July 2026 City Council Minutes

July 2026

Mayor Mark Larson called to order the July 6, 2026, City Council meeting in the Argyle Council Chambers at 7:00 PM. Members present were David Gunderson, Zachary Beaudry, Mark Larson and Aaron Rivard. Penni Anderson attended via telephone. Also in attendance were Jon Olson from Apex Engineering, Cecil Deschene, Michael Pagnac, Mason Mock, and Tamara Benitt. Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by David Gunderson, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.

Motion by Zach Beaudry, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to authorize Apex Engineering to proceed with the water main extension and site design work for the fire hall. Motion carried.

A Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers to approve the bond for the Fire Hall.

Motion by Zach Beaudry, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to approve Payment No. 6 to Davidson's Construction for Lincoln Avenue Improvements. Motion carried.

Motion by Zach Beaudry, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to approve all needed improvements and repairs to Filter Plant. Motion approved.

Council consensus was to prioritize City water system needs and allow staff to shut down truck fills as necessary with notice to users.

A motion was made by Aaron Rivard and seconded by David Gunderson, to proceed with the gas line loop in the 2027 budget year and include a tee for potential future extension and wait to run new gas line to Zach Beaudry's property. Motion carried.

Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by David Gunderson, to approve the Maintenance Report. Motion carried.

Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Zach Beaudry, to amend Ordinance 02-2026, an Ordinance relating to drainage in Sanitary Sewer system.

Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Zach Beaudry, to approve the Wellhead Protection Plan Part 1. Motion carried.

On a motion by David Gunderson, seconded by Aaron Rivard, Resolution 12-2026- Approving sale of real property- Lots 11 & 12, Block 11, of First Addition was adopted. Motion carried.

Building permits: Janet St. Germain - garage floor. Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Zach Beaudry, to approve the building permits. Motion carried.

The City's estimated population as of April 1, 2025, was reported as 530, with 246 households, compared to 529 residents and 246 households the prior year.

Filing for Candidacy is July 14th – July 28th with a filing fee of $2.00. Penni Anderson and David Gunderson terms expire December 31st.

Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Zach Beaudry, to approve Law Office of Patrick D. Moren as the City of Argyle's Legal Counsel starting August 2026 and to finish up the current issues with Brink Lawyers. Motion carried.

Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Zach Beaudry, to approve the bills presented for payment, the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, delinquent accounts and vacation & sick leave. Motion carried.

Being no further business, motion by Zach Beaudry, second by David Guderson, to adjourn. Motion carried.

REMINDERS & NOTICES

• Recycling: Waste Management recycling tote pickup will be on AUGUST 12, 2026.
• Food Shelf: August 11th • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • St. Rose • Everyone Welcome.
• Curbside Compost Pickup: Mondays (Spring thru Fall).
  • Haul garden and yard waste (trees, branches, leaves, etc.) to your berm for Monday pickup.
  • All smaller clippings must be bagged or in a can.
  • Fees: ½ Truckload - $30.00 | Full Truckload - $50.00 | Anything smaller is free of charge
• Dumpster Rentals: Available through the City Office.
  • Call 218-437-6621 for a list of acceptable items and to schedule a drop-off date.
  • Cost: $45.00 + tax

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:

Attached is the newly approved Ordinance relating to drainage into the City of Argyle's sanitary sewer system.

There are many reasons for enforcing the amount of additional water running through our sanitary sewer system:

1. State Regulations: The State monitors our water use versus our sanitation discharge. When our discharge is higher than our water use, the State is aware that it comes from additional sources like sump pumps. Discharging sump pumps into sanitary sewer is not allowed by the State.
2. Lagoon Capacity: Rain from a large rain event plus additional water from sump pumps are all sent throughout our sanitary sewer system. This makes water levels at our lagoons rise rapidly. There is only a limited amount of space in the lagoons between discharge windows set by the State.
3. Backup Risks & System Costs: With the extreme amount of additional water, sanitary pumps at all lift stations are unable to keep up, posing a threat of sewage backup into your household. Extra run time depletes the pumps faster, resulting in additional expenses to the City and its residents.

The Ordinance states that no sump pump discharge will be allowed in our sanitary sewer between April 1st and November 1st. The city crew will be monitoring and inspecting often. Any violators will be provided five days to correct the issue. Any person who does not correct the problem within the 5-day grace period will be fined $50.00 a day until corrected.

During these months, we will not tolerate the switch from sanitary sewer to outdoor discharge. Once inspected, any person that changes the valve to reroute back into the sanitary sewer system will be fined $100.00 a day until corrected with no grace period.

ALL SUMP PUMPS MUST BE ROUTED TO YOUR YARD OR STREET DURING APRIL 1st – NOVEMBER 1st.

Thank you all for understanding and participating in keeping the city utility system working properly and at lower costs!

Ordinance No. 02-2026

AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO DRAINAGE IN SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

On a motion by Penni Anderson,

The City Council of Argyle, Minnesota ordains:

An ordinance amending Section §51.062, to read as follows:

1. No person(s) shall discharge or cause to be discharged any unpolluted water such as stormwater, ground water, roof runoff, or surface drainage to any sanitary sewer during April 1st through November 1st. Any person found to be violating any provision of this subdivision shall be served by the City with written notice stating the nature of the violation and shall provide five (5) days for satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.
2. Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided in this subdivision shall be fined $50.00 per day for each violation until corrected. Each day in which any such violation occurred shall be deemed a separate offense.
3. Every person owning improved real estate that discharges into the City’s sanitary sewer system shall allow an employee of the City of Argyle to inspect the buildings to confirm that there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharging into the sanitary sewer system. City staff may apply to the district court for an appropriate administrative search warrant if a property owner refuses to allow an inspection of the owner’s property. The City shall reconnect water utility upon the owner’s compliance with the inspection.
4. Once inspected, any person that changes valves or reroutes back to the sanitary sewer system shall be fined $100.00 per day with no grace period per day. Each day in which any such violation occurred shall be deemed a separate offense.

David Gunderson seconded to approve the City Council to ordain Ordinance No. 02-2026 related to drainage in sanitary sewer system.

• AYE: Gunderson, Anderson, Beaudry, Rivard, Larson
• NAY: None
• ABSENT: None

This ordinance shall take effect upon publication in the Messenger.

Adopted by the City Council this 6th day of July 2026.