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Rothsay council approves administrative resolutions, accepts land donation and advances solar RFP
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting, the Rothsay City Council approved six administrative resolutions, authorized up to $1,000 for Bobcat sweeper brushes, accepted a donated property at 111 37 St NW, and approved an RFP amendment for a WCI solar project (Council Member Heather Weber abstained on the solar vote).
Rothsay — The Rothsay City Council met Jan. 5, 2026, at Rothsay City Hall and moved through a series of administrative items, approving six resolutions, several routine purchases and accepting a donated property.
Mayor Shane Balken called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council Members Heather Weber and Matthew Balken were present; Daryl Schleeter and Nathan Ziegler were absent. Clerk Amanda Kuschel, residents and other community members attended the meeting.
Council approved an amended RFP to add details to a WCI solar project pool. Council Member Matthew Balken moved the item; Mayor Shane Balken seconded. Council Member Heather Weber abstained; the motion carried. The council did not record a dollar amount or implementation timeline for the RFP amendment in the minutes.
The council also approved six administrative resolutions: Resolution 2026-1 (check signing), Resolution 2026-2 (official depository, newspaper, attorney and acting mayor), Resolution 2026-3 (out-of-state travel), Resolution 2026-4 (EFT and ACH policy), Resolution 2026-5 (credit card policy) and Resolution 2026-6 (password policy). Each resolution was moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded as carried in the minutes.
In other business, the council authorized up to $1,000 to purchase Bobcat sweeper brushes for city equipment and accepted a donation of land and property at 111 37 St NW; Clerk Amanda Kuschel was assigned to draft a quitclaim deed for the donation.
During public forum, resident Darrel Tollefson requested that a Letter of Apology be published in the Rothsay Record Review and suggested a Christmas-lights drive-through in East Park for the 2026 season; he said he will raise the idea with the Rothsay Lions Club. The minutes record those requests but show no formal action on either item.
Council discussed a possible land annexation and directed staff to pursue petition signatures from affected homeowners and contact Otter Tail County about potential tax impacts before advancing the matter. The council also reviewed a banner quote of $1,570 and asked staff to obtain pricing for double-sided banners and return with a new quote at the February meeting.
Finally, the council approved applying an insurance claim settlement toward paying an outstanding Wilkin County Sheriff contract that had been unpaid for three years; the minutes note the settlement amount was not specified. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
The council did not record individual roll-call votes except where abstention was noted for the solar RFP; minutes identify movers and seconders for the motions listed above.
