The Mabel City Council held a public hearing during its regularly scheduled July 8 meeting to allow residents an opportunity to comment on a rezoning request from Chad and Christine Loppnow.
The Loppnows requested that their property at 416 N. Maple St. be rezoned from commercial to residential. City Clerk Karen Larson stated that she had not received any comments, either way, regarding the request, and that no members of the public attended the hearing.
Christine Loppnow explained to the council that they have a potential buyer interested in purchasing the property for residential use. She noted that it’s currently zoned residential with the county.
During new business, the council unanimously approved the rezoning request on a motion by Council member Kelly Sand, seconded by Council member Val Arnold.
Acting Mayor Kirsten Wyffels called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and immediately went into the public hearing.
The council approved the minutes from the June 10 meeting and authorized payment of the monthly bills totaling $150,487.60. Larson pointed out the $20,240 payment to Hacker, Nelson & Co. for the 2025 audit, $76,001.16 for repairs to well number three, and the $500 August lease (interest-only) payment on the incubator building.
New Business
City Attorney Greg Schieber explained that after last month’s meeting, when the cannabis ordinance was approved and before the summary was published, the city discovered a small oversight. The cannabis manufacturing district was expanded to include the commercial district in addition to the industrial district. Schieber also added an effective date to the updated version.
The council voted to reconsider its previous action before unanimously adopting the revised cannabis ordinance. A summary of the ordinance will be published in the Fillmore County Journal.
The council also approved an updated Schedule of Fees. The only change was the addition of cannabis-related fees: $500 for a new business license and $250 for a renewal. The motion was made by Sand and seconded by Bakke. The motion carried.
Two zoning permits were unanimously approved:
• Dustin Tollefsrud received approval to repair a roof at an estimated cost of $15,000.
• Josh Raaen received approval to replace windows and install new shingles, drip edge, and gutters at an estimated cost of $5000.
The council approved a temporary liquor license application submitted by the Hesper-Mabel Area Historical Society for the Steam Engine Days celebration in September.
Bids for the city’s watermain and street improvement project will be opened at 2 p.m. on July 22 at city hall. The city unanimously approved holding a special meeting on July 22 at 5:30 p.m. to review and award the bid for the project.
Council members approved an on-sale and Sunday liquor license for Average Joe’s LLC, located at 301 N. Robert St. Motion by Bakke and seconded by Arnold.
The filing period for the 2026 city election is July 14-28. City hall will remain open until 5 p.m. on the final filing day. Positions on the ballot include the mayor’s position and the two council seats currently held by Council members Arnold and Bakke. The filing fee is $2.
The council approved Resolution No. 2026-05 appointing election judges. The primary is August 11. The judges appointed are Kendra Spalla and Sandy Christopher as head election judges, with Larry Gifford, Myrna Wilson, and Linda Turner serving as election judges. Ben Bisbach will serve as the alternate judge.
Head election judges will receive $13 per hour, while election judges are paid $11 per hour. Spalla will receive her regular hourly wage.
The 2026 Mabel-Canton Community Night Out is scheduled for August 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the community center. The event is free.
Acting Mayor Wyffels presented the EDA report, noting that all loans are current. She said that there was a lot of old business to discuss.
Public Works Director Robert (Bob) Mierau reviewed the damage at the Steam Engine grounds caused by last week’s flooding, which included the ball diamond, walking path, and volleyball courts. No decisions were made regarding repairs at this time. He said that the fence was removed and could be reused.
Mierau said a dumpster has been placed at the wastewater treatment plant for residents to dispose of flood-damaged materials.
The council expressed its appreciation to Mierau and Chuck Dahl for their work during last week’s flood.
The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
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