The Hermantown City Council approved several resolutions and adopted an ordinance during its meeting, taking action on arena construction bills, a state trail grant, a soil-and-water license agreement and a cannabis licensing fee change.

The measures included authorization of a $1,036,316.15 pay request to Kraus Anderson Construction Co. for the North Star Ford Arena, approval of $98,577.56 in change orders for the arena, acceptance of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regional trail grant for the Hermantown Community Connector Trail, adoption of an amended fee schedule for cannabis retail licenses, and execution of a license agreement with the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District for King Creek restoration work.

Why it matters: The votes move multiple capital and park projects forward and formalize contract terms that will affect city infrastructure spending and permitting. The arena items represent large, ongoing construction expenditures; the trail grant commits the city to accept state funds for a planned connector; and the King Creek license agreement enables a stream remeander and bank restoration project on city-owned land.

Council action and major votes

- Consent agenda: The council approved consent items including minutes, appointments to boards and commissions, and payment warrants totaling $3,102,446.43. The consent agenda also included a resolution appointing Councilor John Geisler as acting mayor (Resolution 2025-02 among consent items). Motion to approve was moved by Councilor Gelli and seconded by Councilor LeBlanc. Roll-call votes were recorded as five ayes.

- Ordinance adoption (second reading): The council adopted Ordinance 2024-14, amending the Hermantown code fee schedule to include licensing provisions for retail cannabis businesses. The motion to approve was made by Councilor John Geisler and seconded by Councilor Peterson; the roll-call vote was five ayes.

- Ordinances (first readings): The council held first readings on two ordinances and did not vote to adopt them: Ordinance 2025-01 (amending chapter 3 to regulate public right-of-way permits) and Ordinance 2025-02 (amending sections 10-60 and 10-80 on erosion, sediment control and post-construction stormwater to reflect the city’s MS4 permit requirements). City Engineer Paul explained that the stormwater changes update references to the municipality’s MS4 permit and adjust the square-foot thresholds so the city engineer can review some smaller projects.

- Professional services contract update: The council approved Resolution 2025-04 renewing the city’s agreement with Northland Consulting Engineers LLP for city engineering services. City Administrator John Mulder said the contract change involved slight rate increases for technician/inspector and project engineer positions. Councilor John Geisler disclosed a potential familiarity: “my son works for Northland Consulting Engineers and the result of this contract has no financial benefit to he or I,” and the council proceeded with a 5–0 roll-call vote in favor.

- South St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District license agreement (King Creek): The council approved Resolution 2025-05 to execute a license agreement allowing the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District to plan (in 2025) and perform stream remeandering and bank restoration work on city-owned property north of Morris Thomas Road and adjacent to King Creek. Mr. Johnson, representing the Soil and Water Conservation District, said the project “is 100% available through the Soil Conservation District” and that there is “no cost to the city for this work.” A council question whether the work would extend wetland areas was answered that it would not; staff noted the property remains within wetland areas that would be difficult to develop. The vote was 5–0.

- Minnesota DNR trail grant acceptance: The council approved Resolution 2025-06 accepting regional trail program grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Hermantown Community Connector Trail (Hermantown Road to Morris Thomas Road and Keene Creek Park to Stebner Road). Trish Kriegel, utilities director, said the grant was awarded earlier and the resolution completes the formal acceptance. Vote: 5–0.

- North Star Ford Arena: The council approved multiple arena-related items: a $53,470 work order from Minnesota Power to install electrical service for the North Star Ford Arena (Resolution 2025-07); approval of change orders numbered 10–13 and change order number 3 for a combined $98,577.56 (Resolution 2025-08); and pay request No. 7 to Kraus Anderson Construction Co. for $1,036,316.15 (Resolution 2025-09). City staff said the $98,577.56 of change orders falls within a roughly $100,000 contingency that had been budgeted for changes required during Department of Labor and Industry review and other adjustments. Staff told the council they will provide a budget report at the next meeting. Each arena-related resolution passed on 5–0 roll-call votes.

Public input and other notes

- The council invited public input for each ordinance and resolution; meeting minutes show no public commenters on the cannabis ordinance, the right-of-way and stormwater first readings, the Northland contract, or the arena pay requests. The King Creek item included a staff presentation and council questions about wetlands and development potential.

- Announcements included a council acknowledgement of the recent death of former state Representative Mary Murphy and a brief summary from staff about ongoing comprehensive plan work and a possible future urban service area expansion in the city’s southwestern portion, including potential water and sewer extension and a legislative request to support utility extension.

What’s next

- The two ordinances given their first reading (right-of-way permitting and stormwater code amendments) will return for a second reading before any final action. City staff said they will provide an updated arena budget report at the next meeting.

(End of report)