At the February 24 Caledonia City Council meeting, no formal action was taken regarding the city’s 2026-2046 Capital Improvement Plan. City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson stated that this is the first step in creating the plan.
The purpose of the plan is to determine how the city will pay for capital improvements and capital projects. The staff recommends, “In order to plan for infrastructure improvements and vehicle purchases, the city must write and adhere to a capital improvement plan.”
Funding options to pay capital improvements and projects include local option sales tax, franchise fees on natural gas, bonds, grants, and property assessment.
Mayor Jeremy Leis thanked the staff more than once for all the work they have put into the plan.
The meeting, held at 6 p.m. in the city hall council chambers, was called to order by Mayor Jeremy Leis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present included Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Jeremy Leis and John Rauk. Bob Klug and Dave Fitzpatrick were absent. Staff present included City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson, Finance Officer Stephanie Mann, and Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug.
The February 10 city council meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
City of Caledonia Financial Officer Stephanie Mann reviewed the 2024 pre-audit financials with the board before recommending that the city approve moving $390,000 from the General Fund to Fund 352 Capital Improvement Fund. Mann said, “The 2024 budget came in under approximately $426,000. This is due to the following variations from the budget: 1) $68,000 in street sweeper savings and delay of snow hauler purchase; 2) $10,000 pool donation; 3) $10,000 in expected grant proceeds for safety improvements at street shop; 4) $9,000 in parks materials not purchased; and 5) $293,000 in future street project reserve leaving a bottom line of $36,781 to add to the fund balance, leaving $1,235,170 in unassigned general fund balance, or a reserve of 60%.” She concluded her presentation by mentioning that the auditor is scheduled to visit in the coming weeks.
Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug reported that the street department was busy a couple of weeks ago, cleaning up after the season’s largest snowfall. General permits and solar permit applications are starting to come in. There will be four public hearings at the next Planning Commission meeting. The water department repaired a water main break on Vista and Hokah and is working on a service line break on South Marshall plus there might be a couple but they cannot tell if it is snow melting or a leak. Hopefully, Director Klug will have a better idea on the startup at the new treatment plant after next week’s monthly construction meeting. Klug and the Parks Committee met with Street Scapes and selected a spot for the military rock.
Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson noted that he has been working on ordinances and that there was a public hearing last week regarding the chicken ordinance. The planning committee did not move forward with the cat ordinance, and it was sent back to city staff to “find a solution that would work for everyone.” There have also been a lot of inquiries about TIF (tax increment financing) specifically regarding the Dewitt Building. Dickson has not received any pay ups since January 6 for the wastewater treatment plant. There should be big pay ups coming.
In other business, the council:
- Unanimously approved payments and disbursements.
- Approved a petition and waiver agreement with property owner Michael Rogich to reconstruct the water service line on his property and collect the approximate $10,000 cost via a levy of a special assessment against his property.
- Approved the annual Mosquito Vector Control Contract between the city and Driftless Region Vector Control LLC at a cost of $2,257.00.
- Renewed 3.2 liquor license for Kwik Trip, Caledonia Mart, and Quillin’s.
- Authorized advertising for lifeguards for the 2025 summer season, with training scheduled for May and June.
- Approved Ordinance 2025-01 concerning chickens, with one change and two typos. Dickson mentioned that no public comments were received on the ordinance.
- Approved a Power Cost of Service Study at a cost of $9,000 from Star Energy Services.
- Reviewed the overtime report for the pay period ending February 17, 2025.
There being no closing public comments, Mayor Leis moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
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