Warroad council approves May payments, permits alcohol at Muskies games and will run city pool this summer

Acting Mayor Kevin Thompson called the Warroad City Council to order at 4:30 p.m. on May 26, 2026. Councilors Michele Vandal and Joe Olafson joined Thompson; Mayor Tom Goldsmith and Councilor Dean Dorholt were absent. City Administrator Kathy Lovelace and city staff were present.

The council approved the meeting agenda and, with corrections noted, the minutes of the May 11 regular meeting. "Motion made by Councilor Vandal to approve the May 11, 2026 regular meeting minutes with the correction of two items discussed," the record shows; Councilor Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

On fiscal business, the council approved May 2026 checks totaling $306,422.07. Councilor Vandal moved to approve the checks (E4072-4078 = $39,391.16; AP #56820-56872 = $213,161.96; PR #10350-10352 = $6,127.20; PR E#515507 = $47,741.75); Councilor Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The council approved a special-event request to permit alcohol sales at five Warroad Muskies baseball games. The record states Springsteel Resort would sell alcohol under its caterer's license; the council conditioned approval on no glass being allowed, food being sold, and the Muskies cleaning the area. "Motion made by Councilor Olafson to approve the special event request for alcohol at the five Warroad Muskies games as listed pending an understanding that no glass will be allowed, food will be sold, and the area will be cleaned by the Muskies," the minutes say; the motion was seconded by Councilor Vandal and carried unanimously.

On public-safety finance, the council authorized sending delinquent fire calls to collections. "Motion made by Councilor Vandal to authorize to send delinquent fire calls to collection as presented," the minutes record; Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Nate Dalager of HDR Engineering updated the council on the Regional Park Grant harbor work — including dredging, riprap and docks — and said the project is expected to be near completion this summer. Dalager presented a proposal for continued engineering and grant administration to finish and close out the project. The minutes state the city's share of the continued engineering services would be $32,000, with part of the cost covered by the grant. Councilor Vandal moved to continue HDR Engineering's services to finish and close out the Regional Park Grant projects; Councilor Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

In utilities business, the council authorized signing documents related to NMPA bonding. "Motion made by Councilor Vandal to authorize to sign documents related to NMPA bonding," the minutes state; Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Regarding the outdoor pool, Lovelace reported the local school would not run the pool this year. She said she met with Rebecca Willems, a former school swimming coach, who expressed interest in overseeing the pool as CPO and Pool Manager and had promotional ideas. Councilor Vandal moved that the City operate the outdoor pool for the 2026 summer with Rebecca Willems as the CPO and Pool Manager and to review operations to consider continuation in 2027; Councilor Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The council discussed lifeguard coverage and operating hours as part of that motion.

Council members received information about e-bikes and e-scooters and safety; that item was informational only and no action was taken. With no further business, the council adjourned at 5:32 p.m.

The meeting record and motions were prepared by Amy Friesner, city staff, and the minutes list Kathy A. Lovelace as City Administrator.