St. Stephen council adopts zoning tweaks to accessory buildings, accepts fire-equipment donations and OKs 250th celebration spending

The St. Stephen City Council on July 1 adopted amendments to Ordinance 41 that revise accessory-building rules, accepted donations to the fire equipment fund and approved several spending items for the city's 250th anniversary celebrations, the minutes show.

Mayor Lisa Marvin convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the council approved the agenda and the May minutes before turning to financial and planning items. Treasurer Kurt Niemeyer reported an ending balance of $1,988,483.97 and warned that the city faces upcoming insurance bills — workers' compensation was estimated at $6,448 and municipal insurance at $12,149 — and is currently noncompliant with an FRF report because of a municipal website issue; he said he will pursue preliminary budget numbers and set a budget meeting.

On land use, the council adopted the Planning Commission's recommended edits to Ordinance 41. The changes remove the unused R-2 zoning category, revise accessory-structure language to reference Section 41.16 Subd. 1 (with R-3 explicitly included), propose a larger maximum accessory-building allowance on parcels larger than 10 acres (a recommended limit of 2% of parcel size or 10,000 square feet), and remove a previously stated maximum for lots between two and 10 acres. No public commentators spoke during the hearing. The motion to adopt the changes was made by Council Member Gene Skaj and seconded by Council Member Tom (Thomas) Vouk; Council Member Steve Trobec did not cast a vote because he was responding to a fire call.

The council accepted two donations to the Fire Equipment Fund: a $7,500 gift from the St. Stephen Fire & Rescue Relief Association and a $50 gift from the law firm Jovanovich, Dege & Athmann, P.A. Resolution No. 07012026 and Resolution No. 07012026-1 formally accept those gifts; the resolutions state, "The donation described above is accepted and shall be used to establish and/or operate services either alone or in cooperation with others, as allowed by law." The council also approved Resolution No. 07012026-2 appointing election judges for the 2026 primary and general elections and listing the appointed judges by name.

For event planning, the council authorized the city to cover celebration expenses up to $7,500 for the town's 250th USA anniversary, approved ordering 350 14-ounce ARC glass beer mugs and 400 1.75-inch dye-struck brass challenge coins stamped with the celebration logo, and delegated ordering to City Clerk Heather Imdieke. The council voted to accept a $10,450 bid from Omann Brothers for several street repairs and accepted a repair bid from contractor Patrick Panek to fix block damage to the garage behind city hall.

Other business included a planning update about a property-split inquiry for 809 County Road 2 South; continued enforcement steps against a homeowner at 1101 County Road 2 South over a shipping container and outdoor stored items (the attorney will send follow-up notice); and setting the budget planning meeting for Aug. 12 at 6:00 p.m. The council adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 41 amendment (accessory buildings): adopted (motion: Gene Skaj; second: Thomas Vouk). Council Member Steve Trobec did not vote (responding to a fire call). Minutes record the motion as carried. - Resolution 07012026 (Fire Relief Association donation, $7,500): adopted (minutes record acceptance). - Resolution 07012026-1 (Jovanovich, Dege & Athmann donation, $50): adopted. - Resolution 07012026-2 (Appointment of 2026 election judges): adopted (minutes record vote of 5 Yes, 0 No).

The council minutes provide the official record; for implementation the city will proceed with ordinance updates, procurement related to the celebration and repairs, and attorney-led enforcement where letters were not answered.