Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Caledonia resident and library benefactor Chuck Schulte appeared before the board during its March 23 regular meeting to discuss the recent development regarding the proposed new library. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members in attendance included: Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, John Rauk, and Mayor Leis.
“We lost the property to build our library. Henceforth, no new library,” announced Schulte.
He spent over 50 minutes reviewing the project after he began working on it at in early 2024-about a year and a half before he approached the city about donating $1.5 million, half of the estimated $3 million-plus needed to build a new library-to determine why they lost the property and who was responsible.
In his opinion, neither Schultes nor the property owners were responsible. The project is “dead in the water” after the property owners received documentation stating that they would be responsible for any pollution on the site. Schulte confirmed that he had not seen the documentation and that it was not part of the purchase agreement he made with the property owner.
Under new business, Councilor John Rauk made a motion to table the discussion, stating that “emotions are high right now, but I don’t think we should close the door on something happening.”
Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson announced that he learned earlier that day but does not know why. He added that last Wednesday, a bonding bill was introduced by Rep. Greg Davids, a companion bill to Sen. Jeremy Miller’s bill that would fund the remaining $1.875 million for the Caledonia Public Library Project. He noted that it’s not something that the city requested, emphasizing that it is only a bill and does not mean anything at this time. Dickson explained, “If this and its companion are adopted, they would go into the capital bond bill, and if that’s approved, and signed, then we would have a loan out there of $1.75 million to build this library.”
Caledonia Library Director Stephanie Eggert added there is a proposed bill that would raise the limit on the Mary C. Murphy library construction grant. According to the bill, the maximum amount would go from $1 million to $2 million with a 50% match. Eggert said, “There is some potential there.” The city just learned about the bonding bill and the Mary C. Murphy grant earlier in the day.
The library is also in the process of creating a 501(c)(3) organization to raise funds to fill the gaps.
“It is safe to say that the library project is still potentially on the table,” explained Councilor Rauk. “I did not know that the owners misconstrued the cleanup grant.”
Dickson explained that “the [NPCA] cleanup grant is not tied to the purchase. Those are two completely independent things.” He also mentioned that the landowner said no to a purchase option which was recommended by the city attorney.
Rauk’s recommended that the discussion be tabled, to which the board agreed.
The minutes from the March 9 regular city council meeting were unanimously approved as written.
The consent agenda was approved with the corrections as noted. Included on the consent agenda were payments and disbursements, purchase agreement with Gran Properties, firefighter hires, 2026 township ambulance contracts, land use application at 615 Esch Drive, 2026 soft drink license renewals, resolution 2026-07 to conduct offsite gambling for Caledonia fire department relief
Residents will see city employees in the street division, water department, electric department and buildings out and about as the weather warms up getting the city ready for summer. Planning commission will be discussing an application to subdivide a piece off of a three acre parcel in town, and if successful, it will be rezoned to highway business for the proposed use at its next meeting. Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug ended his report with, “That’s all I got.” His staff will be busy this spring.
The highlight of Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson report is that he met with Representative Greg Davids regarding the proposed sales tax that was approved by the council at its last meeting with Davids doubling the amount and extending the years to pay it back after stating it was not enough money. The money will be used for the public safety center.
In other business, the council:
- Approved extending the E-Navigator contract until the funds are expended;
- Approved spending $150,900 for the design and construction of the Warrior Ave. watermain loop project;
- Approved the wage increase for the part-time police officers. Dickson noted that the pay scale in the union contract will not change;
- Reviewed the overtime report for pay period ending March 15.
Since there was not any old business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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