Jordan City Council Holds Final Meeting of 2025, Recognizes Students and Addresses Council Structure
By Jan Gilmer
The City of Jordan City Council held its final meeting of the year on December 22, 2025, recognizing student essay winners, discussing the size of the City Council, and approving items on the consent agenda.
City Council Meeting
Public Comment
Mayor Fremming explained the Mayor for a Day Essay Contest was created by the League of Minnesota Cities. Jordan Middle School works with City staff to schedule discussions with sixth-grade students about the City of Jordan and how it operates. Following the discussions, students were asked to write essays suggesting ways the current administration could improve the city.
Mayor Fremming noted that while some suggestions were familiar—such as a swimming pool—others were more insightful. These included ideas like children’s theater, a pet adoption center, more books in the library for teenagers, expanded biking and walking paths, clean energy, improvements to the track and field facility, and the addition of a Kwik Trip.
Mayor Fremming read a proclamation recognizing six winners of Jordan Middle School’s Mayor for a Day Essay Contest and presented a plaque to Leah Bertrang.
Administrator’s Report
At the request of Council, staff scheduled a discussion regarding a potential reduction in the number of City Council members from seven to five.
Administrator Nikunen explained that he worked with legal counsel to outline the required process. Reducing the Council would require an ordinance change at least 60 days prior to the 2026 regular city election. If approved, only two seats would be up for election in 2028 instead of four, and beginning in January 2029 the Council would consist of five members.
Council discussed the proposal and acknowledged that while there could be minor cost savings, members felt a reduction would come at the expense of productivity during meetings and require remaining members to take on additional committee assignments, impacting family time and other commitments. Members also cited broader community representation, more diverse viewpoints, improved committee coverage, and better support for new members as benefits of a seven-member Council. Concerns were raised that reducing the Council could place additional strain on the Mayor and potentially discourage future candidates from running.
Councilmember Goebel motioned to reject pursuing a reduced Council membership, seconded by Councilmember Pho. The motion passed, with Councilmember Schuh opposed.
City Engineer Luke Wheeler introduced a Railroad Surfacing Agreement for an alley located one-half block north of First Street, noting complaints from businesses that rely on the alley for deliveries and customer access. Wheeler explained that only the railroad can make the necessary repairs. Union Pacific provided an estimate of $113,560, and the price is not negotiable. Councilmember Goebel stated the City has attempted negotiations in the past without success, and Councilmember Monyok noted the cost would likely increase if repairs were delayed.
Councilmember Goebel motioned to approve the bid for the railroad resurfacing as presented, seconded by Councilmember Monyok. Councilmember Whipps strongly opposed the action, stating the Council previously declined to pursue new lighting at the Highway 282 and County Road 21 intersection due to safety concerns, yet was choosing to fund repairs to a limited-use railroad crossing in an alley.
Councilmember Penney raised concerns about a prospective HVAC business that expressed interest in a downtown property but was told the use was not permitted in the C-3 downtown commercial zoning district. He asked staff to explain the reasoning, noting the business would primarily use the space for storage and administrative functions and that an occupied building would be preferable to a vacant one. Administrator Nikunen explained that HVAC businesses are only permitted in industrial zoning districts. The intent of the C-3 district is to encourage foot traffic in the downtown area. He added that while Hennen Electric is a legal nonconforming use, new businesses must meet the ordinance requirements, as cleanliness and compatibility cannot be guaranteed.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda included:
Bills
Monthly Police Report – November
Finance Report
Resolution 12-89-2025 – Highway 169 Coalition Dissolution
Railroad Crossing Improvements Agreement (moved to the Administrator’s Report)
Resignation – Leverson
Mayor Fremming requested that the Railroad Crossing Improvements Agreement be moved to a separate agenda item. Councilmember Whipps motioned to approve consent agenda items A through D and F, which were approved by Council.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Fremming thanked staff for attending a county meeting with him and expressed appreciation to Council members for their dedication and work throughout the year. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Council Comments
Each Council member wished residents happy holidays. Councilmember Whipps also thanked firefighter Leverson for 14 years of service to the City of Jordan Fire Department.