2026-03-17 City Council MinutesALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 16, 2026 – 7pm
Council Chambers
Albertville City Hall
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance – Roll Call
Present: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilmembers Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski
Staff Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Fire Chief Bullen, City Attorney Couri, Finance
Director Lannes and City Clerk Luedke.
3. Recognitions – Presentations – Introductions
Senator Lucero provided a legislative update, noting that fraud and illegal immigration have been
dominate topics among the bills being heard in committees this year, with fraud being the primary
concern communicated by residents, many of whom are struggling to pay their own bills. He also
shared information on additional legislation being discussed, including gun-control measures, and
reported on a recent town hall meeting held for adult foster care providers. Senator Lucero
responded to questions from Council regarding potential movement on transportation funding and
the status of the zoning bill related to allowing apartments in commercial zoning areas.
The Council thanked Senator Lucero for attending the meeting and providing a legislative update.
4. Public Forum
There was no one present for the public forum
5. Amendments to the Agenda
There were no amendments to the agenda.
MOTION made by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Zagorski to approve the
March 16, 2026 Agenda as submitted. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski.
Nays: None. The motion carried.
6. Consent Agenda
All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the City staff and will be
enacted by one motion. In the event an item is pulled, it will be discussed in the order it is listed on
the Consent Agenda following the approval of the remaining Consent items. Items pulled will be
approved by a separate motion.
A.Approve the February 17, 2026, regular City Council Meeting minutes as presented.
B.Authorize the Monday, March 16, 2026, payment of claims as presented, except bills
specifically pulled which are passed by separate motion. The claims listing has been
provided to City Council as a separate document and is available for public view at City
Hall upon request.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Regular Meeting of March 16, 2026
C.Approve renewal of liquor license for licensee listed in the staff report for the period of
April 15, 2026 through April 14, 2027, contingent upon successful Wright County
Sheriff’s Department review for liquor law violations.
D.Approve Lower-Potency Hemp Retail Registration for BJ’s Sports Tavern, 5788 Main
Avenue NE, Albertville.
E.Approve revisions to the Albertville Fire Department’s Standard Operating Policies and
Procedures.
MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, seconded by Councilmember Hayden to approve the
March 16, 2026, Consent Agenda as submitted. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and
Zagorski. Nays: None. The motion carried.
1. Public Hearing
A. Public Hearing – Outlet Mall East Side Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Request –
continued from the February 17, 2026, City Council meeting.
City Administrator Nafstad reported this item was a continuation for the public hearing from the
February 17 Council meeting.
Mayor Hendrickson opened the public hearing and called for public comments; no one came
forward to speak.
MOTION made by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Zagorski to close the
public hearing. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. The
motion carried.
City Administrator Nafstad reported that it was the City’s understanding the development was not
proceeding, at least in the form originally applied for; therefore, the City Attorney and City’s Bond
Counsel recommended not establishing the TIF pursuant to the application.
MOTION made by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Cocking to not establish
the TIF pursuant to the application. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski.
Nays: None. The motion carried.
City Administrator Nafstad responded to questions from Council regarding why the TIF was not
moving forward, citing the deed restrictions on the land by the property owner. City Attorney Couri
responded to questions from Council and provided additional information regarding the item.
2. Wright County Sheriff’s Office – Updates, reports, etc.
The Wright County Sheriff Deputy who was present provided an update on events happening within
the City.
3. Department Business
A. City Council
1. Committee Updates (STMA Ice Arena, Planning, JPWB, Parks, Fire Board,
FYCC, etc.)
Councilmember Zagorski provided an update from the Planning Commission meeting, which
included a report from Commissioner Holland on activities within the City. He noted the
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Regular Meeting of March 16, 2026
Commission also heard from a group requesting a zoning amendment to allow for a community
center and he responded to questions from the other Councilmembers.
Councilmember Cocking provided an update From the STMA Ice Arena meeting, which included
discussion of the budget, noting that rates had been increased by $5 per hour, as well as upcoming
capital expenditures.
B. Building – None
C. City Clerk – None
D. Finance
1. City Server Software Upgrade and Storage Area Network Replacement
Finance Director Lannes presented the staff report, including background information on the City’s
servers and the hardware, noting the current system was nearing capacity and was not expandable.
She also reviewed the upcoming expiration of the server license in January and the changes in
licensing costs. Director Lannes responded to Council questions regarding licensing, storage needs,
and expandability of the new equipment.
There was Council discussion regarding the City’s servers, including the amount of storage being
requested.
MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, seconded by Councilmember Hayden to authorize
staff to accept quote from Marco for Server Hardware Storage (SAN) and software upgrades not to
exceed $71,000. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. The
motion carried.
E. Fire
1. Fire Department Standard Operating Policies and Procedures Update
Fire Chief Bullen presented the staff report and provided background on the current Response
Company Standard Operating Policies and Procedure (SOP). He explained that the Response
Company was presently responsible for responding to all calls for service between 10 pm and 5 am,
from Sunday night through Friday morning, including Holidays based on monthly rotation calendar.
Chief Bullen reported that the Fire Department members and the Board of Officers have requested
consideration of changing the schedule to a bi-weekly rotation. He added that Company Officers
would be responsible for notifying their companies of the schedule and answered questions from
Council.
MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, seconded by Councilmember Hayden to approve a
revision to the Albertville Fire Department’s Standard Operating Policies and Procedures. Ayes:
Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. The motion carried.
F. Planning and Zoning – None
G. Public Works/Engineering – None
H. Legal – None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Regular Meeting of March 16, 2026
I.Administration
1.Fire Chief Position
City Administrator Nafstad provided background information regarding the Fire Chief job
description, noting that the Board of Officers reviewed it and that it was similar to the previous one
with some updates. He stated staff was ready to advertise the position unless the Council would like
further information. Administrator Nafstad also reviewed the proposed timeline for interviewing
and hiring, including possible interview panel members, and he responded to Council questions.
There was Council discussion regarding the upcoming Fire Chief opening, including the timeline
and potential interview panel and reached the consensus to move forward with posting the position.
2.FYCC Scheduling/Field Fees Discussion
City Administrator Nafstad stated that there were three entities involved - the school district and the
two cities - and that FYCC schedules parks and fields for both cities. He noted that while other
cities usually have a parks and rec department to schedule athletic fields, FYCC has been handling
that role, but it may be more logical for the school district to schedule all the fields. Administrator
Nafstad added that if the Council agreed, he would place a consent agenda item on the next Council
meeting agenda to consider amendments to the fee schedule, including field fees.
3.City administrator’s Update
City Administrator Nafstad presented the City Administrator’s Update, highlighting upcoming City
events. He noted the City has met multiple times with MetroNet Fiber regarding their plan to extend
high-speed fiber internet services to all properties within Albertville over a two-year period.
Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings
March 23 Joint Power Water Board, 6 pm
Parks Committee, 7 pm
April 6 City Council, 7 pm
April 13 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm
April 14 Planning Commission, 7 pm
April 20 City Council, 7 pm
4.Adjournment
MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, second by Councilmember Hayden to adjourn the
meeting at 8:05 pm. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. The
motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk