CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was held on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Tasha Dahl, City Council Members Heather Grey, Jacob Klejeski, and Hunter McGovern. Council Members absent: Deb Ellis.
City staff and others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Liz Sorg, City Maintenance Glen Hvitved, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, First Responder Director Casey Dahl, Matt Durand, Ed Krenke, Marvin Bronner, Terry Selthun, Norma Kalina, and Dodge Center Ambulance Director Angie Jarrett and Dodge Center Ambulance Assistant Director Anthony Gengler.
There were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
Angie Jarrett, Ambulance Director for Dodge Center Ambulance, introduced herself and Assistant Director Anthony Gengler to the council. She went through the 2021 Annual Ambulance Report showing the number of calls for each city, expenses, inventory, and other information.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consisted of: Minutes of the January 4, 2022, City Council Meeting, Minutes of the January 24, 2022, Special City Council Meeting, and Resolution No. 22-05: Resolution Expressing Acceptance and Appreciation of a Donation. Motion by Klejeski to approve the Consent Agenda, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CITY ENGINEER
Motion by Grey to open the public hearing, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously. City Engineer Derek Olinger gave an overview of the street improvements project and assessments. The street project will be East Street (from the alley south of 3rd Street to approximately 490 feet north of 3rd Street), 2nd Street (from Wheat Street to Main Street) and Front Street parking lanes (from Main Street to East Street). The total project cost is estimated to be $173,955. Per the Assessment Policy, assessment rates are based on the square footage of a benefitting parcel of land at 30% of the total project cost. For the trailer park property and the undeveloped field on the north end of East Street they will be based on the width of the improvement adjacent to the property and the typical residential lot depth of 132 feet. A resident on East Street asked what her estimated assessment would be, which Olinger told her the estimate. Hearing no other comments or questions, motion to close the public hearing by McGovern, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Klejeski to approve Resolution No. 22-07: Resolution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Klejeski to approve the Engineering Proposal for the project, second by Grey. Motion carried unanimously.
The council has previously discussed repainting the inside and outside of the water tower and other maintenance required to preserve the structural integrity of the tower. Due to the large scope of the project, various ways to save on costs, and budget considerations, the council tabled the project until the city administrator can review it further and make recommendations.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Klejeski to approve the financial reports, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Grey to approve payment of the bills, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
The city has excess funds from the TIF and most recent bond so Sorg suggested moving some funds out of the checking account and putting into the 4M Fund until the funds are needed. Motion by McGovern to move $300,000 from the checking account into the 4M Fund, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
The committee met January 24. A member’s term ended at the end of 2021. He reapplied for another term and Jason Jennings also applied. The committee was happy and didn’t want to discourage involvement in a city committee, so they approved Jennings as an alternate. City Attorney Rahrick stated it is generally not a good idea having 6 members as it could result in a tie vote. He also stated it is an advisory board and makes recommendations to the council and in case of a tie the council would make the final decision. Rahrick suggested changing the ordinance stating the committee have up to 6 members but no less than 5. Motion by McGovern to change the committee membership of up to 6, no less than 5, second by Grey. Motion carried unanimously. The committee also reviewed the preliminary Land Use Plan. Overall, they liked the plan and will review the final draft at the next meeting, then it will go to council for final approval.
EDA
Matt Durand, owner of Arden Homes, LLC, submitted a housing proposal to the council. He is proposing to build 9 modular homes on the rest of the lots at RK&T. He would collaborate with Three Rivers Community Action, a SE MN non-profit, to educate and qualify homeowners towards home ownership. Families that meet the income limits of the housing TIF and successfully complete a Home Stretch course will qualify to purchase a home in the development. Arden Homes will coordinate with Three Rivers to facilitate the home ownership qualification program and act as a housing navigator and will coordinate homeowner education, mortgage counseling, and program promotion. Arden Homes seeks to negotiate a Developer’s Agreement with the city to build 9 modular homes for qualified buyers. Durand also stated he does work for Claremont as the EDA Director for CEDA. CEDA has had several discussions about this housing development, and it is not a conflict as it could be duplicated in other communities as well. as City Attorney Rahrick went over the possible risks and outcomes if the city enters into an agreement with Durand. Council asked Rahrick to draft a Developer’s Agreement for review.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PEOPLESERVICE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Rahrick has been in contact with the Harmer’s and is continuing work on finalizing the donation of land.
Rahrick also went over an issue with the survey that is between the Fire Hall and railroad tracks. There is some interest from someone wanting to purchase the property. There is some uncertainty about the right of way placement and property lines. The council would like to continue with having the property surveyed and clear up any issues with the right of ways and/or property lines.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
The council held an annual performance review for City Maintenance Hvitved earlier tonight. Motion by Dahl to approve a 3% increase for him, second by Grey. Motion carried unanimously.
The City Council will have City Clerk/Treasurer Sorg’s annual performance review March 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Motion by McGovern to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m., second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Elizabeth Sorg, City Clerk/Treasurer
Tasha Dahl, Mayor
