Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-17 City Council MinutesALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES August 17, 2026 – 7 pm Council Chambers Albertville City Hall 1. Call to Order Acting Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance – Roll Call Present: Acting Mayor Olson, Councilmembers Cocking, Hayden, and Zagorski. Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Staff Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Fire Chief Bullen, Fire Chief Mills, City Attorney Couri, Finance Director Lannes and City Clerk Luedke. 3. Recognitions A. Recognition of Fire Chief Bulen for Retirement City Administrator Nafstad thanked the Albertville Fire Department for attending the meeting and recognized Fire Chief Eric Bullen upon his retirement after 11 years of service to the City of Albertville. He recognized Chief Bullen for his leadership in strengthening the Fire Department, improving operations, addressing numerous departmental and City initiatives and promoting professionalism and preparedness for the future. Administrator Nafstad also noted Chief Bullen’s leadership within the fire service, including his service as President of the Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association. Acting Mayor Olson presented Fire Chief Bullen with a Certification of Appreciation for his contributions to the City of Albertville and thanked him for his service. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for Chief Bullen’s leadership, dedication, service, and positive impact on staff and the organization, congratulated him on his retirement, and wished him well in the next chapter. Wright County Commissioner Holland expressed her appreciation for the service provided by Chief Bullen and wished him well in the future. Fire Chief Bullen thanked the Council for its support, trust and confidence in his vision for the Albertville Fire Department. He reflected on the City’s decision to purchase two new fire trucks in 2019 and expressed appreciation for the Council’s support for the department’s equipment and budgetary needs. Chief Bullen also thanked the Council for selecting him as Fire Chief and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the City. B. Swearing-In of Fire Chief Mills and Badge Pinning Ceremony Acting Mayor Olson administered the oath of office to Fire Chief Tate Mills and welcomed him to the City. Chief Mills’ family was in attendance, and his wife pinned his badge on his uniform. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Regular Meeting of August 17, 2026 Councilmembers welcomed Chief Mills to the City of Albertville and expressed their support for him in his new role. Acting Mayor Olson called for a short recess at 7:25 pm for photographs. The meeting was reconvened at 7:34 pm. 4. Presentations – Introductions A. Candidate for Wright County Sheriff Matt Treichler Wright County Sheriff Candidate Matt Treichler introduced himself and addressed the Council regarding the importance of collaboration and maintaining strong partnerships between the Sheriff’s Office, local municipalities, City administration and the community. He discussed the importance of providing value to municipalities served by the Sheriff’s Office, maintaining open communication with City officials, and ensuring that elected officials have access to Sheriff’s Office leadership. Mr. Treichler also emphasized the importance of receiving meaningful and useful reports and information to assist municipalities with public safety decisions. He responded to questions from Council. The Council expressed their appreciation to Mr. Treichler for attending the meeting and providing an opportunity to learn more about his background and priorities. 5. Public Forum There was no one present for the public forum. 6. Amendments to the Agenda City Administrator Nafstad requested to add an item under Finance 9D1. entitled “Approve Tax Increment Revenue Note for Medart, Inc. Project”. MOTION made by Councilmember Zagorski, seconded by Councilmember Cocking to approve the August 17, 2026, agenda as amended. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. 7. 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 July 20, 2026, City Council Workshop Meeting minutes as presented. B.Approve July 20, 2026, regular City Council Meeting minutes as presented. C.Authorize the Monday, August 17, 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. D.Not waive the City’s monetary limits on tort liability established by Minnesota Statues, Section 466.06. E.Approve a Temporary Liquor License for the Church of St. Albert’s Annual Parish Festival on September 20, 2026, to be located at St. Albert Parish Center. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 Regular Meeting of August 17, 2026 F.Approve a Special Event Permit with street closures for Family Youth Community Connections for their 2026 Open Streets/Chalk Fest event on September 19, 2026. G.Approve quote from Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning in the amount of $21,373 to replacement of the furnace and air conditioning units at 11822 63rd St. NE and related equipment. H.Approve quote from Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning in the amount of $25,636 to replacement of the furnaces and air conditioning units at 5975 Main Ave NE and related equipment. I.Adopt Resolution No. 2026-24 accepting Municipal Improvements constructed pursuant to the Albertville Plaza Third Addition Lot 1, Block 1 Planned Unit Development Agreement. J.Approve Pay Estimate No. 6 to Omann Contracting in the amount of $436,989.78 for Main Avenue Improvements. City Attorney Couri requested that Item 6I. be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of the developers to allow additional time for review and consultation with their legal department. MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, seconded by Councilmember Hayden to approve the August 17, 2026, consent agenda as amended. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. 8. Public Hearing – None 9. Wright County Sheriff’s Office – Updates, reports, etc. The Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy present provided an update on events within the City. 10. Department Business A. City Council 1. Committee Updates (STMA Ice Arena, Planning, JPWB, Parks, Fire Board, FYCC, etc.) Councilmember Cocking provided an update from the STMA Arena Board meeting, including an increase in ice rental fees, and responded to questions for the other Councilmembers. B. Building – None C. City Clerk 1. Set Truth in Taxation Hearing City Clerk Luedke said the City was required to set a date for the Truth in Taxation Hearing. She said City staff recommended setting the hearing for Monday, December 7, 2026 at 6:15 pm. MOTION made by Councilmember Hayden, seconded by Councilmember Zagorski to set the Truth in Taxation Hearing for the 2027 Levy for 6:15 pm on Monday, December 7, 2026, in the Albertville Council Chambers. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 Regular Meeting of August 17, 2026 D. Finance 1. Approve Tax Increment Revenue Note for Medart, Inc. Project Finance Director Lannes introduced the item and stated that all requirements necessary to execute the TIF note have been completed. She noted that the City has received TIF funds for the current year; however, the funds cannot be released until the TIF Note is executed. MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, seconded by Councilmember Zagorski to approve Tax Increment Revenue note for Medart, Inc. Project. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. Finance Director Lannes also noted that at the Council Workshop prior to the Council Meeting, the Council requested to add a Council Budget Workshop before the next City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026. MOTION made by Councilmember Zagorski, seconded by Councilmember Hayden to set a Council Budget Workshop for 6:15 pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. E.Fire – None F. Planning and Zoning – None G. Public Works/Engineering - None H.Legal – None I. Administration 1. City Administrator’s Update – Verbal City Administrator Nafstad thanked City staff for their hard work in ensuring a successful Primary Election. City Luedke provided the draft results for the Primary Election. Councilmember Cocking announced his resignation from the City Council due to his upcoming move from the community. He reflected on his three terms of service and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to service the residents of Albertville. Councilmember Cocking highlighted accomplishments during his tenure, including maintaining a responsible approach to property taxes and City services, investments in the Fire Department and firefighter benefits, and securing state bonding funds for local projects. He expressed his appreciation to the City Council, City staff, Fire Department, and residents for their support and partnership, and stated he was proud of the community and confident in Albertville’s future. Acting Mayor Olson read a certificate of recognition honoring Councilmember Cocking for his leadership, advocacy, and service to the City of Albertville as a Councilmember from 2017 to 2026. Council expressed their appreciation for Councilmember Cocking’s service provides to the City of Albertville and its residents and wished him well in future endeavors. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 Regular Meeting of August 17, 2026 MOTION made by Councilmember Hayden, seconded by Councilmember Zagorski to accept Councilmember Cocking’s resignation. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. 11. Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings August 24 Joint Power Water Board, 6 pm Parks Committee, 7 pm September 7 City hall closed in observance of Labor Day September 8 City Council, 7 pm September 9 Planning Commission, 7 pm (Wednesday) September 14 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm September 21 City Council, 7 pm 12.Adjournment MOTION made by Councilmember Cocking, second by Councilmember Zagorski to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 pm. Ayes: Cocking, Hayden, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. The motion carried. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk