Solution Builders Inc. is scheduled to start working on Caledonia’s IT hardware and network server updates within the week. The Caledonia City Council approved the unexpected cost of $34,684.27 for the updates at their regular meeting on October 24.
Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson explained that the city would not pass the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) audit and remain in compliance. Solution Builders Inc. asked BCA and received a December 30 extension for the city.
The funds for the project will come from the Capital Improvement Fund instead of scrapping a project to complete this project.
Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting promptly to order at 6 p.m. and led council members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members in attendance include Mayor Schroeder, Robert “Bob” Klug, Amanda Ninneman, and Brad Rykhus. David Fitzpatrick was absent.
Other attendees included City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson, and Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug.
The council approved the minutes with one correction from the October 10 regular city council meeting. Councilmember Klug abstained from voting on consent agenda item B.
There were no public comments.
Public Works/Zoning Director Klug reported, “The Public Works Department is battling leaves, getting the snowplows ready for the upcoming winter season, and trying to catch up on some tree stump grinding and clean up here and there.” Fall cleanup is scheduled for November 1 to November 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Early this summer, Well 6’s motor and pump failed. The plan was to rebuild the motor, but the company was not confident that it could be rebuilt, so the city ended up with a rebuilt motor which cost the city an additional $1,000.00. The city auditorium project is as far as it can go. Contractors are waiting on the two rooftop units, which are scheduled to arrive on February 24. The electric service upgrade will happen in January as there is a hold-up on some electric components.
Dickson reported, “The ladder fire truck went home last Wednesday.” He has wrapped up the community funding grant from Gundersen for the pickleball and tennis courts. The grants are reviewed every even month, so Dickson expects to know more in December. He will be busy for the next two weeks with the upcoming election. He informed the council that there was a heard of buffalo on the loose over the weekend, but it sounds like they have made it home. Dickson shared that the staff submitted a Letter of Intent for an active transportation grant. The grant will pay for five sets of rapid flashing beacons. One at Pine and Main, one at Sprague and Main, one at Old Highway and Sprague, one at the end of North Kingston or close to St. John’s, and one for Pine and South for St. Mary’s. Director Klug noted that it is a 100% grant and that they have proven to be highly effective.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including the payments and disbursements; a request for payment from Wapasha Construction in the amount of $550,749.01 for work on the Wastewater Treatment Facility project (WWTP); a payment request from Wapasha Construction for a total of $39,332.19 for work performed on well number 8; and two payment requests from Winona Controls totaling $105,290.40 for work performed at the city auditorium.
Council members approved a bid from Hoskins Electric, Inc. to the tune of $22,055.00 to install, program, and set up a new circuit and variable frequency drive at well number 6. The quote includes a drive, conduit kit, and the State of Minnesota inspection fee.
The council approved the bid from Winona Controls to install a temporary RTU to heat the municipal auditorium. The total cost is $2,060.00. Director Klug explained that the new units were scheduled to arrive this fall but are rescheduled to arrive in February. The quote includes the cost to remove the 140,000 BTU unit when the new units arrive. Councilman Klug asked if the unit size is big enough to heat the gym. Director Klug explained that there is heat in the front and back of the gym, not in the middle, “We are confident that a 140,000 BTU will get us by safely.”
The council reviewed the overtime report for October 3 through October 16, 2022. Action is not required on the overtime report.
Mayor Schroeder called to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Motion carried.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting is Monday, November 14, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The public is invited to attend.
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