Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Government Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sauk Centre council approves variances, equipment purchases and bids for $1.38M Authors addition project
Summary
At its April 15 meeting the Sauk Centre City Council approved two property variances, authorized purchases including a Toolcat and three ambulance cardiac monitors, and ordered bids for the $1.38 million Authors Phase 2 public improvement project. The council also approved park building repairs, surplus sales and routine permits.
The Sauk Centre City Council on April 15 approved a series of resolutions that authorized property variances, equipment purchases and public works bidding for a residential subdivision expansion.
The council granted a variance for Jessica Flattum at 402 Elm St. S., allowing a privacy fence to be set 13.4 feet from the north property line adjacent to 4th Street S., below the 30-foot setback required by city ordinance. The Planning Commission had recommended approval; the council approved Resolution No. 2026-26 on a motion by Council Member Brad Kirckof, seconded by Council Member Scott Kowski. The motion passed with Council Members Kirckof, Kowski, Heidi Leach and Mayor Warren Stone voting in favor; Council Member Joe Feuchtmann was absent.
The council approved an amended variance for Kevin B. Thomes for a detached garage of 1,920 square feet (40 by 48 feet), producing a combined attached/detached total of 2,520 square feet where 1,800 is allowed (720 square feet over the maximum). The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions: removal of an existing detached storage building, directing roof drainage to the rear of the lot away from neighboring property, a prohibition on human habitation in the garage, and combining two lots into a single parcel. The council passed Resolution No. 2026-27 (motion by Council Member Heidi Leach, seconded by Council Member Brad Kirckof); the vote recorded Leach, Kirckof and Kowski in favor and Mayor Warren Stone opposed; Council Member Feuchtmann was absent.
On equipment purchases, the council authorized buying a 2019 Toolcat and attachments. Two bids were considered; Swanston (Alexandria) offered a low combined dealer price of $42,773.50 if Toolcat and accessories were purchased together, while separate-item lowest bids totaled $41,870.66. The council approved Resolution No. 2026-28 to purchase the Toolcat from Swanston and accessories from FarmRite (motion by Council Member Scott Kowski, second by Council Member Heidi Leach). Council Members Kowski, Leach and Mayor Stone voted in favor; Council Member Brad Kirckof opposed; Council Member Feuchtmann absent.
The Ambulance Department solicited quotes for replacement cardiac monitors for all three rigs and recommended Zoll Zenix monitors for compatibility and user reasons; the council approved the purchase as recorded in the minutes under a resolution listed as “Resolution No. 2026” (the minutes show that Council Members Brad Kirckof, Heidi Leach and Scott Kowski voted in favor and Mayor Stone opposed; Council Member Feuchtmann absent). The minutes record quotes from Stryker and Zoll and include maintenance agreement options and trade-in credits. The council also accepted MinnBid results and authorized sale of older surplus equipment (vending machine, generator, sign pallets, floor scrubber) via Resolution No. 2026-29.
Council members approved final plans and ordered advertisement for bids for the Authors Phase 2 public improvement project, estimated at $1.38 million for construction and engineering. The project would develop 20 residential lots and construct a detention pond as part of the Authors Addition; a bid opening was scheduled for May 14, 2026 with a potential award on May 20. Resolution No. 2026-31 authorized advertisement for bids (motion by Council Member Heidi Leach, second by Council Member Scott Kowski). Vote: Council Members Leach, Kowski and Mayor Stone in favor; Council Member Brad Kirckof opposed; Council Member Feuchtmann absent.
The council also approved repairs to the Park Maintenance building (replacement of metal siding, roof, windows and doors) with a budgeted estimate of $30,000 and a requested completion timeline of June 1, 2026; materials and labor quotes were accepted via Resolution No. 2026-32. The Police Department requested that a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire (VIN provided in the minutes) be declared excess and authorized for disposal; the council approved Resolution No. 2026-33. The council approved the consent agenda, which included claims and multiple temporary liquor and gambling permits for community events (Sinclair Lewis Days, local fair and other listed dates).
The minutes record the votes and motions as presented at the meeting. Several items were explicitly noted as having Council Member Joe Feuchtmann absent; one vote record listed Mayor Stone opposing while three council members supported on multiple procurement items.
The minutes did not specify a physical meeting location; they recorded time and attendance and stated the meeting occurred with due notice on April 15, 2026. Next procedural steps noted in the minutes: bid advertisement for Authors Phase 2, bid opening on May 14 and potential award on May 20, 2026.
