20-02-2025
East Grand Forks approves game plan for arena improvements
Feb. 19—EAST GRAND FORKS — The East Grand Forks City Council formally approved its plans for the use of sales tax funds during its meeting Tuesday night.
Following the approval of a 1%, 20-year sales tax by East Grand Forks residents in November. The council previously approved the ordinance that would actually implement the sales tax, but as part of the process of giving the Minnesota Department of Revenue information to begin collection of the tax, a formal decision has to be made by the City Council on the projects and use of sales tax.
"One of the documents the Department of Revenue asked for was minutes from the council that you had formally approved the project," City Administrator Reid Huttunen said. "Going back through all of the resolutions you've passed in the prior couple of years all speak to this project, but hadn't formally put this plan as presented at previous work sessions in front of you for approval."
Discussions for the improvements of the
VFW Memorial and Civic Center arenas have been around since 2018
. However, between delays from the pandemic, and the Legislature putting a moratorium on local sales taxes, the city wasn't given the approval to have a vote until 2023 for a vote in 2024. The facilities need several million dollars in improvements to maintain current operation levels.
The council did review the proposed improvements during a work session in September, but this formality ensures that the city continues on the path for the tax being in force in July. According to 2023 estimates,
the tax will generate around $22 million over the course of the next two decades.
Council members also reported back on their experiences at the latest legislative action day of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Council members Dale Helms and Brian Larson, along with Mayor Mark Olstad, Economic Development Director Maggie Brockling and Huttunen went to St. Paul last week to visit with legislators on priorities for cities not in the seven-county metro area.
"That was my first time going and it was quite an experience," Helms said. "I learned a few things, but I have to say I didn't come back with real hope on a lot of stuff because the state is pretty much, I think, a mess."
The start of the 94th legislative session has few, if any, historical comparisons in modern history. Even though the session began on Jan. 14, the House of Representatives only
convened officially for the first time two weeks ago following court cases
of what constitutes a quorum and candidate residency. The Minnesota Senate too was tied for a period of time and only recently returned to full membership with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party continuing its one-seat majority.
The state's budget will also be tight this year with a projected deficit being discussed. However, there could be movement on expanding eligibility for the border-cities enterprise zone
program which gives the city resources to be competitive with North Dakota.
"Moorhead has taken the lead on introducing that bill, but we'll be right there along with them to support that," Huttunen said. "I think there is some positive traction to it this year."
In other news, the council:
* Approved to continue leasing space out of the East Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Workshop to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver, and Vehicle Services for conducting driver's license road tests. The lease will last another two years until 2027 for $1,300 a year.
* Approved special event permits for the Grand Forks 10, a race occurring in August, and for the Scheels Boundary Battle Catfish Tournament to occur in June.
