Hermantown council approves arena payouts, accepts trail grant and adopts cannabis fee change

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…