Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, February 17, at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilors present included Wilhelmson, Trent Turner, Eric Ostern, and Morgan Buckland. Councilor Mike Hagen had been absent. City employees present included City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton.
The Agenda and Consent Agenda received full approval following the addition of one item to old business which included revisiting the cannabis ordiance.
No participants spoke during open forum.
Old Business
Elton updated the council that she received a six month extension for the $20,000 SMIF REV Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Grant.
Mayor Wilhelmson briefed everyone about where the daycare building plan is at. He met with the EDA (Economic Development Authority) the previous week. There were verbal agreements for donations totaling $96,000. Councilor Ostern questioned about usage for the back half of the building. Wilhelmson answered stating the back could be rented out potentially to the school or a provider. Wilhelmson acknowledged, “there’s different options.” He informed that EDA would own the building. Elton added at first the city’s financial advisor was not in favor of this, but after Wilhelmson brought further information forward the advisor is now more in favor. Ostern thought it would be a good idea to move forward with the daycare plan. Elton said she is applying for a $100,000 grant for the daycare. Councilor Turner noted he wanted to see number figures, but overall supported the plan. Ostern moved, seconded by Buckland to move forward.
The council unanimously approved a minimum of 1,000 feet footage from the school for cannabis sale. The minimum footage from parks is 500 feet.
New Business
Councilor Buckland moved, seconded by Ostern, to approve the Spring Grove Public Library purchase agreement for two parcels on three lots.
Councilors briefly discussed the current Spring Grove Fire Hall’s adjacent city owned property. Elton said a tenant rents the house off to the side on a month by month lease. Turner added the tenant can be notified the property will be sold.
Elton shared at the Planning & Zoning meeting, Greg Wennes was asked if he would annex all four acres (parcels 13.0147.002 and 13.0147.003). Originally Wennes wanted a small bit of land to annex but that was not doable so he agreed to annex the four acres. The land will remain agricultural. Turner moved, seconded by Ostern, to approve the request.
A resident came forward last month asking Elton if the garbage truck could go down the alley one time. Elton spoke with Richard’s Sanitation who said if alley residents all placed their garbage on one side then he will only need to go down the alley once.
Spring Grove’s community garden currently sits at the Fest Building. Elton informed everyone that with the new housing development in place the community garden will need to move elsewhere. She suggested Roverud Park be a potential location to consider as it is easily accessible. An answer does not need to be decided right now. Elton had asked a number of places. Councilor Buckland questioned how many people use the garden, Elton responded there are about 20 plots. Residents in the audience chimed in offering various suggestions to which Elton already looked into.
Elton updated the council about the park trees. An arborist came to look at Trollskogen Park’s trees. Tony Konkel recommended to wait until fall to take the trees down. Right now there are around 43 trees that need to come down due to the trees reaching their life expectancy. Wilhelmson added that the older trees will become a maintenance cost. The council agreed to revisit the issue in fall.
Councilor Turner moved, seconded by Ostern, to approve the public hearing for the adoption of the Pollinator Ordiance.
Meeting Reports
Wilhelmson stated the main topic of discussion at the EDA meeting had been about the daycare. He noted that the EDA may have a vacancy soon.
Elton presented the Parks & Recreation report. She shared a brief update about the disc golf course and the installation of signs. Wilhelmson chimed in stating the pump track needed more dirt.
Turner shared that Planning & Zoning may have two vacancies coming up.
Morgan said the library meeting consisted predominantly about the purchase and the library’s next steps going forward.
The council meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
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