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LONGVILLE CITY COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES UNAPPROVED

Wed., August 19, 2026

   Mayor Jocko Kline called the regular scheduled meeting of the month to order on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

   Pledge of Allegiance

   PRESENT: Mayor: Jocko Kline Council Members: Phyllis Eck, Neil Tobiason, Greg Gilsrud, and Nathan Tabaka. City Clerk/Treasurer: Christina Herheim, Deputy City Clerk: Heidi Johnson. Employees: Sara Putnam, Nancy Raines and Dean Murray. Cass County Sheriff’s Department: Wade Schultz and Seth Robison Citizens: Steve Shallbetter, Craig Laughlin, Ken Sourbeck, Todd Johnson, Jeff Davis, Barb Stuart, Cathy Finley, Bill Hanson, Bob Peno and Beth Tobiason. 

   1. M/S/P: Eck/Tabaka to approve agenda for Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

   2. M/S/P: Tobiason/Eck to approve Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of July 15, 2026.

   3. New Business:

   a. M/S/P: Tabaka/Gilsrud to approve Resolution No. 81926 accepting donations to the City. 

   b. Jeff Davis addressed the Council on behalf of the Woman Lake Action Group regarding low water levels in the surrounding lakes. He stated that the group met with lawmakers on August 1 to discuss the issue and was advised that Minnesota law allows the City to file a complaint. Davis also noted that a petition supporting further investigation into lake levels and impacts on surrounding areas has received 838 signatures to date, and that he has personally paid for an independent study. Jeff plans on updating the council with results from the Hydrologist. 

   c. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve Resolution No. 2026-819 requesting that the Commissioner of Natural Resources conduct an independent engineering and hydrologic review of the Girl Lake Outlet/Boy River Rock Arch Rapids Project and the water levels of the Woman Lake Chain. Tabaka recused himself from the vote. 

   4. Licenses and Permits: None

   5. Old Business: 

   a. The City Council received a packet with ideas and information on the Longville Area Community Garden, including a request for support for the walking trail project.

   6. Citizens addressing the Council: None. 

   7. Engineer’s report: Nothing to report.

   8. Commissioner’s Reports:

   a. Kline

   i. Police: The Cass County Sheriff’s Department presented its monthly report. Officer Wade Schultz stated that officers continue to enforce speed limits in high-speed areas entering town, with increased nighttime enforcement. The Council noted that speeding remains a concern in the mornings on Highway 84 entering town. Council thanked Cass County Sherriff’s Department for all their help.

   ii. Ballfield: Council Member Tobiason reported that he attended the softball tournament at the ballfield and felt the event went well. He noted that it was great to see the ballfield used for the tournament.

   iii. Park: The Pickleball Club presented its proposal to improve their facilities. Planned updates include adding a concrete sidewalk on the north side of the multiuse court, extending the concrete pad under the storage shed, extending the sidewalk along the north side of the new courts, and improving gate access so players can enter courts without disrupting games. The proposal also includes moving one or all three horseshoe pits so they can make room for the new sidewalk. This would reduce the amount of sand and dirt tracked onto the courts, helping maintain them over time.

   iv. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve the removal of one horseshoe pit plus the Pickleball club’s proposal for updates. 

   v. The Pickleball Club also requested that the City of Longville approve an agreement to hold the group’s funds, rather than keeping them in a member’s personal account. Beth Tobiason stated that the matter should be brought before the Parks and Recreation Board before the Council votes on it. Clerk Herheim stated that the Pickleball funds belong to the club and do not require Park Board approval for an agreement with the City.

   vi. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Tabaka to approve agreement with the pickleball club to hold their funds.

   vii. M/S/P: Eck/Gilsrud to approve using funds raised for the poured rubber project toward Midwest Playscapes’ bid for park resurfacing. Tobiason abstained.

   viii.M/S/P: Eck/Tobiason to approve reduction in estimate of the handicap-accessibility project for the automatic doors at the park.

   ix. Beth Tobiason discussed the Park Board’s page on the City website. She noted that the website portion was donated for the first year and asked who would cover the cost going forward. The council sent that back to the board to discuss further the website funding. Tobiason also reported that changing tables had been installed in the park bathrooms with help from Ron Johnson, who donated his time, and asked whether a thank-you letter could be sent to him. Mayor Jocko Kline said he preferred the letter to come from the Park Board rather than the City, since the Park Board coordinated with Johnson throughout the project. Tobiason also stated that she had emergency signs with address information for 911 calls ready for Dean to post at the park.

   b. Eck

   i. Cemetery: Council member Eck asked on the status of the high visibility post markers getting installed at the cemetery. Maintenance Supervisor stated that prep work needs to be done then they will be installed most likely in the coming weeks.

   ii. Library: Council Member Eck reported that the Library signs were installed and thanked Dean and Austin with the Maintenance Department for their help. Edward Pinski Construction did work at the Library and Eck was very pleased with the results. The library has recently gotten new tech and programs for youth. 

   iii. Airport: Approximately 4535 gallons of fuel on hand. The selling price is $5.40 per gallon.

Maintenance – Nothing to report.

   CY 2026 Grant applications – The airports share of the AWOS Site Obstruction Removal grant is $46,500 and for the State of MN Land Obstruction Removal grant is $60,000. The current airport fund balance is approximately $122,000. Both grant requests were high level estimates, the actual airport share will be based on removal quotes and other costs. If both projects cost the full grant amount it may leave the airport funds insufficient to cover operating expenses. I recommend the city accepts both grant offers, obtain quotes for each project and then determine if the fund can support both projects.  If it happens that doing both projects is not feasible, we should prioritize the AWOS project or risk the AWOS being decommissioned.

The AWOS Equipment- Is scheduled for completion next week. This project was done solely by MnDOT, the city, nor the airport, had an opportunity to comment on it. Because of this the new AWOS equipment was placed in the middle of the snowmobile trail. However, there is ample room for the trail to dogleg around the northeast side of the equipment and may require only some mowing to reroute the trail.  It is strongly recommended the snowmobile club reroute the trail and place the appropriate trail markers noting the change, failing to do so could result is a snowmobile running into a 36” diameter cement piling.

   iv. M/S/P: Tobiason/Gilsrud to approve moving forward with both the AWOS Site Obstruction grant and the State of MN Land Obstruction Removal grant. 

   v. It was also reported that the Longville Fly-In served 1,025 breakfasts and welcomed 32 planes. The Council thanked Steve Shallbetter for the use of his hangar.

   c. Tabaka

   i. Sewer: Maintenance Supervisor Murray stated that the City will obtain a bid for the grate at the lift station near One Stop on School Lane. He also noted that the annual cleaning has taken place and the state inspection is scheduled for next week.

   ii. Land Use Application by Patrick and Michelle Ross submitted an after-the-fact for stairs installed down the hillside to the lake.

   iii. Sign Application received from Thor Freeburg for the placement of a sign at Common Grounds 218. 

   iv. Land Use Application received from Scott Carpenter to bring in fill to bring up the elevation.

   v. Land Use Application received from Thomas and Karen Fahey to build a 30 x32 storage building. 

   d. Gilsrud 

   i. Streets: Nothing to Report. 

   ii. Liquor: LLBS Manager Raines reported that sales are down compared with this time last year and that she is seeking additional help.

   iii. Docksider: Manager Putnam reported that Tap Takeover will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. She also noted that Buy a Firefighter a Drink promotion is currently underway. Music Bingo is held monthly, trivia will resume during the slow season, and a puzzle night is planned. Staff are also encouraging people to wear red on Fridays to remember everyone deployed (RED). Proceeds from T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats sold at the Bottle Shop and Docksider will benefit the VFW.

   9. Clerk’s Report: 

   a. City Clerk Herheim presented a letter to the council from Ehlers Public Finance advisors regarding potential refunding of existing bonds. At this time, they felt that refunding would not generate sufficient savings to be considered. 

   b. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approved paying the Longville Area Clean-up Day charges in full. 

   c. M/S/P: Tobiason/Tabaka to approve Liability Waiver Coverage Form from the League of Minnesota Cities. 

   10. Employee Relations:

   a. M/S/P: Eck/Tobiason to accept resignation from Mary Jo Olson. 

   b. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Tabaka to approve vacation request for Sara Putnam. 

   c. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve the hiring of Daniel Gothmann for a server/bartender position at Docksider. 

   11. Administration and Financial:

   a. M/S/P Gilsrud/Tabaka to approve Payroll, Payroll liabilities and claims from check

#75141-75220 in the amount of $360,918.27 Debit Card amount of $2,616.41 totaling $363,534.68.

   M/S/P: Tabaka/Tobiason to adjourn meeting at 5:03 p.m. 

   Attest to:

Jocko Kline, Mayor

Christina Herheim,

City Clerk/Treasurer 

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