Jan. 14—EAST GRAND FORKS — The East Grand Forks City Council discussed a lease agreement with the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization during its work session Tuesday night.
The city and MPO will be amending their lease to allow the MPO to have additional space within East Grand Forks City Hall. The lease also has provisions for a 7.4% increase in rent in 2026. The changes to the space arrangement allow for better use of space for both the city and MPO, according to East Grand Forks Community Development Director Nancy Ellis, who serves as City Hall’s building manager.
“One thing that we try to do is maximize the use of our space, rent when we can, and make sure that we’re bringing in some revenue to help pay for maintenance and utilities,” Ellis told the council. “Office space rent in and around the Grand Forks area is averaging between $13 and $15 per square foot, so we’re right in that ballpark.”
Currently, the MPO rents 776 square feet of space on the second floor of City Hall, paying the city $10,776 a year, $13.50 a square foot, to rent office space and an additional $300 for storage space. If the MPO approves the agreement, the rent will increase to $13,216.50 a year, reflecting an additional 203 square feet in office space but no longer renting storage space. Starting in 2026, the rent will go up to $14.50 a square foot, or $14,195.50 a year. The lease is proposed for two years.
As part of Economic Development Director Maggie Brockling taking over, the
city looked into remodeling the economic development and city planning offices
located on the second floor. Renovations, approved by the City Council in September, are nearing completion with the MPO taking over more office space to better accommodate storage and staff needs.
Ellis also told the council that the city will soon being renegotiating the lease it has with Tri-County Corrections, which operates a probation office in City Hall.
In other news, the council:
* Recommended approving changes to the East Grand Forks Fire Department Relief Association’s bylaws. Changes to the bylaws are required to be approved by the council and include changes to the deferred interest rate and changes to the benefit amount given per year of service.
* Discussed council priorities for 2025 and priorities for the 2025 Minnesota legislative session. A top priority for the city is readjusting the local government aid formula to better fit the needs of the city. Mayor Mark Olstad told the council that it’s important the Legislature keeps the formula competitive and paced with inflation so the city doesn’t continue to lose out on funding.