Fertile City Council Meets

FERTILE, MN—The Fertile City Council heard from an upset citizen at Monday’s regular meeting.  For almost a year and a half, April Swenby has been asking the Council for data from public meetings and not had a response.  Swenby says her concerns have to do with the city-owned Fair Meadow Nursing Home.  

June of 2023 was when Angie Leiting was forced to resign as Fair Meadow administrator.  Leiting has since filed a lawsuit against the City of Fertile, Mayor Dan Wilkens and Fair Meadow Nursing Home.  Swenby continued her accusations.

The City of Fertile did ask Polk County for leftover COVID funds, but that request was denied. No council member, nor Mayor Wilkens, responded to Swenby’s statement…and Fertile City Administrator Lisa Liden also refused comment.

In actions taken by the Fertile City Council on Monday, the Council voted to put on hold an addition to the city’s Nature Center that would have installed an handicapped accessible restroom.  A $12,500 bid from CS Gorder Construction of Fertile to replace the Nature Center’s roof was approved.  Also, the Council approved up to $12,500 for the public works department to buy a new dump trailer.  Fertile’s four liquor licenses were renewed.  And the City Council renewed its contract with the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center for 30 years.