Mayor Sarah Schroeder and Councilmembers Chad Rohland, Scott Solberg, Travis Torgerson, and Karen Folstad attended the November 17, 2020, regular meeting of the Spring Grove City Council. The meeting was held virtually due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the county.
Others present included: Julie Amundson, clerk/administrator; Stephanie Jaster, administrative assistant; Trent Turner, fire chief; Erin Konkel, treasurer; Lyn Solberg, deputy clerk; Todd Olerud, New Age Tree Service; Gregg Skauge, Richard Sanitation; Jordan Gerard, Caledonia Argus; and Charlene Selbee, Fillmore County Journal.
Mayor Schroeder added two items to the agenda under new business, website updates, and Fest Building rental.
The Board approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the October 20 regular meeting and the November 12 special meeting, claims and accounts, and Resolution 20-51 Authorizing Transfer of Funds and Resolution 20-52 Accepting Fire Department Donation.
Public forum
Spring Grove businessman, Todd Olerud, shared his frustration with the council that his business, New Age Tree Service, was not given the opportunity to submit a bid for this summer’s city park project. Mayor Schroeder immediately apologized, explaining that she did not know he was an arborist. “We need to do a better job supporting the businesses in Spring Grove,” said Olerud. “We have a lot of experts in the town with a lot of experience.” Councilman Rohland shared his thoughts, “We can do better and will do better going forward. We are open to suggestions.” Olerud finished by asking the council to look at Spring Grove businesses first.
Old Business
Amundson reviewed the CARES Act expense sheet. She noted that all the funds had been designated. She expects the city to go over by $700. The city is still waiting on Turquoise Tomato and an invoice for the tree trimming. November 15 was the deadline to spend CARES money as the final report is due November 24.
The council approved keeping the Fest Building closed to walkers for now. Councilmembers are not comfortable opening the building due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the county. The city will review the COVID-19 numbers after Thanksgiving.
The mayor created a Google calendar and needs to get the office staff set up as administrators to access the calendar. The QR code will take users to the calendar to see who has reserved the Trollskogen shelters. The public can see the calendar but cannot add to it. The Fest Building and cabin and other city outdoor buildings reservations are not on the calendar.
Amundson informed the council that the new water tower is full of water, and water samples came back good. The city is waiting for the radio controls to be delivered. The controls will communicate with the main control panel at city hall. Once the radio controls are installed, the tower will be put in service. The old water tower is scheduled to come down next Monday, November 23, or Tuesday, November 24. The city is looking into whether there is lead paint in the old water tower.
New Business
Gregg Skauge, Richard Sanitation, was available to answer questions from the council regarding the new contract. The 32-gallon yellow bags would be $2 per bag, and recycling $3.46 per month. The totes would be $14.75, for both the recycling and garbage tote. Totes are picked up weekly and hold a maximum of three bags. Currently, Richard Sanitation has four towns that use totes and four towns that use bags. The city would be responsible for billing residents for damaged or stolen totes. No hot ashes in totes. The totes have wheels. If the city approves switching to totes, everyone would be required to use totes. Council adopted the bag contract allowing members time to get feedback from residents regarding the use of totes before next month’s meeting. At that time, the council will discuss whether to switch to totes early next spring.
The council discussed the suggested changes to the winter parking ordinance. Changing two inches of snow to four inches of snow and alternating street parking. Mayor Schroeder stated that a decision cannot be made tonight until the council has more information. She recommends looking at what other cities the size of Spring Grove are doing. Councilman Solberg emphasized the importance of making sure any changes to the ordinances are clear.
The council approved to increase the electric rate as recommended starting January 1.
No action is required on the Quonset Hut. The discussion centered on removing the hut.
The council approved hiring Mariah Edgington and Alyssa Johnson as swim center co-managers.
City hall will remain open. Residents are encouraged to conduct business with the city contactless. The council left it to the mayor and city administrator if the office needs to close because of increased COVID-19 positive cases in the community.
The council approved the liquor license for Festival of Trees.
The council approved dedicating staff time to move information on the city’s old website to the new website. Webmaster Robin Bartell will give access and train staff.
The council is comfortable having staff continue renting out the Fest Building and Log Cabin after being assured that the staff is warning renters that their event might not happen since no one knows what will happen.
The council reviewed the proposed 2021 budget. Konkel will make the suggested changes before the December council meeting when the final levy is due. No action is required by the council.
Committee reports
EDA met a week ago and reviewed the COVID-19 request. The Spring Grove Herald building was sold to James and Suzanne Gulbranson. The Herald building used to be a bakery and the Gulbransons plan on restoring the building as a bakery. The group also discussed the new CEDA contract.
Councilmember Solberg informed the council that Parks has distributed the new picnics tables. The Parks committee discussed the ice-skating hut and their concern for the skaters and staff that would be checking out skates because the building is small. This year there will be time scheduled to check out skates for the whole season.
The Planning and Zoning committee did not meet.
Fire department – The committee wants to find out if the sewer and water grant penalty can be waived.
The next regular meeting of the Spring Grove City Council is December 15, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Fest building. The public is invited to dial-in. Contact city hall at (507) 498-5221 to be included in remote meetings.