A government meeting recently addressed the preliminary plat for the expansion of the Kongsminger Cemetery, which will be situated on a 2.5-acre tract in Esther Township. The proposed expansion aims to add 208 grave sites to the existing cemetery, which has been active since 1886. Each plot is designed to measure 4 feet by 12 feet.

The cemetery is located in a rural area, adjacent to a church, and is part of an agricultural district. Notably, the site falls within a 100-year floodplain overlay district, which raises concerns about flooding. A ring dike has been constructed around the cemetery and church parcels to mitigate flooding risks, although it has not been certified by the Army Corps of Engineers or FEMA, meaning it remains technically within the floodplain.

Rich Sanders, the County Highway Engineer, reported no issues with the cemetery's proposed layout. The planning process is guided by Minnesota state statute 307.01, which mandates the planning of public and private cemeteries. Access to the site is facilitated by County Highway 22, located approximately 16 miles northeast of Grand Forks.

During the public hearing, it was revealed that the existing cemetery has many unmarked plots, complicating the identification of available spaces. The congregation is working to establish a cemetery association for ongoing management and care of the site. The expansion is seen as a necessary step to accommodate the needs of the community, as the current cemetery is nearing capacity.