On the agenda: Ellendale September 10, 2026 Council Meeting Agenda & Minutes — Surveillance camera (Sep 10)

City of Ellendale
September 10, 2026
Regular Council Meeting
7:00 pm
Agenda
7:00 Call Meeting to Order
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approve Agenda
7:05 Consent Agenda Items: If there is any item on the consent agenda that a council member feels needs
further discussion, please ask for it to be removed and placed on the agenda.
1. Accounts Payable/Claims
2. Financials
3. Minutes
• August 13, 20206: Council Meeting Minutes
4. Resolutions
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7:10 Public Input Comment: Those wishing to speak must state their name and address for the record. Each
person will have three (3) minutes to make his/her remarks. Speakers will address all comments to the City
Council as a whole and not any individual Council Member. The Council may not act on an item presented
during the Public Comment period unless the item is already on the agenda for action. When appropriate,
the Council may refer inquiries and items brought up during the Public Comment period to the City ClerkTreasurer for follow-up
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Public Input

7:20 Bolton & Menk Brian Sarff
• Facility Plan Development Agreement
7:45 Reports
1. Fire Department
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Reports- Logan Busho other Fire reports

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Expenses

2. Maintenance
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Report- Josh Otto Maintenance & Utlities Supervisor
• Quotes for water & sewer street patching repairs
• Patching Quotes
Expenses

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3. Parks & Trails Committee
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Report

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Expenses

4. Codification
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New violations
No new violations reported

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Violation/Warnings Issued - Updates
• 516 Radel Court
• Noted at Long grass & various nuisance items in yard at 7/9/26 meeting
• Letter sent on 8/7/26
• Met with owner on 8/10/26
• All issues abated by 8/13/26 meeting. Closed
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518 Radel Court
Letter of violations sent 7-14-26
• One vehicle on lawn moved to street
• Two vehicles have pioneer plates and parked legally
• Snow fence portion not removed by ordinance date
• One vehicle remains unlicensed
• Unable to determine if all vehicles are operable
• Owner failed to appear at 8/13/26 hearing.
• No further action issued at 8/13/26 meeting. Engel to check on ordinance clarification of
nuisance code 92.19.
• As of 9/4/26, two vehicles appear to be inoperable due to storm damage.
• More than 4 cars on property and parked in street.
• Snow fence portion not removed by ordinance date

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Council decision on next step at 9/10/26 meeting.

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Administrative Citations
No new citations/fines issued

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Updates on Issued Code Violations passed to City Attorney for action
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199 8th Avenue East – City Attorney Rahrick filed for court order for all nuisances to be
abated by October 1st. Hearing date was 8/28/26, The order was approved by the court. If not
completed the city may enter the property to abate the nuisances.

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306 4th Ave. W. City Council instructed City Attorney Rahrick to serve a complaint, unless
the owner can provide a plan to show progress and cleanup completion. Council agreed to
give them until September 10th meeting before proceeding with complaint.

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109 6th Avenue East: Abatements due by June 15th. Court’s Review Hearing held July 1st.
Court agreed to the following items presented by City Attorney on behalf of the City Council:

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5.

All household items stored outside will be removed by August 1.
Documentation provided to City that a contractor has been scheduled to do the work on the
porch and roof where roof damage is present.
Documentation provided by August 1st stated:
The porch and roof will be taken care first and then the porch and house. Expect to have
shingling done by mid to late September.
If these steps are not completed by the above dates, the city is authorized to enter onto the
property to abate the issues, and all costs incurred will be assessed to the property.
Next action if not completed - contact building inspector for property review.

Clerk
• LMC Trust Insurance Waiver
• Vote to approve Insurance Waiver selection
• Set TnT public hearing date & time. December 10th at 6:30 pm

8:45 Unfinished Business
1. Clerk’s Office Repairs
• Update Countertop received and installed.
• Waiting on Baker Tech to connect everything together
• Waiting for Jesse to meet with building inspector to review ramp plans on site. Will meet when
final inspection is scheduled for inside work by TC Carpentry.

8:50 New Business
1. 2027 Proposed Budget
• Discussion
• Vote to approve budget or set another workshop meeting
2. Resolution 2026-26 Approving the Proposed Tax Levy for 2027
• Vote to approve Resolution based on proposed budget discussion-changes-approval
3. CD Maturity
• EDA CD xxxx2051 $7,310.12 Maturity date 9/2/27 12 month 3.00%
7 Mo. Term 3.65%
• Vote to approve 7 mo. term

9:15 Mayor/Council Updates
1. Mayor Groth
2. Council Member Asplund
3. Council Member Meyer
4. Council Member Swanson
5. Council Member Berg
9:30 pm Adjournment

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MINUTES OF ELLENDALE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Present: Acting Mayor Scott Groth; Council Members; Jon Asplund, Joel Meyer, Scott Swanson, Charles Berg, City
Clerk/Treasurer Steve Engel
Absent:
Visitors: Fire Chief Logan Busho, Maintenance & Utility Supervisor Josh Otto, Emergency Management Director
Jerry Ibberson: Bolton & Menk City Engineer, Brian Sarff: City residents: Cynthia Nelson, Laura Krenke, Arlan &
Coleen Brekke; E-times Reporter Kay Fate, Star Eagle Reporter Ben Revermann; Other Guests: Montgomery
Revermann
Call Meeting to Order: Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Groth.
Agenda: Mayor Groth asked to add Arlen & Collen Brekke to agenda to discuss a SMIF grant for signs for Emerald
Park (Crown Ridge Park).
Motion to approve the amended agenda with the addition of the Brekkes was made by Council member Meyer Motion
advanced by Council member Asplund Voice vote taken: All in favor, Motion approved
Consent Agenda Items
A motion was made by Council Member Berg to approve the Consent Agenda Items, which included Accounts
Payable/Claims in the amount of $60,879.69, the monthly financial rep01i, Meeting minutes for August 13, 2026.
Motion advanced by Council member Swanson. Voice vote taken all in favor. Motion approved.
Public Comment:
• A comment was made about the feral cat situation and when is Camp Companion coming to work on the issue.
Several cats have been seen in the city park and water tower areas. Engel will contact Camp Companion to see
why they did not stop by two weeks ago when they said they were coming to review the situation by the park.
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Arlen & Colleen Brekke. The Brekkes met the Parks & Trails Committee before this meeting, to present their
plan to place two signs with the park's name: Emerald Park, which has been refened to as Crown Ridge Park.
Its official name was given by the Brekkes when the Crown Ridge development was designed and built. Per
city development ordinances, a green space is to be provided for the development. Emerald Park was created
for the Crown Ridge development and officially named when the development was platted. The Brekkes
would like to donate two signs with matching dollars by SMIF. But, the funds need to be given to the City, not
the Ellendale Community Foundation. The signage has been created and signs will be done by Sign Pro in
Owatonna. Motion by Council member Berg to approve the placement of the Emerald Park signs in the park.
Motion advanced by Council member Asplund. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye;
Berg-Aye; Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth-Aye. Motion approved.
Taylor Farms Grant The Brekkes also discussed the grant opp01iunity through Taylor Farms. It is intended
for green space areas via parks. Council member Berg will assist in the grant application which is due October
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Bolton & Menk Brian Sarff
Facility Plan proposal Brian Sarff presented the proposal and clarification on the City's sanitation pond system
meeting it maximum daily capacity limits. The plan would be developed with the intention of presenting it to the MPCA
by the March 2027 deadline to apply for funding in 2028. The plan and application would be evaluated by the MPCA
and if accepted, be ranked according to the number of other applicants with funding options being determined by the
City's affordability ranking. This process has to be done in order to qualify for any type of funding, whether its grants or
bonding via the PFA. The cost of the plan development would be a maximum of $56,000 to the city.
Brian clarified that the city would probably not be given any extension permits if it wanted to expand the current sewer
system for new development. The city can continue to add structures (homes, etc.) to the current system as the capacity

design was based on the current system in place, when the system was designed and what previous MPCA permitting
was based on. It just can't expand the current system without an extension permit, which was stated when the extension
permit for the Stadheim Apaiiment project was initiated. The council asked about what can be done to decrease the flow
capacity now. Brian stated there is basically two options; decrease the Inflow & Infiltration which very difficult to do
as it's hard to identify all the sources. Efforts can be made by checking manholes and sump pump connections. The other
option which the facility planning process would identify, is to increase the pond capacity. The plan would look at the
needs for the next 20 years also.
The council wanted to table a decision on approving Bolton & Menk to start on the Facility plan for a month. Engel will
contact our financial advisor regarding funding opportunities for the estimated $56,000. Brian said we probably have 2
months to make the decision and still meet the March 2027 application deadline.
Reports
1. Fire Hall Report Chief Busho updated the council regarding the punch list. Everything is completed. He will look
for a paint match for the southwest entry door that was painted by APX, The whole door was painted instead of
just touching up the bolt holes that were epoxied. It was decided not to contact or involve APX any further. Logan
will try to get it painted correctly. The last item to be installed is the pantry cabinet in the meeting room. We're
waiting for a delivery date from Lowes.
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Dedication of fireball The local pastors will be holding a prayer & dedication at 6:00 pm Monday September
14th. The city council is invited to attend along with the firemen.
Ranger Truck Tank skid Chief Busho stated the tank skid items have been ordered. The completion date is
about three months out. Engel sent the 50% payment to Chemical Containers, Inc. (Warrior Fire Apparatus
Division).
Ranger Pickup Purchase Engel informed Busho the Raptor package is not included in the MN State
Procurement contracts. He contacted Midway Ford, who is one of two dealers who were awarded the state
contractor rights via the MN Procurement Program and was informed the package is not one of package that
was included in the MnDOT contracts. However Midway does have a Raptor that closely matches the quote
received from Owatonna Ford. The representative said they would not offer a governmental discount on this on
order vehicle for that reason and it already had a buyer for it. Midway will contact Engel in the event their
customer does not complete the purchase of the Raptor. Their quoted price for their Raptor is $59,865. It does
not have the bed liner. It is comparable to the Owatonna Ford quote. Engel stated we have satisfied our effort
to use the State Procurement system so we should move ahead with the purchase of the Raptor from
Owatonna Ford. Logan told Owatonna Ford to drop the "Raptor" signage, which will lower the cost by
approximately $700.00 more.
Drop cords & kitchen Brian Resler to put in outlets in the meeting room cabinet wall and for drop cords behind
the trucks and a 240 volt outlet for a compressor and/or welder.
Badges Chief Busho asked for approval to purchase new badges for the firemen through Steele County for
$15.00/person equaling $300.00. Motion by Mayor Groth to purchase the new badges. Motion advanced by
Council member Berg. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye; Berg-Aye; Swanson-Aye;
Mayor Groth-Aye. Motion approved.
Open house Chief Busho informed the council the fire department is planning an open house at the new fire
hall, sometime in October.

2. Maintenance & Utility
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Asphalt patching quotes. Two quotes received from Ulland Bros and Seykora Asphalt. The council decided to
do all road patches this year and not just the TH30 patch. The capital maintenance fund will receive another
$40,000 in December, so the fund will not be negative. Doing all patches now will save the mobilization costs
again if we hold off until next year. After reviewing the quotes there were unknown costs that could be
additional charges in the Seykora quote. Ulland's quote is $38,190.00 for all patches and any needed materials.
Seykora quote is $32,419.00 but with additional charges for base rock needed at 6-8" depth and done by
change order. Ulland Bros quote includes all materials. Motion by Council member Berg to accept the Ulland
Bros. quote as the most responsible bid at $38,190.00. Motion advanced by Council member Meyer. Roll call

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vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye; Berg-Aye; Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth-Aye. Motion
approved.
3. Parks & Trails Committee
• Mosquito spraying was postponed.
• Surveillance cameras All cameras are received and installed.
• Old Fashion Hydrants The committee would like to purchase 1 hydrant style water pump to place by the
pavilion for a cost of $230.00. Josh said he can rent a mini excavator for $200/day to dig in the water lines to
each pump. Maximum cost with purchase pvc water line, clamps, etc. is $1,000.00. Motion to install the
hydrant style water hydrant was made by Council member Berg. Motion advanced by Council member
Asplund. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye; Berg-Aye; Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth­
Aye. Motion approved.
• Grants for tree removal. CEDA representative Dave Schmidt is working on the grant application and plans to
submit it on Friday, ahead of the final due date.
4. Codification
• New violations
No new violations reported
• Violation/Warnings Issued-Updated
• 516 Radel Court
All issues abated by 8/13/26 meeting. Closed
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518 Radel Court Violation letter sent. Owner is to remove snow fencing, inoperable vehicles or
unlicensed vehicles, any vehicles over 4 on property, by August 13 th public hearing & council meeting.
Engel stated the vehicle the back yard has a Pioneer plate and is current. It is also parked on a concrete
pad so it meets the ordinance. It's not known if it is operational. The other truck was moved off the
front yard and appears to be operational as the owner was seen moving it. It may not have current tabs
though. He has also removed a vehicle from the property so when last observed, there were only 4
vehicles on the property. The owner has not removed the fence or mowed the lawn. The council
agreed to send citation and administrative fine of $50.00 if the temporary orange fence is not removed
by 9/17/26. An administrative violation & Destruction order for the high grass, weeds and other
uncontrolled vegetation will be sent as well. This grants the city the right to abate this issue in 7
business days from the date of receipt of the order. Motion by Council member Meyer to issue the
Administrative fine of $50.00 for the fence, if not removed by 9/17 /26 and to send the administrative
violation letter for the high grass, weeds and other uncontrolled vegetation. Motion advanced by
Council member Asplund. Voice vote. All in favor. Motion approved. Engel

Administrative Citations
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199 8 th Avenue East
City Attorney Rahrickfiled for court order for all nuisances to be abated by October Ft. If not
completed the city may enter the property to abate the nuisances. The order was approved by the court
on 8/26/26

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306 4 th Ave. W. City Council instructed City Attorney Rahrick to begin the lawsuit unless the owner
can provide a plan to show progress and cleanup completion. Progress is being made in the backyard
Dumpster was gone as of 9/5/26.. No items have been removed from the front yard beyond the
landscaping. 3 inoperable vehicles and several other items remain in the front yard. Council decision
is to have City Attorney serve the complaint to the owner. Motion by Council member Meyer to have
City Attorney Rahrick issue the compliant to the owners. Motion advanced by Council member
Asplund. Voice vote. All in favor. Motion approved. Engel will contact Mr. Rahrick of decision.
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109 6th Avenue East; Order approved by court on 3/4/26. Judge approved the order with a completion
date of June 15th.. Court's Review Hearing held July F'. Court agreed to the following items presented
by City Attorney on behalf of the City Council:
All household items stored outside will be removed by August 1.
Provide documentation that a contractor has been scheduled to do the work on the porch and roof
where roof damage is present.
The roof & porch repairs must be taken care of by September 15th.
If these steps are not completed by the above dates, the city is authorized to enter onto the property to
abate the issues, and all costs incurred will be assessed to the property.
Email frmn family on July 3 F'. A relative will do the roof and porch repairs required. He will work on
the porch first. The roof will be addressed towards the end of August or first part of September. This is
in response to the requirement of having a contractor with plans in place to meet September 15th. City
council can decide if they want further information or proof of contractor license doing the work.
Require a contractor if the relative is not a licensed contractor.
Council decision on proceeding with court order The council will wait until the September 15th
completion date before contacting the building inspector and moving to find a contractor to address the
roof and house structure issues.
Council member Meyer stated that he has seen family members working on the roof, installing
shingles. Engel add that a dumpster was brought in for the shingle removal and other items from the
yard to be removed. The council agreed to give the owner more time since they are addressing the
roof. Engel will contact the Steele County inspector to give them notice of the city's right to enter the
property as of September 1st. He will ask the inspector about inspecting the house for needed repairs,
etc.

5. Clerk
• LMC Trust Insurance Waiver
• Vote to approve Insurance Waiver selection. Motion to approve to Now Waive the monetary limits on
municipal tort liability established by Minn. Stat. 466.04 was made by Mayor Groth. Motion advanced
by Council member Swanson. Voice vote. All in favor. Motion approved.
• Set TnT public hearing date & time. December 10th at 6:30 pm. Engel explained a public hearing for
the Truth and Taxation for the 2027 property tax levy set by the council's 2027 budget must be held
prior to December 28 th. We should hold this hearing prior to the December 10th council meeting. As a
reminder for budgeting and setting the tax levy, the council can lower the proposed tax levy at this
council meeting but cannot raise the tax levy. Motion by Council member Asplund to set the TNT
public hearing at 6:30 pm, December 10, 2026. Motion advanced by Council member Berg. Roll call
vote; Council members: Asplund, Aye; Berg, Aye; Meyer, Aye; Swanson, aye; Mayor Groth, Aye. All
in favor. Motion approved.
Unfinished Business
1. Clerk's Office Repairs
• Update Countertop received. Engel stated Tory will try to get the counter top installed the week of
September 18 th for final inspection.
• Waiting on Baker Tech to connect everything together. Engel is looking other IT companies to take over
our IT needs.
• Engel informed the council, The County inspector requested to meet with Jesse at the same time she comes
to do the final inspection of the inside work by TC Carpentry. It's expected the final inspection should be
read the week of September 18 th.
8:10 New Business
1. 2027 Proposed Budget

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Discussion Mayor Groth asked that we increase the budget by $10,000 for codification expenses. Engel
added the $10,000 and a 3.5% COLA increase since the budget workshop meeting. This brings the levy to
a 3.67% increase. Up from the 1.75%. Coui1cil member Swanson responded with a suggestion to use
unassigned funds for codification vs including the cost into the 27 budget. He agreed that a 3.5% COLA
increase was fine, with the current economy as it is. Mayor Groth responded that we can decrease the
proposed budget in the December 10th council meeting if the council wishes to do so. We can't increase
the budget but we can decrease it. Mayor Groth made the motion to approve the proposed tax levy with a
3.67% increase and review it at the December 10th meeting, after the public hearing. Motion advanced by
Council member Swanson. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye; Berg-Nay;

Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth-Aye. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay. Motion approved

2. Resolution 2026-26 A pproving the Proposed Tax Levy for 2027
• Vote to approve Resolution based on proposed budget discussion-changes-approval
• Motion to approve 2026-26 Approving the Proposed Tax Levy for 2027 was made by Mayor Groth.
Motion advanced by Council member Meyer. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer­

Aye; Berg-Nay; Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth-Aye. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay. Motion approved

3. CD Maturity
• EDA CD xxxx2051 $7,310.12 Maturity date 9/2/27 12 month 3.00%
7 Mo. Term 3.65%
• Vote to approve 7 mo. term
Motion by Mayor Groth to reinvest the funds into a 7 month term CD as 3.65%. Council Meyer advanced the
motion. Roll call vote: Council members: Asplund-Aye; Meyer-Aye; Berg-Aye; Swanson-Aye; Mayor Groth­
Aye. Motion approved.

Mayor/Council Updates
1. Mayor Groth Mayor Groth Spoke to Paul Zager from District 6 MnDOT about the railroad track
crossings. The railroad is supposed to be fixing the main crossing in early October. Paul also said
MnDot can remove the private side track owned by Matt Holland, Richland Grain, if Matt will send a
letter stating he approves giving up the tracks and having them removed.
2. Council Member Asplund N/C
3. Council Member Meyer N/C
4. Council Member Swanson N/C
5. Council Member Berg Charlie N/C
Motion by Council member Asplund to adjourn the meeting. Motion advanced by Council member Berg Voice
vote taken I in favor. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 pm.
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The Minutes are a true and exact copy of the Minutes as they appear in the City of Ellendale Minutes Boole

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