The Caledonia City Council held a public hearing at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting on September 26, regarding a request from business owner Joe Hayes for a setback variance at 505 Old Highway Drive.
According to the permit application, Hayes plans to build a 40’ x 50’ timber frame with steel siding and roof addition to the east side of the existing commercial building. The applicant is requesting a rear yard setback variance of 30’ resulting in a 5’ setback. The existing shop is in a B-2 industrial zoning district.
Before the council voted, Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug noted that he did not receive any calls or complaints regarding the variance. The council unanimously approved the variance.
Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members in attendance were Mayor Schroeder, Robert “Bob” Klug, Amanda Ninneman, and Brad Rykhus. Councilman David Fitzpatrick was absent.
The Council approved the minutes from the September 12, regular city council meeting.
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda in its entirety, including the joint powers agreement with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to access court records to prosecute, a request for payment from Wapasha Construction for $577,938.56, a sign permit at 513 Pine St. S., and a zoning permit for a deck at 135 E. Main.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson explained that residents stopped by city hall to ask about making repairs to the pickleball court. The residents offered to supply the labor and materials to fill the cracks on the tennis court. Director Klug confirmed that the group repaired the courts a few years ago. Mayor Schroeder quipped, “It is difficult to turn down.”
The Council approved the purchase of 2023 Dodge Durango for the police department. After government purchase discounts and the trade-in of an existing squad car, the total cost is $49,000. Dickson reminded the council that there is $55,000 in the 2023 preliminary budget for a new squad. The city was notified that to ensure a 2023 delivery date the city has five days to place an order.
The council approved the preliminary 2023 budget and proposed 8% levy.
In other business, the Council:
• Approved an Informational Technology Professional Services Agreement with Solution Builders, Bloomington, MN for $27,000;
• Approved the Individual Assessment Policy with an interest rate of 1% over prime for individual assessments.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting is Monday, October 10, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The public is invited to attend.