Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:04 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons: Steve Liffrig, Mike Hammes, Erica Young, and Dustin Wiebusch.
Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, City Engineer Matt Mohs from Bolton & Menk, MMLS Manager Todd Ihrke, and City Administrator-Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: Holly Galbus from the News Record and Wabasha County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Warren.
Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve September 10, 2025, regular Council meeting minutes, All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Wabasha County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Warren gave the ICR for the month of September. Councilperson Wiebusch asked if Wabasha County was going to be getting electronic license plate readers. Chief Deputy Warren said that Wabasha County had been presented with the capabilities of such a system but chose not to participate.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang gave the Public Works report. Councilperson Wiebusch said that anyone that had new concrete installed during this project should get a letter explaining that no road/sidewalk salt should be used on the new concrete this winter season.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang gave the Fire Department report. Councilperson Wiebusch added at the request of the Fire Department that they will be presenting information to the Council about a Training Recruitment Program aimed at young people to promote interest for future volunteers.
MMLS Manager Todd Ihrke gave the Liquor Store report.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to accept the resignation of Lisa Nance, with thanks for her years of service. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve hiring Sawyer Sheridan as staff at the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
City Engineer Matt Mohs gave the Engineering update. Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang asked if any guidelines had been issued for getting pay applications approved during the shutdown of the Federal Government. Mr. Mohs said that none had been issued and that if there was an alternate way to keep the funding coming at regular intervals, the City should contact the representative from Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, the State agency providing a portion of the funding if there is a way to keep moving forward.
Mr. Mohs asked that 2 representatives from the City be involved in a committee to implement the ADA requirements for City Hall as part of the sewer and water improvements.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve WWTP project pay application #11 to Wapasha Construction for $558,400.50. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Street Utility project pay application #4 to Schumacher Excavating for $319,678.47. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve amend Street Utility Change Order #2 not to exceed $65,000.00. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang reported on City Hall Activities. Attorney Lamprecht suggested that the City contact the County Health Department and speak to their attorney about options to encourage a property owner to agree to a home inspection.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve building permits 28-18-0023, 576 4th Ave. NE Lot 23 – windows. 28-18-0026, 556 1st Ave. N – re-roof. 25-18-0027, 907 River Bluff Rd. SE – re-roof. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2025-34 issuing a temporary off site liquor license to the Mazeppa Municipal Store to cater an event at the Mazeppa Community Center. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2025-35 issuing a temporary off site liquor license to the Mazeppa Municipal Store to cater an event at Herb Vik Park. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2025-36 closing a portion of 1st Ave. S for the Fall Fun Run event. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Resolution 2025-37 approving the reactivation and transfer to W.D.z 2 a liquor license for the facility at 217 1st Ave. N. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch table the acceptance of Larry Liffrig’s resignation from the Mazeppa Economic Development Authority. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2025-38 accepting donations totaling $19,000.00 from the Mazeppa Lions Club. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Attorney Luke Lamprecht said that due to changes in MN FMLA leave rules, the City will need to change its employee handbook and to prepare for additional payroll costs.
Councilperson Young thanked the Park and Rec volunteers for making the Market in the Park events successful this year and the Trail Committee for their fundraising efforts.
Councilperson Wiebusch expressed the need to create an administrative fine schedule that would be applied to zoning usage ordinances.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to recess the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.
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Administrator Clerk
Next Meeting: November 12, 2025
