred department head review policy to Personnel Committee – motion carried
• Created ad hoc Bylaw Committee and appointed Flaws and Morgan – motion carried

City Council

The City Council will discuss a variety of administrative policies, including liquor store operations and employee supervision. The body is deciding on a blight cleanup for the Sedillo Property and reviewing several minor subdivision applications. The meeting also includes a presentation from auditor Dennis Oberloh.

• Vote on pursuing blight cleanup for Sedillo Property Hwy 18
• Minor subdivision applications for Pogatchnik and Split Rock Storage
• Resolution #2025-16 authorizing Veteran’s Discount
• Review of Municipal Liquor Store Policy on Banning Patrons
• Public forum items regarding Front Street potholes and chicken permissions

The Finlayson City Council approved several actions, most notably adopting Microsoft Office 365 for city operations. They also changed the clerk title to Clerk‑Treasurer, granted a temporary liquor license to the Finlayson‑Giese Lion’s Club, and approved up to six hens for a resident. Additional motions, such as forgiving late fees for the Greuels and extending the meeting time, were also carried.

• Approved adoption of Microsoft Office 365 (3-2)
• Approved temporary liquor license for Finlayson‑Giese Lion’s Club (unanimous)
• Changed title to "Clerk‑Treasurer" for city clerk (unanimous)
• Approved up to six hens for Mark Guss (unanimous)
• Forgave late fee penalties for Michelle & Anthony Greuel (3-0-1 abstain)
• Extended meeting end time to 9 PM (4-1)
• Appointed Kim Schaefer as temporary bar liaison (unanimous)
• Approved June 9, 2025 council minutes (unanimous)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will approve routine items such as minutes and the consent agenda, hear staff reports, and consider several new business items including a temporary water and sewer rate increase, valve replacements, and a lawful gambling lease. Unfinished business includes the Broadway Development project and a decision on blight cleanup for the Sedillo property on Highway 18. The council will also vote on appointments and adopt resolutions for city‑wide garage sales.

• Temporary Water & Sewer Rate Increase
• Valve Replacements
• Finlayson‑Giese Lions – Lawful Gambling Lease
• Macguire Water Tower – Contract
• Broadway Development (unfinished business)

The council approved a $5/month increase to residential and commercial water base rates plus per‑gallon hikes effective July 1. It also approved a $3,085 valve purchase for the water‑treatment plant, a leaf blower purchase up to $1,000, and fireworks insurance. Additional actions included appointing a blight officer and authorizing several financial and staffing changes.

• Approved $5/month water base rate increase and per‑gallon hikes (all in favor)
• Approved $3,085 valve purchase for water‑treatment plant (all in favor)
• Approved leaf blower purchase up to $1,000 (all in favor)
• Approved fireworks insurance purchase for 2025 (all in favor)
• Appointed Ed Melzark as City Blight Officer (vote 4‑1)
• Authorized business debit cards for Luedtke, Millner, and Lucht (all in favor)
• Authorized Kim Schaefer as bank account signer (all in favor)
• Accepted Morgan’s resignation from Budget & Finance Committee and appointed Jeff Flaws (vote 4‑1)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will consider several items, including a vote on whether to pursue blight cleanup for the Sedillo property on Highway 18. They will also review contract quotes for a liquor‑store camera storage system ($1,177.50) and a water‑system control panel ($56,000). Additional agenda items include a proposal from KLM Engineering for a dry‑tank cleanout evaluation and a contract/insurance agreement with the Finlayson‑Giese Lions. Routine approvals such as minutes, agenda, and consent items will also be addressed.

• Vote on pursuing blight cleanup for Sedillo Property on Hwy 18
• Camera storage quote for liquor store – $1,177.50
• Kurita control panel quote for water – $56,000
• KLM Engineering proposal for dry tank cleanout evaluation
• Finlayson‑Giese Lions contract / insurance agreement

An addendum to the May 12, 2025 City Council minutes was submitted by Council Member Morgan. The statement is a personal opinion and does not change any official actions recorded for that meeting. No substantive decisions, approvals, or votes were made in this addendum.

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will discuss a range of new business items, including a request for city approval of an FG Lions gambling premises within city limits, a $56,000 water control panel quote, and purchases for the liquor store. Several resolutions will be considered, such as a policy for the sale of surplus city property and acceptance of community donations. The meeting will also revisit unfinished business items like sidewalk work by the Catholic Church, a culvert easement on School Street, and updates to the Capital Improvement Plan. No ordinances or legislation are scheduled for consideration.

• FG Lions – city approval request for a gambling premises within city limits
• Control Panel quote for Water – $56,000
• Bar Stool Purchase for Liquor Store – $179 each (3 total)
• Camera Storage quote for Liquor Store – $1,177.50
• Resolution #2025-11 – Policy for the Sale of Surplus City Property

The council voted to approve the Finlayson‑Giese Sportsman's Club application for gambling within city limits. It also approved a $300 beautification allocation, added Kim Schaefer as a city bank signer, and adopted several resolutions and a reimbursement to Ethan Bjorklund. Committee assignments were changed, placing Rhonda Kriesel on the Finance & Budget Committee and Mayor Auchter on the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee. Speed bumps purchased for the post‑office alley were authorized for use.

• Approved Finlayson‑Giese Sportsman's Club gambling application (all in favor)
• Allocated $300 from Public Works budget for city beautification (3‑2 vote)
• Added Kim Schaefer as additional city bank signatory (all in favor)
• Approved resolutions #2025-11 through #2025-14 (all in favor)
• Authorized reimbursement to Ethan Bjorklund via Resolution #2025-15 (all in favor)
• Approved use of purchased speed bumps for alley by post office (all in favor)
• Changed committee assignments: Kriesel to Finance & Budget, Auchter to Public Works & Infrastructure (all in favor)
• Confirmed city‑wide garage sales for first weekend of June 2025 (decision confirmed)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will convene for an emergency meeting to consider the purchase of a bar cooler. The agenda lists only this item and adjournment.

• Purchase of bar cooler
• Emergency meeting called

The emergency council meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m. A motion to purchase the True bar cooler for $3,861.81 was made and voted on. All council members voted in favor, so the purchase was approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 a.m.

• Approved purchase of True bar cooler for $3,861.81 (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will consider a vote on a fire contract formula and review the water, sewer, and administrative fee schedule. The body will also address specific permit requests and several new resolutions.

• Vote on Fire Contract Formula Option
• Review of Ordinance 155 Fee Schedule (Water, Sewer, Administrative)
• Request for chickens at 6542 Broadway
• Resolution #2025-09 regarding Frozen Service Lines Policy
• Resolution #2025-08 regarding Permit Process

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will open the special meeting, approve the agenda, and discuss new business. The primary item is the hiring of a Zoning Administrator. After addressing these matters, the council will adjourn.

• Hiring of Zoning Administrator

City Council

The City Council will discuss several administrative updates, including a USPS lease renewal and the 2024 fee schedule. The body is also considering a building permit for Quantum Innovations and snow plowing extensions on Broadway Street.

• USPS Lease Renewal for 2027-2032
• Review of 2024 Fee Schedule and scheduling a public hearing for Ord #155
• Building Permit Application for Norm Kester/Quantum Innovations
• Snow plowing extension on Broadway Street into subdevelopment
• Finlayson-Giese Lions Temp Liquor Permit for 7/4/25

City Council

The Finlayson City Council meeting will address several administrative and policy items, including the renewal of the Pine County Sheriff contract for 2025‑2026 and a vacancy on the council. Council members will also review the 2025 fee schedule and approve various appointments to boards and committees. Additional topics include a temporary liquor license for a local fundraiser and the hiring of a Planning & Zoning Administrator.

• Pine County Sheriff Contract 2025‑2026
• City Council Vacancy (Resolution #2025‑02)
• 2025 Fee Schedule (Ord #155 Revised 7/8/2024)
• Hiring of a Planning & Zoning Administrator
• Temp Liquor License – Finlayson‑Giese Lions for 3/15/25 Fire Fundraiser

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will approve minutes from the November 12 meeting and payments for November 2024. It will discuss departmental reports and consider two resolutions, including a tax levy for 2025. Old business items such as the Schaefer Memorial Park and abandoned house at 2326 Hwy 18 are tabled. New business includes the 2025 final budget, a building permit renewal for Northern Contractors, and revisions to fire service contracts.

• Resolution #28 – Assess to Tax Roll Delinquent Fire Service Call Billings
• Resolution #29 – Tax Levy / 2025
• 2025 Final Budget
• Building Permit #10059 – renewal for Northern Contractors
• Revision of Fire Contracts formula

City Council

The City Council is meeting to announce and certify the election results for the Mayor and two City Council seats. The body will review the abstract of votes cast and the write-in tally sheet.

• Announcement of Mayor and two City Council election results
• Resolution 2024-25 certifying the November 4, 2024 election results

City Council

The Finlayson City Council will consider several financial items, including donations, a policy to allow vendor payments before council approval, and the use of a $3396 public‑safety aid balance to purchase speed bumps and hardware for an alley. The meeting also includes updates on sewer and water projects, a parking‑lot lease for a liquor store, and a pending unemployment‑insurance overpayment refund of $4656.34. Additional agenda items cover domain email setup, a subdevelopment on Broadway, and various old‑business updates.

• Resolution #21 – donation from Shawn Kuhlman/Howie’s Mud Bog for $500
• Resolution #22 – Bjorklund donation for $3,600
• Resolution #23 – policy to allow vendor payment prior to council authorization
• Use of $3,396 public‑safety aid balance to purchase speed bumps and hardware (≤$500)
• MN Unemployment Insurance overpayment refund of $4,656.34