The Caledonia City Council met Monday, January 24, from 6-7:04 p.m. at city hall. Councilmembers Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Brad Rykhus attended the meeting. Robert “Bob” Klug was absent.
Also in attendance were Financial Officer Stephanie Mann, Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, and Greg Skauge and his sons Kole and Taylor Skauge, of Richard’s Sanitation.
Director Casey Klug announced at this meeting that the city is once again offering the shade tree program. Deadline for Caledonia residents to place orders is 1 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2022. Hackberry, white birch, maple autumn blaze, black gum tree, american redbud, and ginko trees are available this year and will be delivered by city employees the first week of May. The order form is available on the city website.
Greg Skauge, Richard’s Sanitation, LLC, submitted a proposal to amend the contract between Richard’s Sanitation and the City of Caledonia to change the fee structure from per bag charge to flat monthly fee for plastic trash can. The current contract runs from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2025; while the amended contract runs from 2022 to 2032 to keep the price of totes down. Councilmembers had several questions for Skauge including who pays for the replacement of totes that are damaged. Skauge verified that the totes are the property of Richard’s Sanitation, and that residents pay for the totes they damage, and Richard’s Sanitation pays for totes they damage. The price to replace totes is currently quoted in the proposal at $80. The city handles billing residents for the replacement totes. The fee for 2022 is $14.89 per month, $7.98 for garbage and $7.00 for recycling. The contract was tabled until the next meeting.
The council approved the minutes from the January 10 regular council meeting.
The Small Cities Development Program grant, #CDAP-17-0038-)-FY18, amendment number two changing the end date from March 31, 2022, to September 30, 2022, was approved.
The Houston County Attorney’s Office received a $2,000 contribution for victim/witness services, donated by Michelle Herman.
The council approved the Education Affiliation Agreement for Health Occupations between the City of Caledonia (ambulance department) and Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc., and the Program Addendum between the City of Caledonia (ambulance department) and Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc.
The resignations of Josh Meyer and Sarah Barnes as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) for Caledonia Ambulance Department were accepted.
Travis Skorstad and Elizabeth Stoltz were hired as emergency medical responders (EMR) for the Caledonia Ambulance Department.
The city hall and the auditorium are designated warm spaces during an electrical outage, such as the one that the happened as both sites have backup generators.
Stephanie Mann, Financial Officer explained that everything was included in the budget. The budget is not affected.” Council approved the tentative labor agreement between the City of Caledonia and Law Enforcement Labor Services for 2022-2023.
The council unanimously approved the proposed revisions to the municipal auditorium usage policy and municipal auditorium usage and key agreement.
Conversation continues the construction of a tennis court and two pickle ball courts as there are still questions, and the original quote of $62,305.00 from Dunn Blacktop Company is for a 60’ x 160’ site. The city is now considering an 87’ x 120’ site which would cost an estimated $67,775.60, plus adding acrylic coating to the surface, a 500’ x 8’ tall fence, net installation, lights and signage bringing the total cost to $136,477.00. Public Works Director Klug recommends putting off deciding to get current quotes on the project and to insure funding for the project.
Overtime for pay period December 27, 2021, through January 9, 2022, is a result of plowing snow and fixing water main breaks and end-of-year audit and inventory at the municipal liquor store.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, February 14 at 6 p.m. at Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street. The public is invited to attend.