Discussion regarding the city’s assessment policy took center stage at the Caledonia City Council’s December 11 meeting. Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Over two hours later the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Mayor Schroeder asked that the business owners direct their questions regarding the city’s assessment policy to the city’s counsel, Mike Flaherty. Flaherty stressed that he did not think the city did anything wrong and that property assessments are common practice as a means to fund city projects in small cities. He also shared that 20% assessments are low.
Councilwoman Ninneman expressed her appreciation to the staff, “I would like to publicly apologize to Steph and all the city staff who has been working very hard. The reason we are here in this spot is because there is no money to do everything that needs to be done. How can you feel good about coming to your job every day, if you have no money to do what you need to do, and if you are putting Band-Aids on Band-Aids? The fact that they’re here and that this was even proposed to the city is because they were trying to be creative and looking for options and this is something they saw other cities doing. So that is why we are here, and they care about their town so much. I really want to publicly show support to you guys too. Because whatever comes of this assessment, we want to support the city staff and how much they care about our town. With folks like that in these positions, that is what we need, otherwise we’ve got people coming to work that don’t care about our town. I want to thank you for everything you have done so far.”
After hearing from business owners impacted by the recent assessment, a special council meeting was scheduled on Thursday, December 21, at 6 p.m. to continue the discussion and giving business owners time to file papers with the district court if they choose to do so.
The mayor called to close the regular meeting at 6:01 p.m. for the Truth in Taxation hearing. After the council reopened the regular city council meeting the council unanimously adopted the 2024 budget and the 8.9% levy increase which equates to an increase of $102,004. Finance Officer Stephanie Mann stated, “It’s an okay bottom line. We left ourselves a little bit of room. Everything is as tight as I feel it can be.”
The mayor led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and announced that all five council members were present; Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick and Ryan Stenzel.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from the November 27, regular city council meeting and the consent agenda including the city’s payments and disbursements; a sign permit for 208 E. Main St.; a salvage yard permit from Betz Enterprise; tobacco license renewals for Kwik Trip #733, Kraus Oil, Dollar General, Quillin’s IGA, and The CBD Shop; cannabinoid license renewals for The CBD Shop, MN, Hometown Liquor, Tree Huggers Cannabis MN; designated the 2024 polling places; and approved a payment of $649,778.15 to Wapasha Construction Co. for work performed on the wastewater treatment plant.
A special meeting was scheduled on Wednesday, December 27, at 4:30 p.m. to finalize the 2024-26 labor agreement with IUOE Local 49 after union members votes.
In other business, the council:
• Accepted the low bid for the official newspaper bid from the Caledonia Argus. This is the first year that the Fillmore County Journal was able to submit a bid.
• Approved cancelling the December 25 regular city council meeting since it falls on Christmas day.
• Reviewed the overtime report for November 13 through the 26. No action was taken.
• Adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
The next regular Caledonia City Council meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the city hall in Caledonia, Minn. The public is invited to attend.