---

LONGVILLE CITY COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES UNAPPROVED

Wed., Sept. 16, 2026

   Mayor Jocko Kline called the regular scheduled meeting of the month to order on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

   Pledge of Allegiance

   PRESENT: Mayor: Jocko Kline, Council Members: Greg Gilsrud, Phyllis Eck, Neil Tobiason and Nathan Tabaka. City Clerk/Treasurer: Christina Herheim, Deputy City Clerk: Heidi Johnson. Employees: Dean Murray, Sara Putnam, and Nancy Raines. Citizens: Steve Anderson, Jeff Davis, Meche Plaza, Norb Epping, Sue Meyer, Bob Peno, Scott, Leon Wessels, Steve Shallbetter, Neal Scharmer, Joanne Weerer, Beth Tobiason, Kevin Vickers, and Kim Vickers. Cass County Sherriff’s Officer: Wade Schultz

   1. M/S/P: Eck/Tabaka to approve agenda for Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

   2. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2026, and Special Budget Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2026.

   3. New Business:

   a. M/S/P: Eck/Tobiason to approve Resolution No. 91626 accepting donations to the city.

   b. Jeff Davis updated the Council on the RAR project and its impact on water levels. He stated that the next step is to hire an independent reviewer to inspect the structure. Davis reported meeting with the DNR and lawmakers Bliss and Green on Monday, September 14, 2026, and said the DNR asked whether they would work with the agency on a joint review. Davis said his review should remain separate from the DNR’s. He also noted that the requested DNR data has not yet been received and recommended temporarily stopping water flow while the project is investigated. Council Member Gilsrud asked about a resolution presented for Council approval and confirmed that financial contributions would be private, donation-based funds rather than City funds. Davis said the City would select a task force based on recommendations from the Woman Lake Action Group. He added that the group is refining its data and requests to improve accuracy before sharing the information, and that this work will remain independent of the DNR.

   c. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve resolution No. 2026-916 authorizing a city-led independent review of the girl lake outlet/boy river rock arch rapids project, accepting contributed funds, requesting DNR cooperation and records, and authorizing related actions. Tabaka recused himself.

   d. M/S/P: Eck/Gilsrud to approve authorizing the city to work with a volunteer community group. Act as the fiscal agent, accepting donations to pay for independent review. Ask the MN DNR to expedite production of the most important project records. Tabaka recused himself.

   e. M/S/P: Gilsrud/Eck to approve proposal from Northeast Technical Services for Girl Lake RAR Survey and Discharge Measurement. Tabaka recused himself.

   4. Licenses and Permits: 

   a. M/S/P: Eck/Tabaka to approve temporary liquor license for the Longville Lakes Arts Alliance on October 16, 2026.

   5. Old Business: Nothing to report

   6. Citizens addressing the Council: 

   a. Neal Scharmer, President of the Child Girl Woman Lake Association, addressed the Council regarding his role in the ongoing RAR project review. Scharmer stated that he does not see evidence that the project caused the issue but is willing to work with the City if cause and effect are ever proven. He said he has been communicating with the DNR and supports its efforts. Scharmer also provided a typed statement to the Council noting that CGWLAA is aware of receding water levels but believes the issue is not isolated to this project. The statement further noted that, due to budget constraints, limited detail, and a desire to avoid duplicating efforts, CGWLAA has not committed to investigating the project at this time. 

   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. Mayor Kline noted ongoing speeding concerns on State Highway 84 near the airport. The Council asked whether an additional speed monitor could be placed on Highway 84, similar to the one on County Road 5. Officer Schultz said that they could relocated the County 5 monitor, and deputies have increased patrols and will maintain a stronger presence during the morning hours.

   ii. Ballfield: Nothing new to report.

   iii. Park: Mayor Kline requested that the Council disband the Park Advisory Board. Beth Tobiason asked Mayor Kline to explain the reason for the request. Mayor Kline cited ongoing controversy and budgeting concerns for projects that the city has had to cover. When Tobiason asked to discuss the positive work the Board has done, Mayor Kline stated that he did not wish to continue the discussion.

   iv. M/S/P: Eck/Gilsrud to disband the Parks and Recreation Board. Tobiason recused himself.

   b. Eck

   i. Library: Council Member Eck reported that all programs have gone exceptionally well and said she will provide next month’s patron totals. New children’s academic materials are on order. Overall, the Longville Library had a successful summer.

   ii. Cemetery: Council Member Eck reported that funding for the first phase of the project had been raised, allowing the embedded stones to be lifted. The next goal is to raise funds for the Veteran Plaque project. Maintenance Supervisor Murray reported that high-visibility covers have been installed on the cemetery marker posts.

   c. Tobiason

   i. Airport: Approximately 5367 gallons of fuel on hand. The selling price is $5.70 per gallon.

   a. Maintenance – Nothing new to report

   b. CY 2026 Grant applications – The airport advisory board met Tuesday, September 15, 2026, topics discussed included the airport fund balance and how the airport can reduce its local share of state projects. The board will explore the actual cost of the projects and determine if some of the project’s costs are eligible for federal grants. More information may be available for the October council meeting.

   c. Hangar Site Expansion Project – (AKA Taxilane Extension Project) The Board also discussed the Hangar Site Expansion Project.  The FAA has reversed its position of requiring public hangars to be constructed as a condition of grant eligibility. The project is once again back on the table.  The advisory board will explore if it is possible for the airport’s share of the project to be paid for by the future hangar owners. More information will be shared when available.

   d. The AWOS Equipment –The snowmobile club rerouted the trail and placed the appropriate trail markers noting the change. 

   d. Tabaka

   i. Sewer: Nothing to report. 

   ii. Land Use Application Received from Greg Gilsrud for the replacement of an existing 8’ x 12’ shed between Mainstreet and Tabaka’s Family Foods. 

   iii. Land Use Application received from Greg Gilsrud for the repair and replacement of the sidewalk along the front of his building.

   iv. Land Use Application received from Melanie Mix to patch the concrete on the sidewalk Infront of her building. 

   v. Land Use Application received from Scott Carpenter for the 91’4’’ x 76’ addition to the existing One Stop building all the way to Bill Hansen Realty.

   vi. Land Use Application received from Edward Riffle to remove two old sheds and build a 24’ x 32’ detached garage. 

   e. Gilsrud 

   i. Streets: Nothing to report. 

   ii. LLBS: Manager Raines reported that she is continuing to hold the VFW’s Red Friday fundraiser.

   iii. Docksider: Manager Putnam informed the council that Naylor will be stopping at Docksider to investigate a possible electrical problem. Putnam stated that she noticed a haze and soon after a breaker tripped. Putnam first contacted maintenance supervisor Murray who had firefighter Matt Daudt come locate the problem in the meantime, not to call in for a fire emergency. Manager Putnam also mentioned that Dan Gothmann started his training shifts. 

   9. Clerk’s Report: Clerk Herheim stated that past due sewer accounts notices will be sent out next month. 

   10. Employee Relations: Nothing to report.

   11. Administration and Financial:

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

 #75221-75288 in the amount of $275,232.18 Debit Card amount of $426.01 totaling $275,658.19.

   M/S/P: Tabaka/Eck to adjourn meeting at 4:52 p.m. 

   Attest to:

Jocko Kline, Mayor

Christina Herheim,

City Clerk/Treasurer 

---