Coleraine council approves consent agenda, 2026 appointments and hires full‑time police officer

Coleraine — The Coleraine City Council on Jan. 12 approved its consent agenda, confirmed the mayor’s slate of 2026 appointments, authorized several fiscal actions and hired a full‑time police officer after a closed session.

Mayor Mike Antonovich called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. and Clerk‑Treasurer Briana Anderson completed roll call. The council unanimously approved the consent agenda on a motion from Councilperson Jeremy Sobtzak and second from Jen Giving. The consent items included Public Utility December claims of $21,874.66, December claims of $26,270.10, regular claims of $134,756.60 and three transfers: $28,013.34 from the 600 Public Utilities fund to the 301 Debt Service fund to pay Coleraine’s portion of a USDA‑RD loan; $120,000 from the 100 General fund (rural district) to the 402 Municipal Roads fund (retroactive to Dec. 31, 2025); and $23,864.98 from the 100 General fund to the 303 GO Tax Abatement fund for street lighting.

The council also approved Mayor Antonovich’s list of 2026 appointments, naming First National Bank of Coleraine as depository, Scenic Range News Forum as official newspaper, Paul Shaffer as city attorney, S.E.H., Inc. as engineer and numerous commission and liaison assignments, including Jeremy Sobtzak as mayor pro‑tem. The full slate was approved by unanimous roll call.

Under new business the council unanimously approved an engagement with Sterle & Co., Ltd. to perform the 2025 audit for $11,400 and approved pay increases for two library aides (A. Wikstrom, $2.00/hour; J. Cyronek, $0.50/hour) following a recommendation from the Library Board.

Clerk‑Treasurer Anderson reported that Coleraine received a partial Polling Place Accessibility Grant that covers about half the project cost. Public Works Supervisor Jason Tabaka had described options for completing the work. The council voted to proceed with the quoted accessibility work and to use funds from the 200 Special Projects Fund to cover the roughly $10,000 the grant does not cover.

City Attorney Paul Shaffer briefed the council on a blight issue at 407 Mitchell, saying the property owner has agreed to voluntarily bring the residence into compliance, that the structure should be boarded immediately, and that a new inspection will be scheduled and provided to the attorney.

On an intergovernmental dispute over a tanker for the Trout Lake Fire Department, Shaffer said he conferred with outside counsel and recommended a joint council meeting with both attorneys to try to avoid costly arbitration; Clerk‑Treasurer Anderson was asked to arrange that meeting.

At 4:50 p.m. the council recessed to clear the gallery and entered a closed session under Minnesota Statute § 13D.03 to discuss an employment‑related matter. After returning from closed session the council unanimously voted to hire Reed Mitchell as a full‑time police officer contingent on fingerprinting results. Police Chief Beach had reported earlier that the department has been busy and that Officer Saloka has finished training and is now training Officer Parantala during the day; an additional squad car has been wrapped for visibility.

The meeting concluded with routine council concerns — Sobtzak asked for an update on a potential Autumn Lane project and Swanson said he would schedule a meeting — and adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

Votes at a glance: unanimous unless otherwise noted • Consent agenda (claims and transfers including USDA‑RD loan payment): Motion by Jeremy Sobtzak, support Jen Giving; Ayes: Sobtzak, Giving, Wilson, Swanson, Mayor Antonovich; Outcome: approved. • Mayor’s 2026 appointments (full slate): Motion by Jeremy Sobtzak, support Jen Giving; Roll call: Ayes: Sobtzak, Giving, Wilson, Swanson, Mayor Antonovich; Outcome: approved. • Engagement — Sterle & Co., Ltd. for 2025 audit ($11,400): Motion by Jace Swanson, support David Wilson; Outcome: approved. • Library wage increases (A. Wikstrom and J. Cyronek): Motion by Jace Swanson, support Jen Giving; Outcome: approved. • Polling Place Accessibility Project (use 200 Special Projects Fund to cover ~ $10,000 shortfall): Motion by Jen Giving, support Mayor Antonovich; Outcome: approved. • Hire — Reed Mitchell as full‑time police officer (contingent on fingerprint card): Motion by Jeremy Sobtzak, support Jen Giving; Outcome: approved.

Next steps: Clerk‑Treasurer Anderson will schedule the inspection at 407 Mitchell and arrange the proposed joint council meeting regarding the TLFD tanker dispute. The council will follow up on the Autumn Lane project meeting that Councilperson Swanson will schedule.