The Caledonia City Council met in regular session, Monday, March 14, from 6–6:49 p.m. at city hall. Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members in attendance included Robert “Bob” Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick and Brad Rykhus.
Also present were Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, and Clerk/Administrator Adam Swann.
Members approved the minutes from the February 28 regular City Council meeting.
The council approved the amended easement agreement between the City of Caledonia and Kevin A. Hill and Lori Hill for general utility easement at 510 N. Hokah Street, Resolution 2022-4 reestablishing precincts and polling places, and a request for payment from Wapasha Construction Co. in the amount of $71,701.52 for work completed on well house number 8.
Councilmembers approved the 2022 (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) bowling lane license for MAAD Alley.
Councilmembers approved the 3.2% off-sale beer license applications from Kwik Trip, Kraus Oil Company and Quillin’s IGA for 2022. The licenses are effective from April 5, 2022 – April 4, 2023.
S2022 soft drink licenses for April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023, were approved for B&M Service Center, Bonanza Grain, Pine View Rehabilitation & Senior Living, Caledonia Implement Co., Caledonia ISD 299 (@ 825 N. Warrior Ave.), Caledonia ISD 299 (@ 511 W. Main St.), Caledonia Employee Pop Fund (@ 231 E. Main St.), Caledonia Employee Pop Fund (@ 509 Old Hwy Dr.), General Parts, Inc.; Good Times Restaurant/Bar, Elsie’s Bar & Grill, Midwest Machinery, A&A Floral, LLC; Quillin’s IGA Foodliner, MAAD Alley, LLC; Kraus Oil Co., Inc.; Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Kwik Trip #733;, Rottinghaus Company, Inc. (d/b/a Subway), Becker Properties, Caledonia Liquor Store, Fourteen Foods, LLC; ABC Works, Caledonia Haulers/Canteen;, Caledonia True Value, Miken Sports, Four Seasons Community Center, Houston County Agricultural Society, Caledonia Celebrations, Astrup Drug, The American Legion, The Farmhouse Eatery & Gifts, Dollar General 10343, Precision Stainless, Inc./Canteen; Caledonia Elderly Housing MN, LLC; The Wired Rooster, LLC; Babler Auction Service, Regions of the University of Minnesota Extension, Houston County 4-H, and Frankie’s 2nd Chance.
The board approved two applications from the Houston County Fair for a one-day temporary on-sale liquor license on August 17 and a four-day temporary on-sale liquor license for August 18-21.
The council accepted the resignation from City Clerk/Administrator Adam Swann effective April 8. Swann announced that he has accepted the position of City Administrator with the city of Elkhorn, Wis.
The newest member of the Caledonia Ambulance Department is Madison Kratt. Kratt was hired as a part-time emergency medical technician.
The 2022 Caledonia Aquatic Center staff for the upcoming summer session include Manager Austin Heaney, and Assistant Managers Katie Tornstrom and Jacob Staggemeyer. Lifeguards are Lydia Jennings, Sasha McLees, Isaac Denstad, Lydia Lange, Alysha Heaney, Gracie Heaney, Charlese Walk, Jordan Tornstrom and Emelia Kittleson.
Spring clean-up
Public Works employees are busy with spring clean-up activities. Public Works Director,Casey Klug reported that, “One street employee has been out trimming trees and cutting down dead ones. Ones that have been cabled for a lot of years, their time is up, so getting those cleaned up. The street sweeper got brought out of its winter sleep, so that will probably be cruising up and down some of the streets here this week.” The dump is expected to open in a couple weeks if the weather holds. April 1 is the city’s dump day. The holiday decorations that were not frozen down have been cleaned up. The annual spring clean-up for limbs, trees, branches, leaves will start Monday, April 25 and the last day to collect is May 2.
New Business
According to Swann, the process to hire the new city clerk/administrator will take approximately three months. The approved plan is to advertise the city clerk/administrator position in the Caledonia Argus and Fillmore County Journal as well as the Minnesota Cities Magazine. Dependent on whether any qualified applicants apply or not, the council will consider contracting with a recruitment firm to conduct a search.
The board approved the hiring of Daniel Tweeten as the 2022 summer baseball and softball manager. Swann noted that the city received only one application for the position.
The council accepted the American Rescue Plan Act Funds from Houston County for the benefit of Caledonia Fire Department and Caledonia Ambulance Department. The funds have been set aside in the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) fund until a project(s) is identified. Swann reminded the council that the funds must be used by 2024.
Announcements
The annual Houston County light bulb collection for Caledonia will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the recycling center in Caledonia.
The swearing-in ceremony for Officers Storm Davis and Kaleb Fish will be held on April 11 at 6 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 28, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The meeting is open to the public.
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