On June 28, 2021, the Caledonia City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Caledonia City Hall Council Chamber Room. City Council members present were Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, Robert “Bob” Klug, David Fitzpatrick. Absent was Brad Rykhus. Mayor Schroeder led councilmembers and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent agenda
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda: minutes from the June 14, 2021, council meeting; $109,521 payment to Ricchio, Inc. for work on the Caledonia pool gutter replacement project; Quillin’s Foods, 510 Vista Drive, sign permit application, to install a new 75” x 155” polymetal (non-illuminated) sign on the front of the building; $300 payment to Ricchio, Inc. to replace 30 square feet of concrete decking at Caledonia Aquatic Center; and hire Makena Speltz as a part-time liquor store clerk.
Sprague Woods presentation
Volunteer Randy Mell proposed creating a city-sponsored Friends of Sprague Woods committee. According to Mell, 28 people have come forward and to help with whatever needs to be done. The ad-hoc group of volunteers held an organizational meeting and have met twice at Sprague Woods to remove the invasive garlic mustard.
The first workday drew eight volunteers, and the second drew seven volunteers. The group has removed two 25-gallon sacks of weeds, filling the city-provided dumpster half full — the weeds will be incinerated. Two more workdays are scheduled, on Wednesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mell believes that there is a real interest in having a friends group and would like to see it organized along the lines of the city’s Streetscapes committee. Mell shared with the council a suggested mission statement and vision statement. A city-sponsored committee would allow volunteers to apply for grants and solicit donations to maintain the woods. The city would be the committee’s fiscal agent, allowing donations, grant funds, and bills to go through city.
Mell offered his services pro-bono to develop a 10-year plan. Mell explained, “The purpose of the plan is to maintain continuity as the council changes.”
“Sprague Woods provides an experience to get into an old woods. It is a different experience,” shared Mell.
The council approved creating a city-sponsored Friends of Sprague Woods committee. The council also approved the Rattlesnake Coulee Goat Farms proposal to provide at least 30 goats to help remove noxious weeds, undergrowth, vines, box elder, and invasive species at Sprague Woods for a cost not to exceed $2,050.
Financial report
Stephanie Mann, Financial Office, shared the financial statements (2021 Cash and Investments, Long-term Debt – Schedule of Payments, and 2021 Budget versus Actual) for the period ending May 31 with the council stating, “They look pretty normal.” The city received its first payment from the county, $594,000. The city made a $30,664 payment on the fire pumper in June, leaving one more payment next year. Mann shared, “The 2021 Budget v. Actual for the most part, everyone is right in check,” explaining that some accounts might look like they are over, but revenue is coming in.” The city is working on some of the capital projects that were not done last year. The audit was presented at last month’s council meeting; it is time to start the budget. Mann ended her report by stating, “It is time to start all over again.”
Caledonia Aquatic Center
Work on the city pool moves forward with plans to begin filling the pool on Monday, July 5. The pool inspection is scheduled for July 8 in the morning, and if all goes well and there are lifeguards, hopes are to open the pool that weekend on an abbreviated schedule. The plan is to open the pool as scheduled on July 12. Keep watching the pool’s Facebook page for updates.
Spring Grove – Caledonia Film Festival, July 20-25
The city approved the request by Sacred Noise Society to use the city auditorium for Spring Grove-Caledonia Film Festival from July 20-25, 2021. The auditorium will be used for the Readers theater, dinner theater, and awards ceremony. The estimated attendance at the dinner theatre is expected to be 150-200 people. Organizers are required to carry liability insurance.
Frankie’s 2nd Chance
The commission heard from Eugene Osborne, Frankie’s 2nd Chance, LLC. during the public hearing regarding the restaurant’s application for an on-sale intoxicating liquor license and Sunday liquor license. Osborne mentions that he is trying to buy locally and is thankful that he is in Caledonia. He expressed his appreciation to the city and commissioners for their assistance. Pending the background check, which should be done within the week, Fitzpatrick moved to approve the application — seconded by Ninneman, and approved by the council
Well House No. 8
The city received three bids for the construction of Well House No. 8. Wapasha Construction Company out of Winona submitted the low bid of $1,114,000, 12.6% higher than the engineer’s estimate of $989,050. In answer to questions from the council, Klug shared, “Wapasha does a lot of work in the area and is not new to the territory.” The mayor added, “Wapasha is a pretty big outfit and has done work in Caledonia in the past.” The council approved the base bid from Wapasha Construction.
The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 12, at 6 p.m.