Spring Grove’s City Council met Tuesday, June 20 at 168 West Main Street in Room 100 from 6-8:21 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Saundra Solum, Karen Folstad, Chad Rohland, Trent Turner, and Heather Edgington. Also in attendance were Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton.
The council adopted both the Agenda and Consent Agenda. Prior to adopting the Consent Agenda, the council added an item to Old Business and modified an item under New Business. Under Old Business, the inclusion of an update involving Spring Grove Municipal Liquor Store. Under New Business, resolution 23-32 had been replaced with discussion of options regarding 117 Main Street W. No public comment took place during Open Forum.
Megan Jones, property owner of 117 Main Street W., shared her plans in regards to fixing up her building that experienced damage as a result of a fire from Thursday, December 22, 2022. Miranda Moen, local architectural designer, accompanied Jones to the Spring Grove council meeting. Moen stated she met with Jones and discussed the building’s state. Moen had reached out to a structural engineer from La Crosse, Wis., who holds experience working with older buildings. The engineer had not seemed concerned about the building, claiming the building is not an immediate danger but is in need of maintenance and repairs now.
The property has been brought to different contractors for a bid. Moen explains the best time to bid a contractor is when the weather starts to become colder. As of now, Moen and Jones are waiting to hear back from contractors to gain an idea of when these contractors will be available to work.
Jones states she uses the building as a studio. Jones would like retail hours to be set in the evenings, stating, “It will be a hopping place in the evening!” Until more foot traffic occurs, Jones is uninterested in expanding retail hours. She hopes to include a miniature toy museum set up at her location and to coordinate with one or two other artists. Jones also wishes to offer bead art for sale. She stated the place was once open to the public as a frame shop.
Old business
Elton spoke with the Myrah family in regards to the current condition of Trollskogen Park’s log cabin. The cabin is in need of costly repairs. Emotions are tied to the cabin in where the family will be sad to see the cabin go. The council will look into possible grants to see what can be done about repair funding.
The last day of liquor sales at Spring Grove Municipal Liquor Store will be Friday, June 30. The sign over date will be Monday, July 10.
New business:
Mayor Solum moved, second by council member Edgington to split dust control costs for gravel roads with EDA (Economic Development Authority); in turn the motion carried. The total cost will average roughly $1,300.
The council discussed the current city website’s design. A number of people find the current site difficult to navigate. Councilor Rohland felt the site should be easy to use for all. A suggestion had been brought up to include new updated pictures of Spring Grove for the city’s website. Rohland suggested look at other local city’s website designs to compare, Edgington volunteered to do such.
An anonymous hypothetical proposal had been addressed to the council where the unnamed party is interested to know if the city of Spring Grove could annex new land into the city with the land being a mile and a half outside town. Rohland commented this to be an interesting idea. Mayor Solum recommended the council to gain additional information first and offered to hold a closed meeting for the unnamed party if the party were interested.
The Spring Grove office staff received approval to purchase one new monitor and two new towers with the expenditure limited to $5,000. The office’s current computers are outdated, slow, and in the process of dying.
The $50 permit fee for demolition of the last standing hardware store building was waived.
Rohland moved, second by Turner to approve Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce closing down Maple Drive from the corner to just passed Rockfilter for Uffda Fest which will take place Saturday, October 7. Motion carried.
Ordinance/Policies
At the present time, there are discrepancies between Minnesota state regulations and Spring Grove city ordinances when it comes to recreational vehicles. Rohland believes city ordinance should closer align with state regulations.
Mayor/Council
What’s Happening in Spring Grove will take place 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 at Spring Grove Cinema. The city, EDA, and Spring Grove School District will all share updates to the public. The public is invited to attend. Free popcorn and soda will be available.
The next regular Spring Grove City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. at 168 West Main Street in Room 100. The public is invited to attend.
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