Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 9th, 2026
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons: Mike Hammes, Dustin Wiebusch, Crystal Hughley, and Steve Liffrig.
Others Present: City Engineer Matt Mohs from Bolton & Menk, Wabasha County Deputy Sherriff Jason Lorenzen, MLS Manager Todd Ihrke, Charlotte Muenzenberger from News-Record, City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, Andrew Forliti from Cohn Reznick, MFD Assistant Chief Brandon Goranson, Jeremy Tri, Marie Josselyn, Edward Heppelmann, James Heppelmann, John Clemens, Deputy Clerk-Erica Young, and City Administrator-Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: Luke Lunde from WSB.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hughley to approve the agenda with adjustments to public hearing start times. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Hammes to approve the regular Council meeting minutes for August 12th, 2026. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close regular meeting and open public hearing for Ordinance 2026-01 Moratorium on Land Use for Data Centers. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Explanation was presented that a moratorium gives the City time to review zoning ordinances and make changes needed to tailor zoning use for an industry that is new.
Not having the proper zoning designation has created issues in other communities.
The City has not been approached for any projects of this type.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close public hearing and open regular council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Andrew Forliti presented 2025 Audit Summary.
Wabasha County Sherriff Jason Lorenzen presented the ICR for the month of July.
Public Works Director Scott Ellingson presented the Public Works report.
MFD Assistant Chief Brandon Goranson presented the Fire Department report and Fire Relief By-Law change summary.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close regular meeting and open public hearing for Variance Request for 585 3rd Ave NE. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
The variance was requested as a part of a street vacation for Beech St. NE. Since a street vacation had not been petitioned, it was put forth that a variance was the incorrect procedure to address the issue. Options that were discussed included filing a petition for vacating a portion of Beech St., an encroachment agreement with the City, or on-going legal action.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close public hearing and open regular council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Municipal Liquor Store Manager Todd Ihrke presented the Municipal Liquor Store report.
City Engineer Matt Mohs presented the Engineering update.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve WWTP Contractor Pay Application #22 for $510,280.64 contingent upon approval by Rural Development. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Wiebusch to approve Street Utility Contractor Pay Application #10 for $5,465.54. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Luke Lunde from WSB presented update on Zumbro Riverbank Project Phase 2.
Administrator-Clerk Karl Nahrgang presented the City Hall report.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hughley to approve Resolution 2026-01 Moratorium on Land Use for Data Centers. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Wiebusch to authorize Matt Mohs from Bolton & Menk to source information and quotes on data center study. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Liffrig to accept withdrawal of Variance request for 585 3rd Ave NE. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2026-37 Accepting Donation from Mazeppa Lions Club in the amount of $2000 for Mazeppa Daze related expenses. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2026-38 Closing City Portions of 2nd Ave. SE, 3rd Ave. SE, Summit St., South St., and Cedar St. for the Mazeppa Monster Dash. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2026-39 approving Temporary Offsite Liquor License for MMLS at MCC, September 12th, 2026. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Wiebusch to approve Snow Hauling contract with Turbo Enterprises for 2026-2027 winter season. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Wiebusch to approve Plowing and Hauling contract for Wabasha County for 2026-27 winter season in the amount of $3265.51. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Liffrig to approve 2027 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hughley, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2026-40 to submit grant application and accept 2 (two) Radar Feedback Signs from the MNDOT. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to pay bills & claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Liffrig, second by Hughley to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
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Deputy Clerk
