The Crookston City Council met on Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers.
In the public forum, Tiffany Olson, the daughter of Clayton and Mary Briggs, spoke and thanked Polk County EMS and Crookston Police officers for their help on December 31, 2025, at the Briggs’ shop. Olson thanked the Crookston Area Ambulance EMS staff, Nick Niebauer-Adams, and Jack Fuchs, for their professionalism and the genuine care they showed. She also thanked Crookston Police Officers Mitchel Tenneson and James Brandon for their calm demeanor and their compassion. “Thank you for showing up when it mattered most, for bringing calm and reassurance into a frightening situation, and for treating my dad and our family with such care, compassion, and respect during one of the hardest moments we’ve experienced,” said Olson. “Our family is incredibly grateful, and what you did on December 31st left a lasting impression on us, and we cannot thank you enough.”
CANNABIS LOWER-POTENCY HEMP EDIBLE RETAILER LICENSE
In the consent agenda, council member Joseph Shostell pulled the Cannabis lower-potency hemp edible retailer license for Two Captains Inc (DBA Crooks Club) and moved it to the regular agenda for discussion. Two Captains had satisfied all required conditions for licensure, including payment of applicable fees and compliance with zoning, safety, and operational standards. It was questioned if the council could even say no, but Councilman Shostell gave his reasons for not supporting it. “There seem to be a lot of examples showing data of using of these products with traffic violations, with crime. And I don’t feel comfortable supporting something like this. And I understand that there are businesses out there, and it could be that these are reputable people,” said Shostell. “But I think this is a type of the market that we really want to stay away from as much as possible. I alluded to you before in your experience as a police officer. It’s hard to say no to things, but I think when it goes against maybe the type of productivity.”
Dylane Klatt agreed, but said he didn’t think there was anything the City could do. Crookston Police Chief and interim City Administrator Darin Selzler said Klatt was right. “We can’t restrict the number of businesses that we allow in the city.”
The council voted to approve the license by a 5-2 vote with Dylane Klatt, Morgan Hibma, Don Cavalier, Henry Fischer, and Wendy Alt voting yes and Shostell and Clayton Briggs voting no.
DEED REDEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION
On January 5, the city council approved an application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Redevelopment Grant Program, requesting $650,000 to demolish the old Tri-Valley Building. At the council meeting on Tuesday evening (January 20), the council approved adding the wording “to donate the land after the building is demolished to a qualified developer.”
The city staff believes the addition will make the application more favorable for funding.
The Tri-Valley building constitutes a safety hazard and hinders redevelopment potential within the downtown corridor. The City of Crookston intends to request up to $650,000 in Redevelopment Grant funds to support necessary demolition and site preparation activities and the council passed the updated wording to include donating the parcel to a qualified developer.
The council voted 6-1 to add the wording “to donate the land after the building is demolished to a qualified developer,” with Dylane Klatt, Henry Fischer, Clayton Briggs, Morgan Hibma, Wendy Alt, and Don Cavalier voting yes. Voting no was Joseph Shostell.
ABDO CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY REPORT
The council unanimously approved the recommendations from ABDO’s classification and compensation study report to bring non-union employee wages to where they should be. ABDO estimated the cost to be $32,800 and it was actually $20,307.
TAYLOR WYUM AS THE NEW CHEDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The council, as expected, unanimously approved Taylor Wyum as the new Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority Executive Director. The mayor, city council, and City Administrator Darin Selzler all had high praise for Wyum and the job she did under the previous Executive Director Karie Kirschbaum. Taylor has experience in municipal economic development, administration, grant management, strategic planning, and governmental coordination. Since joining the City of Crookston in August of 2004, Taylor has been a project coordinator and has assumed substantial director-level responsibilities across housing, infrastructure, climate, child care, redevelopment, and economic initiatives,” said Selzler. “Taylor is overseeing grant-related processes, including research, application, coordination with consultants, compliance tracking and reporting, and ongoing grant management. In the absence of the prior community development director, Taylor has served as acting lead on and managed all projects, grants, and day-to-day operations. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a master’s degree in climate science solutions. It’s my recommendation belief that Taylor has the qualifications, experience, and leadership necessary to be successful as the next community development director.”
CONSENT AGENDA –
The council approved gas fitter licenses to HN Quality Plumbing, and Pettus Plumbing and Piping Inc. They also approved a cement mason license to Tim’s Masonry and Concrete, LLC.
The council approved the following appointments to committees for 2026.
Charter Commission – Klatt and Alt
CHEDA – Hibma and Shostell
Development Policy and Review – Ault and Fischer
Downtown Crookston Development Partnership – Ault
Crookston Public Library Board – Briggs
Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force – Briggs
Polk County Planning and Zoning – Cavalier
Liason to –
Airport Commission – Brekken
Golden Link – Cavalier
Library Board – Briggs
Park Board – Hibma
Planning Commission – Klatt
OTHER-
First Vice Mayor – Hibma
CITY BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS-
Library Board – Joelle Shostell and Lonnie Peck will join Phil Huck, Judy Meyer, and Christine Reynolds.
Park Board – Andrea Brekken is reappointed and Corky Reynolds will join Tim Moe, Carol Gregg, and Lon Boike.
Development Policy and Review Committee – Corky Reynolds will join Tom Skjei, Ann Oliver and the permanent members (City Finance Director, City Administrator, the Polk County Assessor, and council members Wendy Ault and Derek Brekken.
Planning Commission – Bob Blazek and Todd Johnston are reappointed and will rejoin Jennifer Tate, Alex Tappe, and Barry Bingham.
