East Grand Forks City Council Hears Updates From Several City Department Leaders At Tuesday’s City Council Meeting

(KNOX) – The East Grand Forks City Council heard updates from several city department leaders at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The East Grand Forks City Council heard from City Administrator Reid Huttunen about granting cannabis retail registration preapproval to Boreal Elite LLC. This is the alternative business option available for the dispensary location that was previously granted to Red Iris LLC. The council also heard from representatives from Boreal Elite and Canna Corners. Canna Corners is a low potency retail store that applied in the same lottery for a dispensary location that Boreal Elite did and still has interest in opening a dispensary in the city. Huttunen also says the tribally regulated dispensary in town, Waabigwan Mashkiki, can be counted now in East Grand Forks’ limit of two dispensaries if the city wants to make that decision.

The East Grand Forks City Council heard from Economic Development Director Maggie Brockling about renewing the lease the Galstad, Jensen and McCann law office has in the Infill Building. The office building is 3,420 square feet and the rent would stay at $11.25 per square foot. The lease would most likely be for five years, but City Attorney Ron Galstad wants the lease to be for three years.

The East Grand Forks City Council heard on Tuesday from Community Development Director Nancy Ellis about renewing the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization’s building lease agreement. The office space is 979 square feet, and the agreement would be extended by two years. The rent would cost $14.75 per square foot in 2027 and $15 per square foot in 2028.

The East Grand Forks City Council heard from Public Works Director Jason Stordahl about wastewater, stormwater and refuse for the 2027 enterprise fund budgets. Some of the budgeted costs include a five year sewer cleaning contract for $60,000, as well as $132,000 in costs for four pump replacements at Lift Station K9. Stordahl also says East Grand Forks’ waste management rates are up 4 percent, but Grand Forks’ landfill rates are increasing 3 percent. This means rates for sewage and stormwater funds need to be adjusted.

The East Grand Forks City Council also heard from Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jorgen Erickson about winter activities for 2026-2027. The number of participants for synchronized skating went down from 67 to 61, and hockey registrations have decreased from 253 to 244. Erickson also says that registration is still open for most winter events.