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East Grand Forks council adopts new sauna code and several routine measures; member recuses on trophy purchase
Summary
At its Nov. 4 meeting, the East Grand Forks City Council approved Ordinance No. 50 (second reading) creating a new chapter for sauna establishments and adopted related resolutions setting licensing fees, authorized a Tri County Community Corrections lease, approved greenway trail planning, and authorized routine payments; one council member declared a financial interest and abstained on a $113 purchase.
The East Grand Forks City Council on Nov. 4 adopted an ordinance and a series of resolutions that create a regulatory framework for sauna establishments, authorize routine city expenses and a lease, and order greenway trail planning work.
The council approved Ordinance No. 50 (Fourth Series) on its second reading, which repeals prior sauna-related language in chapter 114, adds a new chapter 118 addressing sauna establishments, and adopts by reference city code chapter 10 and section 10.99, including penalty provisions. The ordinance was moved by Council Member Ben Pakinsky and seconded by Council Member Tammy Schumacher; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
The council also adopted Resolution No. 25-11-81 to set licensing fees for sauna establishments and mobile sauna units under the newly adopted code chapter. Council Vice President Tim Riipel moved the fee resolution; Council Member Karen Peterson seconded it and the council voted to approve the resolution.
Council approved Resolution No. 25-11-80 to order improvements and prepare plans and specifications for the 2026 City Project No. 3 greenway trail improvements. Council Member Karen Peterson moved that resolution and Council Vice President Tim Riipel seconded it; the motion passed on roll call.
The council authorized a lease agreement between the City of East Grand Forks and Tri County Community Corrections for office space in city hall for 2026 and 2027. The lease was moved by Karen Peterson, seconded by Tim Riipel and approved by roll-call vote.
On claims, the council adopted Resolution No. 25-11-82 to approve a purchase from Border States Trophy (check no. 45305) for $113. The resolution record includes a disclosure that Council Vice President Tim Riapel (transcript spelling) was personally interested financially in the contract; Riapel abstained from the vote and one council member voted no; the motion carried.
The council also authorized the city administrator to distribute 89 accounts-payable checks totaling $665,527.97 and approved payroll for Oct. 31, 2025. That item was moved by Council Member Karen Peterson, seconded by Council Vice President Tim Riipel, and approved on roll call.
Why it matters: The ordinance and fee schedule establish a new local licensing and enforcement framework for sauna businesses, while the other actions provide routine financial and project-authority approvals that allow staff to proceed with operations, vendor payments and near-term capital planning.
The meeting record shows formal roll-call votes for each action; where a council member declared a personal interest, the member recused and abstained from the vote. The council adjourned after brief staff and council reports.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance No. 50 (Fourth Series) — adopted (second reading). Resolution 25-11-80 (greenway trail improvements) — adopted. Resolution 25-11-81 (sauna licensing fees) — adopted. Resolution 25-11-82 (Border States Trophy purchase) — adopted (one no, one abstention). Accounts-payable and payroll authorization — adopted.
Next steps: Implementation steps for the new sauna chapter and fee schedule will be handled by city staff under the city code provisions adopted by the council; the council did not schedule additional hearings at this meeting.
