At the January 14, 2026, Mabel City Council meeting, the council tabled the city’s proposed cannabis ordinance, giving council members additional time to talk to other communities and cannabis businesses in the area.
The city is responsible for managing and administering the ordinance.
Councilor Kelly Sand asked if 500 feet is far enough. Section 3 of the ordinance spells out the requirements: prohibit the operation of a cannabis business within 500 feet of a school; prohibit the operation of a cannabis business within 500 feet of a day care; prohibit the operation of a cannabis business within 500 feet of a residential treatment facility; prohibit the operation of a cannabis business within 500 feet of an attraction within a public park that is regularly used by minors, including a playground or athletic field.
City Clerk stated that she will add the cannabis ordinance to next month’s agenda under old business, emphasizing that there is no rush to approve the ordinance.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Adam Wilder. All council members, in addition to Mayor Wilder, were present, including Kelly Sand, Valerie Arnold, Tina Bakke and Kirsten Wyffels. Others in attendance included Public Works Director Robert Mierau, City Clerk Karen Larson and Fillmore County Journal Reporter Charlene Selbee.
Financials
The minutes from the December 10, 2025, meeting were unanimously approved as written, along with the financial reports for January, including the balance sheet and payments totaling $256,912.86.
New Business
The council unanimously approved the 2026 Appointments as follows: Acting Mayor, Kirsten Wyffels; Official Newspaper, Fillmore County Journal; Official Depository Bank, BMO; City Attorney, Nethercut Schieber PLLP; City Auditor, Hacker Nelson & Co.; Zoning Administrator, Robert Mierau; Health Officer, Tim Mengis; Assistant Weed Inspector, Karen Larson; Fire Chief, Steve Geving; Assistant Fire Chiefs, Levi Spalla and Cory Wilson; Civil Defense Director, Steve Geving; Meeting Nights, 2nd Wednesday at 6 p.m.; EDA Board, Kirsten Wyffels and Tina Bakke; Street & Light, Kirsten Wyffels and Kelly Sand; Sewer and Water, Adam Wilder and Valerie Arnold; Ambulance and Fire Department, Adam Wilder and Kelly Sand; Parks and Recreation, Kirsten Wyffels and Tina Bakke; Police Adm., Adam Wilder; Community Center, Karen Larson; and Zoning, Kelly Sand and Valerie Arnold; Community Center self-evaluation, Karen Larson and Kirsten Wyffels; Website and Facebook Page Editor, Kendra Spalla and Karen Larson; Official Posting Place, Mabel City Hall (201 South Main Street); Mileage Reimbursement Rate, IRS Standard Mileage Rate for 2026; Fire Relief Board, Tina Bakke, Valerie Arnold and Karen Larson; Personnel Committee, Adam Wilder and Kirsten Wyffels.
Larson announced that the 2025 audit is scheduled to take place on January 27. Larson reminded the council that the audit took only one day last year.
The council approved a 3% salary increase for the city’s Ambulance Director Sarah Mengis. Larson said that the city is lucky to have her.
The City Clerk shared a copy of the 2025 budget statement with council members so they can see what will be published in the paper.
The city received $43,044.37 from the Minnesota Department of Revenue to support ambulance services.
The city unanimously approved the proposed schedule of fees for 2026.
Mayor Wilder announced that Mabel residents must renew pet licenses by January 31, 2026.
Dairyland Power Cooperative is holding a public open house on Thursday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Mabel Community Center to answer questions regarding the MariBell Transmission Project
The council approved the 2026 Mabel Public Library board members and officers as recommended: Linda Turner, president; Bonnie Anderson, vice-president; Monica Aasum, secretary; Chris Hansen, treasurer; Linda King, Sandra Christopher and Kati Bergey.
Larson shared a public hearing notice with the council from the Fillmore County Land Use Department. GSS, Inc. submitted a conditional use permit application to build a 195’ Telecommunications Tower on property owned by Paul, Sandy,and Todd Eiken in Newburg Township. The property is in an agricultural district. The hearing is scheduled on January 22, 2026, at 7:02 p.m. at the courthouse in Preston before the county planning commission.
Kendra Spalla and Leann Wickett have been reappointed to the EDA committee for a 3-year term.
Mierau would like the homeowners that will be affected by the upcoming street projects to contact the city if they have any concern about their sewer. He emphasized that this was a water project, and homeowners will be responsible for paying for repairs or upgrades to their sewer.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
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