Houston County Fair Board Praised by Caledonia Council

The Houston County Fair Board received numerous accolades during the August 24 Caledonia City Council meeting. Council members Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick and John Rauk were present, along with Mayor Leis.

During the opening public comment period, Caledonia business owner and resident Bryan Spier praised the fair, saying he attended the rodeo, demolition derby and other events throughout the week.

“I was at the fair every single day, and I have never seen that many people on Friday night and Saturday night combined,” Spier said. “I heard a lot of other folks comment that it was well run. I would imagine there were not any problems at all up there. Well done! Well done, Houston County Fair. Well done!”

Mayor Jeremy Leis also praised the emergency services and communities that helped support the fair.

“We need to commend our fire department for covering a bunch of events.,” Leis said. “Eitzen covered a bunch of events. Brownsville and Spring Grove also covered events. It is a team effort. It is a county fair. Everyone should participate.”

Leis also recognized the local ambulance service. “Our ambulance service covered everything,” he said. “We are so lucky to have those people in our community, and they are professionals. They do really good work.”

City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson also mentioned the fair in his report. “It was an excellent fair,” Dickson said. “I was up there three times. Very well attended, very well run, very clean. The chief said we did not have to arrest anybody, so that is pretty good.”

Dickson said the fair has been a constant topic of conversation and suggested that the city could learn from its success.

Rauk moved to approve the minutes from the August 10 regular city council meeting and the August 17 special city council meeting, with a motion to approve the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the construction of the N. Warrior Ave. Extension project for a grant total of $332,838.67 plus other grants totaling $691,367.05, for a grand total of $1,024,205.72. Seconded by Councilmember Fitzpatrick, the motion passed unanimously.

Rauk moved to approve the consent agenda, which included payment of bills and street closures for the upcoming Mainspring Arty Block Party on September 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Melissa Wray requested that the city “close down half of our block of Badger Street from Immanuel’s edge of the parking lot to Main Street. The southern half of the block would still be open and usable.”

Councilmember Ninneman seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug reported that work to clean the exterior of the city’s water towers began earlier in the day and was expected to be completed by the end of Tuesday. He is still waiting on the schedule for the interior cleanouts.

The Warrior Avenue project is scheduled to begin September 1.

Downtown parking stripes are ready to be painted. The layout has been completed and crews are expected to begin painting soon.

The city’s new plow truck is back and expected to be put into service by the end of the week.

Klug also reported on repairs completed the previous week.

Dickson highlighted a meeting with the Minnesota Design Center and working with the Minnesota Housing Partnership. Dickson explained that the two grant-funded efforts will work together to spur housing development and commercial activity while giving the city a roadmap for the next 10 years.

In Other Business

The council took no action on the Category C waste charges.

The council accepted a quote from Quality Pool & Spa for 128 bags of filter sand and 60 bags of gravel to replace the filter material at the city pool. The total cost is $3,374.12. City staff will complete the work either this week or next.

The council reviewed overtime reports for the pay period ending August 16.

The council went into closed session under attorney-client privilege at 6:18 p.m. to discuss possible litigation with Wapasha Construction Company regarding the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Dickson confirmed that no action was taken during the closed session.

The city council meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.