GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-May 4, 2026

GENERAL BUSINESS

Roll Call - Present: Berg, Osowski, Weigel, Fridolfs, Lunski, Vein, & Sande - 7; absent: none

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Led by the Mayor and City Council

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mayor Bochenski reminded all that Spring Clean Up Week is May 11-16, 2026. Pick up will be from the berm on the street maintenance day. Please separate glass into separate piles, and that the landfill will also have extended hours Monday through Saturday for those who prefer to haul their own items. He also gave a shout-out to the members at the Grand Forks Senior Citizen Center, saying that he enjoys connecting with them.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

The following speakers addressed the City Council: Andrew Krauseneck, Almaz Tegenu, Irene Harlbritter, and Dennis Denault. In addition, two electronically received comments were distributed to the City Council.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & PROCLAMATIONS:

Worker’s Memorial Day, April 28, 2026 – Mark Fromke, President of the North Valley Labor Council (AFL-CIO) addressed the City Council with comments on the history of this day, which recognizes workers killed on the job, with 15 in North Dakota last year. Mayor Bochenski added that there is a memorial in Bringewatt Park near the playground recognizing workers.

National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026

National Day of Prayer2026, May 7, 2026

Letter Carrier’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day, May 9, 2026 – Ralph Honda, retired postal carrier and coordinator of the event for the last 35 years, provided information on the event history, hunger issues in the community, and encouraged all to donate to help those in need in the community.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES:

Approved application for property tax incentive from CK Commercial, LLC

Approved application for property tax incentive from RTVMPS, LLC

Adopted resolution determining an insufficiency of protest for Proj No. 9064, District No. 800

ACTION ITEMS

The following were approved unanimously on consent agenda motion, Berg/second Fridolfs:

Received and filed the Annual Actuarial Valuation Report for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan; gave approval of updating the mortality assumption for the plan as recommended by Deloitte, actuarial firm for the City: for Police and firefighters, to the sex-distinct PUB-2016 Safety Employee, Health Retiree, Disabled Retiree, and Contingent Survivor tables, projected generationally using mortality improvement scale MP-2021 and for All other participants based on the most recent NDPERS experience study for 5-year period of 2019-2024, which continue to be based on the sex-distinct PUB-2010 Safety tables with updates to the scaling factors that the North Dakota specific experience, projected generationally using mortality improvement scale MP-2021; and authorized payment of the budgeted employer contribution of $3,149,095.00, which is higher than the recommended contribution of $2,432,598.00.

Authorized staff to proceed with the 2027 CDBG allocation process, approving the proposed timeline as submitted, including any necessary budget transfers.

Awarded the contract for Project No. 8796, Shared Use Path on Columbia Rd (Knight Dr to 17th Ave S) to the low bidder, Tony Anderson Construction, Inc. in the amount of $79,254.00.

Adopted a resolution to award the contract for Project No. 9064, District No. 800, Paving 27th Avenue North (N Washington St to N 36th St) to the low bidder, Strata Corporation in the amount of $2,628,236.64, along with approval of any necessary budget amendments.

Adopted resolutions awarding the contract for Project Nos. 9079, 9080, 9081, and 9082, District Nos. 625, 368, 626, and 627, to R. J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc. in the amounts of $512,307.00, $411,076.00, $296,746.75, and $448,010.70, for a total bid of $1,668,140.45, contingent on receiving the Developer’s up-front financing.

Authorized staff to submit the Federal Funding Request through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Implementation Grant, with the project to be submitted for the Phoenix Elementary Area Safety Improvements.

The following items were pulled for individual discussion and vote:

Considered the appointment of City Engineer, with a recommendation to appoint Christian Danielson, to an Employment at Will agreement, subject to final review and approval of the City Attorney. Sande/Fridolfs to approve the agreement. Motion passed unanimously.

Considered implementation of a Water Customer Portal which would have allowed residents to use a software to track their water usage from their smart water meter directly, which could detect service issues such as a leak quicker than waiting until the monthly bill arrives, but would add an additional fee. Weigel/Berg seconded not to proceed with this project at this time. Motion passed unanimously.

Considered a modification to the Franklin on 4th PILOT Development Agreement, which would add the developer as a party to the agreement. Weigel/Sande seconded to give approval of the modification. Motion passed unanimously.

Considered an amendment to the City Code that would change the membership of the Grand Forks Event Center Commission from the current community member appointments to the City Council and the Mayor. Council Members expressed a desire to have more time to think about the proposed change. Fridolfs/Berg seconded to refer this item to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND BILLS:

Approved April 20, 2026, City Council meeting minutes. Berg/Fridolfs unanimous approval.

Approved Vendor List 26-09 in the amount of $2,226,598.14 and Engineer Estimates in the amount of $6,748,678.51. Berg/Lunski, unanimous approval.

A&B PURE WATER ONLINE LTD $300.58 ;AMERICAN WELDING & GAS INC $6,946.92 ;ANCHOR MARKETING $4,023.23 ;AT&T MOBILITY $8,353.66 ;AT&T MOBILITY - CONTROL CENTER $2,215.30 ;BAREFOOT FLOORING & INSTALLATION LLC $534.00 ;BOOT BARN, INC $182.74 ;BORDER CHEMICAL CO LTD $6,815.71 ;BORDER STATES ELECTRIC $929.89 ;BROTHERS PLOWING, LLC $613.45 ;C & R LAUNDRY $50.00 ;CDW GOVERNMENT INC $517.39 ;CHS AGRI SERVICES $1,104.37 ;CITY PARTY FLOWER FUND $606.00 ;CIVITAS LLC $612.50 ;CLARKE MOSQUITO CTRL PRODUCTS $71,456.00 ;COLE PAPERS INC $1,610.80 ;COPY CAT PRINTING $120.00 ;CORE & MAIN LP $9,014.88 ;CUMMINS SALES & SERVICE $1,439.45 ;DACOTAH PAPER CO $561.92 ;DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP $18.08 ;DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP $16,139.70 ;DANIELSON, BRADLEY $194.70 ;DAVTECH WINDOW SERVICES $3,298.56 ;DAYDREAMS SPECIALTIES, LLC $1,754.50 ;ELECTRIC PUMP $41,925.46 ;ELECTRO WATCHMAN INC $317.50 ;FEIL, ALEX $957.79 ;GF HOUSING AUTHORITY $130,000.00 ;GF UTILITY BILLING DEPT $3,705.25 ;GGF BREASTFEEDING COALITION $1,000.00 ;GRAINGER $1,133.62 ;HAGER, MATT $119.60 ;HUGO'S #3 $119.92 ;IDEAL POWER SOLUTIONS LLC $1,950.00 ;IIA LIFTING SERVICES INC $3,703.04 ;INDELCO PLASTICS CORP $1,432.68 ;INSURE FORWARD, INC - GF $33,769.00 ;INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICE $273.25 ;INTERSTATE PARKING COMPANY OF NORTH DAKOTA, LLC $12,172.82 ;INTERSTATE TOWING $625.00 ;JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC $108.10 ;JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP $210.77 ;KINETIC LEASING INC $95,756.00 ;KNUTSON PRINTING $416.22 ;L&L EXCAVATING, LLC $44,685.00 ;LASCHKEWITSCH, MIKE $403.41 ;LAWSON PRODUCTS INC $1,181.41 ;LOCATORS & SUPPLIES, INC $2,985.07 ;LOWE'S $88.30 ;LUNDMARK, SHERIE $87.97 ;MCKEEVER, JOHN $184.00 ;MENARDS LUMBER - G.F. $969.75 ;MIDCO $1,750.69 ;MIDCO $3,014.39 ;MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS $148.19 ;MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS $1,301.76 ;MITZEL, JOANNA $33.58 ;MOBOTREX $5,953.00 ;MOTION INDUSTRIES INC $65.80 ;ND DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY $1,468.40 ;ND INSURANCE RESERVE FUND $80.87 ;ND STATE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS $4,800.00 ;NDSCS $495.00 ;NELSON, HUNTER $184.00 ;NELSON AUTO GRAND FORKS $793.36 ;NODAK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE $159,012.04 ;NORTH DAKOTA ONE CALL INC $607.50 ;ONSOLVE, LLC $15,657.59 ;POLLARDWATER.COM $3,884.10 ;POMP'S TIRE SERVICE, INC $3,564.71 ;PREMIUM WATERS INC $103.99 ;RAILROAD MGMT CO III LLC $898.57 ;RDO EQUIPMENT CO-REMIT FARGO $119.30 ;ROY HYDRAULICS $8.89 ;SAFETY KLEEN SYSTEMS, INC. $393.29 ;SALWEY, KARE L";SCHUMER, JOSHUA $181.16 ;SOLAR, ADAM $184.00 ;STERLING CARPET ONE FLOOR $245.96 ;STJERN, CANDI $434.70 ;STORSTAD, MAUREEN $434.70 ;STREICHER'S $3,283.00 ;STRUCTURES UNLIMITED LLC $12,450.00 ;TARGET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS $33,360.00 ;THE SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC $191,604.00 ;TREATMENT RESOURCES INC $2,665.83 ;USDA, APHI GENERAL";VALVOLINE $72.27 ;VERIZON CONNECT FLEET USA LLC $230.25 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $1,589.71 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $2,915.29 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $40.02 ;VESTIS SERVICES LLC $321.68 ;WM RECYCLE AMERICA, LLC $290.20 ;A&D EXCAVATING LLC $16,570.00 ;ABBCO TOOLS LLC $299.98 ;ACME TOOLS $545.89 ;ADVANCED BUSINESS METHODS $600.76 ;AIRGAS USA LLC $412.01 ;ALLSTATE PETERBILT OF GRAND FORKS $54.72 ;ANDERSON BROTHERS BODY SHOP LLC $477.00 ;AUTO VALUE EXPRESS $39.14 ;BATTERIES + BULBS $335.96 ;BUTLER MACHINERY $2,548.00 ;ECONOMY PLUMBING & HEATING $1,337.97 ;FORUM COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY $850.00 ;GF WELDING $145.17 ;HAWKINS INC $15,229.27 ;HIGH POINT NETWORKS $4,868.00 ;LIBERTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS $1,260.51 ;LINDE GAS & EQUIPMENT INC. $675.68 ;NORTHDALE OIL INC. $29,656.16 ;NORTHWEST TIRE - GF $2,297.28 ;O'REILLY AUTO PARTS $303.57 ;RUNNINGS $663.54 ;RYDELL CHEVROLET CO $3,411.69 ;THOMPSON, KARISSA $162.96 ;TRAFFIC CONTROL CORP $4,450.00 ;TROJAN TECHNOLOGIES $9,809.94 ;VALLEY PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT INC $9.45 ;VALLEY TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE $198.20 ;VESSCO INC $406.70 ;XCEL ENERGY $89,786.40; A&B PURE WATER ONLINE LTD $300.58 ;AMERICAN WELDING & GAS INC $6,946.92 ;ANCHOR MARKETING $4,023.23 ;AT&T MOBILITY $8,353.66 ;AT&T MOBILITY - CONTROL CENTER $2,215.30 ;BAREFOOT FLOORING & INSTALLATION LLC $534.00 ;BOOT BARN, INC $182.74 ;BORDER CHEMICAL CO LTD $6,815.71 ;BORDER STATES ELECTRIC $929.89 ;BROTHERS PLOWING, LLC $613.45 ;C & R LAUNDRY $50.00 ;CDW GOVERNMENT INC $517.39 ;CHS AGRI SERVICES $1,104.37 ;CITY PARTY FLOWER FUND $606.00 ;CIVITAS LLC $612.50 ;CLARKE MOSQUITO CTRL PRODUCTS $71,456.00 ;COLE PAPERS INC $1,610.80 ;COPY CAT PRINTING $120.00 ;CORE & MAIN LP $9,014.88 ;CUMMINS SALES & SERVICE $1,439.45 ;DACOTAH PAPER CO $561.92 ;DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP $18.08 ;DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP $16,139.70 ;DANIELSON, BRADLEY $194.70 ;DAVTECH WINDOW SERVICES $3,298.56 ;DAYDREAMS SPECIALTIES, LLC $1,754.50 ;ELECTRIC PUMP $41,925.46 ;ELECTRO WATCHMAN INC $317.50 ;FEIL, ALEX $957.79 ;GF HOUSING AUTHORITY $130,000.00 ;GF UTILITY BILLING DEPT $3,705.25 ;GGF BREASTFEEDING COALITION $1,000.00 ;GRAINGER $1,133.62 ;HAGER, MATT $119.60 ;HUGO'S #3 $119.92 ;IDEAL POWER SOLUTIONS LLC $1,950.00 ;IIA LIFTING SERVICES INC $3,703.04 ;INDELCO PLASTICS CORP $1,432.68 ;INSURE FORWARD, INC - GF $33,769.00 ;INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICE $273.25 ;INTERSTATE PARKING COMPANY OF NORTH DAKOTA, LLC $12,172.82 ;INTERSTATE TOWING $625.00 ;JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC $108.10 ;JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP $210.77 ;KINETIC LEASING INC $95,756.00 ;KNUTSON PRINTING $416.22 ;L&L EXCAVATING, LLC $44,685.00 ;LASCHKEWITSCH, MIKE $403.41 ;LAWSON PRODUCTS INC $1,181.41 ;LOCATORS & SUPPLIES, INC $2,985.07 ;LOWE'S $88.30 ;LUNDMARK, SHERIE $87.97 ;MCKEEVER, JOHN $184.00 ;MENARDS LUMBER - G.F. $969.75 ;MIDCO $1,750.69 ;MIDCO $3,014.39 ;MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS $148.19 ;MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS $1,301.76 ;MITZEL, JOANNA $33.58 ;MOBOTREX $5,953.00 ;MOTION INDUSTRIES INC $65.80 ;ND DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY $1,468.40 ;ND INSURANCE RESERVE FUND $80.87 ;ND STATE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS $4,800.00 ;NDSCS $495.00 ;NELSON, HUNTER $184.00 ;NELSON AUTO GRAND FORKS $793.36 ;NODAK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE $159,012.04 ;NORTH DAKOTA ONE CALL INC $607.50 ;ONSOLVE, LLC $15,657.59 ;POLLARDWATER.COM $3,884.10 ;POMP'S TIRE SERVICE, INC $3,564.71 ;PREMIUM WATERS INC $103.99 ;RAILROAD MGMT CO III LLC $898.57 ;RDO EQUIPMENT CO-REMIT FARGO $119.30 ;ROY HYDRAULICS $8.89 ;SAFETY KLEEN SYSTEMS, INC. $393.29 ;SALWEY, KARE L";SCHUMER, JOSHUA $181.16 ;SOLAR, ADAM $184.00 ;STERLING CARPET ONE FLOOR $245.96 ;STJERN, CANDI $434.70 ;STORSTAD, MAUREEN $434.70 ;STREICHER'S $3,283.00 ;STRUCTURES UNLIMITED LLC $12,450.00 ;TARGET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS $33,360.00 ;THE SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC $191,604.00 ;TREATMENT RESOURCES INC $2,665.83 ;USDA, APHI GENERAL";VALVOLINE $72.27 ;VERIZON CONNECT FLEET USA LLC $230.25 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $1,589.71 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $2,915.29 ;VERIZON WIRELESS $40.02 ;VESTIS SERVICES LLC $321.68 ;WM RECYCLE AMERICA, LLC $290.20 ;A&D EXCAVATING LLC $16,570.00 ;ABBCO TOOLS LLC $299.98 ;ACME TOOLS $545.89 ;ADVANCED BUSINESS METHODS $600.76 ;AIRGAS USA LLC $412.01 ;ALLSTATE PETERBILT OF GRAND FORKS $54.72 ;ANDERSON BROTHERS BODY SHOP LLC $477.00 ;AUTO VALUE EXPRESS $39.14 ;BATTERIES + BULBS $335.96 ;BUTLER MACHINERY $2,548.00 ;ECONOMY PLUMBING & HEATING $1,337.97 ;FORUM COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY $850.00 ;GF WELDING $145.17 ;HAWKINS INC $15,229.27 ;HIGH POINT NETWORKS $4,868.00 ;LIBERTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS $1,260.51 ;LINDE GAS & EQUIPMENT INC. $675.68 ;NORTHDALE OIL INC. $29,656.16 ;NORTHWEST TIRE - GF $2,297.28 ;O'REILLY AUTO PARTS $303.57 ;RUNNINGS $663.54 ;RYDELL CHEVROLET CO $3,411.69 ;THOMPSON, KARISSA $162.96 ;TRAFFIC CONTROL CORP $4,450.00 ;TROJAN TECHNOLOGIES $9,809.94 ;VALLEY PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT INC $9.45 ;VALLEY TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE $198.20 ;VESSCO INC $406.70 ;XCEL ENERGY $89,786.40; ALTRU HEALTH SYSTEM $71.00 ;CINTAS CORPORATION NO. 2 $1,741.19 ;COLE PAPERS INC $389.68 ;DACOTAH PAPER CO $87.23 ;DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP $28.32 ;DALLAS SAILER ENTERPRISES DBA HOTSEY EQ.COMP $12,480.00 ;FASTENAL CO $6.26 ;LAKE REGION STATE COLLEGE $2,495.00 ;M & T FIRE & SAFETY INC $1,505.95 ;MENARDS LUMBER - G.F. $267.11 ;NORTH CENTRAL INTERNATIONAL LLC $333.53 ;PATIO WORLD LLC $114.00 ;PS GARAGE DOORS $66.34 ;RAPCO INDUSTRIES, INC $54.34 ;ACME TOOLS $495.71 ;ALLSTATE PETERBILT OF GRAND FORKS $1,976.06 ;BADGER METER MFG CO $48,554.25 ;BATTERIES + BULBS $8.95 ;BUSINESS ESSENTIALS INC $26.49 ;EVOLVE GRAND FORKS $1,000.00 ;GF WELDING $493.13 ;GRAND FORKS FIRE EQUIPMENT LLC $1,038.04 ;MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY $1,875.33 ;NORTHWEST TIRE - GF $74.50 ;O'REILLY AUTO PARTS $18.33 ;RUNNINGS $60.27; WELLS FARGO PAYMENT REMITTANCE CENTER-ACH $171,205.11; BOLTON & MENK, INC. $41,251.45 ;CPS LTD $54,770.26 ;CUSTOM AIRE INC $78,626.25 ;DIVERSIFIED CONTRACTORS, INC $94,680.00 ;EAPC ARCHITECTS $1,866.40 ;GOWAN CONSTRUCTION $201,176.35 ;HOUSTON ENGINEERING $59,000.68 ;IDEAL POWER SOLUTIONS LLC $48,925.00 ;JDP ELECTRIC INC $27,237.80 ;JOHNSON LAFFEN GALLOWAY ARCHITECTS, LTD $211,562.76 ;KNIFE RIVER MATERIALS $182,692.01 ;MCFARLANE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS $586.00 ;MIDWEST PLANNING, LLC $10,621.26 ;ND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION $41,886.86 ;PKG COLLABORATIVE, INC. $2,297,451.22 ;SUN ELECTRIC INC $18,490.22 ;WEBSTER FOSTER & WESTON $68,023.96 ;ADVANCED ELEMENTS, INC. $147,176.19 ;MCGOUGH CONSTRUCTION CO, LLC $2,716,761.34 ;MOLSTAD EXCAVATING INC $445,892.50

CITY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS:

Feland recognized City Assessor Tami Lazur and the Assessing Department for their important work throughout the year on valuing properties in the community. He also shared that retired Water Distribution Supervisor Dwight Wurbacher had passed away and shared information on what was accomplished during his career with the City.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:

Mayor Bochenski recognized his mother, who was in attendance this evening and experienced her first City Council meeting.

ADJOURNMENT – Motion by Berg, seconded by Weigel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

(May. 22, 2026)