Caledonia council members were reminded at the regularly scheduled council meeting on November 25, that the city’s Truth in Taxation meeting will be held on December 9 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The council will finalize the 2025 property tax levy.
Finance Officer Stephanie Mann presented the financial reports, including the proposed 2025 city budget to the council. Mann reviewed each report with the council noting that none of the department accounts were way over or under budget. She recommended that the council approve the 12% levy. She added that the city budget 58% for reserves and the recommended amount is between 50% to 75%
Acting Mayor David Fitzpatrick called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All council members (Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel) were present, except for Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder. Members noted that this is the first time they have attended a council meeting not run by Mayor Schroeder.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from the November 12 regular city council meeting and the consent agenda, which included payments and disbursements totaling $83,227.48, a zoning permit for Wieser Brothers at 131 Bissen Street to build a 25,056-square-foot warehouse for storage and a small office, a sign permit for Caledonia Bakery at 124 E. Main Street, and a $50,000 grant award from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. The funds will be used toward the $500,000 required to purchase a new custom pumper. The staff report noted that the City Council and Rural Fire District Board approved the purchase of a chassis for a new fire truck this fall and are pursuing funding for the purchase of said truck.
There were no public comments.
Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug did not have much to report. He said that they had “their first taste to lay in a little salt and sand down last Thursday. It got a little slick Wednesday night with that stuff blowing through.”
Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson shared that he will be meeting with the nursing home group and the county assessor on Tuesday, November 26 to discuss possible tax abatement possibilities on renovations. Dickson said, “It looks like their deal is in place.” Councilor Klug asked if there were any grants available for the project. Dickson confirmed that they will be looking at one grant next year; otherwise, most of the other grants are not available since it is a private project.
There is no work going on at the wastewater treatment facilities this week but is confident that they will be working through the winter.
In other business, the council:
- Tabled the discussion on the proposed Freedom Rock until the December 9 council meeting so interested community committee members proposing the project can attend.
- Approved the e-Navigator job description and approved advertising the new position for Caledonia from November 26 through December 20 with interviews scheduled for January. The city plans to hire the successful candidate in January. According to the staff report, “the city applied for and received the 3-year Rural Entrepreneurial Ventures program through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). The program gives the city access to funding and grant programs not available to the general public, one of these grants is the ‘Activating our Entrepreneurial Ecosystem’ grant which the city applied for and was awarded. A portion of the grant funds was written for the e-Navigator position. The position is a part-time position for supporting the city’s economic development goals, the Chamber of Commerce, and the business community itself.” The grant is for one year. During that time the e-Navigator will search for grants to fund the position.
- Reviewed the overtime report for the pay period ending November 10.
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