The Spring Grove Ambulance, Inc. sent a letter asking the city to take ownership of the Spring Grove Ambulance license. At the city’s February 13 council meeting, the council authorized Caledonia Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom to move forward and draft a proposal.
In the letter from Spring Grove, Todd Passig, Spring Grove Ambulance board president included, “The one aspect that we will not budge on is that we retain the option to take back ownership of our license should we find we’re strong enough to be on our own as of April 2026.”
Tornstrom along with Karen Folstad and Heather Gray, members of the Spring Grove Ambulance Board of Directors, were in attendance to answer any questions regarding staffing, equipment, station, billing, etc. many of which will be answered in the future.
Tornstrom began by explaining, “Caledonia and Spring Grove Ambulance have been talking, for literally months now, and even three years ago or so we were having conversations.” Caledonia did not ask. Spring Grove approached Caledonia.
“Hopefully, their community doesn’t even see a change,” shared Tornstrom.
“This is a win-win for both communities,” expressed councilman Stenzel.
Carol Nelson, a regular swimmer for over 25 years at the Caledonia pool, appeared before the council to express her opinion and those of her fellow swimmers regarding the city’s swimming pool policies. Nelson enthusiastically emphasized, “Love the early bird swim, 6:30 to 8 a.m. every day.” The cohort of swimmers asked the city to review the swimming policies, specifically the attendance policy, if there are less than 10 swimmers, the pool is closed for the session. Nelson added, “I would just like there to be parameters and the parameters to be voiced to the community and posted where people will see them.” City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson explained that based on his conversations with Nelson the staff will review the pool policies and is currently focused on hiring. It was confirmed that the city budgets for the whole season and not just open hours.
The council held a public hearing to discuss the proposed cannabis ordinance regulating the sale of legalized adult-use of any product that contains tetrahydrocannabinol like the city regulates the sale of alcohol and tobacco. Dickson mentioned that he has spoken with Jason Redman, owner of the The CBD Shop, and he was pleasantly surprised as this is one of the more friendly licensing ordinances that he has seen. Dickson confirmed that the ordinance has not changed since the first reading. The council adopted Ordinance 2023-01
Regarding the street project, Dickson announced, “Seven people are holding plans out there right now. If we got seven bids that would be really good.”
In other business, the council:
• Approved the January 23 minutes, and payments and disbursements;
• Approved the renewal of liquor licenses for Quillins IGA, The Country Store, and Kwik Trip #733;
• Approved increasing the annual contribution to the Fire Relief Pension from $1,300 per active member to $1,400, effective January 1, 2023;
• Approved the request for payment, $139,816.26, from Wapasha Construction Company for work completed at the wastewater treatment;
• Approved posting/advertising the AP/Payroll clerk position due to the retirement of Dorothy Ranzenberger. Ranzenberger is approved to stay on for two weeks to train the new clerk;
• Approved the proposed hour and schedule changes to the Public Works department employees to four 9-hour days and one 4-hour day plus a change to the hours city hall is open. The news hours will be from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Residents will be notified when the change will take effect.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting is Monday, February 27, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The public is invited to attend.
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