Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
At the October 26 regular meeting, the Caledonia City Council approved Ordinance 2026-02, establishing a moratorium on data centers within the city.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson noted that the 12-month moratorium could be lifted before the 12 months expires. However, he expects the planning commission will need the full 12 months to study data centers and develop a proposed zoning code. The moratorium allows Caledonia to take a proactive approach to manage development.
Under the moratorium, a data center is defined based on the facility and equipment’s principal use, distinguishing it from uses that are accessory or incidental to primary use.
Dickson noted that he believes the moratorium is the right thing to do.
Routine Business
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Jeremy Leis. Council members present included Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Jeremy Leis, David Fitzpatrick and John Rauk.
The minutes from the October 12 regular city council meeting were approved.
The approved consent agenda included payments and disbursements totaling $265,205.13; an Interim Use Permit at 425 Badger St. N. to utilize the second floor of Roseview Court to allow five multifamily apartments in an R-1 single family zone; and the hiring of two new liquor store clerks, Kyel Keys and Renee Spinner, at $16 an hour.
Public Comment
Business owner Tracey Knutson asked for an update on the DeWitt building. City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson paused briefly before responding that the city is “actively pursuing a sale.”
According to Knutson, the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce is looking primarily for business owners to serve on the Chamber board.
Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug announced that fall cleanup starts Wednesday, October 28 and runs through November 4. Alternative side parking is set to begin November 1.
Dickson commended everyone involved with Fall Fest, saying, “It was very, very impressive. The auditorium was pretty much packed. I couldn’t believe that. The gathering downtown lot was very, very nice. I mean just anytime you get to see downtown that full, with that many people and that many activities at once, too, is very, very impressive.
Other New Business
• Water/Sewer Department employee Craig Nelson updated the council on the recent sanitary sewer inspections, listing eight repairs that city staff will be able to repair. “We were really expecting to find something big and we didn’t really come across anything big,” said Director Klug.
Nelson added, “Hopefully, fixing a whole bunch of little issues will add up to big results.”
• No action was taken on the ambulance department request for a 4% raise with hourly and meeting rates rounded to the nearest 25 cents in 2027. Finance Officer Stephanie Mann said the request was already included in the proposed budget for 2027, which is scheduled to be finalized in December, at which time it will be voted on.
• As is customary for each quarter, Mann reviewed the third quarter financials including the 2026 cash and investment monthly balances; investments as of September 30, 2026; long-term debt schedule of payments; 2026 General Fund Budget for capital equipment and improvements by department; 2026 special revenue funds for capital equipment and improvements as requested by department; 2026 Enterprise funds budget for capital equipment and improvements by department; and budget worksheets as of September 30, 2026.
• Director Klug confirmed that it was time to update the stoplights. Councilor Ninneman motioned to approve the quote from Mobotrex to replace the current traffic lights with LED 15-year warrantied traffic lights at a cost of $3,568. Seconded by Rauk, the motion unanimously carried.
• The council accepted the North Warrior Ave. extension project change order #1 consisting of milling 1.5” of pavement along Esch Drive and applying an overly of 2.5” thick bituminous pavement, manhole adjustments, and three replaced pedestrian ramps. Klug expects this to be the only change order.
Before adjourning the meeting at 7:25 p.m., the council reviewed the overtime report for the pay period ending October 11, confirming that the report looks okay.
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