Photo by Kaitlin Longhauser
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, May 19 at 168 West Main Street in room 100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Mike Hagen, Trent Turner, Morgan Buckland, and Wilhelmson. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present.
Applications from Sean Young, Andrea Eager, and Joseph Grodahl were considered for the vacant city council position. Grodahl was appointed to fill the seat. He took his oath of office and was officially sworn in as the newest council member.
The Agenda and Consent Agenda were unanimously adopted, after the addition of item #7 to New Business regarding resident complaint letters.
A public hearing was held to discuss the annexation of land in Spring Grove Township. Turner clarified the annexation is along Sherburne’s property. The council approved resolution 26-33 for the petition for the annexation and initiating the annexation procedures, approved the annexation of land in Spring Grove Township, the annexation certificate, and updated city map to include the proposed annexation land.
Old Business
Tim Hruska of WHKS updated the council about the city’s new fire hall progress. A request for qualifications and a request for the proposal for the fire hall were submitted. He noted that documents are being drafted. An architect will assist with the project. A draft will then be sent to rural development for approval. He added that the next couple of months will be a quick succession. The building will begin in 2027.
With no further questions about the fire hall, Hruska moved to address the council about the replacement of five lead service lines at no cost to the city. The work would begin during fall of 2026. Turner moved, seconded by Buckland, to approve the Lead Service Line Replacement Engineering Agreement. Motion carried.
New Business
The item regarding Spring Grove Soda sidewalk concerns was postponed.
Resolutions 26-36, 26-37, 26-38, and 26-39 regarding Friendship Cities were approved. The communities of Spring Grove, Minn., Kindred, N. Dak., and Hillsboro, N. Dak., share historic roots in the migration of Norwegian immigrants. Many descendants relocated to the Upper Midwest and established homes in North Dakota. The city of Spring Grove recognizes these cities as Friendship Cities where Giants of the Earth Heritage Center will assist in facilitating a relationship with them.
The council approved the hiring of Chris Strinmoen, Kody Moore, Alisha Solum, Kelsey Morken, Jess Morken, Tysen Moen, Christian Bjerke, Kolin Betcher, Henry Kessler, Ryland Moen, Sawyer St Mary, Ryler Dahlberg, Carston Storlie, Ethan Rask, and Sam Stender for Spring Grove’s Summer Recreation.
Everybody listened to a short pre-recorded presentation by Abdo (certified public accounting and consulting firm).
Councilors briefly discussed the newly added item regarding resident complaint letters. A resident was noted as not following the city ordinance. Hagen suggested three options to choose from: ignore it, enforce a fine, or remove the fence. Turner added that the resident knew there is an ordinance in place. Hagen moved, seconded by Turner, to both enforce a fine and have the resident pay the permit fee with the fine. Motion carried with one opposed vote. Turner noted that the city has ordinances in place to ensure the town looks nice.
Council Reports
Wilhelmson informed that EDA (Economic Development Authority) gave out $9,300 in fix-up funds. EDA now has two available vacancies, one country and one city.
Hagen informed there was a ribbon cutting at the disc golf course. People have the opportunity to check out bags to play disc golf. Parks & Recreation are looking into a grant to fund a potential mini golf course, in addition, they are searching for a location to open up a dog park. Elton chimed in and stated that a grant funded the log cabin to be repainted. The cabin will be brown with black doors.
Buckland shared the Spring Grove Public Library discussed the new library build at their library board meeting.
The council meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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