VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 9th, 2026
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, March 9th, 2026.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the American Legion Hall facility at 5:30 p.m., 804 N. Main Street. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Tim Dolan, Kim Grasley & Darlene Wundrow. Trustees Mark Zimmer and Jim Johnson were absent. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes and Deputy Nicole Frisinger attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to approve the February 2nd, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report to the Board about the water damage at the Village Hall and that the crew has been busy getting the office staff moved to the shop.
They have been working on the 3rd Street Lift Station. Two of the motors went out and have been replaced. At some point, a new submersible pump would need to be installed.
The Chevy truck is down in Osseo getting recalls worked on.
The crew has been busy street sweeping around town. Don’s Sweeper Service will be here in the spring to do the annual street sweeping.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Trevor Richards, Library Director, attended the meeting to report there will be a fundraiser on March 14th for a PI Day event.
Virtual Author Talks are still under way.
Summer reading scheduling is being finalized. A couple of the programs will need to be moved to the American Legion Hall due to Village Hall flooding.
A Book Bingo event is currently going on.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Safety:
Village Hall Water Damage: The Village Hall facility had building flooding on February 23rd due to a water sprinkler line break in the ceiling. Insurance was contacted. ServPro has begun demo. Ceilings and carpet have been torn out. A representative from Fireline Sprinkler, LLC was out and did an evaluation. They believe the lines had been leaking for some time. Discussion was had on if a sprinkler system was required to be reinstalled. Office staff are working with the insurance company along with HVAC and the sprinkler system company to determine next steps. A question was asked if the work would need to be put out for bids. The Village’s adjuster determined that given the emergency circumstances, the Village would not have to.
HVAC and sprinkler system work would be at the delegation of the Board. Reconstruction would be handled by ServPro or as the Board decides.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Village Hall Water Damage’ item until the April, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Temporary Village Offices will be located at the Village Shop, 228 E. River Avenue, Board and Committee meetings will be located at the American Legion Hall, 804 N. Main Street and elections will be located at the American Legion Hall until further notice.
Public Works:
Alley Paving: An invoice for the work completed was received from Russ Thompson last month with a few discrepancies. The Board will hold off on paying this invoice until the discrepancies are resolved. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Alley Paving’ item until the April, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: Nothing to report this month. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds’ issue until the April, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 2/11/26 Report/Minutes: A Public Works Committee was held on February 11th, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to review the current garbage ordinance Title 8 Chapter 3.
The committee is recommending changes & revisions discussed.
The committee is also recommending purchasing recycling violation stickers due to ongoing contamination charges received by Waste Management.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to approve the committee’s recommendations from the February 11th, 2026 meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion:
Trott read aloud a letter he received from the Booster Club, in collaboration with the Blue Hills Lions Club, regarding upgrades to the large concession stand at the park. They plan to remove the old wooden countertops and shelving, replace them with stainless counters and work surfaces and replace shelving within the concession stand, new paint on ceiling, walls, and floor and also purchase a new cooler. All items would be no cost to the Village and all items will be donated to the Village. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Wundrow to approve the work, carried. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the April, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Ordinance Title 8 Chapter 3 Revisions/Amendment Approval: Revisions and updates for ordinance Title 8 Chapter 3 were presented to the Board for review. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to approve the revisions and updates to Title 8 Chapter 3 of the Village’s Code of Ordinances, carried. A full text of the ordinance can be reviewed at the office of the Clerk Treasurer, 228 E. River Avenue, Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $297,402.91 carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Saturday, July 11th, 2026 – Chris Kroeze on Main Street – More information to come at a later date.
Blue Hills Festival – July 10th, 11th & 12th at the Bruce Park
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 5:52 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer