Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the May 28 Caledonia City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. He led his fellow council members, staff, and four visitors in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda and the minutes from the May 13 regular city council meeting were approved as presented.
Present at the council meeting were Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Schroeder and Ryan Stenzel. David Fitzpatrick was not in attendance.
With unanimous agreement, the council approved the consent agenda which included paying the bills.
It is that time of year when Andrew Forliti, Smith Schafer, presents a financial summary of the city’s annual financial audit to the city council. Forliti reported that the city received an unmodified “clean” opinion in 2023.
As with 95% of city audits conducted by the CPA firm, Forliti explained that Caledonia received one finding, “lack of segregation of accounting duties,” which is common in cities of this size. This is the same finding that the city has received in previous years.
The 44-page summary highlighted the following: 1. Unassigned fund balances in the general fund of $1,198,388 which was 59% of 2023 general fund expenditures. 2. LGS (Local Government Aid) contributed less government revenue than property taxes. 3. West Main Townhomes, Edward Mobile Home Park, and the ambulance/fire building had deficit fund balances in 2023. 4. Debt outstanding, net discount – governmental $1,660,666 – enterprise – $4,986,052. All bond payments were made on a timely basis. 5. Water, sewer, dump, electric, stormwater, and liquor generate sufficient cash flow to service outstanding bonds and maintain cash reserves. 6) Liquor fund reported a net increase of $23,665. The fund has a cash balance of $180,716.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson proudly reported that he has been told that Caledonia’s pickleball/tennis court has a vapor barrier not found in any other courts in Houston County, therefore, the city should not be repainting it for another 10 years. He doesn’t have much news on the wastewater treatment plant aside from the fact that they’ve held extensive discussions regarding additional problems discovered there, including the new rubber roof that already has numerous patches. Regarding the sale of the nursing home, Dickson indicated that while he lacks specific details, it appears that the transaction will likely be finalized by mid-June. Lastly, Dickson was asked if the flower baskets were up. He said they are, and the project has had “pretty wide community involvement.”
The pool is scheduled to open its gates on Monday, June 3. The council has given the green light for the hiring of Manager Gracie Heaney, Assistant Managers Owen Denstad and Griffen Heaney, Pool Monitor Ancy Hellickson, along with lifeguards Hayden Core, Evelyn Doyle, Jacob King, Tyson Ginther, Maddox Walk, Caden Hauser, Julian Moen, Kellyn Cognac and Sophie Blocke. There was one correction to the list of hourly wages. New this year is the pool monitor position. Following behavioral problems last season, the city wanted an adult present. Hellickson’s responsibility will be to manage any behavioral issues among swimmers and offer support to the lifeguards. Dickson extended his gratitude to Ninneman and Fitzpatrick for all their work with the parks and rec committee. Additionally, Dickson highlighted their continuous search for more lifeguards.
In other business, the council:
• Renewed the League of Minnesota Cities Trust (LMCIT) tort liability waiver.
• Reviewed the April 29 through May 12 overtime report.
Prior to adjourning the meeting, property owner Bruce Muenkel wanted to clarify that he hadn’t surprised the city with the stormwater proposal at 820 State Highway 44. He has been talking to the city about it since last year, with the intention of highlighting the growing danger posed by the excessive water flow in the area. Muenkel emphasized that something is going to have to be done about it.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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