HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-08 Council Workshop MinutesALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MINUTES September 8, 2026 – 6:15 pm
Council Chambers
Albertville City Hall
1.Call to Order
Mayor Hendrickson called the workshop to order at 6:17 pm.
Present: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilmembers Hayden, Olson and Zagorski.
Staff Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Fire Chief Mills, Finance Director Lannes and City
Clerk Luedke.
2.Continued 2027 Preliminary Budget Presentation
City Administrator Nafstad introduced the item, noting the City has until the end of September to
approve the preliminary budget. He explained the proposed budget would reallocate available
capital funds to establish funding for potential future fire station improvements without
committing the City to a specific project, while preserving flexibility should Council choose to
pursue future improvements. Administrator Nafstad noted Fire Chief Mills would like to host
Council at the fire hall in early 2027 to discuss potential improvements and study results before
any decisions were made. He added that an additional workshop could be scheduled if the
Council desired further review and responded to questions from Council.
Finance Director Lannes reviewed the historical levy changes and updates to the preliminary
budget since the last budget workshop, including the addition of a line item in the 2027 Capital
Budget for possible fire station building upgrades. She explained that the addition was funded
through reductions to capital reserves and the transportation budget and noted that future budgets
would need to account for the allocations and restore the reductions previously made. Director
Lannes also discussed future utility rate increase estimates by rate types and responded to
questions from Council.
The Council discussed prioritizing improvements to the current fire station, with emphasis on
safety, facility deficiencies and volunteer retention. They discussed concerns regarding
carcinogen exposure, storage and cleaning of turnout gear near the main meeting area and
firetrucks, the condition of the meeting rooms, and limited space for personnel during extended
emergencies. The Council further discussed that improvements would likely be necessary
regardless of whether the City pursues a fire district and that planning should consider both
current needs and potential future district requirements.
Fire Chief Mills responded to questions form Council regarding the current fire station.
Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes
Meeting of September 8, 2026
3.Adjournment
MOTION made by Councilmember Hayden, second by Councilmember Zagorski to adjourn the
workshop at 6:55 pm. Ayes: Hayden, Hendrickson, Olson, and Zagorski. Nays: None. The
motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk