Good evening everyone. My name is Chuck Henson, mayor prom. The Morhead City Council welcomes public input on issues listed on the agenda or of the general community interest, time and council permitting. Speakers are limited to three minutes each. If you'd like to address the council during the meeting, please fill out a form provided by the
city clerk and we will call you up during the citizens addressing the council. Please state your name and if you are a Morehead resident. If comments were submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting via email or phone. Those comments will be entered into the record. For more information on participation, please visit the council
meetings page on the city of Morehead website at morhead minnizon.gov. We the Morhead city council collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land the city of Morhead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have resided here for generations and recognize the spirit of the Dakota
Ojiway manis and all indigenous communities per permeates this land. With that, I'd like to call the city council for meeting for October 14th, 2025. And could we get a roll call, please? >> Ryan Nelson >> here. >> Nicole Matson here.
>> Heather Nisser here. >> Emily Moore >> here. >> Deb White here. >> Lisa Borgan >> here. >> Sebastian McDougall >> here. >> Chuck Hendrickson >> here. Mayor Shelley Carlson >> that if you if you are able please stand when we recite the pledge of allegiance
Which brings us to item number three on the agenda. Are there any agenda amendments? >> There are no amendments to the agenda. Mayor Prom, >> if there are no agenda amendments, um I'm looking for a motion to approve the the agenda. >> Consent agenda. >> Consent agenda. >> Um just regular agenda.
>> Regular agenda. >> Regular agenda. >> I wasn't sure. I move to approve the agenda. >> Second. So we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. And the agenda passes. Moves us to the consent
agenda. There are no changes or anything. I'm looking for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> So we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> And all those opposed, same sign. The
consent agenda passes, which brings us to item agenda item number five, the Morhard recognition. I believe Lisa Bod has that. >> Thank you, Mayor Proam. Um, Morehead council members, uh, tonight we're bringing an award for you to cons, uh,
consider offering to Amy Rikio. Uh Amy is uh a social worker um serving as a homeless layon for Morhead public schools. One of the things that's so nice about the Moreheart Award is it lifts up good work that's going on in
the community that many of us don't know is happening in our community. Her work serves countless students connecting them with necessary resources for success. She's led efforts to start and grow the meal repack project and the school food and basic needs pantry,
providing food to students in need. Amy is passionate about working with students and families to find creative solutions and make tangible impact and change. Megan Jensen nominated Amy and wrote in in the nomination, Amy focuses
on the intersectionality of barriers and conditions with which impact students and their families. She sees the big picture of what is impacting our students, including transportation, food access, stable housing, substance
misuse, trauma, family connects, or lack of social capital, and more. All without losing sight of the brilliance, determination, and resilience of our youth. So, um, with that, the city of Morehead thanks Amy for her outstanding
work. her dedication and passion continuing to make our community a better and more supportive place. Congratulations, Amy. And Mayor Prom, will you present the award to Amy? [Applause]
Just a quick thank you. Um this is really um I am just shocked but um I have to say this isn't really just about me. I'm just the person saying these are what our students and our families need and our community is the one that actually steps up to the plate and
answers any call I make to bring any any kind of basic needs to our schools. So thank you [Applause] And thank you, Amy. Great work. Um,
taking care of our students when they are homeless is a difficult job. So, she's doing a great job doing that. So, that'll bring us to agenda item number 5B, promotion and swearing of new members of the Morhead Police Department. And I believe this is
Chief Helmet. Evening, council members. Happy to be here again for another big big event. Uh I'm glad to say that this is becoming a regular occurrence. So happy about that. Um so tonight we uh originally intended
to swear in two new officers and do one promotion. Uh, unfortunately something came up for one of our candidates. So, we will only have one new officer and a promotion tonight. So, uh, first off, I'm going to bring up Vlad Beta. Uh, it's my honor tonight to announce
that uh, Latty is being promoted to the rank of captain within the Mor Police Department. Uh this this position has been vacant for six months and during that time I've come to depend on Captain Beta as he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the community and the department. Qualities
he has consistently shown throughout his years of service for the city of Morhead. He's now put in 10 years of service with the city. So very happy about that. Uh, Captain Beta has been instrumental during the transition of the department leadership, providing you with invaluable insight, thoughtful
advice, and honest input that has helped guided our department forward. Uh, Captain Beta brings a wealth of experience to his role. He earned a bachelor's of science from and criminal justice from the University of North Dakota and he went on to serve as an
airborne ranger in both the 10th Mountain Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. His military career culminated in his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in May of 2024 after more than 20 years of service. Uh his law
enforcement journey began in 2009 with the Avatana Police Department where he served as a patrol officer and a sergeant. He also earned a masters in public administration from the Minnesota State University Mano. Since joining the Morhead Police Department in 2015, he's served as uh in a wide range of roles,
including field training officer, crime scene technician, narcotics detective, SWAT operator, and most recently, patrol lieutenant. This promotion reflects not only his professional accomplishments, but also his deep respect that he has earned from
our staff and the community. In this new role, I'm confident that Captain Beta will continue to exemplify the integrity, honor, and dedication that define the highest standards of our department and the law enforcement
profession. Qualities that are essential not only for the rank he is receiving, but also for reinforcing the trust our team and our community expect of all of its leaders. Tonight, uh, Captain Beta will have his wife Alyssa come up and pin on his
badge. [Applause] Next, I will call up Hayden Barta. Uh, we are welcome to please or I'm sorry, we are pleased to welcome Officer Barta who's coming to us from the Breen Ridge, Minnesota Police Department. Uh
he began his law enforcement career in 2017 with West Fargo Police Department and went on to serve with the Breenidge Police Department since 2019. During his career, he has taken on a variety of roles including field training officer, evidence custodian, detective, and most recent recently was promoted to sergeant
in January of 2025. Kaden is a graduate of Fargo Davies High School. No one's perfect. uh where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He continued his baseball career as a pitcher at the University of Minnesota Krookton, earning his degree
in 2017. He also graduated from the summer skills academy at Alexandria Technical College. Officer Barta joins us with a strong foundation of law enforcement training and a possession or passion for serving the public. And it says a lot about the
person he is to give up the rank uh that he had at another agency and essentially start over with our department. Uh we look forward to the positive impact that officer Bardau is going to have with our team and on the community as he begins to serve with the Morhead Police Department. Tonight uh Officer
Barta's wife Ashley will come up and pin on his badge. [Applause] So, with that, I will turn it over to uh Council Member Hendrickson to uh issue the oath. If you guys want to stand up
front here, you guys got cards. Great. and uh thank you for all you do as my brother's in law enforcement and you know just can't say enough about you guys so appreciate it.
So we'll start. I state your name. Oh, raise your right hand. I'm sorry. do solemnly swear that I will support and comply with the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution and Laws of the State
of Minnesota, the charter laws and ordinances of the city of Morehead, the policies and procedures of the Morhead Police Department, and the law enforcement code of ethics and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as a police officer to the best
of my ability. I further pledge that on my honor. I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our
actions. I will always uphold my community and the agency I serve. Congratulations. [Applause]
always get a little emotional. So, please uh brings us to agenda number 5A, the proclamation Hispanic Heritage Month and Council Member Nelson will read that for us. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. This is the
official proclamation for Hisp Hispanic Heritage Month. It reads as follows. the cities of Fargo and West Fargo, state of North Dakota, and the cities of Morehead and Dworth, state of Minnesota. Whereas from September 15th to October 15th, we
celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the rich diversity and contributions of the Latino community in the city of Morehead and surrounding areas. And whereas we reci we recognize the significant history of the migrant farm workers who labored in the sugarbeat and
potato fields, many of whom were from Mexican descent and originally from Texas. And whereas these families chose to settle in our community, contributing to its growth and vitality and establishing businesses that enrich our local economy. And whereas the
contributions of the Hispanic community are integral are integral to the cultural fabric of the community, enhancing our shared heritage and promoting understanding. And whereas we commit to the fostering an inclusive community that honors the
achievements and history of all its residents. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, Dr. Tim Mahoney, mayor of Fargo, Birdie Darnis, Mayor of West Fargo, Shelley Carlson, Mayor of Morehead, and Chad Olsson, mayor of Dworth, do hereby
proclaim September 15th to October 15, 2025 to be Hispanic Heritage Month in the cities of Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota, Morehead, and Dworth, Minnesota, and residents are encouraged to celebrate the diverse cultures that enrich our communities. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Member Nelson. That'll bring us to agenda item number 6A. Um, September 22nd, 2025 meeting minutes. If there are no changes or additions, I'm looking for a motion to approve. >> Move approval, Madson.
>> Oh, second more. >> So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. And that does pass. Which brings us to item agenda number seven, citizens addressing the council. And I believe I saw Jamal
here. Please state your name and if you're a citizen of Morehead. And I think you've been there before. Green is three minutes, yellow's I think a 30 second warning. And then red we need to stop. So thank you. >> Thank you. My name is uh Jamal Abigaz
and I am a resident of the city of Morehead. I'm here as a followup uh to my last trip where I discussed uh questions with whether or not the city tests for mold and raising some general
questions about the licensing regime. Um in the back and forth email, I guess I really just came and asked a yes or no question at the last time. I don't think I ultimately got the answer that I wanted, which was a yes or a no. The
last I had heard, I sent an email to um to uh the city manager as well as the building official, fire marshall, and uh the community development director. uh highlighting some of the
conditions that one of my neighbors who had mowled all in her unit was facing. Uh I sent um an email with pictures to the city clerk. Sent them a little late, so I'm hoping you got them. Um, but what
you can see is that there are the conditions for mold there in in a building that you guys license right now. Since then, fire marshall has issued a a citation to
them. Now, I guess they call themselves making a fix. However, what you can see in these pictures, maybe not as well in these pictures, but in these certainly, is drainage pipes that are tipped up.
Now, I'm sure we all are familiar with how gravity works, but that's not going to drain water away from the building. The last time we had uh the building official come out um to have a door inspected, there were visible staples
that just got painted over, right? And that was passed. It's part of the building code. Now, I know you don't regulate the building code, but and it gets deeper, you do regulate who send
who has these licenses. Now, the property management company that claims to own the building is Skyline Property Management. However, the license that the city issued for the
property at 3015 20th Street South is for Sunny Place Apartment. Now, those aren't the same companies, and I believe it's uh Morehead City Charter uh chapter 2 of82-1-8
says those licenses are not transferable. When you guys license these buildings for habitability, what are you saying? I would like to get an answer to my yes or no question. Does the city inspect
for mold? Right. I think I got the if not, why not? But I need that yes or no answer because if I need to then go and find some draft legislation ordinance to come and bring before you guys, I can do that. Just give me the yes or no answer. The
conditions I'm being I'm I'm facing an eviction over this kind of stuff, by the way. Right. The retaliation is real. I need you to be more upset. I need you to be more upset. I come up here upset. I'm upset in emails. I need y'all to be upset on our behalf.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I believe you've been working with Fire Marshall Garvey on this, too. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, I mean, if I could get that yes or no question just firmly, do does the city inspect from old? Yes or no? >> We usually with the public hearing or um
citizens to be heard, we don't do a back and forth. So, >> just need a yes or no because it came here last time and I got pawned off from the city manager and that was fine. Just looking for a yes or no. If the city manager can give me that yes or no, that'd be great.
>> Like I guess you have been working with with the city manager and fire marshal Garvey and I'm sure they'll be happy to talk to you some more about the the nine of y'all don't know or the Yeah, eight of y'all don't know. >> It's usually not a give and take with council members. Thank you. >> Well, I would I also just would hope you
guys would care to know and be again be upset on our behalf. >> Well, thank you for the information. really appreciate that. >> Mr. Air mayor prom. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, could we those pictures were alarming to me of
the mold in the apartment. Um, I don't know the answer to the question. I I'm assuming it's a no if it's not an easy yes, but I don't know that. But I would like us to um have a further discussion of this issue of of you know habitability and mold at a potentially
at a future workshop if we could put that on the list of things in our next um I know we have a a lot to deal with with the budget but I don't want to let this go because we have other pressing issues. >> Yes, we can get information to the council by email and if the council would like to bring it forward to a
workshop we can do that as well. >> Thank you. With that, that'll bring us to agenda item number nine, the public hearing. In 9A, public hearing to consider adoption of special assessments for public improvements for various construction projects. Looking to open that public
hearing. I'm looking for a motion. >> Move to uh open the public hearing. >> Second, Nelson. >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. and we are
in public session hearing. >> Okay. Thank you, uh, mayor and members of council. This is the public hearing that we do once a year. It we we uh lump all of the capital improvement program projects and petition projects into one
assessment hearing uh for convenience. And this particular hearing, we have 18 projects that are part of it. Nine is actually from projects that were completed long ago and had deferred
assessments and part of the it was the Prairie Parkway second edition was platted this year and when that happens we bring those assessments current and so that's what nine of the projects in the list are. Then another one is a
final workhorse project which was from some several recent housing subdivisions. And then there's two of them that were for petitioned work that was sanitary sewer replacements and sidewalk infill in a in a housing
subdivision. And then the remaining six projects are our typical capital improvement street projects that we do and they were built over the last two years and we're bringing those forward for the assessments now at this time. And all total there were 453 assessment
hearing notices that were mailed out. In response to that, we've received uh five telephone calls with questions and we had two counter visits and one email from property owners. And generally the it was typically the
questions are just, you know, how was it calculated? Uh how do I pay my assessments? We did have one letter that was expressing dissatisfaction with how long the project took. And then we had another one that had questions regarding
uh this was on the uh final workhorse project that he had thought that he wouldn't get any more assessments based on his purchase agreement that he had with the developer. That's a separate issue. It's unrelated to what we do. And so we he had a couple of other questions
that we answered. And that sums up the comments that we received. So, we didn't have any challenges or anything like that that I'm aware of. So, you have any questions? >> I I do believe we have somebody who wants to speak. And um Erin Kinslow, are
you here? >> I am here, but I don't I don't I got all my >> Okay. Thank you. Good work. Um, are there any citizens who wish to speak?
>> Are there any citizens that wish to speak? If not, I'm looking for a motion to close the public hearing. >> So moved. Nissa Meyer. White seconds. >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign.
And we are now closed. public session. Any questions from the council? Not seeing any. Um, can we take A and B together or should we do them separately? >> I believe you take them together. >> Take them together. Okay. Thanks, Dan.
>> Or it's just the approval. We have the hearing and then the resolution. Yeah, it's just one resolution for all. >> Move to approve 9B. >> Second. >> Sorry about that. I read that wrong. So, we have a motion and a second. Any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I.
>> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. >> And that does pass, which will bring us to we don't have mayor and council reports already. Yep. That brings us to mayor and council reports.
Council member Nisser. >> Thank you, Mayor Prom. Um, boy, do I have a list for tonight. Um, I'd like to start by, um, thanking and appreciating all of those who were able to participate in the various indigenous people people's day events. It is not only a city holiday, but a state holiday
as well that was um that came to fruition because of work of um very hard work of youth and residents in Morehead. And so um it is not only a chance to celebrate um but a chance to learn. And so I want to acknowledge the city staff
who helped um work with local organizations to make um many of the events um yesterday possible. And um I was able to uh participate in two. And um not only was I able to pick up some beautiful art uh at the POW at the
Morehead High School um but at the lunch and learn um with uh Two Feathers consultant Heather Keeler presenting. Um, I'd just like to take the opportunity to remind everybody that 100% of the state of Minnesota is um, treaty land and it is land that is not
ours. And while we have a land acknowledgement that we share at the beginning of each city council meeting, I believe that we can do more. And so, um, I look forward for opportunities to do more and to do better as a city, um, as well as a person and a resident of
the great city of Morehead. My brain is having some serious problems today. I apologize. Um, I'd also like to appreciate the new officer and the promotion um opportunity that we had tonight. Um, uh, Chief Helmick, I believe, has been instrumental in making
these, um, public um, events, which I think not only humanize our, uh, public safety officers, which is really important, but also highlights how, um, diverse and, um, intriguing they are as individuals. And we would not um have a
safe city as we have uh without their hard work and the um uh oh there's a word and it's gone. Uh the that they and their families make sacrifices. Thank you. That they and
their families make each and every day. Um, I also want to remind uh everybody the solid waste advisory um committee has uh participated with the um Klay County solid waste department and our city of Morehead staff at the resource
recovery center to um participate in the takeback jack program. Your uh pumpkins that you decorate uh cannot go into our yard waste receptacles. And so please um look to the special bins. We've got two sites in the uh North Morehead and two
in South Morehead um from November 1st to November 14th. So, please uh participate in reusing and recycling um some of those really great pumpkins. They go to a local farm um and feed and are composted. Um great things happen with your pumpkins after the holiday
season. So, um please utilize those bins um scattered throughout Klay County. Uh it's Tuesday today, so Tuesday is a very special day. at the Historical Society of Klay County. The museum is here and open every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and they offer free admission.
And so, uh, I think that is extra special. I, uh, want to appreciate the historical society and all of the outreach and events that they do. I was able to participate in one last Monday. Uh, Bruise, no. Oh, I already forgot the name. History on Tap. Thank you, uh,
Council Member White. Uh but it is not only that programming but others um that are supported by residents like um you and me um that help make the historical uh museum accessible and free on Tuesday. So if you haven't had a chance to pop in um the exhibits change
regularly and I highly encourage it. In fact, if we're going to be done early tonight, we could all go and tour the museum. Um there's a pumpkin pickup party tomorrow. That's right. Pumpkin pickup party. I love I love the peas. But it's from 3:30 to 5:30 here at
Viking Ship Park. Um it is on Thursday. Did I say tomorrow? I did say tomorrow. That's incorrect. Sorry, Christina. Please put in the correct date. The pumpkin pickup party is Thursday at Viking Ship Park. Um October 16th is this Thursday. Um and so you can pick up
decorating pumpkin kits, which I think is just another really great um activity that Morehead Parks has available. Speaking of Morehead Parks and Wreck, um farmers market is going on tonight until 6:30. I did not get to go shopping beforehand, so I'm hoping we are done, so I can still pop outside and get some
great things. It goes through October, so mark in your calendars every Tuesday um from 3:30 to 6:30 to enjoy um the farmers market and global market is going to be on the 28th. So uh for the last farmers market, make sure to enjoy
the indoor stuff at the global market as well. That is all. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Any other council members? Council member White. >> Thank you, Mayor Prom. Uh, I wanted to thank Mr. Soliss and Ms. Anderson who
invited me to speak to their third grade classes at Propesfield yesterday um about serving in elected office. And it was great to hear from the kids and hear their um insightful and creative questions that they had and encourage
them uh as they become active citizens here in Morehead. Um I also just wanted to thank the Human Rights Commission, the Indigenous Association, uh Representative Keeler and all the other folks who worked on um Indigenous People's Day. It was particularly nice
to see Rep. Keeler speaking. just a sort of full circle moment because I serve had the opportunity to serve with her on human rights commission and she was instrumental in um having the city recognize indigenous people's day. Um I also had the chance to attend the ribbon
cutting ceremony for the new Dworth fire station which was a um great facility, great state-of-the-art facility. um uh nice to see as this that community grows the um the uh work that they're doing to
ensure the health and safety of their community and particularly of their firefighters too. Um and I know that they are growing. They brought they mentioned bringing on four new firefighters this spring and another four um coming next spring. And so uh
lots of changes that we know are happening in Dworth. And then um I'll jump in and mention that we're having our um another conversations with council members event tomorrow. And this time we are at the career academy. And
if anybody hasn't come to those, it's just a nice opportunity outside of a formal meeting of the city council to just share your ideas and questions with us. And so um if you haven't come to one before, come check it out. Um and if you've come before, we love seeing you
again. So, look forward to seeing folks tomorrow at the Career Academy. Starts at 6 o'clock. Thanks. >> 6:30. 6:30. Oh, sorry. Starts at 6:30. Cookies will be out maybe at 6, but 6:30. Thanks.
>> You, Council Member White. Anyone else? Any other council members? that I just I um have one report from and it's I took part in the 200 years of Norwegian immigration with the Sons of
Norway and um sang in their choir and did a solo at First Lutheran for their church services and just took part because I am part Norwegian, part German, part Norwegian, so I get my temper from the German side and I'm Norwegian so I forget why I get mad. So
we'll just go with that with that. Uh senior manager Molly. Thank you, Mayor Prom. Just one update. Um we're um partnered on some community community um input and engagement opportunities partnered with the Klay County Public Health Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency. Um and um these will be happening. It's on some payments that are coming in through the Minnesota Pollution Control. Um and so uh happening in November, November 13th at the Morhead Public Library, 19th at the Amcom Center, and the 25th at Triumph
Lutheran. information will be going out, but these are opportunities where we're going to be listening to folks about general walking, biking improvements that are that are kind of new and that we can enhance here. River corridor improvements, native landscaping, and then other ideas that might be out there. So, um there's a nice uh good
group that's come together to pull this together. So, keep your eyes open for that and uh please plan to attend in November. >> Thank you, city manager Molly. I don't believe we have an ex executive session or any new business. So with that um we are adjourned. Night
Morehead.