Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, April 21 at 168 West Main Street, Room 100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Wilhelmson, Morgan Buckland, and Mike Hagen. Trent Turner was absent. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present.
The Agenda and Consent Agenda were unanimously approved after one correction.
No participants spoke during Open Forum.
Old Business
The city received the DEED Grant a while back; the grant was intended to rebuild the hardware store in addition to apartments above. The city used $98,000 of the grant toward cleanup following the fire. A potential buyer had pulled out, and instead Spring Grove Public Library purchased the vacant lots as a location for their new library to be built. The city needed to return the DEED Grant and owes $98,000 since a new hardware store is not being built. Mayor Wilhelmson spoke with EDA (Economic Development Authority) and informed the first payment will not be due until February 2029. The payments can be made in installments. Elton said a budget meeting is approaching and that EDA is waiting for the council. Councilor Hagen moved to table the item, seconded by Buckland. Motion carried.
New Business
The Homecoming Committee received approval for city contributions in the amount of $1,000 for 2026 and $1,000 for 2027.
On May 16, Josh Myhre will close the alley behind the Lions Pub for the Syttende Mai Band.
Elton briefly informed the council about the Noxious Weed Control, she stated this is a yearly report where she needs council approval to send the report in. The council approved for her to send in the report.
The following Spring Grove Swim Center applicants were approved for hire: Vayda Luhman, Brailyn Gulbranson, Brenna Krips, Caleb Kittleson, Chase Peterson, Evander Solum, Kolin Betcher, Ryder Wiese, Seth Kaufmann, Emilee Neis, Mariah Jore, Tucker Ranzenberger, Jada Strinmoen, Elle Berns, Roland Bjerke, Brinley Middendorf, Carlie Halverson, Maria Solberg, Autumn Peterson, Braelyn Middendorf, Corinna Constancio, Ezra Konkel, Christian Bjerke, Savannah Augedahl, Madison Lille, Addison Halverson, Claire Solberg, Grace Torgerson, Sophie Lampert, Addison Kessler, Macy Kraus, Siri Konkel, Taylor Dahl, Lauren Hammel, Izabel Kaufmann and Harlee Gavin.
Elton shared that Spring Grove Parks received the SMIF Paint the Town Grant for Syttende Mai Hus in Viking Park. It will be repainted brown, with accent colors needing to be selected. Volunteers and the city staff will do the painting.
Councilor Eric Ostern’s resignation received approval. Brief discussion took place about filling the new vacancy. In-person interviews will be held. Elton said there will be a posting on social media and in the newspaper. She added that the appointed member will not officially be a city councilor until June. Mayor Wilhelmson suggested to fill the vacancy faster in order to move things along. Buckland recommended to hold a special meeting instead of waiting until May’s regular council meeting. Wilhelmson asked about holding a special meeting in two weeks. The council agreed to hold the special meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 5 p.m. to select a new council member.
Ordinances
Councilors and Elton discussed ordinance enforcement. Hagen brought up the issue of people keeping multiple unused cars and junk on their property in town. One resident in the audience voiced concern how these unused cars lower the property value. “Do we want the town to look like a farm or a city?” Questioned another resident. Elton responded that people need to let her know so she can enforce the ordinance. Buckland added that she felt there is a need for improvement with these ordinances. Hagen praised Elton for her work, “I think you’re doing a great job.” Mayor Wilhelmson suggested that council members could do quarterly drive-bys to see what is going on in town. In the end, Wilhelmson motioned to table this until there is a full council again, Buckland seconded. Motion carried.
The council ended their meeting with briefly discussing their meeting reports.
Wilhelmson informed EDA’s biggest discussion was about the daycare. There was consideration to move $90,000 into an interest earning account but that will need to be looked into for further information. Wilhelmson stated that EDA has a vacant position right now and is in need of a country resident to fill it.
Hagen shared about the Parks & Recreation’s disc golf course. There are baskets now with padlocks. Utility service workers will put seed down for the community garden. There was discussion about a sand volleyball court. A grant is being pursued for the addition of bike racks at Trollskogen. Lastly, a dog park location was being looked into.
There are currently two vacancies for Planning & Zoning.
Morgan closed with the Spring Grove Public Library having not heard back from Wiesers to discuss the build.
The council meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
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