Mayor Jeff Adamson called the regularly scheduled Eitzen City Council meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. on December 10 and unanimously approved holding the 2025 tax levy at the existing rate of $126,000, which is the same as last year.
City Clerk Steve Schuldt had explained that he budgeted a $26,689 surplus. The surplus would cover up to $25,000 in repairs at the community center if need be or it can be stashed away.
Present were Mayor Jeff Adamson and councilmembers Emily Burrichter, Mitch Lange and Doug Meyer. Mitch Luttchens was absent. City Clerk Schuldt attended while Maintenance Supervisor Darryl Meyer was absent. A guest in attendance was Justin Meyer.
Meyer appeared before the council with questions regarding possible DEED (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development) funding for a new truck shop he is opening in Eitzen. Meyer will be doing both heavy and light-duty diesel repair. He believes that the maximum amount he will need is $35,000, which he plans to use for purchasing tools, supplies, and maybe a car hoist. He added that he lost a lot of tools in the Caledonia fire. The council answered his questions. Mayor Adamson said that he thinks the rate is 3% for 10 years, and there are no penalties for paying it off early. Schuldt explained that it may or may not be secured. If it is secured, the city is second in line, behind the bank, on the property. Payments for the loan would be made at city hall. It was confirmed that the city would like to see a business plan, and that he is working with a bank. Councilmember Burrichter had additional questions for the council since this is the first time that she has been a part of the process from the beginning. The last time funding for a new business was approved by the council was 10 years ago, when it was approved to Mitch Lange for his startup business in Eitzen. Meyer plans to speak with the bank before coming back to the council in January to formally make a request. Mayor Adamson concluded, “More businesses in town is a good thing.”
The council unanimously approved the November 12 meeting minutes with one correction. The transfer of the senior apartments to the city will not take place until 2026.
The council reviewed the financial documents before unanimously approving them.
Mayor Adamson reported that exterior work on the Habitat for Humanity house is mostly complete, with some landscaping and minor tasks which will be completed in the spring.
The city has not heard back from the EPA regarding the citation it received earlier this fall.
The council approved writing off the outstanding utility debt of $714.63 for Joshua Erickson. The debt has been on the books for the past two years, and the city has been unable to locate Erickson. It would cost the city more than the debt to find Erickson and collect the debt.
The council was informed that the city’s Office Depot account was being closed. No action is required on the part of the council at this time.
The council certified the utility bill for Larry Burns in the amount of $1,156.60 to be included in his property taxes. The debt will be collected as part of Burns’ property tax assessment.
Mayor Adamson relayed Maintenance Supervisor Meyer’s update, stating that final hookups on the lift station were nearly complete, pending weather. Once finished, the mayor suggested a walkthrough to review the system’s operation.
Before adjourning the meeting at 6:43 p.m., the council unanimously approved paying the bills.
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