Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, October 15 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Solum, Mike Hagen, Trent Turner and Karen Folstad. Councilor Heather Edgington was absent. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present.
The council unanimously approved to adopt both the Agenda and Consent Agenda with two additional items added to New Business. The Consent Agenda consisted of approval of minutes from the September 17 regular council meeting, minutes from the September 25 special council meeting, claims and accounts, appointment of student election judges for the general elections, accepting a gift from Spring Grove Communications, authorizing transfer of funds, hearing protection, and the sheriff’s quarterly report.
No participants spoke during Open Forum.
Old Business
Spring Grove’s Animal Control officer, Isaak Solum, sent in a report stating he caught nine cats, possums, and a raccoon. Mayor Solum suggested to try out this new measure for another month. Councilor Hagen asked about the number of cats caught that belonged to someone. City Clerk/Administrator Elton responded that one cat had it’s owner’s contact information on it. The remaining cats caught were released to farms willing to accept them.
“So, the next is an update on the Fest Building,” stated Mayor Solum moving on to the next item of discussion. RockFilter Distillery in Spring Grove looked into relocating their business to the town’s Fest Building at 110 N. Division Avenue. The council had originally voted to have the Fest Building appraised, however, the appraisal would be scheduled 6-8 weeks out. Due to the high cost of real estate, Elton met with RockFilter Distillery’s Christian Myrah to discuss possible alternative locations for the business. Councilor Turner moved, seconded by Hagen, to cancel the appraisal. Motion carried.
New Business
The council approved the pay request to Zenke Inc, for the reconstruction on 1st Street SW.
Mayor Solum shared that a grant was received for new housing development. At first, the city looked at the hotel site. However, since Spring Grove Schools now have the hotel site the city thought to look at other locations. A parcel near the community garden space had been briefly discussed.
A new RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) System will be implemented at the intersection of Division Avenue and Main Street in Spring Grove. The RRFB System uses flashing lights to warn drivers of pedestrians or bicyclists crossing the street. Elton shared that MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) visited Spring Grove and saw first hand how the intersection currently is. The state determined the intersection unsafe and wanted flashing pedestrian signs put up. Mayor Solum expressed concern over large equipment crossing that intersection. Elton stated the city budgeted for this with the possibility of available grants. The new flashing signs will be placed at all corners of the intersection.
Elton shared that each month the city employees do trainings. A computer is set up for the utility staff. The council approved to purchase the utility staff new headphones that allow hearing, audio, and noise canceling. The cost for a set of four headphones off Amazon would be roughly $260.
The city received approval from the council to update the name of the coordinator for AWAIR (A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction Program).
City Clerk/Administrator Elton shared that Spring Grove’s city council meetings will be aired on YouTube starting in November. Mayor Solum acknowledged that not everyone is able to attend the meetings in person.
Solum shared that EDA held a short meeting. EDA is waiting to hear back in regards to grants. Options for RockFilter Distillery were discussed. There was a hearing on The Little Gnome Childcare & Preschool that closed in Spring Grove.
Councilor Hagen provided his parks report. At the parks meeting there had been discussion on the pump track plan. Nick Bjerke has been unable to get ahold of. Elton stated she will try to contact Bjerke in regards to a deadline in that the city needs to know what his plan was. A $50,000 grant for Roverud Park had been applied for. The grant would help fund new wood for the fence, garbage cans, and more. The meeting also consisted of reassignment for park officers.
The Spring Grove City Council meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
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