The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, February 15, from 6-7:13 p.m. at Spring Grove Communications. Mayor Scott Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All city council members were present – Mayor Scott Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Karen Folstad, Chad Rohland, and Trent Turner.
The council approved the minutes from January 18, regular council meeting.
Kathy Roverud was appointed to a three-year term on the Spring Grove Park Commission. Her term expires on March 1, 2025.
The council approved the transfer of $37,500.00 from General Fund (101) cash to EDA Operating Fund (290) Cash (Budgeted), $7,246.07 from Bender TIF Fund (318) cash to GO TIF 2015A Fund (319) cash and $22,761.18 from Sewer Fund (625) cash to Electric Fund (615) cash – Interfund Loan Payment done in December 2021.
The council held a public hearing to discuss the Condition Use Permit (CUP) for bulk propane storage and distribution in the General Industrial Park. EDA accepted an offer from Midwest Industrial Fuels Inc. dba Consolidated Energy, La Crosse, Wis., to purchase two lots, 656 Norway Ave. and 658 Enterprise Dr. The sale is contingent on approval from planning & zoning and city council.
Planning & Zoning met, and according to Councilmember Torgerson, “The consensus was that there was not a legal pathway to accept the CPU.” He went on to explain, “By amending the ordinance we would have a legal pathway to approve the CUP.”
A motion and second to instruct the Zoning Administrator, Julie Amundson, to return the CPU application due to it currently being incomplete and lacking a site plan was made and approved.
Amundson announced that the city has received four resumes for the full-time custodian position and is accepting applications until February 28. The council left it to Amundson to finalize the interview committee and interview schedule.
Harlee Gavin, Spring Grove Swim Center, presented two schedules for this summer. Option A is the same schedule as last summer and option B is the same schedule as a few years ago. It was noted that June is the busiest month at the pool. Individuals interested in working at the swim center this summer have until March 4 to submit their applications. The council tabled the decision until the March meeting in order to see how many people are available to work at the center this summer.
The zoning fees were increased by 25%. It was noted that will be some rounding up.
Before the council moved to approve Resolution 22-11, City Administrator Amundson explained, “Resolution 22-11 allows Attorney Alex Roverud permission to prosecute in the city.”
Amundson emphasized the importance of the council being aware of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Liability Coverage Waiver Form which must be signed annually. Amundson stated that the city needs to consider cyber insurance next year.
According to the request from Sustainability and Energy Specialist, Adam Schwartz, Kwik Trip “retrofitted LEDs in the store located on 142 W. Main St. in Spring Grove.” The approved commercial rebate request is for a total of $774.08. The rebate covers 50% of the cost of materials.
Ye Olde Opera House and the Lions Club both submitted a request for a temporary liquor license. Both were unanimously approved.
Councilman Rohland confirmed that the Running with My Gnomies 5K route is the same as last year and does not include shutting down any streets.
Amundson informed the council that the city does not have a social media policy, and that she used a League of Minnesota Cities template to create one for the city. The policy was reviewed and approved by the city attorney before it was submitted to the council for approval.
There was nothing to report from the parks committee or the fire department. The planning and zoning committee discussed in length the Consolidated Energy CPU.
Mayor Solberg updated the council on the EDA, “There is some pretty interesting stuff going on. Rebound Hospitality is now rebranded as Revocity and are actively looking at doing some projects in town. The restaurant challenge received two good offers and are moving on to round two.”
Councilmember Folstad announced that the 17-20 hour a week library position has been tabled. Folstad mentioned, “Millie plans on working eight hours on Thursdays for a while.” The library committee is wondering what the council would think about hiring more than one person for the position in order to offer flexibility in staffing.
The Spring Grove City Council’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Spring Grove Communications room 100. The meeting is open to the public.