(Editor’s Note: The following article is comprised of two recent Big Lake Council meetings).
February
Mayor Paul Knier and Council Members Paul Seefeld, Ken Geroux, Ken Halvorson, and Kim Noding were present for the Feb. 26, 2025 meeting of the Big Lake City Council. For the second meeting in a row, Halvorson removed items from the consent agenda to be discussed separately during the meeting.
Item 6E called for a resolution for inter funds transfers. Halvorson focused on $500,000 that was being transferred from 101 - General Fund to 199 - CIP Fund - Equipment/Buildings, which is a capital improvement fund. The excess in funds can be attributed to the increase in property tax revenue received at a higher percentage than budgeted, the increase in insurance proceeds, increase in interest received on investments and the saving on departmental expenditure budgets.
Halvorson questioned the council’s decision to increase taxes when $500,000 from the general fund was being transferred to another fund. Knier interrupted Halvorson questioning the nature of his inquiry differentiating between having a budget discussion, which was not on the agenda, and discussing the transfer of funds which was an agenda item. Geroux agreed with Knier’s assessment of the situation and said he wasn’t prepared to talk about the budget in any way. Both Geroux and Knier were open to discussing the budget at a later date but wished to stick to what was on the agenda, which was the transferring of funds.
After further discussion, an exasperated Halvorson decided to move on and end the discussion saying, “the taxpayers - they should just know how it works. But evidently move on cause we’re okay keeping them in the dark.”
Finance Director Deb Wegeleben did reassure the council that transfers from one fund to another is not out of the ordinary and usually occur during this time. The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote with Halvorson voting against the motion.
Item 6G concerned the approval of a contract with Marco Technologies for IT support for the cost of the three-year contract totaling approximately $357,000. Halvorson’s biggest objection was that the contract was not bid out. The current contract is with Sherburne County and it expires on May 5, 2025.
Halvorson said, “If you’re going to spend tax payer’s money, it’s the council’s responsibility to make sure we put it out for bids to make sure we get the best bang for our bucks.”
Knier countered by saying that some legwork was done by staff and there is a time consideration. He added, “It is very comparable to communities that surround us.” The contract was approved by 4-1, Halvorson voting against.
Department Reports
Wegeleben noted that an audit of the city’s finances will begin on March 10-14. She is hoping that the final statements will be ready to present to the council on April 23. Prior to the motion to transfer funds, unaudited numbers showed that the general fund increased by $902,492. Later, she shared the current status of capital improvement funds which have a cash balance of $10,793,087. The Equipment/Building CIP balance totals $1,432,001.
Greg Zurbey, Manager for Lake Liquors, gave a presentation saying gross profit was up by almost 1% for a total of $1,541,248. Of that, $450,000 was returned to the city’s general fund covering approximately 8% of the total budget for the city of Big Lake.
March
Big Lake Police Reserve Officers Andrew Smith, Crystal Gassman, Grant Reitmeier, and Aaron Lee were awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award before the full city council at their March 12, 2025 meeting.
The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is given to individuals whose service has positively impacted their respective community. The four reserves received the Bronze Presidential Service Award due to their combined 590 volunteer hours towards the City of Big Lake.
BLP Chief John Kaczmarek also recognized Reserve Program Coordinators Sgt. Guy Chaffee and Officer Chris Hoard, who were also present, for their hard work and dedication. Kaczmarek explained that reserve officers volunteer outside of their normal obligations. Reserve officers volunteered a total of 627 hours in 2024 prompting him to say, “I am still amazed at how many hours they have put in back-to-back years since we brought the reserve program back.”
Special recognition was given to Reserve Officer Jada Isais. Isais volunteered for Spud Fest and Music in the Park. Kaczmarek and Chaffee also welcomed Reserve Officer Benjamin Bauman who started with the reserves on January 8, 2025.
Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Hanna Klimmek explained that she and Mayor Paul Knier had the opportunity to spend time at the State Capital on March 6 for “City Day on the Hill” sponsored by the League of MN Cities. The two testified during a House Capital Investments Committee with the hope that they pass a bonding bill that approves money for Big Lake’s upcoming Wastewater Facility Treatment project.
Consent Agenda
Carla Ranelle was appointed to the Senior Administrative Assistant Position for the city. The position has been vacant since council accepted the resignation of Stacey Fox in Nov. 2024. Seventy people applied for the open position. Seven were interviewed. Upon successful completion of a background check, Ranelle will start on April 1.
On-Sale Liquor Licenses and Sunday Liquor Licenses were renewed for the following businesses - Tootsies Lakeside Pub, The Third Rail Bar and Grill, The Buff, McPete’s Sports Bar and Lanes, Trails Grill and Sports Bar, and Willy’s on the Water. Taproom On-Sale, Sunday, and Small Brewer Off-Sale licenses were renewed for Lupulin Brewing Company and Wine License & 3.2% On-sale Malt Liquor License for Style Catering.
