CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, July 13, 2026, 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Ryan Holmes.
PRESENT: Council: Ryan Holmes, Rebecca Haugen, and Stuart Ohr
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Laurie Musselman
ABSENT: Council: Eric Dierks & Jeremiah Flotterud
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy, Peter Grimsrud – Zumbrota News-Record, Brandon Theobald - WHKS, Jacob Vredenburg, and Hunter Harvell.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Haugen. Passed 3-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Haugen motioned, seconded by Ohr. Passed 3-0-0.
Mayor Holmes stated that the Wanamingo 4th of July celebration was a success. Holmes thanked all who were involved with putting on events, especially the Wanamingo Fire Department/Relief Association, the Wanamingo Lions Club, and Wanamingo Commercial Club. Holmes was happy that the fireworks were able to set off and avoided the rain.
Holmes thanked Jacob Vredenburg, Hunter Harvell, and the other volunteers that cleaned up the downed large cottonwood tree that fell on top of the horseshoe pits at Riverside Park. The horseshoe tournament was able to be played on the 4th of July because of the cleanup. Holmes stated that the City would provide fuel for the skid loader and chainsaws. Boulton recommended working with Brad Kennedy on the fuel.
PRESENTERS:
A) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Re-installed the Larson Log Cabin sign with new posts – Gary Bakko repainted the lettering of the sign.
2) Placed new red mulch around the Community Center/City Hall Building
3) Painted yellow on curbs around town for no parking and the white parking stalls on Main Street.
4) Watermain break on Railroad Street and 2nd Avenue intersection repaired by Schumacher Excavating.
5) Schumacher replaced broken gate valve standpipe. They vacuumed out the holes and installed new standpipe.
6) Handicap sign and pole installed at Medical Center Building on Main Street
7) Finished up 4th of July preparation work including, moving garbage containers, spraying, sweeping streets, mowing, and trimming.
8) 4th of July welcome banner taken down after the 4th of July events
9) Schaefer Heating & Air Conditioning waiting on warranty parts for air conditioner at Medical Center
10) Put together a list of asphalt patching. Measured the patch sizes and received quotes. The asphalt patching is scheduled for August to be completed by Bill’s Blacktop.
11) Mowed and trimmed along MN TH 60 & MN TH 57 ditch and utility poles. Mowed at the WWTP, community garden, undeveloped lot boulevards, and other various areas around town.
12) Emptied garbage containers on Main Street; the goal is to check and empty the garbage containers weekly.
13) Swept streets; the goal is to sweep Main Street weekly, the west side of town and the east side of town on Wednesdays alternating weeks.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
26-041 = Approving Pay Request No. 4 For TK Contracting on Emerald Valley 2 Subdivision: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Theobald stated that the ware course layer of asphalt is complete. The stub of the stormwater piping into the pond (easement required) remains. Theobald stated that Minnesota Energy is installing natural gas and Xcel Energy is installing electric services and street lighting. The project is 99%. The total pay estimate is $37,191.19. There will be a Pay Request No. 5-Final in the future once the IC-4 form is complete. The City is holding back $500 retention. Theobald stated that the new plat must be corrected, then be signed, and then recorded. Theobald stated that Emerald Valley 2nd is incorrect and that it will be Emerald Valley 6th. The storm sewer two pipes and outlet will need to be installed after the easement is obtained through the Amundson’s. This work can either be completed by TK Contracting or another contractor. Passed 3-0-0.
Administrator Boulton provided a mowing contract to the Council. Administrator Boulton and Mayor Holmes have been in discussions with Lunde Lawn Care as the current mowing services is up December 31, 2026. Boulton stated that the City has mutually agreed upon terms for contract extensions since the original 2008-2010 contract expired. The Lunde Lawn Care mowing contracts have been for 2008-2010, 2011-2013, 2014-2018, 2019-2023, and 2024-2026. The City has obtained at least one other proposal to ensure that extension agreements are within the market rate. Boulton spoke with Lunde Lawn Care regarding either a contract extension or a formal request for proposal (RFP) for mowing services. Lunde Lawn Care has indicated that a three-year agreement is the ideal contract terms for both best pricing and contractor comfort.
The current mowing service contract with Lunde Lawn Care was from January 1, 2024-December 31, 2026. The contract includes weekly mowing and at least monthly trimming (along with Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekend additional trimming) of the agreed upon areas designated by a mowing map. The weekly mowing contract was $850 in 2024, $875.00 in 2025, and $900 in 2026. Lunde Lawn Care has been significantly lower in costs in comparison to other contractors. The weekly mowing commences in April and concludes in October.
The maintenance staff may have suggestions for changes to the mowing map exchanging some areas that the City mows with areas the contractor mows. The mowing contractor mows the parks and other easily mowed areas that require routine mowing. The City mows the rough areas such as the wastewater treatment plant, nature trails, ditches, and other areas that do not require routine mowing.
Boulton stated that there is competition for mowing contracts in the area. Several area mowing companies have inquired about the City contract over the years. It is time to discuss how the Council wishes to move forward with the mowing contract. The Council can decide to request a quote from Lunde Lawn Care and another local mowing contractor, assuming the Lunde Lawn Care would be the lowest. The City could then enter into a contract extension. The other option is to put together a full RFP’s for mowing. The RFP could be brought to the Council to review and approval at the July 27th meeting. The RFP could then be sent out to contractors and published in the newspaper in early August. A formal contract decision and agreement could be completed at the September Council meeting. Boulton asked the Council to provide staff with direction; either prepare a contract extension or go to a formal RFP starting in August.
Ohr stated that Lunde Lawn Care has done a great job with the City mowing and that an extension to the contract should be considered with another quote. Holmes stated that Lunde has done a good job and that obtaining comps for quotes would be preferable. Kennedy stated that City staff will be prepared to take over all mowing once the North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer district regional wastewater treatment plant and collections system replaces the Wanamingo wastewater treatment facility. Staff should have the time to mow and will no longer require a mowing contract. Haugen said that she was good with two quotes and if in line, and extension to the contract. Boulton stated that he will work to obtain three years mowing contract quotes from Lunde Lawn Care and Zumbro Valley Landscaping for the August City Council meeting.
26-042 = Approving Plans and Specifications for Lead Service Lines Replacement Project and Call to Advertise for Bid: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Theobald stated that bidding will take place on August 2nd. The State project completion, including all records’ submissions, is at the end of 2027. The contractor will need to complete the service line replacements and restoration by Fall 2027. Theobald stated that he and staff will review details of the plans later this week. There are unknown quantities and exact locations for replacement need to be determined. There are 9-10 galvanized (treated same as lead) water service lines on the list to replace (pull new line through while pulling old line out or directionally drill new lines). Theobald will be working with the City Attorney and City Administrator on agreements with property owners that require lead service line replacements. The agreement will lay out responsibilities including a new water service line, including hookup in basement, and exterior restoration. Theobald stated that the agreement will not include basement restoration (not included in grant). There will be a one-year warranty period. After one year, the homeowner is responsible for any issues. Homeowners will not be required to replace the services but if they choose not to participate, they will need to sign off on responsibility for future replacement. Passed 3-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Theobald and Holmes provided an update on the Emerald Valley stormwater ponds and piping easement negotiation with Randy and Trish Amundson. Theobald has a July 16th meeting lined up with Ethan Waytas of Nagell Appraisal Incorporated on the appraisals. The appraisals will be for both the potential easement and potential land sale options. The Amundson’s agreed with Theobald and Holmes to allow for WHKS to survey and for the City to hire an appraiser to appraise both the proposed easement and the proposed land sale. Theobald stated that once the appraiser put together the two appraisals the City could negotiate with the Amundson’s.
Vredenburg, of Homestead Restoration, stated that he plans to start work on the pedestrian walking bridge ramp repairs on Tuesday July 14th. Vredenburg hopes to complete the work in about a week. The wood bridge ramp was damaged by a fire in May 2025. The original contractor that was awarded the work late last summer was unable to obtain materials and then be able to schedule completion of the work in 2025. The contractor and the City mutually agreed to void the contract in May 2026 due to additional scheduling conflicts. Homestead Restoration was awarded the project as second lowest bidder. They were able to obtain materials and work the project into their July schedule. Vredenburg stated that it would be good to let the public know the work begins with a Facebook post. Boulton stated that he would be onsite at 10:00AM for pictures and would place a post on Facebook.
Boulton stated that RWC Tech Solutions have started the City phone change process. New phones have been installed at City Hall, City Shop, Fire Hall, and Swimming Pool. Boulton stated that an internet hotspot has been ordered through Verizon for the swimming pool since there is no internet present. Boulton, Holmes, and Kennedy have been discussing options with RWC Tech Solutions and Automatic Systems for the well house auto dialer. The options are moving the dialer from Well #3 to Well #2, which includes work by Automatic Systems. There is internet at Well #2, the control room at Well #2 is less caustic than Well #3, and it would centralize the equipment. The other option is another hotspot for Well #3. Both options carry costs to change but moving the dialer to Well #2 is the best longer-term option. Boulton, Holmes, and Kennedy lean toward mowing the dialer to Well #2.
Wanamingo City Council General Election - Filing for Mayor (2-Year Term), City Council (Two 4-Year Terms) will run from July 14th - July 28th.
*Next City Council meetings on 7/27/2026 (Budget Meeting) at 6:00pm and 8/10/2026 at 7:00PM.
Adjourn: At 7:30PM a motion to adjourn by Ohr and seconded by Haugen. Passed 3-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
