September 15, 2026
Proposed- Not Adopted
Minutes of Wolverton City Council Meeting
Pursuant to due call and proper notice, a meeting of the City of Wolverton Council was held on September 15, 2026. The meeting was called to order by Jessica Nelson at 6:15 P.M. Council members present were Frank Israelson, Josh Jensen and Shawn O’Dell.
Absent:
Also Present: Jason Butts
Presentation:
Jason Butts, City Attorney in Breckenridge for 5 years with Smith and Strege for 18 years before that. Reviewed all of our current ordinances. Emphasized that every town has an issue with controlling properties. It’s designed to be difficult to protect personal freedom. In 2024 Breckenridge did 59 letters about mowing yards. 2023-15 and 2026-2. Debris 23 letters in 2024, 16 letters in 2025, 3 in 2026. He has also helped Campbell and Rothsay with problem yards. Our ordinances while jumbled do give us tools. Lots of letters and contact with these residents, but it usually gets results. Two routes to take-civil process where we do the work and then we bill them then we certify to their property taxes. Then there is criminal where they are charged with a misdemeanor. Discussed constitutional limitations. When he handles these situations he typically sends 3 letters with each getting more aggressive. He suggested we meet with the County Attorney Jason Hastings to see what he would be able to do to help us first. He also typically recommends that we start this process in the Spring as it is very time-consuming.
Discussed MN Livable Code of Ordinances. It is designed specifically for small towns. Another option is to reorder and organize our existing ones.
Also discussed unsafe or uninhabitable properties and how do they get deemed as such. It has to be unsafe to stand or affect city systems such as sewer etc. Must show there is a health problem or affecting neighbors.
Minutes:
a. Josh Jensen moved to accept August 2026 minutes. It was seconded by Frank Israelson and carried, all in favor.
Bills & Claims:
a. Josh Jensen moved to accept the bills & claims. It was seconded by Frank Israelson and carried, all in favor.
Utilities: 1 that we are working on.
Correspondence: None
Engineer/Water/Sewer:
a. Water and Sewer have been good.
b. John flushed the water tower and will be flushing water hydrants once MRWA can get her to help fix a hydrant.
Parks:
a. Jessica left two picnic tables were left at the campground.
b. Will seed the campground right before snowfall after soaking the ground.
c. Will request a copy of the inspection report for the electrical work done.
d. Discussed having a City Christmas gathering.
Streets:
a. Streetlights-To be done in September
Mayor/City Clerk:
a. Discussed updates on the nuisance properties.
1. Jessi will reach out to one owner to see if he’d like us to bring the city tractor over to remove the pile for the same, we will charge for an hour of mowing.
2. Jessi has been in touch with the fire property contractor and he is supposed to be getting it finalized. He explained that he’s had delays with garbage dumpsters and other projects. T & G Sanitation information was provided to him.
3. Other nuisance yard has been followed up with for continued work. We will continue to contact resident. City council has offered to help her clean up with yard as well as look at bringing in a dumpster. Josh will go over there this weekend to remove the tree branches that she’s having issues with.
b. New utility software- if they continue auto pay through their checking account we will cover the $1 charge.
c. Breanna Koval-Wilkin County Environmental Coordinator-We need to do a conditional use permit. Hearing will be on September 30th. Buffalo Red presented the conditional use permit. Reviewed map-Anything highlighted in orange is within the county jurisdiction. Buffalo Red needs to apply for a building permit or give us a letter of authorization which requires them to uphold certain conditions. Breanna will be contacting Buffalo Red and letting them know that they need to contact us to proceed. Most current information on all aspects of the diversion can be found on their website.
d. Discussed seasonal employment ending for the season September 30th. Employment will be on an as needed/project basis during the off season.
e. Discussed property tax levy. Preliminary will do the 5% increase as done in the past but will adjust based on final budgets in December.
Municipal Business Development: None
Motion to Adjourn: Shawn O’Dell moved to adjourn September 15, 2026, it was seconded by Frank and carried, all in favor. Jessica Nelson declared the meeting adjourned. The next Wolverton City Council Meeting will be held on October 13, 2026.
Signed:
Jessica Nelson, Mayor
Attest: Jessi Kappes, Clerk