Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warroad council approves variances, accepts sidewalk bid and signs letter to governor in unanimous votes
Summary
The Warroad City Council on April 27, 2026 unanimously approved two property variances and a street vacation at 502 Carol St NW, accepted a $495,908 low bid for a sidewalk project pending DOT approval, approved several contracts and permits, and voted to sign a joint mayors letter about Minnesota Paid Leave.
WARROAD, Minn. — The Warroad City Council on April 27 unanimously approved a package of routine and project-specific measures, including two property variances and a street-row vacation, a vendor contract renewal, and a recommendation to award a nearly $496,000 sidewalk contract pending state approval.
Acting Mayor Kevin Thompson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Councilors Michele Vandal, Dean Dorholt, Joe Olafson and Vandal were recorded as present; Mayor Tom Goldsmith was absent. Councilor Michele Vandal moved to approve the meeting agenda (with deletion of agenda item 7b); Councilor Dean Dorholt seconded and the motion carried.
The council approved two variances and a vacation of the east 85 feet of Carol Street at 502 Carol St NW after a public hearing in which no commenters registered concerns. Councilor Michele Vandal moved to approve the variances and the street-row vacation; Councilor Dean Dorholt seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Public safety and contract items: Fire Chief Damian McMillin requested authorization to purchase a pickup for quick response and coordination, but the council asked whether a second bid had been obtained; Councilor Vandal moved to table the vehicle purchase until a second bid is received, and the motion carried. The council did approve a renewal of the cleaning contract for the Public Safety Facility, citing increased costs (mainly insurance). Councilor Vandal moved to approve the cleaning contract; Councilor Joe Olafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Infrastructure: The council accepted the low bid from Gordon Construction for the city sidewalk project in the amount of $495,908, contingent on Minnesota Department of Transportation approval. Councilor Vandal moved to accept the low bid pending DOT approval; Councilor Dorholt seconded and the motion carried.
Administrative and fiscal actions: The council approved the April 13, 2026 regular meeting minutes and authorized April 2026 checks totaling $270,703.02 (E40474057 = $52,218.34; AP #56698-56746 = $142,166.85; PR #10322-10340 = $27,526.87; PR E#515442 = $48,790.96). Councilor Vandal moved to approve both items; Councilor Dorholt seconded and both motions carried unanimously.
Other motions: The council voted to sign a Joint Mayors Letter to the governor raising concerns about the Minnesota Paid Leave program (see separate item), released the city's First Right of Refusal on property owned by Maynard Nelson south of the Senior Living Center, approved liability coverage with LMCIT while not waiving the statutory municipal tort liability monetary limits, and approved an exempt permit for the Knights of Columbus to hold bingo on July 4, 2026. All motions were made and seconded by council members and carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
What happens next: The sidewalk contract award is contingent on Minnesota Department of Transportation approval; the council's letter on Minnesota Paid Leave will be sent to the governor as part of a joint mayors effort.
