East Grand Forks City Council approves routine motions, launches RFP for wastewater pond and hears ice-arena update

The East Grand Forks City Council met Oct. 21 and approved a series of routine actions including personnel steps, equipment purchases and the advertisement of a request for proposals to consider sale or lease of a decommissioned wastewater pond.

Council President Brian Larson opened the meeting and led a formal recognition of Commissioner Mike Powers for his long service on the city and regional planning bodies. "Mister Powers has served the city of East Grand Forks on the planning commission, from January 2009 to September 2025," Larson said as the council presented plaques.

On the business agenda the council took the following formal actions. It adopted Resolution No. 25-10-75 to assign Justin Ryu as the city’s general crimes investigator for a three-year rotation at $44.95 per hour; authorized the start of a promotional process for a police corporal; approved new signage from Grand Cities Monument for the police department and the Kenneth M. Olson Memorial for $9,572; and held the first reading of Ordinance No. 50, which would repeal sauna requirements in the massage-parlor chapter and create a new city code chapter for sauna establishments with penalty provisions by reference.

Council also authorized advertisement of a request for proposals to consider the sale or lease of a decommissioned wastewater pond and adjacent property, and approved the purchase of an ABS pump from Minnesota Pump Works for $49,924 for the K‑15 stormwater lift station. The council adopted Resolution No. 25-10-76 opting not to waive statutory tort limits for excess liability coverage in 2026 and approved beginning the hiring process for a city clerk in the administration office. Finally, the city administrator was authorized to issue 71 checks totaling $413,598.07 and to confirm payroll dated Oct. 17 for $241,674.85.

Public-works and facilities staff reported progress on the VFW ice-arena project. King, a department head, said crews added the council‑approved R‑22 refrigerant, performed leak detection and achieved full frost across the ice floor. "After adding that, then we did get a full frost on the whole floor, and the floor is now at about 14 degrees," King said. He said ice was being built and lines would be placed the following day, with the rink expected to be fully operational later in the week and the first public ice session planned for Monday afternoon.

Council members and the mayor offered brief reports and thanked outgoing staff member Megan; a reception to recognize her service will be held before next week’s work session. The meeting adjourned after a unanimous vote to close.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-10-75: assign Justin Ryu as general crimes investigator (adopted) - Start promotional process for corporal (authorized) - Sign purchase (Grand Cities Monument) $9,572 (approved) - Ordinance No. 50 (first reading) — sauna establishments (first reading approved) - Advertise RFP — decommissioned wastewater pond (authorized) - ABS pump (Minnesota Pump Works) $49,924 (approved) - Resolution 25-10-76 — do not waive tort limits (adopted) - Start hiring process — city clerk (authorized) - Claims/payroll — 71 checks $413,598.07; payroll $241,674.85 (authorized)

Next steps and context The ice‑plant bid package is expected to be advertised for roughly three weeks with bids returning in mid‑November; construction-manager review and a future council award will follow. The RFP for the wastewater pond will be advertised as directed; details of any sale or lease proposals will return to a future agenda for council consideration.