Cokato public meetings in 2025
22 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
12-15-25 work session
The special city council work session will open with a call to order and approval of the agenda. Council members will consider possible adjustments to city staff pay scales. The meeting will conclude with adjournment.
- Possible pay scale adjustments for city staff – discussion of potential changes
11-24-25 Work Session
The special city council work session will consider possible adjustments to employee pay scales, review the proposed 2026 city budget, and receive updates on ongoing projects. No decisions are recorded in the agenda, but these topics are slated for discussion.
- Possible Pay Scale Adjustments
- 2026 City Budget
- Project Updates
11-10-25
The Cokato City Council meeting will consider several consent agenda items, including a resolution to accept a donation to the city and a resolution to assess services for property. The council will also discuss a memorandum of understanding for county woodchipping services and a watermain installation for the local school. Additional topics include public works updates, financial reports, and the mayor's quarterly museum report.
- Resolution 2025-29 Donation to the City of Cokato
- Resolution 2025-30 Assessment of Services for Property
- Memo of Understanding – County Woodchipping Services
- Watermain to School
- Public Works - Broom for John Deere Mower
11-5-25 Work Session
The City Council is holding a work session to review updates on the DC High school watermain and point of sale inspections for private sanitary sewer lines. The body will also discuss potential pay scale adjustments for city staff and council wages.
- Watermain to DC High school update
- Point of Sale Inspections for private sanitary sewer lines
- Possible pay scale adjustments for city staff
- City Council wages
10-13-25
The Cokato City Council will review consent agenda items, including fire department personnel changes and donations. The mayor will present two proposed ordinances—one on poultry regulations and another on shipping containers—along with 2026 health insurance rates and HVAC bids for the museum. Public Works will discuss an easement for the Southwest Storage Pond. Financial and budget reports will also be considered.
- Ordinance 2025-5 – Poultry Regulations
- Ordinance 2025-6 – Regulating Shipping Containers
- Resolution 2025-27 – Approving new hire for Fire Department
- Southwest Storage Pond easement (Public Works/Parks)
- HVAC bids for Museum
9-24-25
The Cokato City Council will hold a special meeting on September 24, 2025. The agenda includes a swimming pool report from Burbach Aquatics, a preliminary discussion of the 2026 property tax levy aimed at reducing the previously approved increase to less than 10%, and consideration of a generator for the city lift station. No other items are listed.
- Swimming Pool Report – Burbach Aquatics
- Preliminary 2026 property tax levy discussion (reduce increase to <10%)
- Generator for City Lift Station
9-8-25
The Cokato City Council will meet to approve minutes, receive reports, and discuss the 2026 preliminary levy and budget. The meeting also includes a public forum and consent agenda items.
- Approval of July and August 2025 City Council minutes
- Discussion of 2026 preliminary levy and budget
- Sheriff's Report
- Main Lift Station – Possible Generator Replacement Discussion
- Pay Application – Jenks Pond Project
9-8-25 Council
The Cokato City Council meeting will review the mayor's report, which includes the 2026 health insurance rates and the proposed 2026 budget and preliminary levy. Council members will also discuss a conditional use permit for 500 Cokato Street West and new poultry regulations. A pay application for the Jenks Pond Project will be presented, and routine financial reports and consent agenda items will be approved.
- 2026 Budget and Preliminary Levy (mayor's report)
- 2026 Health Insurance Rates (mayor's report)
- Conditional Use Permit for 500 Cokato Street West (planning commission)
- Pay Application for Jenks Pond Project (public works/parks)
- Proposed Poultry Regulations (mayor's report)
8-18-25 City Council
The City Council will review the 2026 budget and discuss the possible replacement of the Main Lift Station generator. The meeting also includes reports on pool conditions and diseased trees within the city.
- Discussion on possible generator replacement for Main Lift Station
- Review of 2026 Budget
- Pool Conditions Report
- Report on diseased and dead trees within the city
- Quarterly Activity Report for Cokato Museum
7-14-25 Council
The council will vote on several items, including adopting an ordinance that raises multiple city fees such as the special assessment search fee to $30 and the water disconnection fee to $100. It will also approve low‑bid contracts for street and alley repairs totaling $289,007.37 for Lee Avenue, the alley east of Broadway, and the library parking lot. Additionally, the council will authorize a $125,000 housing infrastructure grant application that requires a 50/50 match.
- Ordinance amending city fees: special assessment search fee $20→$30; excavation permit $100 per excavation, max $1,500; water disconnection fee $75→$100; planning & zoning fees $200→$300; wetland fees changed to consultant cost
- Approval of street repair contracts: Lee Avenue/Lee Circle – $141,620.00; Alley east of Broadway – $37,615.00; Library Parking Lot – $109,772.37
- Resolution 2025-18 authorizing application for a $125,000 housing infrastructure grant with a 50/50 match requirement
- Rezoning of 175 Jackson Street from C2 Highway Commercial to R2 Residential
- Conditional use permit for GK Millwork addition near Olson Boulevard with front‑yard setback reduction from 30 ft to 25 ft and on‑site parking access
7-7-25
The City Council will meet to discuss employee wages and the sale of lots on Ailie Avenue. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding a mural at Unity Park.
- Employee wage discussion
- Lot sales on Ailie Avenue
- Unity Park mural
6-9-25
The council unanimously approved a rezoning of 155 Jackson Avenue Northwest from C-2 Highway Commercial to R-2 Residential, allowing four new housing units. It also approved a conditional use permit for GK Millwork, an ordinance amending several city fees, and a $125,000 housing grant application. Additional approvals included street and alley repair contracts, property and workers‑comp insurance with current deductibles, and the cash and budget reports. All motions passed unanimously.
- Approved rezoning of 155 Jackson Ave NW from C-2 to R-2 (unanimous)
- Approved GK Millwork conditional use permit and reduced front yard setback (unanimous)
- Approved ordinance amending city fees (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2025-18 to apply for $125,000 housing grant (unanimous)
- Approved low‑bid contracts for Lee Avenue/Lee Circle street and alley repairs (unanimous)
- Approved property liability and workers’ compensation insurance with current deductibles (unanimous)
- Approved cash and budget reports (unanimous)
- Approved claims totaling $198,856.81 (unanimous)
5-12-25
The council unanimously approved the specifications and authorized bidding for the Jenks Pond project. It also accepted the DC Trail grant, approved the Utility Billing Procedures ordinance with a $5 minimum refund, and approved the ambulance appointment resolution. Additional unanimous approvals included public‑works repair bids, the cash and budget reports, and a workshop scheduled for June 3.
- Approved Jenks Pond specifications and authorized bidding (unanimous)
- Accepted DC Trail grant (unanimous)
- Approved Ordinance 2025‑4 for utility billing procedures, including $5 refund minimum (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2025‑12 for ambulance driver appointment (unanimous)
- Approved public‑works bids for Lee Avenue/Lee Circle sewer repairs and road overlay (unanimous)
- Approved public‑works bids for alley east of Broadway mill and overlay (unanimous)
- Approved public‑works bid for library parking lot reconstruction (unanimous)
- Approved cash and budget reports and claims totaling $145,332.23 (unanimous)
5-12-25 Council
The Cokato City Council will vote on several resolutions, including approving the Jenks Pond specifications and authorizing a bid for the project. Other items include a new ordinance for utility billing procedures, an ambulance loan resolution for a $360,000 loan, and a $10,000 study of the city pool’s condition. The council also considers a $0.50 per hour pay increase for a water‑license employee and various street‑repair bids.
- Resolution 2025-16 – Approval of Jenks Pond specifications and authorization of bidding
- Ordinance 2025-4 – Ordinance for utility billing procedures
- Resolution 2025-09 – Ambulance loan resolution for a $360,000 loan with a blended rate of about 1.85%
- Phase 1 study of city pool condition – $10,000 cost
- Resolution 2025-10 – Pay increase of $0.50 per hour for MaKayla Gustafson, Class D Water license holder
5-12-25
The Cokato City Council will discuss utility billing procedures and the approval of specifications for Jenks Pond. The body is also reviewing bids for street and alley repairs and the hiring of part-time summer workers.
- Ordinance 2025-4 regarding Utility Billing Procedures
- Resolution 2025-16 to approve Jenks Pond specifications and authorize bidding
- Bids for street and alley repairs at Lee Avenue, Lee Circle, and Library Parking Lot
- Hiring of part-time summer workers for Public Works and the Swimming Pool
- Possible outlots vacation for Trailstone Subdivision
4-14-25
The Cokato City Council will meet to discuss city infrastructure, staffing, and historic designations. Key items include a watermain project to the school and a resolution regarding the Akerlund Studio.
- Resolution 2025-08: Applying for National Historic Landmark Status for Akerlund Studio
- Project Priority List for State of Minnesota Funding: Watermain to School
- Resolution 2025-07: Donation to the City of Cokato Fire and Ambulance
- Resolution 2025-09: Ambulance Loan Resolution
- Proposal to review pool condition and pool positions
4-14-25
The council approved a resolution to take a $360,000 ambulance loan at a reduced blended rate of about 1.85%. It also approved a change to City Hall hours, moving to a Monday‑Thursday full‑day schedule with a half‑day on Friday. Additional actions included adopting the agenda addition, applying for National Historic Landmark status for Akerlund Studio, moving forward with a water‑main funding application, authorizing a pool‑condition study, and granting a pay increase for a Class D Water license holder.
- Approved agenda addition for Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities report (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2025-08 to apply for National Historic Landmark status for Akerlund Studio (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2025-09 ambulance loan of $360,000 at reduced rate (unanimous)
- Approved change to City Hall hours: Mon‑Thu full‑time, Fri half‑day (one opposing vote)
- Agreed to pursue funding application for water main to school (unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 pool condition study (unanimous)
- Approved pay increase for MaKayla Gustafson, Class D Water license (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda items (unanimous)
4-14-25 Council
The Cokato City Council will discuss several resolutions, including applying for National Historic Landmark status for the Akerlund Studio. Other items include a donation to the fire and ambulance department, an ambulance loan resolution, and city hall operating hours. The meeting also covers public works topics such as a watermain project to a school, a pool condition review, a pay increase for a water employee, and a plow truck purchase summary.
- Resolution 2025-08: Apply for National Historic Landmark Status - Akerlund Studio
- Resolution 2025-07: Donation to the City of Cokato Fire and Ambulance
- Resolution 2025-09: Ambulance Loan Resolution
- Pay increase for MaKayla Gustafson, Class D Water employee
- Plow Truck – Summary of Purchase
City Council
The City Council will review bids for the demolition of a city-owned building at 175 1st Street SW. The body will also discuss a $150,000 state funding application for the City of Cokato Housing Trust Fund to encourage multi-family housing.
- Demolition bids for city-owned building at 175 1st Street SW
- Application for $150,000 in state funding for the Housing Trust Fund
- Wright County Sheriff’s 2024 Annual Report
- Dassel Cokato Schools Community Education Report
- Main Lift Station Pump update
3-10-25
The Cokato City Council meeting will review several reports and updates, including the sheriff's annual report and school community education report. The council will discuss bids to demolish a city‑owned building at 175 1st Street SW and an application for state funding through the City Housing Trust Fund. Additional items include updates on the downtown parking lot/library, summer staffing advertisements, and a main lift station pump status.
- Review bids for demolition of City‑owned building at 175 1st Street SW
- Consider application for state funding from the City of Cokato Housing Trust Fund
- Update on downtown parking lot and library project
- Advertising for summer pool workers and part‑time public works workers
- Update on main lift station pump
2-10-25
The City Council will discuss the creation of a Housing Trust Fund and review updates from the Public Works and Administration departments. The body will also evaluate infrastructure costs and potential property demolition.
- Ordinance 2025-03 to create City of Cokato Housing Trust Fund
- Watermain costs for Omer Avenue to Pleasant Avenue NE
- Possible demolition of city-owned building at 175 1st Street SW
- Future acquisition of a Public Works dump truck
- Evaluation study for Main Lift Station Pumps
1/6/25 Work Session
The City Council is holding a special work session to discuss the Local Housing Trust Fund and 2025 employee wages. The body will also review hail damage at the Water Treatment Plant and Vet’s Ballpark Grandstand.
- Local Housing Trust Fund discussion
- 2025 Employee Wages discussion
- Hail damage review for Water Treatment Plant
- Hail damage review for Vet’s Ballpark Grandstand