[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6199695,"mediaKeyId","3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2","parentId",3824366,"title","Council approves three‑year property tax exemption for Pit 30 South LLC quick‑lube project","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",2335000,"endMs",2513000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2&start=2335&end=2513","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2/thumbnail_2335000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199695/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-threeyear-property-tax-exemption-for-Pit-30-South-LLC-quicklube-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199695-e0574e3a1aa9ad3e9319a1a368a0929f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143961&Signature=WiXb1~1wj9d-jFleAwRLWzwx5xTJE5tBJFyzfjjz-zlOebPF2aZWtcEUTRIM3H7P0nTJNVkIIvycqN9yJR1973W0uKDptBIHw09fMegxNxmqzfWDZ31iNuAVVLUE8nx8T2cHtP431WS-fmwD5QqPFAJam~fjOTgd9HGWsmEyzr8X-1NRa1d4dUuvi6q12LhIe04W3Jy9HEoKnBdS2djGkPt-H2CurrLJeqts9MTrzcovIwbx98xWZ6nZrIjfhrzrtonQXN4HAJ95pv7D8fWeA8Jbkh5rQB3qSUy2-HqupaU3u4v4XawOTxj3C3PFEjYHmMbq9FQsvfPsasMBpjF8VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-10T22:14:07Z","article","The Moorhead City Council voted June 9 to approve a three‑year commercial property tax exemption for a proposed quick‑lube (oil change) facility to be built by Pit 30 South LLC.

Derek Lapointe, speaking for city staff, described the request and said the plan “is to construct a new building operating quick lube and oil change focused on fluid changes.” He said the proposed building would be about 86 by 32 feet, with 26‑foot peak height, and that the new building value was estimated at approximately $550,000. Lapointe said the project is expected to create six full‑time jobs and one part‑time job.

Nut graf: Under the city’s commercial industrial property tax exemption program, new taxable value (not existing land or building value) can be exempted for a limited period if the project meets minimum value and job‑creation criteria. Staff calculated the new value would qualify for a three‑year exemption and recommended approval.

What the council approved

• Project details: The site is in the MU‑4 gateway mixed‑use zoning district off 30th Avenue near the Corwin Subaru campus. Lapointe said the parcel’s existing value (about $134,000) remains taxable; the exemption applies only to the new value added by construction.

• Timeline: Lapointe said work was expected to begin in June 2025 with anticipated completion in December 2025.

• Vote and procedure: Council member Deb White moved approval and (per the transcript) was seconded by Lisa Meyer; the council took a voice vote and the mayor said, “That motion carries. Congratulations. The property tax exemption passed.” No roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting minutes presented at the June 9 session.

Next steps and conditions

City staff said the project will continue to work with planning and building inspections to meet zoning and permitting requirements. The exemption applies only to new taxable value created by the project as described to staff; land and existing improvements remain taxable.

No appeals, conditions or amendments to the exemption were recorded during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Moorhead - City Council Meeting - June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Moorhead City Council approved a three‑year commercial property tax exemption for Pit 30 South LLC’s proposed quick‑lube facility off 30th Avenue, a new building estimated at $550,000 in value and projected to create six full‑time and one part‑time job.","taxTitle","Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota","taxId",56511,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199700,"Resident urges truck restrictions on Oakport Street, citing safety for trail users",112,1498000,1610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2&start=1498&end=1610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2/thumbnail_1498000.jpg","/articles/6199700/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Resident-urges-truck-restrictions-on-Oakport-Street-citing-safety-for-trail-users","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199700-97074d02e5b0fb0b892d99191c2fc461/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143961&Signature=BP~PZHHN6uopzUbFaIMXCXTuTIoC7ymCJpiFORW~L7cyrOhYCDcD2nJKyFpRDnSy2HDvf~BubIFTINWbw6A6JQSSbIteh4MFxwi3X229JH~CMxc1dEiQ9qFGhr966WpMzP0nNcdDR3KCTscHtpIHsn4kC6ss2Yi1dOniV5XIH2aNUVibdOidH~wOMeauQzbYyuU8utzoTG~32KXxi9FG9MFXl6RNLrCZYT7Fup9ZlOcVbqIjrNfu0mWXRees3x7eaoYkuxAFg-jylHT0QMEYKd-B45AFe2JGPu563G8gQ1MGVHwbzNuG6dwZK6bCjoySeVJj3ep0Xyjo2DA6qZwxPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Longtime Moorhead resident Terry Thiel told the city council June 9 he wants restrictions on truck traffic along Oakport Street near the north end of the sugar beet factory and Johnson Park.

Thiel said, “My name is Terry Thiel, and I'm a resident of Moorhead lifelong. Tonight, I wanted to ask about if we could get some restrictions on Oakport Street between 20 Eighth Avenue North, which is the north end of the, sugar beet factory up to Wall Street. There's a bike trail along there, and it's scary being out there having a semi go by.”

Nut graf: The comment asked the council to review truck routing and speed on a corridor used by pedestrians and bicyclists and to consider reducing the posted speed limit or restricting truck traffic to reduce safety risks and pavement wear.

What the speaker said

• Safety concern: Thiel described large trucks passing “at 55 miles an hour about 8 feet away” from trail users and said the proximity and speed make the bike path “scary” for people with children and dogs.

• Road repair and routing: He told the council that heavy truck traffic increases road‑maintenance costs for the city and suggested trucks use Highway 75, which would add a few tenths of a mile for truck movements.

• Requested measures: Thiel asked the council to “take a look at go out there some night or some day and just see how many trucks go by there” and to consider lowering the speed limit to about 40 mph and restricting truck traffic on that Oakport segment.

Council response

Mayor Shelley Carlson acknowledged receipt of Thiel’s contact information and said someone from the city would follow up. No formal action or direction was taken during the meeting; the comment was made during the citizens‑addressing‑the‑council portion and was recorded for follow up.

Next steps

City staff will follow up with Thiel using the contact information he provided to discuss options and potential traffic studies or enforcement actions, per the mayor’s standard practice for citizen comments (no formal motion recorded).","A Moorhead resident asked the council to study truck traffic and consider speed or truck restrictions on Oakport Street near a bike path and Johnson Park, saying large trucks pass closely to trail users and cause safety concerns.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199703,"Moorhead outlines CDBG priorities for 2025–2029; snow‑removal and home‑rehab programs highly used",499,1809000,2308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2&start=1809&end=2308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2/thumbnail_1809000.jpg","/articles/6199703/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Moorhead-outlines-CDBG-priorities-for-20252029-snowremoval-and-homerehab-programs-highly-used","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199703-4b5b34745e92cb52b20e64ceaaed848d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143961&Signature=PeXf0IK5Qb7Sb-rdB8EsFCUkIp97kC10nyCt-jn7RpC-DIvoxJphoQD7cVxheVxanMbR5CqVa7bE6nDdEFHoOsb-b4CR5jCdQzrSKeWhgeppFrWuWuE0I9vEAo2w0b8S~8zAkFp8CSxiqx0714WP5HFEo6iTAiHgABAp2SFossEBrVqEYZvK5Rs5T-7Ao3doffYL2c0e-djqmfyu8K8Y4bHmzVsqudAWY3g9wjL9yX2sQ6tI9lhC0NSBRGc5Ko-mLn-sb8zeNuv8hnmzS4XkhgHMJpUssfN9LMbW5X5P4SOSoyI9K848KyWtpzL6tjMQaU7l4X6yOnW8pF47DjJzqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tanya Coonsa, speaking for the city, opened a public hearing June 9 on draft priorities and projects for Moorhead’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Coonsa said, “this public hearing is related to goals and planning for expenditure of the Federal Community Development Block Grant, CDBG.” She reported the city was awarded $356,693 in CDBG funds for 2025 and that program income from a revolving loan program is available for reinvestment; she noted future awards are subject to congressional approval.

Nut graf: The draft priorities would guide CDBG investments in affordable housing rehabilitation, homelessness prevention and shelter, services for special‑needs populations, and non‑housing community development (including youth services and transportation to resources). Public comment on the draft runs through June 21, with final council action scheduled for June 23, 2025.

What the draft proposes

• Affordable housing: The city proposes rehabilitating or updating affordable rentals and owner‑occupied housing, working with Moorhead Public Housing Agency, Clay County HRA and Creative Care for Reaching Independence (CCRI). Coonsa said the plan would support rehabilitation of up to 35 homes and add up to five homeownership units in partnership with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and Cass Clay Community Land Trust.

• Homelessness: Draft priorities include supporting emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, expanding prevention services and coordinated assessment, and assisting providers with funding applications and data collection.

• Special‑needs populations: The plan seeks to expand services and make homes accessible for the elderly and persons with disabilities, including safety and accessibility modifications.

• Non‑housing community development: Draft projects target youth recreation and job training, and transportation to help homeless and extremely low‑income individuals access services.

Program details raised in council questions

Council members asked for usage history on specific programs. Coonsa said the snow‑removal program began in winter 2022 and is targeted to low‑income homeowners who are elderly or disabled and cannot remove snow independently. She said participation had grown from about 15 participants initially to “about 28 to 30” in the most recent season.

On the home rehabilitation loan program, Coonsa said the city typically performs up to six rehab loans per year at amounts of $20,000–$25,000. She said the loans do not require monthly payments or interest while the homeowner occupies the house; repayment is triggered if the homeowner sells the house or passes away. The program, she said, currently has a wait list “probably of about a year to a year and a half.”

Public comment and schedule

Coonsa said the consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan were out for a 30‑day public comment period ending June 21 and that no comments had been received as of the meeting. She also said a minor amendment to the citizen participation plan was open for comment. Final consideration and any action by the council is scheduled for the June 23 meeting.

No action was taken at the June 9 meeting; the public hearing was opened and closed during the session.","City staff presented draft priorities for the 2025–2029 Community Development Block Grant consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan, highlighting affordable housing rehab, homelessness prevention, services for special‑needs populations, and a growing snow‑removal program for low‑income elderly and disabled residents.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199705,"Heartland Trail study outlines Moorhead-to-Buffalo River route, flags DNR master-plan limits",839,203000,1042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2&start=203&end=1042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824366-38f087aafd57c813c357853be4e169a2/thumbnail_203000.jpg","/articles/6199705/Moorhead/Clay-County/Minnesota/Heartland-Trail-study-outlines-Moorhead-to-Buffalo-River-route-flags-DNR-master-plan-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199705-1feee5b8a3347cf9827e79522d9c6af1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143961&Signature=ipg08BNpQ5dN8K5A1I7wFZLYgBVG4oQH5jGtcBlg1MR4PjNRwuwp3CTlQL~3-JLQzmhhKy-fFh5NipIOK73okd11xZCBftTw1RxKtRtXf9m~3SnYZtvgSNrqaokiKfIN3c9TqoNxtD5Kuek08jih8FJufMEHCqp7kriyopNGpSBx7x~7moPOOR7yFRjiiWJsw7PocafKao-hrMdklEW2D0bsENGoMQKExLII4CkwiFvOH4BcvI53biQE2Nefud5sl22QmPJwlyAXd0rwGYlPZUGlN-FZcP9DKM52uRzFa5xdKW-8FXkk2f8XkeBRZW984ZN1psLs~0yAf1aOGgsbuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Shelley Carlson and council members heard a presentation June 9 on the draft Heartland Trail study that maps a preferred alignment from Centennial Park in Moorhead east toward Buffalo River State Park and beyond.

Stuart Crosby, a landscape architect with SRF Consulting, said the Heartland Trail “is a state trail. It's currently almost 50 miles long,” and outlined a recommended route that starts in Centennial Park, connects to Moorhead’s trail system and follows the Twelfth Avenue corridor east toward Buffalo River State Park.

The study, led by Metro COG (the Metropolitan Council of Governments) with SRF, began in January 2024 and included public open houses, a landowner meeting, stakeholder workshops and online engagement. Dan Farnsworth of Metro COG said the team had “a lot of turnout on online engagement” and that 354 contributions were recorded on the study website’s interactive map.

Why it matters: the alignment seeks to extend a long‑standing state trail into Moorhead, creating a regional recreational and transportation corridor. Council members emphasized potential economic and connectivity benefits if the trail ties into Moorhead’s downtown and existing park and trail network.

Key study findings and constraints

• Preferred alignment and trailhead: SRF’s recommended route begins at Centennial Park on 15th Avenue in Moorhead, which the presenters said offers parking and trailhead amenities such as kiosks, seating and bike racks. The blue‑line recommended alignment then heads south through Dilworth and east on Twelfth Avenue toward Buffalo River State Park.

• Public preferences: The study team reported that residents opposed a Highway 10 alignment because it felt too close to traffic and lacked the “outdoors, relaxing, nature type of a feel” commenters sought. The public favored routes described as “rivers and forests” along Twelfth Avenue.

• DNR master‑plan boundary: Crosby cautioned the council that much of the corridor must remain within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) master‑plan area to be designated a state trail. “We really have to stay within that DNR master plan area because if we get out of that ... the DNR has to go back and amend their master plan process, which takes a long time,” he said.

• Phasing and costs: The team proposed a phased build‑out (six phases across the corridor) and estimated trail construction costs ranging from about $750,000 to over $1 million per mile, meaning the full corridor would require multiple millions of dollars and years to complete.

Council reaction and downtown trailhead discussion

Council member Deb White said she was “disappointed that there wasn't any mention of the idea of having the trailhead in Downtown Moorhead,” arguing a downtown trailhead could increase access to restaurants and businesses and attract users. Farnsworth and Crosby said the downtown idea was raised late in the process and would require additional public vetting and, if it fell outside the DNR buffer, a DNR master‑plan amendment.

Council member Heather Niesemeyer and others also urged planners to consider public‑transportation access, continued connections into the city, and opportunities to coordinate trail construction with roadway projects.

Next steps

Metro COG and SRF said they will finalize the draft study after presentations to corridor jurisdictions and aim to bring the plan to their policy board for approval in August 2025. The presenters recommended forming a task force to determine lead entities for implementation and to decide whether sections will be designated as state trail, regional trail, local trail, or a combination — a choice that affects funding and timeline.

Proponents stressed landowner outreach, right‑of‑way review, environmental review and funding pursuit as prerequisites to construction. Crosby said several interim alignments could be used while longer‑term crossings (including a possible grade‑separated crossing of a BNSF rail line in Dilworth) are developed.","SRF Consulting and Metro COG presented a draft Heartland Trail alignment that would begin in Moorhead and extend east toward Buffalo River State Park; public feedback favored non‑highway alignments and councilmembers urged exploring a downtown trailhead connection despite DNR master‑plan constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves three‑year property tax exemption for Pit 30 South LLC quick‑lube project

Resident urges truck restrictions on Oakport Street, citing safety for trail users

Moorhead outlines CDBG priorities for 2025–2029; snow‑removal and home‑rehab programs highly used

Heartland Trail study outlines Moorhead-to-Buffalo River route, flags DNR master-plan limits