The Caledonia City Council heard from Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug on the city’s spring cleanup efforts at the council’s May 13 regularly scheduled council meeting.
Mayor DeWayne Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All five council members included Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel were in attendance. City staff in attendance included City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson, Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, and Finance Director Stephanie Mann.
Councilman Klug motioned to approve the minutes from the April 22, 2024, with a second from Ryan. Council member Ninneman chose to abstain from voting. The motion passed.
The consent agenda, approved unanimously, included paying the bills, accepting the proposed street closures for Founders Day (June 14-16), hiring firefighter Owen Blocker, and granting a temporary liquor license for American Legion Post 191 (July 5).
There were no public comments from the three residents in attendance.
Director Klug reported that work on the pickleball/tennis courts is moving along, noting that the slab is expected to be poured the week of May 20. In addition, city staff has undertaken a cleanup effort, removing over 100 feet of fencing by the new pickleball/tennis courts. Spring maintenance activities also include tree trimming and the removal of large trees posing hazards to power lines. Furthermore, 22 nuisance letters have been sent out and about that many more will be sent out. Klug said there is a lot of long grass and junk accumulating around town as well as unlicensed cars parked in yards. Zoning permits continue to flow in on a regular basis.
Dickson will attend the Houston County workgroup meeting on Tuesday, May 14, to share his thoughts on the county’s proposed cannabis ordinance. According to the workgroup meeting agenda the group will discuss the “time, place, and manner restrictions for cannabis businesses.” Dickson expressed significant concern about the draft ordinance, describing it as “very, troubling even in draft form.”
New Business
•Finance Officer Stephanie Mann presented the first quarter financial report, highlighting that none of the departments had exceeded their budgets in the first quarter of 2024. Mann pointed out that due to the city not yet receiving the first half of the property tax and the first half of the Local Government Aid (LGA), there had been minimal activity in the general fund. Regarding investments, Mann expressed satisfaction, stating that the city is doing “okay” managing the investments, noting that the city is not allowed to do anything risky. She added that they will always get the par value. Additionally, she announced that Andrew Forliti, CPA from Smith Schafer & Associates, would present the city’s 2023 audit report during the upcoming council meeting on May 28.
•The council opted not to pursue the stormwater project at 820 State 44. The unsolicited proposal was received from the property owner, Bruce Muenkel, it does not align with the city priorities. Per the staff report, the estimated cost of the project is $78,832.67, with a proposed 90/10 split between the SWCD and the owner, leaving the city responsible for 10% equal to $7,883.27. The city will reassess the project in approximately five years.
•The council unanimously approved the payment request from Wapasha Construction Company in the amount of $567,827.66 for work completed at the wastewater treatment plant.
•Dickson reported that the city has hired 11 lifeguards and Gracie Heaney has been hired as the 2024 pool manager at $16.75/hour. The city is still looking for an assistant manager and three more lifeguards. Schedules and registrations will be forthcoming.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.