On Jan. 6, the Little Falls City Council held its reorganizational meeting, swore in newly seated members, elected Jerry Kanofala as council president and David Meyer as vice president, and approved a Federal Railroad Administration grant agreement totaling $4 million to advance environmental review, preliminary design and public engagement for the Trunk Highway 27 Mississippi River grade separation.

The council also adopted routine organizational resolutions naming the Morrison County Record as the city’s official newspaper and designating approved depositories, appointed the city administrator as the city’s responsible authority for data-practice requests, approved a $686.40 change order for the Southwest Pond project, and finalized a permanent easement to formalize drainage through a private parcel that will remain subject to city maintenance.

The federal grant covers $3.2 million of the project’s early-phase work and the state is providing $800,000, for a combined total of $4,000,000. “The federal portion is $3,200,000 and then the state component of it is $800,000 for a total of $4,000,000 for this project,” said Greg, a city staff member presenting the agreement. Greg said no city funds would be used for this phase, and that the work would include environmental review (NEPA), preliminary design and public engagement.

Councilmember Glaze moved to approve the grant agreement; Councilmember Lundberg seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion carried.

The council completed its regular organizational business before moving to consent items. The council approved the posted agenda and minutes of the Dec. 16 work session and regular meeting, and approved bills totaling $873,686.19 (electronic checks 3275–3284 and checks 112041–112093), as announced during the meeting.

In new-business votes, the council adopted Resolution 2025-01 designating the Morrison County Record as Little Falls’ official newspaper and Resolution 2025-02 naming the city’s official depositories. The meeting record shows these resolutions passed by roll call. The council also adopted Resolution 2025-03 appointing the city administrator as the official responsible authority for data-practice requests.

The council approved Change Order No. 2 with Kim and Dirt Diggers for the Southwest Pond project, reducing quantities and aligning the contract to the paid amount. The change order totaled $686.40; City staff said the adjustment covered overruns for silt fence and additional topsoil.

Council also approved a permanent easement across property owned by Richard and Alvina Roden (Southwest area near Fifth Avenue SW) to formalize existing drainage that carries runoff toward Pike Creek and Lindbergh State Park. City staff said the drainage channel carries runoff from city, county and township areas; the easement clarifies that the city will be responsible for routine maintenance to ensure the drainage remains clear. The city and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources discussed the easement during the staff presentation; staff said the DNR did not want to assume maintenance of that channel.

Councilmembers asked for clarification on the maintenance scope. Greg said the city’s maintenance responsibility was expected to be limited—cutting back brush and shrub growth rather than extensive reconstruction—and that the city would remain responsible for drainage even if the state acquires the parcel.

The meeting opened with an oath of office for newly seated council members and nominations for council leadership. After nominations, a voice vote confirmed Jerry Kanofala as council president and David Meyer as vice president.

The meeting adjourned its open session and recessed to a closed session under Minnesota Statutes section 13D.05, subdivision 3(c), to discuss offers for the sale of two property parcels identified in the meeting record as parcel numbers 48.62710.002 and 48.62710.003.

Votes at a glance

- Grant agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration for Trunk Highway 27 Mississippi River grade separation (FRA $3,200,000; state $800,000): approved (motion by Councilmember Glaze; second by Councilmember Lundberg).
- Resolution 2025-01, designate official newspaper (Morrison County Record): adopted (roll call).
- Resolution 2025-02, designate official depositories: adopted (roll call).
- Resolution 2025-03, designate city administrator as responsible authority for data practices: adopted (roll call).
- Change Order No. 2, Kim and Dirt Diggers, Southwest Pond, $686.40: approved.
- Permanent easement with Richard and Alvina Roden for drainage across property near Fifth Avenue SW: approved.

Context and why it matters

A federal grant to fund NEPA review, preliminary design and public engagement is the largest action taken at the meeting; it moves the Trunk Highway 27 Mississippi River grade-separation project into the planning and environmental phase without requiring local matching funds at this stage. The permanent easement clarifies local maintenance responsibilities for an existing drainage channel that affects downstream resources, and the organizational resolutions permit routine city operations for the year.

Meeting participation and next steps

City staff will execute the FRA grant agreement and proceed with the environmental and preliminary design work. Staff will also record the permanent easement and finalize the small contract adjustment for the Southwest Pond project. The council signaled no further immediate local funding obligations for the FRA award at this meeting, but future phases could require additional approvals.

No public hearings were held on the listed new-business items at this meeting; the council adjourned to closed session to discuss the potential sale of two city parcels as identified in the meeting notice.