On the agenda: East Grand Forks meeting — License Plate Reader (Oct 27)

AGENDA
OF THE WORK SESSION
CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2026 – 5:00 PM
PUBLIC NOTICE – interactive Technology Participation
In accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.02, Subdivision 4, Council Members may
Participate in this meeting via interactive technology when necessary.
CALL TO ORDER:
CALL OF ROLL:
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM:
AGENDA:
1. Updates and Discussion on Cannabis Retail Registration pre-approval for Boreal Elite, LLC at
302-304 Demers Ave - Reid Huttunen, City Administrator
2. City Attorney to proceed with lease renewal Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director
3. Review and approval of the GF-EGF MPO two-year lease agreement for 2027 and 2028 - Nancy
Ellis, Community Development Director
4. Public Works – Enterprise Fund Budgets 2027 - Jason Stordahl-Public Works Director
5. Information on Automate License Plate Readers (Flock Camera Systems) - Michael S. Hedlund,
Chief of Police
6. 2026-2027 Winter Recreation Activity report – Jorgen Erickson, Parks & Recreation
Superintendent
ADJOURN:

Upcoming Meetings
Council Meeting – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Council Chamber – 5:00 PM
Work Session – Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Training Room – 5:00 PM
Council Meeting – Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – Council Chambers – 5:00 PM
Work Session – Tuesday, November 24, 2026 – Training Room – 5:00 PM

1

Request for Council Action
Date: October 27, 2026
To:

East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson,
Council Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council Members: Tami Schumacher, Ben
Pokrzywinski, Dale Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Cc:

File

From: Reid Huttunen, City Administrator
RE:

Updates and Discussion on Cannabis Retail Registration pre-approval for Boreal
Elite, LLC at 302-304 Demers Ave

Background:
At the September 22, 2026 City Council Work Session, the City Council discussed the fact that Red
Iris, LLC had informed city staff that it would no longer be pursuing cannabis dispensary
registration at the downtown location of 302-304 Demers Ave.
As part of this discussion, City Council asked city staff to further review the subject of the alternate
applicant within the downtown commercial location.
At the time of application for the cannabis registration drawing, held in August 2025, the alternate
applicant drawn, Boreal Elite LLC, also listed 302-304 Demers Ave as their intended property. The
representatives from Boreal Elite, LLC, has indicated interest in the city registration for this
location and readiness to acquire the property from the current property owner.
Boreal Elite, LLC is preliminary approved for a cannabis microbusiness license from the state
OCM, under application number MICRO-A25-000391. This preliminary license notification was
issued by OCM on June 24, 2025 and is good for 18 months from that date. The applicant is eligible
to apply for a 6-month extension of the license from OCM.
Staff Review
City staff which provided initial review and recommendation of the city’s local cannabis ordinances
met and discussed many of the factors of consideration for potential of the requested downtown
business registration for Cannabis registration.
1. Cannabis Related City Ordinance Review – Pertinent Sections
a. Chapter 120.04 F (8) - Lottery Procedure states: In accordance with state law, which
allows 1 cannabis business registration per 12,500 residents, the city of East Grand
Forks will allow for issuance of up to 2 cannabis business registrations
(Cannabis retailer, microbusiness, and mezzo business locations). If more
than 2 complete and eligible applications are received, a public lottery will be
conducted. The drawing will be conducted publicly using a random selection
method, with either City staff or a contracted third party facilitating the process.
The City of East Grand Forks will announce the time, date, and location of the
lottery at least 10 business days in advance. Participation in the drawing is not
required but the application and fee must be submitted in advance.
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b. Chapter 120.04 F (9) Alternates. In addition to the primary selections, 1 registration
selection for each zoning district, 1 alternate per zoning district will be drawn in
the event that any selected business is unable to open within 6 months, or 90 days
if an extension is granted.
c. Chapter 120.05 J (5) – Limiting of Registrations: THE CITY OF EAST GRAND
FORKS SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CANNABIS RETAIL
BUSINESSES TO 2. ONE RETAIL BUSINESS IN THE C-1 DOWNTOWN
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AND ONE RETAIL BUSINESS IN THE C-2
HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
THE CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS HAS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER
OF LOWER-POTENCY HEMP EDIBLE RETAIL LICENSED
ESTABLISHMENTS, HOWEVER, THE ESTABISHMENT MUST BE
LOCATED IN A C-1 DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT OR IN A C-2
HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
2. MN State Law and Cannabis Rules:
a. MN Statute 342.14 Cannabis Local Control
i. Subd H A local government unit that issues a cannabis retailer registration
under section 342.22 may, by ordinance, limit the number of licensed
cannabis retailers, cannabis mezzobusinesses with a retail operations
endorsement, and cannabis microbusinesses with a retail operations
endorsement to no fewer than one registration for every 12,500 residents.
b. MN Rules 9810.5000 Local Governments:
i. Subd 3. B
1. A local government may include in its count of active retail
registration any retail location operating under:
1. A Tribal Compact entered into under MN Statutes, section
3.9224 or 3.9228 or
2. A tribally issued license or registration
c.

MN Statute 342.14 Cannabis License Application & Renewal Procedure
i. Subd. 10. Revocation or expiration of preliminary license approval.
1. A preliminary license approval expires after 18 months unless the
office revokes the preliminary license approval or grants an extension.
The office may grant a onetime extension of up to six months if an
applicant has made good faith efforts to convert a preliminary
license approval into a license. The office must not issue a license to
an applicant whose preliminary license approval has expired.

3. Status of Current Cannabis Businesses:
a. Waabigwan Mashkiki – 926 Central Ave NE; White Earth Nation Tribal
Compact
i. Open for business since May 2026
ii. This location is owned and operated by White Earth Nation and is subject to
regulation of the Tribal Compact between White Earth Nation and the State
of Minnesota.

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iii. According to MN Rules 9810.5000, a local government may include in its
count of active retail registrations any retail location operating under a tribal
compact.
b. Skol MN LLC; dba Mellow Moods; 300 3rd Ave NE.
i. Preliminary approved for a License by OCM and for a local registration by
City of East Grand Forks.
ii. The latest update the city has received from the Office of Cannabis
Management is that Mellow Moods is required to make additional
modifications to their property at 300 3rd Ave NE. Specifically the entrance,
so that the business has a unique secure entrance for Suite A & Suite B.
iii. The City doesn’t have a firm timeline of when these final improvements
would be made, and when Mellow Moods would be approved for full state
licensure.
iv. OCM Preliminary license approval date is June 5, 2025
1. 18 Month deadline is Dec. 5, 2026
2. If 6-month extension granted: June 5, 2027
4. Alternate Applicant in Downtown Commercial District; Boreal Elite LLC at 302-304
Demers
a. In the August 2025 drawing, Boreal Elite was selected as the alternate.
b. Representatives from Boreal Elite, working with Minnesota Cannabis Company,
have indicated interest in acquiring 302-304 Demers Ave. to place a cannabis
dispensary.
c. OCM Preliminary Approval date is June 24, 2025.
i. 18-month deadline is Dec. 24, 2026
ii. If 6-month extension granted: June 24, 2027
5. Additional Local Considerations
a. Ordinance:
i. Two Retail Dispensary Limit
1. With Waabigwan Mashkiki open and operating and Mellow Moods
having preliminary approval of registration from the City and
pending final approval of licensure from OCM, the City can consider
these two stores as having reached its limit of two retail locations.
2. Each of these listed locations are in the Highway Commercial
District.
b. Public Safety
i. As of October 1, 2026, the Police Department has taken 6 calls for service at
the Waabigwan Mashkiki store. These have largely been calls from
Waabigwan staff to report an attempted use of a fake identification.
ii. Drug Task Force does report seeing a local uptick in minors trying to get
cannabis.
iii. Consideration should be given to the long-term impacts of increased access
to cannabis and use of cannabis, especially by minors/adolescents.

4

c. Economic Impact
i. In the staff discussion, the potential impact on the business location at 302304 Demers Ave was discussed. This property has been vacant since January
2026, as it was originally planned for a cannabis dispensary under Red Iris,
LLC. It is anticipated that a cannabis dispensary operator will need to
reinvest a significant amount of money to prepare it for this use. (Chicago
Atlantic/Red Iris, LLC had mentioned more than $500,000 in renovations.)
ii. Allowing the applicant Boreal Elite, LLC to move forward with the location
will create capital investment and new jobs in our downtown commercial
district.
Recommendation:
At the October 27 Work Session, city staff plan to present the various elements of this decision for
City Councils review and discussion.
It is also expected that the current property owner from 302-304 Demers Ave and a representative
with Boreal Elite, LLC will be in attendance to address the City Council.

Potential Options for a decision include :

1) Count Waabigwan Mashkiki and Mellow Moods as the City’s two allowed retail locations
and consider the City as having reached its limit of two under City Code Chapter 120.05 J
(5).
OR
2) Do not count the Waabigwan Mashkiki location as part of the City’s registration count for
local retail limits and consider approval of a preliminary registration of the downtown
Commercial retail location to Boreal Elite, LLC.

Resource Links

City Code Chapter 120 – Cannabis Regulation:
• https://library.municode.com/mn/east_grand_forks/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=
TITXIBURE_CH120RECALOTEHEEDBU
Cannabis Compact Between the White Earth Nation of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and the State of
Minnesota
Sec. 342.13 MN Statutes
9810.5000 - MN Rules Part

Attachments
Economic Development Authority - summary of economic impact
Effects on Cannabis use statistics - Provided by EGF PD
5

Economic Development Authority
Maggie Brockling

Capital investment

Amount

Total project investment

$1,800,000

Locally captured@ 40%

$720,000

Secondary/tertiary effects@ 35%

$252,000

New economic activity

$972,000

Category
Retail operation: all sales
Of which: new regional spending
Direct employment
Direct payroll

Economic Impact Analysis
302-304 Demers Ave, EGF

Direct

Economic ripple

Total

$1,000,000

$350,000

$1,350,000

$250,000

$87,500

$337,500

6jobs

6jobs

$270,000

$270,000

So over 3 years, $4.0SM would be the total economic activity if Boreal makes $1M/year
and $1.0125M represents the $250k/year of new regional consumer spending in East
Grand Forks, assuming a 1.35 multiplier for both.

Capital investment
project of $1,800,000 at
a 1.35 multiplier means
$1.00 of direct activity
supports and $0.35
represents indirect
and induced ripple
economic activity to
equal $1.35 of total
activity

The alternative of no building sale & no cannabis dispensary would result in forgoing the
$1,800,000 project investment, $972k in economic activity from the new project, 6 jobs
that represent $270k/year in payroll, and approximately $1.0125M over 3-years of
economic activity from new regional consumers in East Grand Forks.

3 years assumes an optimistic amount of time for the building owner to seek a new buyer if
Boreal is declined- or- a reasonable amount of time to gauge the startup's momentum.
$800k building purchase, $700k reno/rehab, $300k due diligence costs= $1,800,000 total
project investment
$1,800,000 x 40% of local market capture for supplies, materials, skilled labor,
legal/architect/engineering=$720,000 locally captured @40%
$720,000 x 35% = $252,000 represents the new money coming into EGF, no existing local
shoppers going here
$720,000 + $252,000= $972,000 which is the sum all economic activity, both local and new
from this single project investment.
Now the second part- wages & sales
If the dispensary makes $1M annually from retail sales, we can use the 1.35 multiplier to get
the ripple activity (.35): $1M x .35= $350,000 economic ripple from having this shop open.
$252,000 x 1.35 multiplier = $337,500 the total economic activity attributable to the new
regional spending (outside EGF). This is a key number.
$252,000 x .35 multiplier= $87,500 secondary/tertiary ripple spending because this shop
exists.

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13

Request for Council Action
Agenda Item: Galstad, Jensen, & McCann, P.A. Lease Renewal 2027-2031
Date: October 27, 2026
To: East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson, Council VicePresident Tim Riopelle, Council Members Tami Schumacher, Ben Pokrzywinski, Dale Helms, Donald
Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Prepared by: Maggie Brockling, Economic Development Director
Cc: File

Staff Recommendation:
1.
Review prior lease terms and current request from tenant;
2.
Discuss and vote on terms to best align with desired economic outcomes on November 3, 2026;
3.
Authorize staff and City Attorney to proceed with a lease renewal.
EDA Loan Committee Recommendation: CONCUR on 8/13/26
Keep rent at $11.25/sq ft for the next five years, ending May 31, 2031, with an opt out clause for
retirement or sale of business.
EDA Board Recommendation: CONCUR 8/26/26
Background
Galstad, Jensen, & McCann, P.A.’s current lease inside the Infill Building expires December 31, 2026.
Total leased square footage is 3,420. The last lease was for a 5-year term with an annual rent increase.
The lease has increased $0.50 per square foot each year from 2023 - 2026, previously by $0.25 per
square foot from 2018 - 2023. Owner, Atty Ron Galstad, was consulted on August 12, 2026.
Year
2023 -2024
2024- 2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031

Increased Total per Year
$29,942.81
$32,935.31
$36,070.31
$36,070.31
$36,070.31
$36,070.31
$36,070.31
$36,070.31

Rent per Month
$2,921.25
$3,063.75
$3,206.25
$3,206.25
$3,206.25
$3,206.25
$3,206.25
$3,206.25

14

Cost per Square Foot
$10.25
$10.75
$11.25
$11.25
$11.25
$11.25
$11.25
$11.25

Request for Council Action
Date: October 27, 2026
To:

East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson, Council
Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council Members Tami Schumacher, Ben Pokrzywinski, Dale
Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Cc:

File

From: Nancy Ellis, Community Development Director
RE:

Review and approval of the GF-EGF MPO two-year lease agreement for 2027 and 2028

STAFF REQUEST:
Staff are asking that you review the 2027-2028 lease agreement for the GF-EGF MPO for 979 sq.ft.
of office space; and approve said lease of $14.75/sq.ft. for 2027 and $15.00 for 2028. Once approved,
it will go to the MPO for their approval; or to come back to the Council to negotiate.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, the MPO leases 979 sq ft of office space on the 2nd Floor East Wing at $13.50 per square foot
for a total of $14195.50. The lease was approved for two years, 2025 and 2026. In 2025, we remodeled the
CD/EDA space to allow for the renting of the EDA Director’s office (203 sqft) to the MPO. This
increased the office/storage space and allowed them to stop renting storage space in the Council
Chambers.
Upon review of the Probations lease per square foot and private office spaces in the GF-EGF area; I
propose the following: 1) The MPO will see a modest increase of $.25 per year or $14.75/sqft in 2027 and
$15.00 in 2028 to help with the cost of maintenance and utility costs; 2) I recommend a two-year lease
agreement.
This rent cost is comparable to office space rentals of $15 to $18 in private buildings within the area.
Current practice is to rent to government entities so that we keep City Hall to government purposes.
Also, government entities such as the MPO meet our typical hours/days of operation and closures.
Probations rent is roughly $13.00 for 2027. We hope to increase their rent for the years 2028-2029 to get
their cost per square foot closer to the MPO rate.
The new lease agreement is included for your review.

15

City of East Grand Forks Lease Agreement
Whereas, the GF/EGF MPO

wishes to lease space from the City of East Grand Forks; and

Whereas, the City currently has available space in its City Hall building; and
Whereas, the City believes the
GF/EGF MPO would provide other positive contributing factors
to the City by locating their office at the City Hall building .
Now, therefore, for valuable consideration, the City and

GF/EGF MPO

agree as follows:

The City will:
1.

Provide to
GF/EGF MPO
an approximately 979 sq. ft.
space,
currently
labeled
Rooms
E212,
E213,
E214
and
This has been discussed with and agreed to by the City Administrator.

2.

Permit security access outside regular City working hours.

3.

Provide reasonable access to use the City Council Chambers or a conference room on an as
needed basis, but only when such use does not conflict with the City’s need for such space, and
all conflicts will be resolved by the City.

4.

Allow GF/EGF MPO
to have an identity sign, etc. on the premises, the size and location
to be approved by the City.

5.

Provide use of other customary City Hall service areas for GF/EGF MPO
the employee lunchroom, restrooms, etc.

6.

Provide current janitorial services to the areas proposed to be used by
GF/EGF MPO
in the same manner as the City receives, including removal of regular trash and recycling
products.
GF/EGF MPO
will pay for any special fees for disposal of computers, or the
like.

7.

Allow existing parking areas to be used by

8.

Provide electric, heating/cooling, water and sanitary sewer at no additional cost.

9.

Provide fire and general liability insurance on the building.

10.

Provide Communication services, phone, network access, GB data storage; and IT desktop
support and technical services at the following prices: (See Page 2)

16

GF/EGF MPO

EDA

of office
Office.

employees, such as

employees and visitors.

Charges for Phone service, Network Access, Data Storage and IT Support
1. Phone Service. This includes basic IP phone station; DID number; voicemail; call
transfer/forward/waiting; routine service requests such as ring group changes, number of rings to
voice mail, voice mail password reset, etc. Any requests requiring in depth planning or
engineering will be charged on a time and material basis (see support service charges).
$6.75 per phone per month

$6.75 X ____no. of phones = $ 27.00_____/month

2. Network Access. Provides access to department VLAN or EGF Metro Area Network, Internet
access with multiple circuit redundancy, firewall services, Active Directory authentication service
(includes basic service requests for password resets, add/remove users, change user groups) and
security services. This does not include phone stations subscribing to EGF phone service (see
above).
$10.00 per device per month

$10.00 X ____no. of devices = $_50.00____/month

3. Data Storage. Provides a dedicated data store attached to the Metro Area Network with data
replicated in two geographically separated locations, nightly backups and archives stored at 3
locations. Data recovery from backups will be billed at time and material rates (see support
service charges).
$0.25 per GB reserved per month

$0.25 X __300__no. of GB = $__75.00__/month

4. Desktop support and other technology services. This is charged at a labor rate of $47.00/hour
during normal working hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm on non-holidays. Billed in
half-hour increments plus actual material and outside resource expenses incurred. Anything
outside of normal working hours, considered after hours calls, or on holidays will be charged at
the labor rate of $70.50/hour and will be a 3 hour minimum charge plus actual material and
outside resource expenses incurred.

17

_____GF/EGF MPO____________________________ Will:
1.

Make all leasehold improvements to the existing “area” at their expense and in a
manner that is approved by the City.

2.

Pay the City rent at the negotiated terms of __$14.75___ base rate per square foot for
2027 and _$15.00___ for 2028. ($14440.25 for 2027 and $14685.00 for 2028)

3.

Pay the City rent, on the 1st of each month _____or at a negotiated time, such as
quarterly ________ or yearly ________

4.

Pay for any costs associated with additional access/security improvements as it or the
City desires.

5.

Furnish its own computer system; however, the City will provide internet connections
only. The City currently has an agreement with Water & Light Department for IT
services.

6.

Maintain a certificate of insurance as required by the East Grand Forks City Attorney
to cover its employees, liability, and personal property, and pay any additional
premium
required
by
the
City’s
insurers
by
reason
of
presence.

7.

Not make any permanent improvements or changes to the area without prior City
approval.

8.

Limited storage may be offered in an area to be determined by the City for $30 per
month.

Duration and Termination
(1)

This agreement shall be for a period through 2028 and may be continued thereafter on terms
acceptable to both parties.

(2)

Either party shall have the right to terminate this agreement upon written 90-day notice to the
other party.

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Company/Organization ___________________________________

Dated:

By___________________________________________

By___________________________________________
CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS
Dated:

By___________________________________________
Its Mayor
By___________________________________________
Its City Administrator

19

Space Available in City Hall

1st Floor
E112
E113
E114

TOTAL

363.00 sq.ft.
207.00 sq. ft.
453.75 sq. ft.
1023.75 sq.ft.

(33’ X 11’)
(11.5’ X 18’)
(33’ X 13’10”)

TOTAL

810.00 sq.ft.
238.00 sq. ft.
396.00 sq. ft.
231.00 sq.ft.
1675 sq. ft.

(45’ X 18’)
(17’ X 14’)
(16.5’ X 24’)
(16.6’ X 14’)

E212
E213
E214
EDA office
TOTAL

231.65 sq.ft.
198.00 sq.ft.
346.50 sq.ft.
203.00sq.ft.
979.15 sq.ft.

(13’10” X 16’8”)
(12’ X 16’8”)
(24’10” X 14’)
(13’10” X 14’8”)

W230

198.00 sq.ft.
198.00 sq. ft.

(12’ X 16.5’)

W118
W128
W129
W130

2nd Floor

TOTAL

20

Request for Council Action
Date: 10/22/2026
To:

East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson, Council
Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council Members Tami Schumacher, Ben Pokrzywinski, Dale
Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Cc:

File

From: Jason Stordahl-Public Works Director
RE:

Public Works – Enterprise Fund Budgets 2027

The Public Works and Finance Departments have prepared the proposed 2027 enterprise fund
budgets for wastewater, stormwater, and refuse. I will present to Council the areas within these
budgets where significant increases are anticipated in 2027.

21

Request for Council Action
Date: October 22, 2026
To:

East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson, Council
Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council Members Tami Schumacher, Ben Pokrzywinski, Dale
Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Cc:

File

From: Michael S. Hedlund – Chief of Police
RE: Information on Automate License Plate Readers (Flock Camera Systems)
Background: Earlier this year the East Grand Forks City Council authorized the East Grand Forks
Police Department to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety for the installation of stationary
Automated License Plate Reader systems in East Grand Forks. We have finalized our department
policy on the use of these systems, and we are also providing some additional information on
Automated License Plate Readers. This presentation is designed to provide information on the
systems to the City Council and our community and to answer any questions that you may have as we
near the installation of these systems.
Enclosures: Draft Automated License Plate Reader Policy and Automated License Plate Reader
informational handout.

22

EAST GRAND FORKS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology was initially developed in the
United Kingdom in 1976 and was designed as a tool to combat terrorism. It was
first used by a law enforcement agency in the United States in 1998 when U.S.
Customs and Border Protection began using ALPR technology to fight human and
drug trafficking. In the early 2000’s many law enforcement agencies began to use
mobile ALPR’s that were mounted on patrol vehicles. Over time fixed ALPR’s
began to become common across the United States.
WHAT DO ALPR’S DO?
An Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) is a camera system that captures
point in time images of license plate numbers and basic vehicle information such
as make, model and color of vehicles that travel past an ALPR on a public
roadway. ALPR’s are manufactured and sold by several different companies. The
EGFPD plans to use ALPR’s that are sold and installed by Flock Safety.
CAN I GET A TRAFFIC TICKET FROM AN ALPR? (AND OTHER
MISINFORMATION)
No. ALPR’s are not traffic cameras and the EGFPD will not be issuing traffic
citations for any traffic offense that might be captured by the ALPR cameras.
ALPR’s do not track vehicles. They capture images of vehicles at a single location
and do not have the ability to know where that vehicle goes after it leaves the
location of the ALPR.
ALPR’s do not have facial recognition software or identify who is driving the
vehicle.
ALPR’s do not record conversations or collect audio.

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WHY DOES THE EGFPD WANT TO USE ALPR’S?
The ALPR system compares the data that it gathers to “Hot Lists” of vehicles that
have been entered into national law enforcement data bases and alerts the agency
of hits when the system runs the automated searches. Some examples of hits
would be stolen vehicles, missing persons, Amber Alerts or vehicles connected to
known crimes. Officers can also do, after the fact searches of the data for vehicles
that are believed to have been involved in criminal activity. We believe that the
ALPR’s will help us to solve crimes and will make East Grand Forks safer.
WHEN CAN OFFICERS CONDUCT SEARCHES OF THE ALPR DATA?
Officers can only conduct searches of the ALPR data for legitimate and official law
enforcement purposes. Searches will only be conducted by investigators or
officers with the rank of corporal or greater. Examples include:
•
•
•
•

Pursuing information relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Searching for an endangered missing person.
Searching for lost or stolen motor vehicles.
Responding to exigent circumstances when immediate access to ALPR data
is necessary to address an urgent threat to life or public safety, consistent
with applicable law.

Officers must enter an East Grand Forks report number into the system when they
conduct any data search.
EGFPD officers cannot use ALPR equipment and data for any of the following:
•
•
•
•
•

Personal Use
Traffic Enforcement
Immigration Enforcement
Harassment or Intimidation
Searches based solely on a protected class (i.e. race, sex, religion)

MN Statute 13.824.2(d): Automated license plate readers must not be used to
monitor or track an individual who is the subject of an active criminal investigation
unless authorized by a warrant, issued upon probably cause, or exigent
circumstances justify the use without obtaining a warrant.

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DO ALPR SEARCHES INVADE PEOPLE’S PRIVACY?
The simple answer is no. License plates are required publicly visible identifiers.
When a law enforcement agency is using ALPR’s as required by Minnesota State
Law (and EGFPD policy) there are no privacy concerns from the use of ALPR’s.
ALPR data is collected only from vehicles traveling on public roadways. In Grand
Forks/East Grand Forks over 40,000 vehicles cross the Point, Sorlie and Kennedy
Bridge each day. Of those 40,000+ vehicles, data searches will only be conducted
on those that are suspected of being involved in criminal activity. No one will ever
have access to the data on any of the other vehicles.
All EGFPD ALPR data searches will be logged in the system and subject to audit.
The EGFPD will have a supervisor designated to review all ALPR searches at least
weekly and full audits by an external auditor are required at least biennially per
Minnesota law.
Minnesota requires that ALPR data be deleted after 60 days (with some specific
exceptions). The EGFPD has chosen to delete ALPR data after 30 days unless
specific exceptions are met. These exceptions are detailed in the EGFPD’s ALPR
policy.
DATA SHARING
The EGFPD will only share data with other Minnesota law enforcement agencies
who hold these same standards and other law enforcement agencies who make
formal requests. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will
only be approved if the requesting agency has a legitimate law enforcement need
that meets the requirements of the EGFPD policy and Minnesota State Law.
ALPR data will never be sold or shared with private or commercial entities.
ALPR data will never be shared with an outside agency for the purposes of
immigration enforcement.
TRANSPARENCY
The EGFPD will maintain a “Transparency Portal” on the City of East Grand
Forks website. That portal will have a copy of the EGFPD ALPR policy. It will
also list the locations of any City owned ALPR’s and the date that those ALPR’s

25

were installed. The Transparency Portal will also list the number of vehicles
whose data is recorded by the ALPR’s and the number of searches conducted by
EGFPD staff.
The East Grand Forks Police Department is committed to using ALPR
technology responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with our policy and
Minnesota State Law. Our goal is to protect our community while respecting the
privacy and rights of the people we serve.

26

East Grand Forks Police Department
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Systems - Draft
Directive: 42.1.12
Reference: FSFLEA – Chapter 42 – Criminal Investigation, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13,
Minnesota Statute § 13.824, Minnesota Statute § 626.8472
Authorized By: ________________________________
Michael S. Hedlund – Chief of Police
Effective Date: Draft
Distribution: All Personnel (Electronic Version), Dispatch Center, Office of the Chief of Police
(Original)
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines governing the acquisition, operation, use,
access, retention, dissemination, and auditing of information obtained through Automated
License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology utilized by the East Grand Forks Police
Department.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR): An electronic device mounted on a law

enforcement vehicle or positioned in a stationary location that is capable of recording
data on, or taking a photograph of, a vehicle or its license plate and comparing the
collected data and photographs to existing law enforcement databases for investigative
purposes. Automated license plate reader includes a device that is owned or operated by a
person who is not a government entity to the extent that data collected by the reader are
shared with a law enforcement agency. Automated license plate reader does not include a
traffic safety camera system.

III. ADMINISTRATION
ALPR technology provides for the automated detection and collection of license plate
information. The East Grand Forks Police Department shall use ALPR technology only for
legitimate, specified, and documented law enforcement purposes. The Chief of Police, or
designee, shall oversee the installation, maintenance, operation, data retention, and access of
ALPR equipment and data. The Chief of Police shall designate Department members to assist
with the day-to-day administration and operation of the ALPR system.
IV.

OPERATIONS

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Use of ALPR technology is limited to legitimate and authorized law enforcement purposes.
Department members shall not use, or permit others to use, ALPR equipment or data for any
unauthorized purpose.
• ALPR equipment and data shall be used only for legitimate and official law enforcement
purposes, including but not limited to:
o Pursuing information relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation.
o Apprehending an individual with an outstanding warrant.
o Locating a missing or endangered person.
o Locating a lost or stolen motor vehicle.
• Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required solely for the collection of ALPR
data.
• Officers may only access ALPR data when authorized and when such access is necessary
to perform their official duties.
• Officers shall complete Department-approved and required training before operating
ALPR equipment or accessing ALPR data.
• If practical, before taking enforcement action based on an ALPR alert, members shall
verify the alert through MNJIS, NLETS, or another appropriate law enforcement
database to confirm the accuracy and status of the information.
• ALPR equipment and data may not be used for any of the following:
o Personal use.
o Traffic Enforcement
o Immigration enforcement
o Harassment or intimidation
o Usage based solely on a protected class (i.e. race, sex, religion)
• ALPR data shall not be sold to any third party.
V.

LOG OF USE

Access to the Department's ALPR system shall be recorded through an electronic audit trail
maintained within the Department's approved ALPR system or database.
The Department shall maintain a public log of ALPR use as required by Minn. Stat. § 13.824.
The public log shall include:
• The specific times during which the ALPR actively collected data.
• The aggregate number of vehicles or license plates for which data was collected during
each period of active ALPR use, along with a list of the state and federal public databases
against which the data was compared, unless the existence of the database is not public.
• For each period of active ALPR use, the number of vehicles or license plates for which
the collected data identified:
1. A stolen vehicle or license plate;
2. A vehicle owner with an active arrest warrant;
3. A vehicle owner with a suspended or revoked driver's license or similar legal
restriction; or
4. A vehicle or license plate associated with an active criminal investigation.
• For an ALPR located at a stationary or fixed location, the location where the ALPR
actively collected data and where it is installed and used.

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The Department shall also maintain a publicly accessible list of the current and previous
locations of fixed ALPRs including the date each device was installed or operated at those
locations.
VI.

USE OF DATA

Officers of the East Grand Forks Police Department shall adhere to the following requirements
when accessing or using the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, consistent with
Minn. Stat. § 13.824:
•

•

•

•

VII.

Permitted Data Collection. ALPR systems shall collect only the following information:
1. License plate numbers.
2. The date, time, and location associated with the captured vehicle.
3. Images of the license plate, the vehicle, and the area immediately surrounding the
captured vehicle.
Permitted Data Matching. ALPR data may be matched against the Minnesota license
plate data file. Other data sources may be used for matching purposes only when there is
an active criminal investigation and the additional data is reasonably related to that
investigation.
ALPR Queries. Members shall conduct queries of ALPR data only when there is
reasonable suspicion that the information sought is relevant to a criminal investigation or
other authorized law enforcement purpose. The applicable case, complaint, or incident
number shall be documented at the time the query is conducted.
Monitoring or Tracking Individuals. ALPR data shall not be used to monitor or track
the movements of a known individual who is the subject of an active criminal
investigation unless:
1. A search warrant supported by probable cause has been obtained; or
2. Exigent circumstances exist that reasonably justify the use of ALPR data without
first obtaining a warrant.
SHARING OF DATA

ALPR data is classified as private data on individuals or nonpublic data unless the data is public
under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, Subd. 2, 3, or 6, or is active criminal investigative data under Minn.
Stat. § 13.82, Subd. 7.
ALPR data may only be shared with or disseminated to another law enforcement or prosecutorial
agency upon meeting the requirements of Minn. Stat. § 13.824. The EGFPD shall share data
with other Minnesota law enforcement agencies upon request per the restrictions of this statute.
Requests for ALPR data from law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies outside of the state of
Minnesota must be submitted in writing and shall include:
• The name of the requesting agency;
• The name of the requesting person;

29

•
•
•

The intended purpose for obtaining the information;
The factual basis for the request and any associated case, complaint, or incident number;
and
A statement that the request is authorized by the head of the requesting law enforcement
agency or their designee.

Requests shall be reviewed and either approved or denied by the on-duty supervisor. Any
release must be based upon a reasonable suspicion that the data is pertinent to an active criminal
investigation.
Requests from outside agencies should be submitted using the approved East Grand Forks Police
Department request form. All requests shall be retained on file whether the request was granted
or denied.
Requests for ALPR data received from non-law-enforcement or non-prosecutorial agencies shall
be processed as provided in the Records Maintenance and Release Policy.
An agency that receives ALPR data from the East Grand Forks Police Department must comply
with all applicable data classification, destruction, and security requirements under Minnesota
law.
All requests submitted to outside agencies by the East Grand Forks Police Department to receive
ALPR data shall be approved by the Chief of Police, or authorized designee before submission.
ALPR data not related to an active criminal investigation shall not be shared with, disseminated
to, sold to, or traded with any other individual or entity.
VIII. DATA RETENTION
Data collected by an ALPR and not related to an active criminal investigation or pending
prosecution must be destroyed no later than 60 days from the date of collection (with the
exceptions of the below listed circumstances) per Minn. Stat. § 13.824. While the State of
Minnesota allows this data to be maintained for 60 days, the East Grand Forks Police
Department will maintain this data for only 30 days, unless the data meets the below listed
exceptions.
•

•

Exculpatory Evidence: Upon written request from an individual who is the subject of a
pending criminal charge or complaint, including the case or complaint number and a
statement that the data may be used as exculpatory evidence, the data shall be preserved
until the criminal charge or complaint is resolved or dismissed.
Address Confidentiality Program: Data related to a participant of the Address
Confidentiality Program must be destroyed upon the written request of the participant.
ALPR data already collected at the time of the request shall be destroyed, and future

30

•
•

related ALPR data must be destroyed at the time of collection. Destruction can be
deferred if it relates to an active criminal investigation.
Inactive Criminal Investigative Data: The data is associated with a public record that
must be retained and destroyed according to the applicable retention schedule under
Minn. Stat. § 138.17.
Active Criminal Investigative Data: ALPR data that is part of any active criminal
investigation shall be retained per the Minnesota State Evidence Retention Guidelines.

ALPR data received from another agency shall be maintained securely and released in the same
manner as ALPR data collected by this department (Minn. Stat. § 13.824) after first referring the
data requester to the agency that created the data or conferring with that agency about the
release.
IX.

ACCOUNTABILITY

All stored ALPR data shall be safeguarded through appropriate administrative, procedural, and
technological security measures. The East Grand Forks Police Department shall implement and
maintain the following safeguards governing access to and use of stored ALPR data, consistent
with Minn. Stat. §§ 13.05 and 13.824:
• Access Controls. ALPR data downloaded to a department workstation or otherwise
maintained in department storage shall be accessible only through a secure, login- and
password-protected system. The system shall maintain an electronic audit trail identifying
each instance of access by the accessing member, date, and time.
• Authorized Use. Members authorized to access ALPR data under this policy shall use
the data only for legitimate and authorized law enforcement purposes, including matters
related to a specific criminal investigation or an authorized department civil or
administrative action.
• Internal Review. A designated East Grand Forks Police Department Supervisor shall
review all ALPR data searches conducted by East Grand Forks Police Department staff at
least weekly.
• Independent Audits. Independent audits of ALPR data and system use shall be
conducted at least every two years, as required by Minn. Stat. § 13.824. (See section X –
Biennial Audits)
• Data Breaches. Any breach involving personal data maintained within the ALPR system
shall be handled in accordance with the Department's records maintenance and release
policies and Minn. Stat. § 13.055.
• Audit Trail. All queries, responses, and other actions involving the entry, modification,
access, sharing, or dissemination of ALPR data shall be recorded in an electronic data
audit trail.
• Unauthorized Access or Use. Any officer who violates Minn. Stat. § 13.09, and/or this
Directive, through the unauthorized acquisition, access, disclosure, or use of ALPR data
may be subject to department disciplinary action, up to and including termination of their
employment and, where applicable, criminal prosecution pursuant to Minn. Stat. §
626.8472.
X.

BIENNIAL AUDITS

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On a biennial basis, the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall arrange for an independent audit of
department ALPR records to ensure compliance with this policy and applicable Minnesota state
statutes. The results of the audit shall immediately be submitted to the Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension and shall be made available to the public. The department should adhere to any
directives from the Minnesota BCA, and requirements by Minnesota law related to the results of
the audit.
XI.

BCA NOTIFICATION

The Chief of Police, or designee, shall ensure all notifications required by Minnesota law are
submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
The Department shall notify the BCA within 10 days of the installation or current use of an
ALPR, or the integration of ALPR technology into another surveillance device. The notification
shall include the fixed location of a stationary ALPR when applicable.
Records of all required notifications shall be retained by the Department.

32

Request for Council Action
Date: October 27, 2026
To:

East Grand Forks City Council Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson,
Council Vice-President Tim Riopelle, Council Members: Tami Schumacher, Ben
Pokrzywinski, Dale Helms, Donald Casmey, and Karen Peterson.

Cc:

File

From: Jorgen Erickson, Parks & Recreation Superintendent
RE:

2026-2027 Winter Activity Registration numbers

Background:
Attached is a summary of the registrations received to date for 2026-2027 Winter Activities. For
those activities marked with an *, we are still accepting registration for the 2026-2027 season.
Recommendation:

No action needed, provided as an information item.

33

2023-2027 Winter Activity Registration Comparison (as of 10/23/26)
Synchronized Skating
Non-Competitive Synchro
Aspire Synchro
Preliminary & Above Synchro
Total Synchro Registrations

2023-24
11
29
26
66

Learn to Skate Lessons
Snowplow Sam
Basic 1-6
Hockey 1-4
Pre-Free Skate & Free Skate
Synchro & LTS Lessons
Total LTS Registrations

2023-24
34
40
14
11
34
133

Private Ice

Hockey
Termites (6U)
Mites (8U)
Girls 8U
Squirts (10U)
Girls 10U
Peewees (12U)
Girls 12U
Bantams (14U)
Total Hockey Registrations

2025-26

2025-26

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

2026-27

64
275

59*
226*

2023-24

2024-25

2025-26

2026-27

52
144
196
$10,346.18

2023-24

58
29
6
40
4
53
21
42
253

2024-25
50
112
162
$8,447.03

2024-25
653
402

2025-26
37
114
151
$9,562.94

679
432

34

+/N/A
N/A

58*
33*
8*
32
13
56
12
32
244*

2025-26

+/-

26*
35*
10*
2*
33*
106*

61
248

50
34
6
55
9
41
12
36
243

+/N/A
+2
-9
N/A

2026-27

42
47
13
10
32
144

2024-25

2023-24

727
427

2026-27
12*
25
24
61*

70
269

Hockey Clinic

Registrations
Participants
(Highlighted)

35
41
19
6
28
129

48
34
8
47
14
44
32
35
262

Mites (8U) & Under
Squirts (10U) & Above
Total Hockey Clinic
Total Hockey Clinic Revenue

2025-26
11
23
33
67

2024-25

2023-24

Private Ice
Total Figure Skating Registrations

Totals

2024-25
7
21
30
58

+/N/A
N/A
N/A
-8
+9
+3
-9
-10
N/A

+/-13
+2
-11
+$1,115.91

2026-27
470*
378*

+/N/A
N/A