Mayor Jeremy Leis called the regular Caledonia City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. Monday, July 13, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members Bob Klug, David Fitzpatrick and John Rauk were present, along with Mayor Jeremy Leis. Council member Amanda Ninneman was absent.
Rauk moved to approve the minutes from the June 22 regular council meeting. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Klug. The motion passed unanimously. The consent agenda included:
•Payment of bills, including $214,520 in prepaid invoices and $225,347.84 in unpaid invoices.
•Approval of a temporary liquor license for the Houston County Fair, August 19-23, at 203 South History Lane in Houston.
•Appointment of election judges for the 2026 primary and general election.
•Approval of street closures for the annual Helping Hands Backpack Giveaway on Thursday, July 30. The event, hosted at Immanuel Lutheran Church, provides free school supplies and backpacks to local students. South Badger Street between Main Street and Grove Street will be closed from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city will provide barriers and traffic control measures.
•Purchase of a two-year warranty for the city hall server at a cost of $3,200.74.
•Hiring Shelby Gulseth as an emergency medical technician.
Public Comment
Caledonia business owner Tracey Knutson expressed concern about the maintenance of the city’s beautiful post office. She asked for assistance obtaining contact information so she could send a letter regarding the building’s maintenance, noting that she had already spoken with the local postmaster.
“The post office, in its current condition, looks kind of trashy,” said Bryan Spier, business owner. “It’s a reflection on our city, which is not fair because we don’t own it and don’t have any say in it. Especially as we celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. It is a federal building. It is something to be respected and to be proud of.”
Knutson also mentioned that she was pleased to see new businesses moving downtown and asked if anyone knew what they were. She also asked if there was an update on the Dewitz Building.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson promptly answered no but expressed hope that more information would be available before Christmas.
New Business
Klug moved to close the regular city council meeting at 6:27 p.m. and open the public hearing on the proposed liquor liability insurance ordinance. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Following the hearing, the council reopened the regular city council meeting and unanimously approved the ordinance, requiring a minimum of $1 million liquor liability insurance for events. Rauk made the motion, which Fitzpatrick seconded.
It was noted that the city must establish the minimum coverage requirement, so event organizers can obtain at least $1 million in liability coverage.
Dickson said the purpose of a comprehensive utility rate study is to ensure that the city is charging enough to keep the city’s budget growing, keep reserves growing, and maintain the city’s services.
He noted that the last time a comprehensive study was done was in 2017 or earlier.
Council member Klug made a motion, seconded by Rauk, to approve a utility rate evaluation with option number 3, not to exceed $30,400. The council unanimously approved the motion.
Public Works and Zoning Director Casey Klug recommended having the city’s light department complete the Warrior Avenue street lighting project, which is separate from the larger street improvement project.
Klug said completing the work in-house would save money and noted the department has completed projects in the past. The project is included in the budget and will not require money from the city’s general fund.
Klug moved to approve the purchase and installation of 12 light poles at a cost of $94,488.29. Rauk seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The council reached a consensus to solicit bids to clean the inside and exterior of both city water towers, one tower at a time. The estimated cost is $20,000 for each tower. The city has received complaints about the appearance of the towers, while regular interior cleaning is necessary to maintain sanitary standards.
Adjournment
After reviewing the overtime reports for the pay periods ending June 22 and July 5, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58
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