On September 13, 2021, the Caledonia City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting from 6-7:50 p.m. in the Caledonia City Hall Council Chambers. Council members present, Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Brad Rykhus. Absent Robert “Bob” Klug. Mayor Schroeder led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting agenda, consent agenda, and minutes from the previous council meeting. There were no public comments.
Items approved on the consent agenda: Regular business proposal from WSB & Associates to provide prevailing wage compliance reporting and American iron and steel compliance reporting as part of Well House No. 8 construction project; mutual aid agreement between the City of Caledonia Ambulance Service and City of Houston Ambulance Service; resignation of Mark Schiltz as assistant ambulance director for the Caledonia Ambulance Department; hired Jerry Holter as an emergency medical responder for Caledonia Ambulance Department; approved request from Caledonia Volunteer Fire Relief Association to amend bylaws to increase service pension benefit, disability benefits, and survivor/funeral benefits from $1,200 to $1,300 per year of service.
Reports
Casey Klug, Public Works/Zoning Director, updated the council. Street work continues, as does the repair work at the pool. There is not much progress on the well house as the contractor is still waiting on steel pipes. Black dirt and wood chips were added at the pocket park, and Streetscapes will plant flowers this Saturday. The goats are done eating at Sprague Woods for the year but will be back next year to work on the undergrowth. The Rotary Club had the gazebo power washed and painted. Klug mentioned that the water towers do not have to be washed very often, but if you look at the bottoms, they look like they are covered with black soot from the wildfire smoke.
Adam Swann, the city clerk/administrator, thanked the Farm to Table event organizers for a job well done. Mayor Schroeder added that it was a nice night. Swann mentioned that Monday, September 20 he and Klug will meet with TSP to discuss the design of the proposed ambulance/fire station. Kari Newman wrote a $7,000 Arlin Falck Foundation grant application, which will be used to pay for signage and benches at Sprague Woods as well as pay for the goats to come back next year. Groundbreaking for the new wastewater treatment plant will take place September 27 at 3 p.m. at 423 S. Hokah St.
Stephanie Mann, Financial Officer, shared the worksheet she is using to build the 2022 budget with the council. Mann also included a report comparing the levy per capita of cities in Houston County with Caledonia second from the bottom. Mann is proposing a 6% levy. She then went on to explain what income and expenses she made to the budget since last month. Last year’s bottom line was $23,220, and the proposed budget for 2022 has a bottom line of $15,405. Mann continues to fine-tune the budget as departments review numbers, obtain quotes, and look at staffing needs.
New Business
The council approved the water rate increase, which will be seen on the July 1, 2022, bills. The fixed meter rate increase is $1.60 a month, and the water usage fee will go up by 10 cents per 1,000 gallons.
The council accepted the offer of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to purchase a $1,286,324 General Obligation Water Revenue Note of 2021A. The 1% interest rate on this loan compares to the 1.5% interest rate on the well and the 1% interest rate on the sewer plant.
Swann asked that the recommendation from Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom to hire Emily Logging as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) for Caledonia Ambulance Department be removed from the agenda.
Based on the recommendation of the interview committee, the council approved hiring Michelle Ellingson as assistant to clerk/administrator. Mayor Schroder mentioned, “It was a good interview.”
At a previous city council meeting, members approved using the American Rescue Plan funds for the sewer plant. Swann confirmed that there is no need to decide how the funds are used but recommend rescinding the previous decision. Motion by Ninneman, seconded by Fitzpatrick to rescind the council’s earlier motion, was approved.
The prepaid claims were approved after Swann and Klug clarified the council’s concerns. Swann explained that the $2,416.00 to Murphy Law Office is for multiple criminal cases, and it usually averages $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Casey Klug explained the $984.16 invoice from Minnesota Energy Resources is the August bill for the pool. When the pool was filled, the temperature of the water went from 54 degrees to 83 degrees. The council also approved the claims payable.
The next city council meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, September 27, 2021, at Caledonia City Hall.
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