[12:13] Good evening, everyone.

[12:19] Good evening, everyone. I am Mayor Shelley Carlson.

[12:27] Good evening, everyone. I am more head mayor,

[12:29] Shelley Carlson. It is December 8, 2025 at 5.31 PM. The more head city council welcomes public input on issues

[12:36] listed on the agenda or of general community interest, time and council permitting. Speakers would be limited,

[12:41] will be limited to three minutes each. If you would like to address a council during our meeting,

[12:45] please fill out a form provided by our city clerk and we will call you up during the citizens to address

[12:50] Council item on the agenda.

[12:52] You'll need to state your name, and if you are more head resident, if comments were submitted

[12:56] to the clerk prior to the meeting via email or phone, those comments will be entered into

[13:00] the record.

[13:01] For more information on participation, please visit the Council meeting's page on the city of

[13:05] more head website at moreheadmnd.gov.

[13:08] We, the more city council, collectively and with gratitude, acknowledge the sacred land the city

[13:12] of more of this built upon.

[13:13] We acknowledge the people of resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of

[13:17] Dakota, Ojibwe, Mati, and all indigenous communities

[13:19] permit this land.

[13:21] But that could I get a roll call, please.

[13:22] Right, Nelson.

[13:23] Here.

[13:24] Nicole Natsen.

[13:25] Heather Nesmeyer.

[13:27] Here.

[13:27] Emily Moore.

[13:28] Here.

[13:29] Deb White.

[13:30] Lisa Borgon.

[13:31] Here.

[13:31] Sebastian McDougall.

[13:32] Here.

[13:33] Chuck Hendrickson.

[13:35] Mayor Shelley Carlson.

[13:36] Here.

[13:37] And for those who are able, please stand for the pledge of allegiance.

[14:02] And city manager, Molly, do we have any agenda amendments?

[14:04] Did you see everybody here tonight?

[14:06] And there are no amendments to the agenda mayor.

[14:08] Okay, I'm moving on to the consent agenda, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?

[14:14] So moved.

[14:15] Second.

[14:16] Motion and secondary discussion.

[14:18] Seeing none, roll call, will please.

[14:23] Nelson.

[14:23] Hi.

[14:24] Madison.

[14:25] Yes.

[14:29] Yes.

[14:29] Morgan.

[14:30] Yes.

[14:30] All right.

[14:33] Motion carries.

[14:34] Moving on to recognitions and presentations.

[14:37] First on the agenda is our more head human rights awards and I believe, okay, I'm going to turn it over to our representatives from our Human Rights Commission.

[14:52] Good morning. My name is Yvette Ellis. I am one of the more head human rights commissioners and I'll be presenting the first.

[15:03] First, I'd like to congratulate Aryan Fossett from the Education category. Aryan is a coordinator of gender and sexuality at Minnesota State University, more has diversity and inclusion office.

[15:21] From Aryan's nomination, Aryan is a mentor of mine that I met through the Rainbow Dragon Center

[15:29] and Women's Center at MSUM.

[15:33] Aryan has spearheaded the growth of the MSUM Women's Center and Rainbow Dragon Center

[15:40] and increased attendance at ODI programs.

[15:44] She has partnered with several student organizations to build and maintain these communities

[15:50] at MSUM.

[16:23] Next we have in the nonprofit category, Pastor Michelle Weber. Michelle is the pastor

[16:31] at the first congregational United Church of Christ from Michelle's nomination. Michelle supports

[16:37] those in need every day through her support of her church, food pantry and fostering the community

[16:43] meals program at her church. Michelle offers support and services to the LGBTQ community to include

[16:50] those in North Dakota who have been under attack servicing compassion is what she offers

[16:57] every day in all of her actions. She is truly a human rights advocate of the highest and best

[17:04] and best kind Michelle Weber.

[17:21] It is humbling to accept an award that I feel like I do not deserve.

[17:27] I was nominated by a woman who has made a bigger impact in human rights in her life than I ever will

[17:32] in mind. And while I have spent my adult life learning how to be a better ally to people

[17:38] whose rights have been violated, what I do in this community that brought this nomination

[17:43] is not stuff that I do. It's stuff that I do on behalf of my faith community or actions

[17:50] that I take to support other people who are doing real work. When I work with youth in the

[17:54] youth stewards program, it's because my church is a part of that program. If 87% of those

[18:00] with her bipoc, it's because of our partners, not because of me.

[18:03] When I work with people experiencing homelessness or people who are food insecure, it's

[18:08] because my church has a heart for those things.

[18:11] When I'm active in the LGBT community as an ally and an advocate, it is because my church

[18:16] has had that passion for a very long time and because I'm the parent of a transgender person.

[18:23] Fortunately, I've had great education that has put me in a place where I have the skills to do

[18:28] work, but all of that is also not because of me. My church requires me to have anti-racism work

[18:37] by annually and they pay for it. I truly do not deserve this. My church deserves this.

[18:45] Linda, Dr. Pinnick, deserves this. I'm simply someone who uses whatever privilege I have

[18:52] and whatever resources I have access to to center the voices and improve the lives

[18:57] of people closest to the pain.

[19:00] Thank you.

[19:14] Good evening.

[19:15] Jennifer Ironda, Human Rights Commissioner.

[19:19] Tonight, we honor someone who's daily work quietly, but powerfully reshapes the culture of Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

[19:29] In the Education category, our Human Rights Award nominee, Tyler Strand, serves as a College Social Worker on the Morehead and Ferguson Falls campuses.

[19:40] Tyler brings human rights to life through action.

[19:44] Every day he works directly with students facing barriers that threaten their ability to learn, persist, and succeed.

[19:53] He oversees the campus covered that provide thousands of pounds of food and essential supplies to students across all four M-State campuses.

[20:04] Continued the retail rescue program that brings in between 500 and 750 pounds of assorted

[20:13] frozen meats, bread, pastry items and produce, 9,000 pounds of perishable, non-perishable

[20:21] food that goes to all of M-States campuses.

[20:25] He coordinates grants that support pregnant and parenting students, ensuring they have child

[20:31] care assistance, diapers, laptops, and the dignity of knowing their needs matter.

[20:37] He has helped award more than 28,000 in child care support, distributed nearly 2,000

[20:45] diapers provided emergency funds to stabilize housing, transportation, and medical needs,

[20:53] and facilitated access to educational funds for students who would otherwise go without.

[20:58] The initiatives like the supporting parents' pregnant student initiative, the We Thrive Grant and the

[21:04] Beam Emergency Assistant Grant, Tyler has removed barriers, expanded opportunity and promoted educational

[21:11] equity for some of our most vulnerable learners.

[21:16] His work actively protects human rights by ensuring that every student, regardless of circumstances,

[21:23] as access to food, to housing stability, to education, safety, and the resources needed to thrive.

[21:34] Vice President Elise Stewart-Avant, wanted to share that Tyler Strand is highly respected and regarded for his creative and unique approach to engage and support students.

[21:45] His advocacy and genuine dedication to serve the community and ongoing efforts to strategize

[21:52] how to best support students on a continuous basis is a huge asset to M-State.

[22:00] Tyler's leadership has shaped M-State's culture into one that is more compassionate,

[22:05] more inclusive and more just.

[22:08] His colleagues describe him as someone who takes personal risks, who alleviates human,

[22:13] who elevates human dignity in every interaction and who embodies the values he champions.

[22:20] His recent efforts towards securing hunger-free campaign designation, demonstrates not only vision,

[22:27] but the persistence required to build systems that outlast any one person.

[22:34] As someone who has had the honor to work with Tyler, I've witnessed his passion,

[22:38] his commitment and his unwavering belief that every student deserves a fair chance.

[22:44] His work is not just social work, it is human rights in action.

[22:49] This also includes his authenticity and intentionality in recognizing all of our interdependency.

[22:57] When discussing this award, he wanted to expand the circle to recognize that and I quote,

[23:03] I work with several awesome people to support this work, like my other social worker

[23:08] counterpart, our student services department, faculty for referrals, financial aid

[23:13] department, business, office, and facilities crew. It truly takes a village. Please help

[23:20] me in congratulating Tyler Strand on his Human Rights Award.

[24:01] Hello. I'm Anna Rajeshnashur

[24:04] on the Human Rights Commission, and I am honored to present this award to Kavita Guendada for the Human Rights Award and Recognition of her exceptional commitment to housing equity community service and refugee support in the Fargo Morehead area.

[24:18] Since 2010, Kavita has been a steadfast advocate for refugee families and elders guiding them through resettlement, helping them access the central programs and ensuring their cultural needs are respected and understood.

[24:30] For more than a decade, she has dedicated her career to affordable housing across low income

[24:35] housing tax credit properties, permanent supportive housing and public housing programs.

[24:41] At Cooperhouse, she supported chronicly homeless individuals and stabilizing their lives

[24:45] through integrated services.

[24:47] Her work with Fargo Housing and Clay County has strengthened families through Section 8, public

[24:52] housing and family self-sufficiency programs.

[24:55] An recurrent role with Jeremiah program, a national organization focused on disrupting the cycle

[25:00] of poverty for single mothers and their children.

[25:02] She oversees housing,

[25:05] operations in Paris mothers with pathways

[25:08] towards long-term stability.

[25:10] Gaveta Service also extends far beyond her professional roles.

[25:13] For 15 years, she has led Nara and Asaeva

[25:16] alongside a group of women,

[25:18] providing home-cooked meals to local shelters.

[25:21] She also co-founded cooking with purpose,

[25:23] donating meals to support non-profit fundraising efforts.

[25:26] Kavita Gondala's lifelong dedication to the dignity, equity, and community service makes her a truly deserving recipient of this human rights award.

[25:36] Could we please get a round of applause for Kavita Gondala?

[25:53] Thank you.

[25:54] I wrote a speech.

[25:55] I'm gonna, I'm gonna prepare myself.

[25:58] So thank you Anna.

[26:00] Thank you for the human rights commission for this for choosing me for this award.

[26:04] I'm truly blessed and honored to receive this recognition.

[26:07] In the early stages of my career, I worked with refugee resettlement and that experience opened my eyes to human rights challenges, as well as their incredible resilience people carry with them.

[26:21] Their strength shaped my understanding and inspired me to stay committed to this work.

[26:26] For the past 12 years, I have dedicated myself to the affordable housing, supporting chronically homeless individuals and families in finding stability.

[26:34] Today, I am proud to be part of Jeremiah program, a nation, a nation, a nation-wide program whose mission is

[26:41] disturbed the poverty cycle of single moms and their children, two generations at a time.

[26:48] It is the work that continues to motivate and humble me every day.

[26:52] I have been blessed with amazing mentors Darci Ashe, I hope she is here somewhere, friends and

[27:00] family who have guided and encouraged me along the way.

[27:04] And most importantly, I want to acknowledge my husband and my two boys, I know I'm getting emotional.

[27:10] And my friends without their support, I would not be doing this work.

[27:15] As you can see, my family and friends are there here today to cheer me on, and that means world to me.

[27:22] The word is just not a recommendation for me right now today.

[27:27] It is a reminder that I continue to work hard to lift the voice of those who are

[27:33] go unheard and to keep advocating for fairness, dignity and human rights for all.

[27:39] Thank you.

[27:40] Thank you for listening.

[30:45] Well, thank you to the Human Rights Commission. Every year I'm always just so impressed with the people in our community who does such amazing behind the scenes work and I love the fact that we have an opportunity to honor them and shed a spotlight on the great work that has been happening.

[31:04] So to Iran, Michelle, Kavita, and Tyler, and Ellen, make sure you got everybody.

[31:12] I miss them.

[31:12] Just congratulations, and from the bottom of our hearts, in the city of more head,

[31:17] thank you for all the work you've done.

[31:19] So I think they all deserve another round of applause.

[31:29] Right, our next, actually, if this kind of goes with the more head of human rights awards,

[31:36] if we want to take, let's see what is it?

[31:43] 18K, request from council members, White and Mattson to approve a

[31:47] resolution,

[31:49] can move down, jump down to that, item on the agenda and I'll

[31:52] turn it over to council members, White and Mattson.

[32:01] Thank you, Mayor. I was ready for that.

[32:07] So, like many of you, I've been very

[32:10] concerned about things that we're seeing in hearing lately that have

[32:15] spirits are immigrant and refugee communities and called them and caused them to live in fear.

[32:22] I've been thinking a lot about the probesfield elementary school class that I visited this fall.

[32:29] There were kids there whose families were from all over the world and who chose to make more head their home.

[32:35] Those families are vital parts of what makes more head a growing and vibrant community.

[32:41] As an elected leader, I wanted to instill in those kids a sense of pride and value in our

[32:46] government and our democratic process and the important role that they'll play as American

[32:52] citizens when they grow up.

[32:55] And I think about those kids a lot now in this last week or so and how they're impacted

[33:00] when the president of the United States, the highest ranking elected official in our country,

[33:06] says that they and their families are garbage, and that they are not welcome here.

[33:12] I think about children who have to worry about whether or not their mom or dad will

[33:18] be home when they get there after school, or whether it's safe for them to go out and

[33:24] play on the playground. It's truly heartbreaking.

[33:28] So, Councilmember Mats and contacted me last Wednesday, and we started talking about what we could

[33:34] to show support for our local immigrant and refugee communities. Nicole mentioned a resolution

[33:39] of support and I knew that that was something this council had done in the past in 2017 after

[33:46] the white supremacist rally and violence in Charlottesville, the council unanimously passed

[33:52] a resolution drafted by council member Mary Daley denouncing hate groups and promoting inclusiveness.

[33:59] I really appreciated the statements on Thursday from the mayor, our chief of police and

[34:03] members of the Human Rights Commission and I'm very grateful to the community members who came here tonight to speak up and stand up for their friends and neighbors and to show what a great community more had truly is.

[34:17] So this resolution was just meant as another opportunity for we as elected leaders to stand together with our community to show support for all of our immigrant and refugee communities during this very challenging time.

[34:31] So the resolution states us follows,

[34:35] whereas the city and residents of more head

[34:37] affirm that our community is inclusive,

[34:41] welcomes contributions of all people

[34:43] and celebrates our diversity,

[34:45] and whereas our community strength is woven

[34:49] from the diverse experiences and backgrounds

[34:52] of those who have chosen to build their lives here,

[34:55] and whereas the Somali community,

[34:57] along with other immigrant and refugee communities,

[35:00] is an integral part of the vibrant tapestry that makes Morhead and Minnesota exceptional places

[35:07] to live and work and raise families. And whereas as elected representatives of the

[35:13] citizens of Morhead, we have a responsibility to recognize and uphold the rights and freedoms

[35:19] of the families and individuals we serve. Now therefore it be resolved that we the city council

[35:25] and mayor of the city of Morhead, stand in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors

[35:31] who call Morhead home. We recognize and uphold the rights of all individuals to be treated fairly

[35:38] and to live their lives free from discrimination or targeting based on faith, race, or national

[35:44] origin. And we remain committed to ensuring that every Morhead resident, regardless of where

[35:50] They were born is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

[35:56] So I guess in order to open the discussion, I'll make a motion that the Council support

[36:01] this resolution.

[36:03] Exactly.

[36:03] There's a motion there.

[36:05] Second.

[36:06] But I can't remember any smear.

[36:08] Motion and second.

[36:09] Any discussion?

[36:11] And I do know that there were citizens that wanted to speak on the motion.

[36:16] Okay.

[36:17] And we are in the middle of the motion, so we'll do the discussion.

[36:20] and take the vote and then we'll call those folks out.

[36:22] I would send my motion then if we can have the opportunity for citizens who wanted to speak.

[36:29] Did you want to listen the motion?

[36:31] Yeah, I can I'll wait on it.

[36:33] Can I do that just so that we can give citizens the opportunity to speak?

[36:37] I just know there were folks who asked to speak and support it.

[36:41] Councilmember Metzine, is that okay?

[36:43] Yes, it is, except for it was Councilmember Neesmeyer that seconded the motion.

[36:46] Oh, yes.

[36:47] And yes, I will rescind my second so community members can speak.

[36:53] Okay, thank you.

[36:54] All right.

[36:54] The motion has been rescinded and see.

[37:00] I need to look through these to see who is wanting to speak on the item.

[37:04] Okay, the first one that I see is Amelia.

[37:09] Amelia.

[37:11] Stir.

[37:12] Stir.

[37:13] I'm not sure how to say your name.

[37:17] Okay, if you come to the podium and we have a number of people who are wanting to speak tonight.

[37:23] And I'll just explain how this works.

[37:25] We have this handy dandy little contraption here.

[37:29] When the button is green, that means you have your time to speak.

[37:33] We allow three minutes per person to speak.

[37:36] When it's ready, you'll need to wrap up your comments.

[37:38] We'll need to have you state your name, your full name for the record.

[37:41] And if you are a resident of the city of Moorhead.

[37:43] And when two start speaking, the clerk will start the time on the clock.

[37:48] My name is Emilia Sterlisen.

[37:50] I'm a resident of Dilworth and I am speaking on behalf of the Democratic Socialists

[37:54] of the United States of America.

[37:57] We, as members of the Red River Valley DSA, stand in solidarity with our friends, our neighbors,

[38:02] and co-workers in the Somali community, and proudly support the resolution and support

[38:07] of more head immigrant and refugee communities.

[38:09] President Trump's hateful slander Somalia, our Somali community, and denial of their

[38:15] contributions to our state is yet another escalation in his xenophobia and white supremacy.

[38:21] From the family separation policy to the bone-shilling images of Secretary-Noam posting

[38:26] posing for photos in front of Salvadorian concentration camps, Donald Trump and his allies

[38:32] have broadcasted through the world that fascism and cruelty are the official policy of the

[38:37] United States of America.

[38:39] Their repeated claims that immigrants poisoned the blood of nations are direct, intentional

[38:44] references to eugenics and Nazism.

[38:47] We, as members of the Red River Valley DSA, refuse to be silent and stand proud in opposition

[38:52] to fascism and xenophobia.

[38:54] We deny that any human is illegal and reject the assertion that ICE is, or has ever existed

[38:59] to protect our communities from crime, ICE is functioning as intended.

[39:04] To other, surveil, and abuse our neighbors and communities, ISIS not welcome here, and neither our nationalism nor white supremacy.

[39:14] We, as members of the DSA, know it is our responsibility to speak up and act before it is too late, and that is why we call upon the more head city council to support this resolution.

[39:25] Fascism relies upon fear and silence and the more of us who speak up and stand alongside our neighbors, the easier it will become.

[39:33] In the coming decades, the people of Fargo Morehead will be and the country at large will be forced to answer to future generations about what we did today.

[39:42] We call upon you to do the correct decision.

[39:46] Thank you.

[39:48] Thank you.

[39:49] All

[39:55] right, the next individual, who is on the

[40:00] sack Garrett Maurer

[40:10] and Garrett same thing three minutes on the clock and then

[40:13] state your name and if you're a resident more head please. Good evening Garrett Maurer,

[40:18] resident of more head Minnesota and I come to you as a concerned citizen. It is with what I

[40:25] hope is an unfounded concern that I stand before all of you. Resolution 18K should pass

[40:32] with unanimous support.

[40:34] Given the community outreach, I've received recently,

[40:37] I'm concerned it won't.

[40:39] Please prove my concern wrong.

[40:42] Immigrants and refugees have been targeted

[40:44] in many unfair ways throughout our country,

[40:47] but they should not need to live in fear here.

[40:50] These people are humans and our neighbors

[40:52] and a welcome part of our community.

[40:55] My life, the lives of my family and children

[40:58] and all the people around us are more fulfilled

[41:00] by the presence and engagement of these diverse groups of people.

[41:05] Their perspective and lived experiences is a boon to us all.

[41:09] They make our community better.

[41:12] It sands me to think this resolution is even a question.

[41:16] Our neighbors deserve to know that even in this small way we support them.

[41:20] We must stand by them.

[41:22] The adoption or rejection of this resolution speaks far more to the character of our leaders

[41:27] and we as community members, then it does to the people this resolution is intended to represent.

[41:33] Words matter, our actions matter, where we show up matters.

[41:37] And the world is watching.

[41:39] Neighbors not impacted, people we call friends are children.

[41:43] They deserve to know where our values are.

[41:46] That is why I implore our elected officials to pass this resolution.

[41:50] Thank you.

[41:52] Thank you.

[41:58] Next is Lynn Dr. Pinick.

[42:05] Good evening, I am Linda Dr. Pinnick, a resident of Morehead. I appreciate the chance to also stand and speak in support of this resolution.

[42:16] In light of the outstanding individuals that tonight were honored for the human rights awards and listening to the kinds of things that they've done.

[42:24] It's only fitting that the Council stand unified tonight in supporting item 18k on the agenda.

[42:32] The resolution that we heard Councilwoman White read and that Council members White and

[42:38] Manson are proposing.

[42:40] I speak in support of the resolution condemning what is happening to our immigrant neighbors

[42:45] and stand not only in support of the proposed resolution but against the hate that is too prevalent

[42:52] in our nation.

[42:53] hate should have no home here in more head or our country, but sadly fueled by negative rhetoric from the very top and the administration's resulting actions, it does.

[43:04] We must stand in support of all of our immigrant neighbors, hate cannot be welcomed here.

[43:10] This is a time of great economic uncertainty for many people in our community.

[43:15] Despite promises made to the contrary by many politicians, grocery prices and healthcare costs are dramatically rising.

[43:22] Thanks to the big beautiful bill, resources for the most vulnerable amongst us are dwindling

[43:27] while the rich is benefit.

[43:29] We must be ready to stand for all of those who cannot, including using local resources.

[43:36] We must be ready to show love and compassion for our immigrant neighbors and take care

[43:41] of all of our neighbors.

[43:42] I urge unanimous approval of this resolution.

[43:46] Thank you.

[43:47] And the next person to call out is Abdi Shakur Mohamed.

[43:54] If Abdi Khashur Mohamed wants to come and speak,

[44:01] and Abdi if you want to state your name,

[44:03] and you'll have three minutes, and if you're resident, more head off.

[44:10] Abdi Shakur Mohamed, Mohamed, Mohamed, Mohaired Minster for visiting.

[44:14] Mayor and council members, thank you for giving me a moment.

[44:17] Mohaired is the first place in America that I have believed in me.

[44:20] I arrived here in this city with an action, dream, and I hope that this place would give me a

[44:25] fair chance. This community opened this door to me. It shaved my life. It gave me my first

[44:31] job, my first business, and last year it honored me with a more hearty award. Tonight I stand here

[44:38] because more head did not just welcome me, it lifted me. And right now, many of our neighbors

[44:43] are living with fear they did not create. They hear hateful language about Somalis. They see

[44:50] other cities read it. They feel the pressure of being in

[44:55] asking for favors in their own hometown.

[45:00] Actually, when they have done everything right, they worry if and when they have citizens and legal

[45:06] residences. Community cannot drive when it is beball at a fair to go to work, at a fair

[45:12] to take their children to school, at a fair to answer their own door. And this is why this

[45:18] resolution matters. It's more than a worse, it's a bromise. A bromise that more hair will protect

[45:24] the dignity of every person who calls this city a home, a bromise that safety will never come

[45:32] at the cost of a humanity, a bromise that we raise together, not defied it, not targeted,

[45:38] not afraid. And for all these reasons, I fully support this resolution, and one people

[45:44] feel safe, they build, they work, they batex, they innovate, they serve public life, they

[45:53] They make our schools stronger and they live the whole city.

[45:58] I am proud to be one of those people, a young immigrant who came this city looking

[46:04] for a chance and found a community that gave him a purpose.

[46:09] I ask you all to join me tonight by sending a symbol message to every family watch.

[46:15] They belong that you are valued, you are safe here, and together we will keep building

[46:24] and more here that is done as a stronger one in momentous of fear and it's done is together

[46:30] in momentous of choice. Thank you. And I hope you all have a nice

[46:41] day.

[46:41] Yeah, they're individual that we have here is, let's see here. I want to make sure that

[46:50] Other two individuals are wanting to speak on something different.

[46:55] So we will have them under seven under citizens addressing the council item on the agenda.

[47:00] So with that council member, wait did you want to read there?

[47:03] Thank you, Mayor.

[47:04] I move that the council support the resolution.

[47:08] Second, matzen.

[47:10] Now you're going to throw me off.

[47:12] So council member, wait with the motion.

[47:14] Council member, matzen.

[47:16] Now I am setting this mayor with the second.

[47:18] Any further discussion?

[47:20] see you in unbroken, please.

[47:23] Madison. Yes.

[47:25] Nice to meet you.

[47:26] Yes. More. Yes. White.

[47:29] Yes.

[47:29] Borgin. Yes.

[47:31] McDougall.

[47:31] Hi.

[47:32] Hendrickson.

[47:33] Nelson.

[47:37] Thank you.

[47:37] That motion passes.

[47:48] The next item on the agenda is our

[47:50] Swering in and badge.

[47:51] For our more police officers.

[47:53] And I will turn this over to Chief Chris Helmock.

[48:00] Good evening, Mayor and council members.

[48:03] It's my honor tonight to introduce the five newest police officers joining our department as they're officially sworn in.

[48:11] Each of these officers has been patiently waiting for their opportunity to serve as we work through getting other officers graduated from our field training program.

[48:19] Their commitment and readiness has been unwavering during that time and we're proud to tonight to bring them into active service.

[48:27] Their next step will be moving into their field training phase for the next 16 weeks.

[48:32] Before we do that, I wanted to also take a moment to introduce our new public safety

[48:36] communication specialist, Katie Eddish, who joined us back on October 29.

[48:41] Her role is new to the city and she will serve both the police department and the fire

[48:46] department in her position. She brings a strong skill set and is extremely dedicated to enhancing

[48:52] the communication and outreach of both departments. We've definitely been keeping her busy here

[48:57] last few weeks, but we're excited to have her on a team.

[49:03] With tonight's editions, we've now, if my math is correct, we've actually sworn in 19

[49:08] officers since August of this year and when you do a little bit more math, that's about

[49:14] a third of our sworn staff in our department where we are 63 strong and we've sworn in

[49:20] like I said about a third of that over the fall and into the winter air.

[49:26] That is not due to me, that is due to our recruiting sergeant, Joe Brandon, who has been working tirelessly all year, and has done a phenomenal job bringing in some fantastic recruits, and we're not done yet, but right now we've got three additional openings, so anyone who's looking to get on with our department should better hurry up and get in because they're filling up fast.

[49:48] But we've got a couple of retirements coming up in 2026 but even with that we're very confident that this trend is going to continue and again that is really a testament to the work that he has done.

[50:01] Overall things are looking really good and I really couldn't be proud of the new officers that were bringing on board as well as the veteran officers who've really been resilient through the entire time of staffing shortages that not just this year but in the last couple of years.

[50:16] So my hats off to all of them as well,

[50:18] because they have definitely played a big role in this.

[50:22] So with that, let's get on with these swearing in.

[50:26] What I'm gonna do is I'll call up each officer one at a time,

[50:28] and then they will have a friend or family member

[50:30] to come up and pin their badge on,

[50:32] before the mayor will administer the oath to all of them.

[50:36] First off, we will have Officer Mishak Adaba,

[50:39] who will come up,

[50:43] and his badge we pinned on

[50:45] cadet Jose Perez.

[51:33] No pressure Jose.

[51:44] Just a note, these two have been working together of the last

[51:48] couple months as cadets and Jose is actually one that we hope to be having up here next summer

[51:52] sometime. So thanks for his work as well as one of our cadets. Next up we'll have Officer Sam Larson

[51:59] and his mom Nicole will be pinning on his badge.

[53:47] Next we have Officer Martin McLean Hayes and his

[53:50] Eva.

[54:27] All right, next we have officers Stephanie and Alasco and her sister Michelle.

[55:16] All right, and last we have officer Brock Wakefield and you'll be pinned by officer Lance Eldridge.

[56:00] All right now comes the embarrassing part of this presentation because I am a transparent chief. I made him a stay here and I forgot to bring the old cards. So, oh, well, the mayor's got him. All right, fantastic, saved again. So we'll have all five come up here and the mayor will read you the old.

[56:19] You won't have any cheat cards, but I have confidence in here itself.

[56:29] Well, and I hope you meant cards. I just have my card.

[56:33] But one of the things that I do before I swear in officers with more police department,

[56:39] I really speak to and I always awkward because I,

[56:43] the people that I need to speak to are behind me.

[56:46] But I also want to speak to you guys because there's a lot of job qualifications

[56:50] that people don't realize that officers need.

[56:53] And so I like to explain this to all the friends and family that come here to support you too.

[57:00] A police officer has to be able to run miles through alleys in the dark.

[57:04] Scale walls enter homes at health inspector wouldn't go into all while wearing 20 plus pounds of equipment.

[57:12] An officer must be able to sit in a car during doing surveillance all day.

[57:16] cover a homicide scene that night, canvas and neighborhood for witnesses, and be able to show up in court the very next day to testify about a year old case remembering all of the details on little or no sleep.

[57:30] A police officer must be in top physical condition on black coffee, mountain dew, or energy drinks, and half feet meals frequently consumed in their squad car in less than five minutes.

[57:41] A police officer needs to have three pairs of eyes.

[57:45] Once at three, see through a bulge in a coat pocket before asking, may I see what's in there?

[57:50] Already knowing what's in there, and kind of wish them they would have taken that accounting

[57:53] job.

[57:56] A second pair of eyes on either side of their head to look out for his or her partner's safety

[58:00] and a third pair of eyes in front to be able to look reassuring at a bleeding victim and

[58:06] say you're going to be okay, even when they know it's not true.

[58:10] A police officer must be able to talk a 250-pound intoxicated and combative individual into a squad

[58:16] car without incident and raise a family on a civil service paycheck.

[58:21] The officer must be able to tell you the elements of a hundred different crimes, recite

[58:25] the Miranda Warning and their sleep, detain, investigate, search and arrest a criminal on

[58:31] a street in less time than it takes five, then it takes five learned judges to debate the

[58:36] the reality of that arrest and somehow keep a positive attitude and maintain a sense of

[58:42] a humor, no matter how odd the humor is with law enforcement.

[58:47] A police officer must have a must have phenomenal self-control, personal self-control.

[58:52] They must be able to deal with horrific graphic crime scenes, coax confessions from pedophiles,

[58:59] comfort is sexual assault victim, know the names, numbers, and services of dozens of community resources

[59:06] and respond to chance interactions with the public with friendliness and a ready smile at all times.

[59:13] You each are a member of an elite group of individuals who swear to honor, serve, and protect the

[59:19] citizens of more head. For all of these attributes and for your willingness to serve on behalf of

[59:25] ahead I think each and every one of you. The community thinks you, you're deeply appreciated

[59:30] and I'm grateful for each one of you. So with that you can raise your right hand and then say

[59:38] I state your name,

[59:42] do saw me swear, that I will support and comply with the Constitution

[59:49] of the United States of America,

[59:54] the Constitution and laws of the state of Minnesota.

[1:00:00] The charter, laws and ordinances of the city of Moorhead,

[1:00:06] the policies and procedures of the Moorhead Police Department,

[1:00:13] and the law enforcement code of ethics,

[1:00:17] and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as police officer to the best of my ability.

[1:00:27] I further pledge that on my honor,

[1:00:32] I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust.

[1:00:40] I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions.

[1:00:50] I will always uphold my community and the agency I serve.

[1:00:57] Thank you and welcome to the more police department in the city of Morhan.

[1:03:24] Again, congratulations to our newest officers, Wakefield Larson, McLean Hayes, Nolasco

[1:03:29] and Abdala, Abdabla.

[1:03:34] Moving on to the next item on the agenda.

[1:03:37] This is our truth in taxation, public comment opportunity opportunity after the presentation.

[1:03:43] So with this,

[1:03:47] I'll call up our finance director, Jennifer Flanagan.

[1:03:50] Good

[1:04:03] evening, Mayor and council members.

[1:04:07] Tonight I'm here to present the city in more heads 2026 budget and tax levy, as well as

[1:04:12] the economic development authorities, 2026 budget and tax levy, the EDA board reviewed and

[1:04:19] recommended approval of its final budget and tax levy on November 3rd.

[1:04:24] The evening's presentation will cover the following key topics, first and overview of the

[1:04:32] revenue sources and expenditures for 2026, a discussion of the city's market value, tax-based growth,

[1:04:39] tax rate history, and the proposed tax rate for 2026. We'll also cover tax impact on residential

[1:04:46] and commercial properties and then finally a brief look at the city's capital improvement plan.

[1:04:53] Each year as we prepare the budget, there are four key principles really guiding the process.

[1:04:57] Number one is collaboration with city council or executive leadership team and the various city departments to community service ensuring the city delivers high quality services to its residents

[1:05:10] Three employees support fostering work life balance employee engagement and well-being and finally fiscal responsibility developing a balanced budget to manage the city operations effectively.

[1:05:23] During the budget process, 4 main priorities emerged, employee wages and benefits, the wastewater

[1:05:30] utility, community and economic development, and public safety staffing.

[1:05:36] We'll begin with the city's estimated market value growth.

[1:05:42] The estimated market total market value for taxes payable in 2026 is approximately 4.3 billion

[1:05:49] reflecting a 5.04 increase over the prior year of the over $208 million increase in market value

[1:05:57] approximately 36% is the result of new construction within the city.

[1:06:06] The taxable market values

[1:06:07] are then converted to tax capacity and this then allows us to have an understanding of how much additional

[1:06:14] tax property tax revenue the city would be able to generate due to the new construction and added value.

[1:06:19] The property tax revenue estimated to be generated from the growth and construction is about 1.34 million.

[1:06:29] The process for balancing the budget begins by estimating both the revenues and expenditures.

[1:06:33] If revenues and exceed the expenditures, then the difference must be discussed and talks through different funding sources to then fill that funding gap.

[1:06:42] The proposed revenue for the general fund and park fund for 2026 totals $46,336,796.

[1:06:54] There are four main categories of funding in these two funds, property taxes, transfers from the utilities, local government aid,

[1:07:03] and then in other sources, which includes such things as fees, intergovernmental revenue, franchise fees, and miscellaneous income.

[1:07:11] Property taxes, the transfers from utilities and local government aid, make up about 83% of the total.

[1:07:18] This year, the property taxes will come in at about 20.5 million, transfers from utilities at 9.7 million,

[1:07:26] local government aid at 8.3 million and other sources coming in at about 7.7 million.

[1:07:36] The proposed expenditures for the General and Park funds are also totaled that 46.3 million.

[1:07:42] This includes funding for the following eight areas, police, 14.4 million, fire, 7.7 million,

[1:07:51] administration, 7.1 million, public works, 6 million, parks and recreation, 2.9 million,

[1:07:59] Engineering, 3.9 million, community development, 2.7 million, and governmental fairs, legal and prosecution, 1.9 million.

[1:08:10] A couple items to note, the two public safety departments of police and fire make up about 47% of the general and park fund budgets.

[1:08:20] And then additionally, the employee wages and benefits account for approximately 71% of the total expenditures of these two funds.

[1:08:30] The 2026 budget is increasing by approximately $3.1 million from the prior year.

[1:08:37] Of that 3.1 million, 2.7 million or 87% is related to employee wages and benefits.

[1:08:45] This includes step increases for permanent employees, health insurance adjustments, the addition

[1:08:50] of Minnesota paid leave, and a cost of living adjustment as outlined in union agreements.

[1:08:56] Additionally, three new firefighter positions are being funded in the 2026 budget.

[1:09:03] Other notable increases include $276,000 increase in IT, equipment, and software

[1:09:09] subscriptions, about $78,000 going towards the Red River Regional Dispatch Center operations,

[1:09:18] and a little over $50,000 increase towards city fleet and equipment replacement.

[1:09:22] In order to fund the proposed expenditures, an increase in the city level of 2,362,763 dollars is needed.

[1:09:34] This increase will cover about 15.9 million in funding for the general fund, 4.4 million for the park fund, 305,000 for the make more at home, rebate program, 1.2 million for the more head public library, and 4.8 million for debt service on the city's infrastructure bonds.

[1:09:54] The Economic Development Authority's proposed levies $789,857, which was approved by the EDA Board in November.

[1:10:07] At the September 22nd Council meeting, the preliminary budget approved included an estimated tax rate increase of 5.58%.

[1:10:17] Following Council's direction and various meetings, the direction given was to reduce that amount.

[1:10:24] After several adjustments were made, and as a result, the final budget presented for approval tonight reflects an estimated tax rate increase of 3.89%.

[1:10:37] Historically, from about 2019 to 2025, the city has experienced an average tax rate increase of 3.24%.

[1:10:49] As noted, the proposed 2020-6 tax-level

[1:10:52] translate to an estimated tax rate increase of 3.89%

[1:10:56] for the commercial and industrial properties,

[1:10:59] border cities legislation actually caps

[1:11:01] the property tax obligation for those properties

[1:11:04] at 1.6% of taxable market value.

[1:11:07] So these properties will only see a change in property tax

[1:11:10] if there's an increase or decrease in market value.

[1:11:13] For residential properties,

[1:11:14] the median home valued in more head of 247,700 would see an estimated monthly increase

[1:11:22] about seven dollars and 24 cents. Please note that this amount could also be impacted by any

[1:11:28] market value changes in those properties.

[1:11:33] The 2026 capital improvement budget for the city totals 89

[1:11:37] million 332, 872 dollars. There's a strong focus on essential infrastructure and capital

[1:11:43] equipment replacements. Notably 93% of the capital budget is allocated across three key areas.

[1:11:50] There's 39.2 million dedicated to a range of infrastructure projects across the city

[1:11:55] that are led by our city engineering department. 42, 41.2 million for wastewater treatment facility

[1:12:02] and lift station improvement project and approximately 3.3 million for the replacement of vehicles

[1:12:08] and equipment.

[1:12:12] In summary, the proposed changes related to property taxes as well as

[1:12:16] utility rate adjustments of our four enterprise funds results in an estimated monthly cost

[1:12:21] increase of about $11.90 for a median home value.

[1:12:28] With that, I just like to express my thanks

[1:12:30] to the City Council, Mayor, the executive leadership team and of course our finance department

[1:12:35] and all the other departments of the city for their work on this budget process. It is a long

[1:12:39] process, spanning many months throughout the year, we really never stopped the budget process

[1:12:44] here at the city.

[1:12:46] So I just want to thank everybody for the collaboration throughout this process.

[1:12:49] Happy to answer any questions.

[1:12:52] Thank you, Jenna.

[1:12:52] Thank you for your tireless work in adjusting the budget multiple times.

[1:12:59] I know that the last five years I've been there.

[1:13:02] I don't think the finance department has to go back with pencil and paper as many times as you guys did this year.

[1:13:07] So thank you for that and a lot of appreciation gratitude.

[1:13:14] This is a public comment opportunity

[1:13:16] after this presentation.

[1:13:18] If there's members of the public who wish to speak

[1:13:20] to the truth and taxation component of the budget

[1:13:23] and tax levies, this would now be the opportunity to do so.

[1:13:28] I believe we have one person who wanted to speak in regards

[1:13:32] to the budget, Chris Piper.

[1:13:38] Okay, all right, and to this the same way, you'll have your three minutes.

[1:13:45] It'll be green, and if you can state your name, and if you're a resident of more headplace.

[1:13:53] Good evening.

[1:13:55] Mayor Carlson, council members, and city administrators.

[1:13:58] My name is Chris Piper.

[1:13:59] I've been a more head resident for 17 years, and I currently live with my wife in Ward 4.

[1:14:05] I'm here tonight to speak to the council and support of more head hiring three operations firefighters and 2020 in the 2026 budget and hiring three more operations firefighters in 2026 if the federal safer grant is awarded to more head.

[1:14:20] I'm here today as a more head resident but I also have 25 years experience in a full time fire department.

[1:14:25] I'd like to thank more Head City Council members, Mayor Carlson, Finance Director of Flanagan,

[1:14:31] and City Manager Molly on working together last week, presenting a plan tonight

[1:14:35] that hires three operations firefighters in 2026 budget.

[1:14:40] And three more operations firefighters in 2026 have more head is awarded the federal

[1:14:45] safer grant. This is government working to sport public safety and reduce the 2026 tax

[1:14:53] to the more headfire fighters, I say thank you, my wife, thanks you.

[1:15:00] To understand something, these men will give their life for you. We owe it to these firefighters and their families to support them with the equipment and staffing to do their job safely as possible.

[1:15:13] The personal protective equipment and the fire trucks more head purchases meet NFPA standards. Why then would more head not work more closely to meet NFPA standards 1710, the standard on career fire departments.

[1:15:27] And if PA standard 1710 is an internationally recognized standard developed in cooperation between the international association of firefighters and their national association of fire chiefs.

[1:15:37] The standard is based in science, research, or how many firefighters are needed to quickly distinguish fires and rescue anyone trapped.

[1:15:46] Councilmember Moore.

[1:15:48] Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing the personal experience of more head firefighter saving your father's life during a medical emergency.

[1:15:55] Your story illustrates the value of more head firefighters arriving on scene quickly.

[1:16:00] As more headfire, as more head is grown, so as the call volume,

[1:16:03] straining more headfire departments, most valuable resources, it's firefighters.

[1:16:08] Reliant on calling back off duty more head firefighters, mutual aid responses from volunteer

[1:16:14] departments or at full-time department is not adequate staffing and deployment of resources.

[1:16:19] The National Fire Protection Agency is served by thousands of experts developing standards.

[1:16:27] The International Association of Firefighting using industry standards contained in NFPA standards

[1:16:33] 15710 provided a report to the city outlying the staff's necessary to meet industry standards for staffing

[1:16:39] and deployment of resources.

[1:16:41] The NFPA are the experts on staffing and deployment of fire department resources.

[1:16:47] DIAF report used geographic information systems mapping software and examined historical computer-aided dispatched

[1:16:54] data. Performance and response capabilities were assessed based on industry standards contained

[1:16:59] in NFPA 15710. NFPA standards 1710 is supported by the International Association of

[1:17:06] Fire Chiefs. And the IAF. The report is clear. More head needs more firefighters to staff

[1:17:13] it's current apparatus inventory and more head needs a third-fire station.

[1:17:18] City administrators need to develop and communicate the plan for a third-staffed fire station

[1:17:24] and more head.

[1:17:26] Consumembers, all eight of you are on the record saying you support firefighters agreeing

[1:17:30] that more head needs more firefighters.

[1:17:34] Show your support for firefighters by voting unanimously to pass a 2026 budget that includes

[1:17:39] the hiring of three firefighters.

[1:17:41] Thank you.

[1:17:42] Thank you.

[1:17:50] And I was also told by our city clerk that there is another individual who is too speak to the truth and taxation tax levied and budget

[1:18:02] is another individual who wishes to speak. All right. Thank you.

[1:18:06] When I come up, state your name, your resident, where had I, I'm a resident of more

[1:18:12] head and my name is Guadalupe Santoya, I had an incident about I would say

[1:18:22] four years ago and my baby girl was choking and this is when I was living

[1:18:28] across the street from Park Christian school and all the first responders responded very quickly and was able to get to my baby girl in time and August of 28 last year I had a house fire.

[1:18:53] and my 12 year old ended up jumping out from the second story and he's okay. He's good.

[1:19:04] He's doing phenomenal in school now. I'm so proud of him.

[1:19:10] I'm gonna find out the first truck got out there 13 minutes and the second one got out there about 15 minutes.

[1:19:23] And

[1:19:26] I know the response times should be within four to five minutes, and I just keep thinking

[1:19:37] to myself, what could I have, what could I have, what could I have been saved?

[1:19:43] I don't have anything anymore.

[1:19:48] I'm very grateful that my little one, my 12-year-old made it, very thankful,

[1:19:56] but now I just,

[1:19:57] I don't have any of my belongings, personals, my wedding stuff, stuff that I had from college.

[1:20:07] I don't have it anymore, I lost it all and I just find it very, very important for these guys to get more staff and another building so that way no one experiences what I experienced.

[1:20:25] My wife took out took off a year to take care of a lot of the bayhine, the scene stuff.

[1:20:33] Some of my kids had to go into therapy because of our experience.

[1:20:39] And this is my hometown.

[1:20:42] I graduated here.

[1:20:44] I remember about horizon and middle school.

[1:20:47] Didn't look like anything.

[1:20:48] It looks now.

[1:20:48] It's only expanding.

[1:20:49] Same thing with the high school.

[1:20:53] and these guys should grow with the two you guys should get them some more employees and some more

[1:20:59] fire stations I think it only makes sense for our community expanding because I don't

[1:21:05] wish this upon anybody I feel like my life is still on pause until December 31st when

[1:21:11] I get to move back in and um very grateful for all these guys over here so thank you so

[1:21:19] much for responding.

[1:21:22] Even though I lost it all, it was just nice and fire fires out there

[1:21:27] putting it out within all of the first responders to help out my 12-year-old boy and, um,

[1:21:36] yeah, that's how that's say. Thank you.

[1:21:51] Thank you for both of you for coming and speaking and

[1:21:54] specifically for you Guadalupe for sharing. But I could tell it was a very hard story for you to share.

[1:22:02] And I think Mr. Piper talked about the fact that every single one of these council members of myself included

[1:22:08] have us talked about that we do supports a public safety.

[1:22:12] It is a very delicate balance we would love to give the firefighter, the firefighter department, all of the employees that they want.

[1:22:18] We'd like to get the police officers department while they want.

[1:22:22] We heard from our assistant or assistant city manager that we have members of our prosecution staff that go on vacation.

[1:22:30] and they don't even put them for the vacation

[1:22:32] until they get back because often times

[1:22:34] that they are having to call in and work

[1:22:37] on their vacation time.

[1:22:39] Our public work staff needs more employees

[1:22:42] every single one of our departments need employees.

[1:22:47] And we are working on a process

[1:22:50] that is very similar to our capital improvement project

[1:22:53] that it's gonna be a staffing or capital improvement plan.

[1:22:57] It will be a staffing plan

[1:22:59] so that every department knows when staff will be coming on board for each of the departments.

[1:23:06] The challenge this year in particular has been understanding what our community has also

[1:23:12] been going through.

[1:23:13] We just heard from several of the members of our human rights award members who are doing

[1:23:18] all sorts of work on behalf of the public that is struggling this year.

[1:23:24] I was just at Slamberland this morning, they were giving out home beds to program that Slamberland

[1:23:31] does every single year giving out beds to kids, this year they gave out 63 beds, 42 of those

[1:23:37] beds were in more head. For people who didn't have beds, kids who didn't have beds and they said

[1:23:43] that this year, they received more applications and they had any other year. We're constantly hearing

[1:23:49] from our homeless shelters that we need housing where you're constantly hearing from our food,

[1:23:57] food banks that they need more, that this year has been the worst ever.

[1:24:02] And we can't be toned off to that, that there are members in our community that are struggling

[1:24:08] paycheck to paycheck and balancing putting a huge tax burden on them with hiring as many people as

[1:24:15] possible. It's a very, very fine needle that we had to thread. And the years that I've

[1:24:23] been mayor, I will say that this year has been the hardest year to come to a budget because

[1:24:29] balancing those needs and wants. You want to give departments everything that they want

[1:24:35] and desire, but you also have to be cognizant and not be toned up to what is actually happening

[1:24:39] in our communities. So thank you for everyone who has worked really, really, really hard

[1:24:45] and in particular a finance department who had to do a lot of extra work this year to go back and try to figure out what the budget could be if it's this percentage.

[1:24:57] What is it that per cent percentage? That's how our governance structure is.

[1:25:00] We set what the tax rate is and it's the staff that do the operations as far as figuring out what needs what you know how the money gets moved around.

[1:25:09] So with that, I just appreciate everybody who is here.

[1:25:14] I will say, again, this is also the first year that we've even really had anybody in the audience for our budget meeting.

[1:25:22] So moving on to six A for the number 24th,

[1:25:26] 2025 meeting minister.

[1:25:27] I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes.

[1:25:30] Some move to the next.

[1:25:32] Second.

[1:25:33] motion in a second. Any discussion?

[1:25:36] Seeing none, uh, roll call vote please.

[1:25:39] Nelson? Aye.

[1:25:40] Nice to meet you.

[1:25:42] Yes.

[1:25:42] More? Yes. White?

[1:25:45] McDougall? Aye.

[1:25:46] Oregon? Yes.

[1:25:47] Hendrickson?

[1:25:48] All right.

[1:25:49] Madison? Yes.

[1:25:50] Okay, that motion carries.

[1:25:52] We do not have any other citizens who wish to address

[1:25:54] a council at this time.

[1:25:56] Moving on to aid a.

[1:25:57] This is a resolution to improve mayoral

[1:26:00] appointments to committees boards and commissions, and I will turn this over to City Manager

[1:26:04] Mellie.

[1:26:07] Well, our ordinance requires when it's a mayoral appointment that we have a roll call vote

[1:26:11] and it must be unanimously approved.

[1:26:15] With that, the information is in your packet.

[1:26:18] So your motion to approve the mayoral appointments to the committees boards and commissions.

[1:26:23] Come on.

[1:26:24] Second.

[1:26:25] Motion on the second.

[1:26:26] Any discussion?

[1:26:27] Seeing none, roll call vote, please.

[1:26:30] White?

[1:26:31] Borgon?

[1:26:32] Yes.

[1:26:32] McDougo?

[1:26:33] Aye.

[1:26:34] Hendrickson?

[1:26:34] Aye.

[1:26:35] Nelson?

[1:26:40] Yes.

[1:26:42] And that motion passes as well.

[1:26:50] Okay?

[1:26:51] We are now down to 18A and 18B, so 18A is a resolution to prove the city of

[1:26:57] 26 tax-living budget and capital improvement plan.

[1:27:00] Is there a motion to approve?

[1:27:03] So moved.

[1:27:04] Second.

[1:27:05] Motion in the second.

[1:27:05] Any discussion?

[1:27:07] Consmember Wait.

[1:27:09] Thank you, Mayor.

[1:27:10] I also wanted to take a moment to thank our staff, but particularly, I mean, we have the best

[1:27:16] staff around it.

[1:27:18] But particularly, finance director, Jenna Kuffland again, as the mayor mentioned, this has

[1:27:23] been a difficult budget year.

[1:27:24] and she's put in so much hard work on this really working at getting something that reflects

[1:27:32] the values that we as a council have expressed and also what the citizens of more have

[1:27:38] had been asking for. All year we've been hearing from people who wanted to make sure that we

[1:27:44] were supporting our fire departments and I know you know we have been hosting these conversations

[1:27:50] with Council members events in the community and I think about the very first one that we had this year

[1:27:56] and the very first guy who got up, you know, who raised his hand to ask a question,

[1:28:02] wanted to know what we were going to do to support our more-head fire department.

[1:28:08] And I haven't been on as long as Council member Hendrickson, but I know we haven't added any

[1:28:16] since I've been on here and I think he would say yeah, it's even been quite a bit longer than that.

[1:28:23] And so we know that all of our city staff runs a really tight ship and works on a very lean budget.

[1:28:34] But I know our fire department has put their needs ahead of other needs for a very long time.

[1:28:41] And we heard from a lot of citizens that enough is enough.

[1:28:45] We really need to make sure that we are supporting our public safety workers.

[1:28:50] At the same time, as I mentioned, we also hear from people every day that are concerned

[1:28:57] about rising property tax burdens and the impact that it will have on their family.

[1:29:03] So in the end, it took a lot of work, but our budget really reflects what we value.

[1:29:08] and I feel as though we have been able to listen to our community and work on a budget that really

[1:29:14] reflects those values that we as a council have expressed and also that our citizens have expressed.

[1:29:20] So, I do support this. I am glad that we were able to get our property tax increase as low as possible

[1:29:28] but not at the expense of our firefighters. And I want to thank the citizens who shared their input.

[1:29:35] We hear you and I'm happy that we were able to come up with a budget that balances those concerns.

[1:29:42] Thank you.

[1:29:45] Thank you.

[1:29:46] Any other council members?

[1:29:47] Council member Hendickson.

[1:29:48] Thank you.

[1:29:49] Thank you.

[1:29:49] Just want to echo what council member White said.

[1:29:52] Thank you, Jennifer and Dan and Mike and the rest of the directors.

[1:29:57] Great job.

[1:29:58] I've been through some tough budgets.

[1:30:00] Like those in my life, but this is probably the top of them so. And we got it under 5% and that's what I was striving for and actually under four. So just appreciate all the hard work and thank you very much.

[1:30:14] Council member Nesmaire.

[1:30:19] Thank you Madam Mayor. I too want to appreciate the hard work that went into this process. There was a lot of information. There was a lot of number crunching.

[1:30:31] I also appreciate the communication among leadership, staff, residents, and it is difficult to always sort of take in feedback and it's difficult because it's time consuming and it's difficult to balance.

[1:30:50] but I want to appreciate all of that process that we went through. I think that we got to

[1:30:57] something that is good. I also want to mention this budget, although it was not, I do not believe

[1:31:03] media missed it in finance director Flanagan's presentation. It has been built in to our budget

[1:31:09] to have the safer grant. It is not guaranteed that in 2026, the city would apply for the

[1:31:20] cash balance allowance to pay for safer grant additions of firefighters should that opportunity

[1:31:28] arise in 2026. There are a lot of things we don't know in the coming year of 2026. But I appreciate

[1:31:35] the work that was done. Oh, no, thank you. I appreciate the work that was done to

[1:31:41] make that a possibility to not only have three professional firefighters added at the beginning of the year

[1:31:47] because we haven't made, but also have that opportunity to excuse me, apply for the safer grant,

[1:31:54] should it be a possibility?

[1:31:59] Your dog can be part of the council meeting too, you know, so

[1:32:02] very cute. Any other council members who contribute to the discussion?

[1:32:08] see none if not roll call vote please white yes board again yes

[1:32:15] McDougall I Hendrickson Nelson I Mattson yes niece of my year yes more yes

[1:32:24] that motion passes moving on to 18b this would be the resolution to prove

[1:32:31] the more head economic development authority 2026 tax levian budget I motion to

[1:32:35] So move.

[1:32:36] So move.

[1:32:37] Me, Samaya.

[1:32:37] Oh, too many of us on the ball.

[1:32:42] So I heard all three of you simultaneously.

[1:32:45] So I'm just going to go Hendrix and then Matzen and you were a second delayed there,

[1:32:51] Heather.

[1:32:51] So it comes from Bernie, Samaya.

[1:32:53] So Hendrix and with motion, Matzen with the second in a discussion.

[1:33:00] See none, roll call vote, please.

[1:33:02] McDougall.

[1:33:02] All right.

[1:33:03] Hendrix and Nelson.

[1:33:05] Hi.

[1:33:05] Nice to meet you.

[1:33:07] Yes.

[1:33:08] Matzen.

[1:33:08] Yes.

[1:33:08] White, yes, more. Yes, Morgan. Yes.

[1:33:13] Right. And that motion passes as well. Right. Moving on to mayor and council reports. Are there any council members who have reports from boards or commissions?

[1:33:22] Council member and also.

[1:33:24] Nice to be here.

[1:33:28] Thank you, Madam Mayor. I would like to begin on reporting that more head housing agency. The more head public housing group met just a week ago and the feedback from our audit for 2025.

[1:33:40] was successful. There were no issues. If people would like to hear the official audit report,

[1:33:45] they can attend our regularly scheduled meeting in Tuesday, or in December on Tuesday to get that

[1:33:53] full report from our auditors that we hire for that process. Also, there has been some residents at

[1:34:01] Riverview Heights address 800 second avenue north trying to gather together household items.

[1:34:10] Those who are housed in our more head public housing units are the most difficult to house.

[1:34:16] And seeing that residents themselves are stepping forward and asking for donations for household

[1:34:21] items, cleaning supplies, blankets, pillows, things that you may not notice. I know Mayor

[1:34:29] Carlson just mentioned, a number of beds going to youth in our community, these are things that those who get housing don't necessarily have. And so if you are in the giving mood this season, please consider dropping them by with Ashley the resources staff at the Riverview Heights high rise or leave them with Helen and give her my apologies that I sent you there with this opportunity.

[1:34:58] The solid waste advisory council is meeting on Thursday, December 18th, and I'd like to welcome everybody to visit.

[1:35:08] We meet at the Resource Recovery Center, and we will be going over as promised, and I mentioned our last council meeting.

[1:35:16] We got the trash counts for our local trash count in Clay County, but what we do have in the future is to get trash counts for what people are throwing away

[1:35:27] from our incinerator in Perum. And again, that incinerator is a five-county collaborative for

[1:35:34] lakes and prairies that enable us to save units in our landfills by burning trash and burning them

[1:35:43] so hot that there is no PFAS or anything left but ash. More on ash use next month. We also at the

[1:35:51] resource recovery center have the reuse room. If you are looking for items for gifts or a home,

[1:35:57] Remember to step by the reuse room that is open at the Resource Recovery Center.

[1:36:02] You are limited to five items per day, but there are a lot of wonderful, beautiful pieces of furniture,

[1:36:08] games, puzzles, cooking gear, a lot of stuff that is saved from going in the landfill and

[1:36:15] put to reuse for any member of our community whose has need of them. Also, the Clay County

[1:36:22] Extension Committee is meeting this Friday, December 12th at 815 am in room 8. I encourage you to join us and learn about all of the wonderful work that the Clay County Extension Committee is doing. Also, I would like to as I mentioned at last meeting.

[1:36:38] And we have openings for anybody who lives in Clay County to join us on the Clay County Extension Committee.

[1:36:44] So please, if you would like to apply, we meet every other month at 815 either Wednesdays or Fridays, depending on schedules of folks.

[1:36:53] And so we would love to have people join us on that committee.

[1:36:57] And if you are interested, please feel free to reach out to myself or Cecilia Amado, who's our executive director of Clay County Extension Services.

[1:37:06] The more head public library, as I've mentioned it before, but just again since we tend to be in the giving mood and our weather is consistently getting colder because it's winter.

[1:37:17] Remember that the more head public library has a giving tree that is for hats, scarves and mittens.

[1:37:24] They are particularly in need of adult sized hats, mittens and scarves.

[1:37:28] And so if you are driving around downtown and have some extras that you are willing to share,

[1:37:34] the staff and more hip public library will gratefully accept them or you can adorn the tree yourself.

[1:37:42] My appreciation to the sworn officers and of course the friends and family who serve with them.

[1:37:48] I am delighted to hear that we have now a full force and we are looking to sign in more officers.

[1:37:55] Our public safety servants serve not only themselves, but with our friends and family as well.

[1:38:01] And I want to acknowledge that service as it is meaningful and very important for our community.

[1:38:09] I also want to appreciate the community engagement that I have been able to enjoy in 2025.

[1:38:15] This is the last city council meeting of 2025 and I have had wonderful conversations about road construction, trees,

[1:38:23] vector control, budgets, resolutions, celebration days, so many things. And I want to continue to welcome that.

[1:38:31] I am always accessible via email, text or phone call. People find me even in the grocery store. And while I may not be dressed,

[1:38:39] Like a fancy city council member, I may be in like pajamas getting the last ingredients for pancakes.

[1:38:45] I welcome any opportunity to engage with folks about concerns, issues or ideas in the city of warhead.

[1:38:52] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[1:38:54] Thank you, Councilmember Niesmayer.

[1:38:56] Other council members.

[1:39:00] No other council members have reports.

[1:39:03] So for the mayor report, since that's council meeting, I've attended 13 meetings and or events last two weeks.

[1:39:11] The holiday tree lighting was one of them that I attended and got a lot of great help from some

[1:39:16] kiddos that helped lay the Christmas tree, but thank you to the global market was also going

[1:39:22] on that night.

[1:39:23] So, I just wanted to extend gratitude to inclusive forehead and Indigenous Association, the

[1:39:30] Historical Society and Cultural Society of Clay County.

[1:39:35] more had parks district and I'm looking at council member wait because I know I've forgotten

[1:39:40] one the last time when I was doing it indigenous and the immigrant development center.

[1:39:47] Thank you. They put on all those entities put together a very, very fun evening and it was

[1:39:55] packed here at the Youngcome Center. Also thank you to Matbus and the employees of Matbus. It took

[1:40:04] about four hours to decorate the bus that we used in the holiday light parade on Saturday night.

[1:40:10] It was cold. It was probably the lightest crowd that I've seen when we've done the holiday

[1:40:16] light parade and it was it was chilly out but we we bear the cold and come to remember

[1:40:24] Morgan and I and a few of the map bus employees were the only ones there but the people that

[1:40:30] buried the cold and came out. They got a lot of candy this year. We actually had nine

[1:40:36] bags left, which we never have candy left. So those people who, they got a lot and kids were

[1:40:41] excited. And then last but not least, I mentioned earlier this morning, part of the group at

[1:40:49] Slumberland Homes for the holidays is their 31st year in doing this event. Over the 31 years that

[1:40:56] I've done this. I've given out 1300 beds in the Fargo Morehead area. This year they had 200

[1:41:01] applications like I previously said 63 were granted and 42 of those beds were for kids in morehead.

[1:41:11] They were stunned and they said this is the most applications they've ever received.

[1:41:16] So thank you to not just Lumberland but to the Salvation Army who help find the families and

[1:41:23] It's a clumbus who go and deliver the beds, Walmart for providing the sheets, pet smart,

[1:41:31] for providing a sept animal for each of the kids, North Dakota elite chair, who they do,

[1:41:40] like the tie-dye blankets, and then specifically Shirley Hill and Barbara Hanager, who called

[1:41:46] a few years ago, and so they wanted to help in, so they make handmade quilts to go with

[1:41:51] every single bed. So just a lot of gratitude going out today for those groups that are doing

[1:41:57] this to make sure that there are 63 kids that are in the Fargo Morehead area that now have a

[1:42:03] bed to sleep on tonight. So that's all they have. Thank you Mayor. I'll just say during the holiday

[1:42:09] season City Hall will be closed. Christmas Eve Christmas Day and then on New Year's but

[1:42:15] As everyone here is well aware, we do so much more than what happens at City Hall across our city.

[1:42:22] So just a little gratitude to the people that, why we talked about firefighters tonight in the police department,

[1:42:29] people that plow snow, still pick up garbage through all those days and like.

[1:42:35] So just wishing everyone a happy holiday season and thanks for a great year.

[1:42:39] And looking forward to getting back to it,

[1:42:43] our next council meeting is January 12th on Monday

[1:42:46] as we don't meet the week of Christmas.

[1:42:49] Thank you.

[1:42:51] I think that meeting would have been January,

[1:42:53] I mean December 22nd, and so typically

[1:42:55] the second meeting in December of the council

[1:42:58] does not happen.

[1:43:00] Right, thank you, City Manager Molly.

[1:43:02] We do have an executive session tonight.

[1:43:05] So I would be looking for a motion

[1:43:07] to enter into a closed executive session pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.05 subdivision

[1:43:14] 3A for the purpose of performing the city manager's annual performance evaluation. Do I have

[1:43:19] motion to go into closed session? Some move, Nelson. Second more. I heard Nelson and more. I know

[1:43:27] people were talking over there. So Nelson and more, any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor

[1:43:35] signify our roll call vote, please. Nelson.

[1:43:38] I.

[1:43:38] Mattson.

[1:43:39] Yes.

[1:43:39] Nice to meet you, Meyer.

[1:43:41] No.

[1:43:43] More.

[1:43:44] Yes.

[1:43:44] White.

[1:43:45] No.

[1:43:48] Morgan.

[1:43:49] Yes.

[1:43:50] Mictucle.

[1:43:51] Hi.

[1:43:52] Hendrickson.

[1:43:52] Yes.

[1:43:54] OK.

[1:43:54] And that motion carries.

[1:43:55] So we'll be going into exact session.

[3:32:29] All right, we are back from exact session. It is 8.51 PM. Do I have a motion to close the executive session?

[3:32:37] So, second, motion in a second.

[3:32:43] Boarding, made the motion, McDougall made the second. You need a discussion.

[3:32:48] Seeing none, all those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[3:32:51] Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries executive session as closed.

[3:32:55] We don't have any new business, so we are now adjourned. Thanks for it.

City Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript