Caledonia Opposes Gopher to Badger Link Transmission Line

At the October 12 Caledonia City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2026-14 opposing the Gopher to Badger Link Transmission Line project.

Members of the audience asked the council what individuals can do and how they can help get the word out. Council member Amanda Ninneman said that individuals are welcome to submit comments during the comment period through the regulatory dockets managed by the Minnesota Public Utility Commission (MPUC).

Yard signs are available for purchase at the Wired Rooster and Emerald Lane in downtown Caledonia.

Routine Business

The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Jeremy Leis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council members present included Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Jeremy Leis and John Rauk. Council member David Fitzpatrick was absent.

Rauk moved to approve the minutes from the September 28 regular city council meeting. Ninneman seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.

Council member Klug moved to approve the amended consent agenda, which included payments and disbursements, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) at 1180 Main St. W., an Interim Use Permit at 425 Badger St. N., and a Land Use Permit at 138 Kingston St. S. Council member Rauk seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment

Business owners Tracey Knutson, Bryan Spier and Danielle Burg addressed the council regarding several topics, including the upcoming special event; whether the four-way stoplights would be replaced with stop signs after the last two accidents; the size of trash receptacles, which Burg said are too large for seniors to move and for which residents are charged whether they use them or not; and the city’s non-emergency number not being answered at all hours.

Burg also asked whose council seats were up for reelection and who is running. Council members Fitzpatrick and Rauk are up for reelection and are both running for reelection. Shelley Sheehan and Taylor Skauge are also running.

Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug said the stoplight would be replaced and he will look into LED lights, and City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson strongly recommended calling the Houston County non-emergency number at 507-725-3379, as the city’s administrative office is not staffed evenings or weekends. Dickson said he will follow up on their other questions and get back to them.

Other New Business

Dickson introduced the auditing services Request for Proposal (RFP) by explaining that it is “best practice to shop for a service like this every three to five years, and we last did an audit at the end of December 2012.” Council member Klug made a motion to approve the Request for Proposal (RFP) for auditing services. Ninneman seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Rauk made a motion to approve the RFP for Doering Estates Development. Dickson explained that the city owns 12 acres, which was paid in part with a grant from Minnesota Housing and in part with the city’s electric department reserves.

“The idea is we open it up and see who’s willing to buy it and develop it,” explained Dickson. “It’s not exclusive to single family home.” There are 29 or 30 lots.

Mayor Leis said the overtime report for the September 14 through 27 pay period looked good and asked his colleagues if they had any questions.

Rauk made a motion to approve the variance requests and Land Use Permit at 624 Grant Street. Ninneman seconded the motion. The motion carried. Council members thanked the planning commission for its work and said it is important for the council to follow the commission’s recommendation. Mayor Leis stressed that the process worked.

Rauk made a motion to pursue a moratorium on accessory buildings. Mayor Leis seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried. Dickson said the duration and any other details would be discussed by the planning commission.