Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Twenty firefighters from the Caledonia Fire Department responded to two fires on April 5. One of the fires covered 40 acres, and firefighters battled the fire for eight hours. Adam Swann, Caledonia clerk/administrator, thanked firefighters Randall Ashbacher, Dylan Becker, Alexander Betz, Tom Esch, Zach Gengler, Jerry Holter, Kevin Jacobson, Jason Klug, Ben Logging, Emily Logging, Patrick Molting, Michael Nelson, Adam Peterson, Chris Schansberg, Kevin Schmidt, Benny Stutzman, Logan Thiele, Jeff Winjum, Troy Winjum, and Kurt Zehnder.
Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder called the Caledonia City Council’s regular meeting to order Monday evening, April 12, 2021, at 6:02 p.m. in the city auditorium. All city council members attended: Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, Brad Rykhus, and Robert “Bob” Klug. Other attendees included Melissa Bowen, Holly Felton, Eric Schmitt, Dennis Torgerson, Wylie Steele, Lynn Colsch, Doug DeWall and Denise Becker from the Caledonia Township Board, Matt Schuldt, EDA, Eric Lynne, Donohue and Associates, Adam Swann, city administrator/Clerk, and Casey Klug, Public Works/Zoning director.
Russell Thies joined the pool of lifeguards hired for the upcoming swim season at the Caledonia Aquatic Center. Randy Spruill resigned as a part-time liquor store clerk, and firefighter Austin Goergen was granted a one-year leave of absence from the Caledonia Fire Department.
The council approved the $2,711 proposal from Braun Intertec to provide pre-demolition hazardous building inspection services for the wastewater treatment facility and the purchase of battery-powered jaws of life and other jaws of life tools from Great Plains Fire Co. for a total of $44,197. Members approved a quote from La Crosse Glass Co. and La Crosse Overhead Door Co. to provide labor and materials for installing a new steel door at the Street Division building and a new steel door at the liquor store for a total of $5,618. The council approved the $48,450 payment to Ricchio, Inc. for work performed on the Caledonia pool gutter replacement project.
The council approved the Cooperative Agreement between the Caledonia Ambulance Service and Houston Ambulance Service for advanced life support intercept service.
N. Kingston St. between Main and Lincoln and the W. Lincoln St. between the Sleepy Hollow garage and N. Kingston St. will be closed on June 5 from 2-8 p.m. for Sleepy Hollow Auto’s grand opening celebration.
Public hearing
Eric Lynne, P.E., Donohue, and Associates presented the plans and bid specifications for the new wastewater treatment facility. The total cost of the project is $17,164,765. After allowing for the $7,000,000 direct appropriation, the city’s financial responsibility is $10,164,765. The city plans to borrow $10.5M. The balance will be available for unanticipated expenses or other city projects. The new plant is next to the old plant, reused, and will be a mixture of buildings and tanks. Lynne mentioned that they would only be using 3½ acres of the 18 acres. The plans include building a 10’ berm and planting red cedar trees to block the view and odor. Residential neighbors are 1,100’ to the east and 400-500’ to the south, “more than a football field away.”
Resident Dennis Torgerson, who lives near the facility, was asked if he had any concerns about the appearance and if additional funds should be used to upgrade the exterior of the buildings, “It is a sewer treatment facility.”
The bid will be awarded this summer, with construction estimated to start this summer. The new systems are estimated to be in operation next fall, and the end date of the project is May 2023.
Old business
The council approved awarding the bid to Griffin Construction for repairs to Green Acres Drive. They also approved the agreement between the City of Caledonia and Caledonia township. The entities agreed to a 50/50 cost share. The project cost is $16,133, which does not include the seal coat that will be applied in 2022. The city will bid next year for the seal coat; based on this year’s bid, it is estimated at $3,000.
New business
The council approved the plans and bid for the new wastewater treatment facility presented during tonight’s public hearing.
Before the council unanimously approved Resolution 2021-07: A Resolution Authorizing the City of Caledonia to Apply to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a loan of $950,070 for the construction of Well House No. 8, Swann explained that first, the council needs to approve the loan application before the city can go out for bids. According to Swann, “This amount is the best guess. The loan is based on bid.”
Swann will reach out to the Chamber of Commerce to see if they have any plans to use the triangular signposts/structure in North Park before the council determines what should be done with them.
Councilmember Klug approached the council about the future of Sprague Woods, mentioning that there is a business interested in purchasing the property from the city. Councilmember Ninneman reminded the council that the property was donated to the city. It was to remain woods; therefore, she would like to get public input from the city’s residents before making any decisions. Swann stated that “There is no restriction on the deed.” Council members agreed to table their decision and schedule a public hearing on May 10.
Announcements
The Houston County’s fluorescent light bulb collection is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at each of Houston County’s five supervised drop-off locations.
The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting is scheduled for April 26, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at the beginning of the regularly scheduled city council meeting.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021, in the Caledonia City Auditorium.