The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 p.m. on the 14th day of July 2026 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. No council members were absent. Also in attendance were Dan Berscheid, Beth Ramacher and guests: Brian Koehn, Lance Chase and Jeremy Freudenrich.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the agenda. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Chris Browen to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 meeting. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Dan Berscheid was present to discuss the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Defined Benefit Plan. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve Resolution 2026-18: Governing Bodies to Join the Statewide Volunteer Defined Benefit Plan. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The ordinance reads as follows:
A RESOLUTION FOR GOVERNING BODIES TO JOIN THE STATEWISE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN (SVF DBP)
WHEREAS: The city is authorized to join the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Defined Benefit Plan (SVF DBP) administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA); and
WHEREAS: The city and the city’s fire department relief association have jointly consented to and obtained a cost analysis for joining the SVF DBP from PERA not more than 120 days ago; and
WHEREAS: The city highly values the contributions of city fire department members to the safety and well-being of our community and wishes to safeguard their pension investments in a prudent manner; and
WHEREAS: The existing benefit level for the city fire department is currently at $1700 per year of service pursuant to current relief association bylaws.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: by the city council of The City of Grey Eagle, Minnesota:
1. The city hereby approves coverage by and requests participation in the SVF DBP administered by PERA under the terms provided in the PERA cost analysis at the $2000 benefit level per year of service, effective January 1, 2027; and
2. The city hereby approves coverage by and requests participation in the SVF DBP administered by PERA under the terms provided in the PERA cost analysis with the vesting schedule beginning at 40% after 5 years of service, increasing by 4% each year until 100% vesting is reached after 20 years of service; and
3. The city clerk/administrator and mayor are hereby authorized to bring this resolution into effect.
I, Joseph Arnzen, council member & Mayor of The City of Grey Eagle, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct transcript of the resolution that was adopted at a meeting held on the 14th of July, 2026; the original of which is on file in this office. I further certify that five members noted in favor of this resolution and that zero voted against the resolution. Total of five members were present and voting.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 14th day of July 2026.
Jeremy Freudenrich presented the monthly water and wastewater report from H2O Smartec. Quotes were reviewed for work to be done in the bottom of the water tower.
The Sanitary Survey from MN Department of Health was reviewed. There is nothing that needs to be done at this time.
The council was reminded that filing dates for the offices of Mayor and Council Member are July 14th – July 28th. Due to elections on August 11th, the August City Council Meeting will be 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12th. The meeting will begin in Council Chambers and then the Council will go to the water treatment plant for a tour.
The following second quarter 2026 reports were reviewed: Todd County Sheriff and Utility Transaction History. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the 2nd Quarter Utility Transaction Report. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the annual lease of the propane tank at the west lift station. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve a portable restroom from Nelson Sanitation in the park near the new playground equipment and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on a few rundown houses within the City. The Clerk will reach out to the City Attorney for advice and next steps.
Current water, sewer and garbage rates were discussed. Resolutions for bulk water, residential water, commercial water and garbage will be presented at the August meeting.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2026-16: Sponsorship to the Initiative Foundation. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The ordinance reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-16
RESOLUTION OF SPONSORSHIP: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SPONSORSHIP TO THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
WHEREAS The Initiative Foundation helps build strong local economies and vibrant communities in nearly every city in Central Minnesota. The community and economic development services provided by the Initiative Foundation are essential resources to all that live, work and shop in Central Minnesota.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Grey Eagle City Council hereby agrees to contribute $260.00 to the Initiative Foundation for the period from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 14th day of July 2026.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2026-17: Accepting $7000 Donation from Grey Eagle/Burtrum Lions for Park Maintenance. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The ordinance reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-17
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $7,000 DONATION FROM GREY EAGLE/BURTRUM LIONS CLUB FOR PARK MAINTENANCE
WHEREAS, money has been donated by the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club; and
WHEREAS, the City Council feels that the donation will benefit citizens of the area;
1. That the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle formally accepts the donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Park Maintenance.
2. That the City Clerk is authorized and directed to make the appropriate revenue and expenditure budget adjustments as needed to reflect this donation and its intended use.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 14th day of July 2026
Brian Koehn presented the 2025 audit. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve and submit the 2025 audit. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve payment of Claims #3833-3851, totaling $20,687.46 and include additional payments of the following: Great Minnesota Gas $75.00, MN Power $2033.03 and Kerzman Construction $1350.00. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. A second was made by Brad Johnson upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
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