The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 8th day of July 2025 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 Leon Althaus, Mike Berscheit and Beth Ramacher and guests: Ray Becker, Diane Becker, Greg Stang, Mike Hubner, Craig Johnson and Bob Kutter.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2025 meeting with the correction of July to June in the first paragraph. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A building permit application from Ray and Diane Becker was reviewed for building a house and storage shed at 100 Ward Street West. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the application. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A building permit application from Ethan Hoffman was reviewed for a cement sidewalk and patio slab. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the application. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A building permit application from Ben Ettle was reviewed for adding a four-foot concrete sidewalk to the east and south side of the building at 203 State Street East. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the application. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mike Hubner with Advanced Utility Solutions was present to discuss a contract proposal for water and sewer services. Mike talked about the duties they would perform. He also discussed additional services, if needed.
Greg Stang with People Service was present to discuss a contract proposal for water and sewer services. Greg also gave a quarterly report on the water and sewer operations and maintenance.
Bob Kutter was present to discuss a $170,000 Minnesota Historical Society grant application which would secure construction documents for the rehabilitation of the Grey Eagle Village Hall. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to have the attorney review the grant application before it is submitted. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the temporary liquor license for the Relief Association’s Corn Feed and waive the $100 temporary liquor license fee. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to close Woodman Street South in front of the City Hall and Fire Hall for the Corn Feed. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following second quarter 2025 reports were reviewed: Todd County Sheriff and Utility Transaction History. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the 2nd Quarter Utility Transaction History Report. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The banners for main street were revisited. There will be no changes to the option that was voted on at the June 10th meeting.
The section of North Lake Street West between parcels 34-0019700 and 34-0019600 was discussed. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve that the City move forward with vacating this section of road. A second was made by Joseph Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor (Brian Hollenkamp abstained), motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson 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 Brad Johnson to approve 2025-2026 membership to the Minnesota Association of Small Cities. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Resolution 2025-13: Authorizing Sponsorship to the Initiative Foundation. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13: 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, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 8th day of July 2025.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2025-14: Accepting $5425.00 from Sourcewell for Consultant Reimbursement FY 2024-2025. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-14: A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $5425.00 FROM SOURCEWELL FOR CONSULTANT REIMBURSEMENT FY 2024-2025
WHEREAS, money has been received from Sourcewell; 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 funds from Sourcewell for Consultant Reimbursement for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
2. That the City Clerk is authorized and directed to make the appropriate revenue and expenditure budget adjustments as needed to reflect this funding and its intended use.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 8th day of July 2025.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Resolution 2025-15: Authorizing Participation with the Community Concern for Youth Program with Todd-Wadena Corrections. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15: RESOLUTION OF SPONSORSHIP: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION WITH THE COMMUNITY CONCERN FOR YOUTH PROGRAM WITH TODD-WADENA CORRECTIONS.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Grey Eagle City Council that Todd County act as sponsoring unit of government for the project entitled Community Concern for Youth to be conducted by Todd-Wadena Community Corrections during the period from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Lew Noska, Chairperson, Todd County Board of Commissioners, is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and funding as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the Grey Eagle City Council.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Grey Eagle City Council hereby agrees to contribute $379.00 for the project entitled Todd-Wadena Community Concern for Youth during the period from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, which is to be paid on January 1, 2026.
It is understood that the Long Prairie – Grey Eagle School Board contributes $4123.00, and the Long Prairie City Council contributes $3528.00, for a total community contribution of $8030.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 8th day of July 2025.
2025-2026 Sourcewell funding opportunities for the City and Fire Department were briefly discussed. Some applications are a first come first served basis while others will have an application window of July 15 – September 24, 2025.
Leon Althaus and Mike Berscheit discussed a number of maintenance items with the Council: mower for the New Holland tractor, pothole in alley behind the Double R, gravel at the cemetery, mowing at the ponds, old bathrooms by the football field and weeds at the softball field.
A motion was made By Brian Hollenkamp to give Leon Althaus a $1.28 per hour increase which includes COLA, effective January 1, 2026. 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 give Mike Berscheit a $1.55 per hour increase which includes COLA, effective January 1, 2026. 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 give Beth Ramacher a $2.43 per hour increase which includes COLA and $100 increase towards health insurance, effective January 1, 2026. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. A corrective action form will be used for all employees, as needed, effective August 1, 2025.
A brief discussion was held regarding the current Cemetery Policy. The policy is vague and needs updating; the City will work with Sunburst Memorials and Quinlivan & Hughes.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve payment of Claims #3493-3510, totaling $12,523.80 and include additional payments of the following: Dan Berscheid $59.83, MN Power $1070.39, Herdering $210.00, Widseth $12,960.00 and Team Lab $975.00. 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 adjourn the meeting at 9:01 pm. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and 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 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
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