Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, September 17 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Solum, Mike Hagen and Karen Folstad; Heather Edgington who joined the meeting at 6:13 p.m. Councilor Trent Turner was absent. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present.
The council unanimously approved both the Agenda and Consent Agenda.
No participants spoke during Open Forum.
New Business
Spring Grove Swim Center managers, Amelia Solum and Kelsey Bratland, shared with the council the Spring Grove Swim Center’s year-end manager’s report. Solum shared that the swim center held more lessons this year, but with less attendance. Bratland informed that the swim center could use new chairs as the existing chairs get broken easily, she recommended chairs that hold more durability as opposed to plastic ones.
Solum brought up the idea of increasing admission fees by $1, with leaving children under the age of 3 and senior citizens with free attendance. Fees other local pools charge were looked into and compared to what Spring Grove charges. Councilor Folstad did not agree with increasing individual entrance fees as the family and seasonal passes cost more. In response, Solum suggested to increase lesson costs instead. Bratland informed that there were 200 children who were not from Spring Grove that took lessons at the local Spring Grove Swim Center. Folstad acknowledged the local swim center offers more convenient hours for families compared to other pools. Councilor Edgington asked Solum and Bratland about families who are unable to afford passes or lessons. City Clerk/Administrator Elton chimed, in stating that the city of Spring Grove can apply for grants. Bratland stated that the county has sent emails wanting to sign children up for swim lessons to which the county covered the cost. Edgington included that she wants to make sure that children who want swim lessons in Spring Grove are able to do so, regardless of whether or not a family can afford the cost. The council agreed to discuss this matter further come January or February, chair pricing along with admission and lesson costs will be looked into. The council thanked both Solum and Bratland for their time.
Old Business
The council waited until councilor Edgington arrived before deciding on a date to meet with RockFilter Distillery. After Edgington arrived, councilors discussed and decided to set up a special meeting on Tuesday, October 1 at 6 p.m. to discuss with RockFilter Distillery about relocating their business to the Spring Grove Fest Building.
“Back to our new business,” stated Mayor Solum.
New Business
Edgington moved, seconded by Folstad, to accept the resignation of Nicholas Bjerke from Parks & Recreation.
City Clerk/Administrator Elton informed that Parks & Recreation currently have two openings.
Folstad moved, seconded by Hagen, to approve a joint powers agreement between Spring Grove Coop Snow and MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) to receive compensation for snow and ice removal on T.H. 44.
Budget
Councilor Folstad moved, seconded by Edgington, to approve the proposed 2025 levy. Motion carried.
The council agreed to hold the Truth in Taxation meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 6 p.m. Elton informed that she will not be present at that meeting.
Meeting Reports
Courtney Bergey Swanson of CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) shared that the billboard will campaign local beverages from Spring Grove. The five locals from Spring Grove who will be shown on the billboard include Christian Myrah of RockFilter Distillery, Patrick Longmire of Fat Pat’s Brewery, Bob Hanson from Spring Grove Soda Pop, Tricia Babinski of Heart Rock Coffee, and Spring Grove High School senior, Raigen Cleven, who represented her dairy farm at the Minnesota State Fair.
Councilor Hagen shared Bjerke, who put in his resignation for Parks & Recreation, will still do the pump track plan this fall, hopefully with the assistance of students.
The council meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
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