Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the council, staff, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the minutes from the March 13, 2023, regular city council meeting.
Council members in attendance included Mayor Schroeder, Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel.
The consent agenda items, including the hiring of lifeguards – Gracie Heaney, manager; Austin Heaney and Lydia Jennings, assistant managers; and lifeguards Isaac Denstad, Charlese Walk, Jordan Tornstrom, Owen Denstad, and Maddox Walk – for the 2023 summer season, plus temporary liquor licenses for the Houston County fair, and a sign for the ESB Banking & Insurance building on Minnesota highway 44 were all unanimously approved.
The council heard from property owner Fred Kruckow regarding the agricultural zoning study as it pertains to his property as he would like to construct a shed on it. City Administrator Jake Dickson confirmed that action is not required on the agricultural zoning study report. The next step is the public hearing which is scheduled for April 10 at 6 p.m. when the public can ask questions and share their opinions regarding the proposed zoning change from agricultural to suburban residential (R-1).
Finance Officer Stephanie Mann began her report by stating, “You haven’t seen me since December.” She summarized the 2022 end-of-year general fund budget, “Everyone stayed within budget or under budget.” She shared the final YTD budget comparison, pre-audit, announcing that the auditors have been here and gone. The auditors will be back to meet with Dickson and Mann before presenting the audit to the council on April 24. The board also received a printout of the 2023 cash and investment monthly balances, and the 2023 general fund budget, noting that there is not a lot on the capital equipment and improvement report, other than, the new squad car and the gator.
The council unanimously approved the Sprague Woods joint powers agreement with Caledonia High School striking “giving priority to ISD #299 activities” in section 4B. The agreement allows the school’s mindset class to establish an outdoor classroom. The agreement describes the terms of use as summarized by the city administrator in his report to council members:
• Continued cost free and permitted use of Sprague Woods
• Written permission required for any and all alterations to the woods
• ISD#299 may apply for grants and scholarships for the woods, the city agrees to sponsor or support grant applications
• ISD#299 will hold the city harmless in any incidents related to park use
• The City retains all ownership rights to Sprague Woods and no changes or restrictions on use of the woods may happen without a City Council resolution.
• After review, the agreement does not put any undue burden on City staff other than maintenance to be expected from increased park usage.
• The agreement is severable by either party, for any reason, with 30-days notice. Additionally, termination of the School Forest Program by ISD#299 is grounds for termination of the agreement according to Section 3 Item B and the enrollment into the School Forest Program does not create any permanent burden to the city.
In other business, the council:
• Tabled action on the county parking lot until April 10.
• Approved the proposed amendment to the city’s fee schedule to include electric vehicle charging rate. Going forward the base rate is $4/month, $.20/kWh from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and $.067 between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. The city will be getting its first residential electric vehicle charger.
• Accepted the quote from Farhner Asphalt Sealers for sealcoating at $2.634 per square yard not to exceed $70,000.
• Approved hiring Traci Ward as the county’s new payable/payroll clerk. Dorothy Ranzen-berger will stay on to train Ward for one payroll cycle.
• Reviewed the overtime report. No action required.
• Adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting is Monday, April 10, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The public is invited to attend.
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