CITY OF NERSTRAND, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Oct 14th, 2025
7:00p.m.
221 Main Street, Nerstrand
1. Call to Order/Pledge Allegiance
2. Roll Call: Present: Karla Ingersoll, Todd Evavold, John Harris and Pam Caron. Betty Voge was absent.
3. Approval of Last Month’s Agenda
Motioned by Karla Ingersoll and seconded by John Harris and approved by all.
4. Consent Agenda
(All items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and have been made available to the City Council in advance of the meeting. The items will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member or citizen requests, in which event the item will be removed from this agenda and considered in normal sequence.)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of Sept 9th, 2025
B. Ordinance Committee Update
B. Payment of Claims dated:
1. September 25th, 2025
2. October 8th, 2025
3. October 14th, 2025
Motioned by Karla Ingersoll and seconded by John Harris and approved by all.
5. Clerk’s Report
1. Rice county did not have the average rate that for election judges. They would only share that they are paying $20 per hour. Council has agreed that regular judges are to earn $15 dollars and the Head judge would be $17.
2. Water Billing Update: 1 delinquent accounts. And one account we are looking at having to assess for non-payment.
3. Newsletter topics: Please check your trees to see if limbs and branches may need to be trimmed so others can see, when visiting the waste water area please stay on the gravel, and we will also be asking residents to refrain from using Nerstrand streets as a dumping ground. It is acceptable to put items infront of their home for others to take but please do not leave on street corners.
4. The Clerks still need the map so we can post about the lawn mowing bid request.
5. Clerks are going to reach out to the residents who we will be assessing to inform them of the intent to asses.
6. Park is closed for the season.
7. Garden clean out.
6. New Business
A. Announcement of potential funding-Bollig was able to attend the meeting. Brady Panitzke, he presented on the funding situation and below is a summary:
• SCDP Grant Award: Congratulations to the City on receiving a $600,000 SCDP grant! Bollig’s funding team is already coordinating with DEED on next administrative steps, including the required environmental review. This award is a strong addition to the overall funding package and helps attract other funding sources. It was fun to be able to share the announcement with Representative Allen last Wednesday while I was at a legislative tour with him. He was excited for the city and even gave me a big high-five!
• Legislative Update: Representative Allen has agreed to introduce Nerstrand’s bonding bill in the upcoming session, and all required materials (including the draft bill) have been submitted through MMB.
• IUP Rankings: The Draft Intended Use Plan (IUP), including updated PPL rankings, is expected to be released around November 15th.
• Congressional Directed Spending: Nerstrand remains identified as a Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) Appropriation submitted by Congressman Finstad. This $1M opportunity would require passage of a federally approved omnibus bill.
• USDA RD Submission: The PER has been submitted to Rural Development; however, review timelines most definitely be delayed due to the federal shutdown.
B. Citizen Complaint-Vines-Steve reached out to the homeowner and they are awaiting for winter and then plan to chop them down.
C. Doors for City Hall- One quote was presented to the council. It was reviewed and there was a request for modification. Council also requested that there be an additional quote presented. Mayor was going to seek this and reach out to the first company quote for changes.
D. Fire Dept Audit- There has been a delay in submitting the Audit. Joe Johnson was in attendance and will be stepping in and ensuring this is getting completed. There has been a potential loss of funding due to the delay. This will be the final year we use Abdo’s services for this type of audit as it will no longer be needed.
E. Dept of Health Violation- The health department has sent a letter of violation to Nerstrand in regards to the testing timeline for a sample. Nerstrand Public Works Department is fighting this violation as they feel it was an error on the labs part for not providing the necessary testing equipment in the proper amount of time.
F. City of Nerstrand MAC-John Johnson presented a MAC to the council for consideration. Council will review and provide feedback.
7. Old Business
A. Dettling Lease is up (Oct)-Renter’s Insurance and Value-Lease agreement will be sent to Dettling for signing.
B. Projector Options-John Harris provided a “free” option. Council has agreed to try this for a period to see if a new one is necessary.
C. Discussion regarding cannabis ordinance-Tabled.
D. Discussion regarding liquor ordinance and permitting-Tabled.
8. Reports of Officers
A. Public Works Director- Jacob was able to attend and explained the Dept of Health violation and the actions he is taking to fight it. It seems as though the lab was late at sending a re-test kit after they failed to test the original sample upon receiving. Fire Hydrants are to be flushed Oct 17th beginning at 9 pm.
B. Mayor – Is looking to do a little work at City Hall in order to get it ready for winter. Heat tape and a backup to be installed at City Hall. Also, there is a need for a GFI.
C. Fire Department – Joe Johnson
a. Acceptance of 50 portables and 22 mobile radios From Hamilton County Emergency Communications, Hamilton County Indiana. Estimated Value $250,000.
Motioned by Karla Ingersoll and seconded by Pam Caron and approved by all.
b. Request approval to donate 9 Mobile radios and 9 portable radios to neighboring departments.
Motioned by John Harris and seconded by Pam Caron and approved by all.
c. Request approval to Auction or sale via bid Surplus equipment: 6 SCBA tanks, 3 firefighting nozzles, 1 strainer, 2 6" covers, 1 radio charger bank, 1 ax, 2 cpr mannequins and a 1995 Medtec ambulance upon delivery of new vehicle.
Motioned by Todd Evavold and seconded by Karla Ingersoll and approved by all.
d. City of Nerstrand EOP-Need to review and approve at another meeting. Clerks will create a binder to have on site with this information.
D. Council Members
E. Zoning Committee-Meeting Minutes Provided by Lu
F. Ordinance Committee- Update provided by email by Karla
9. Other Business
10. Adjourn
Motioned by Karla Ingersoll and seconded by John Harris and approved by all.
Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2025, at Nerstrand City Hall.
