CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Tasha Dahl, City Council Members Jacob Klejeski, Deb Ellis, and Hunter McGovern. Council Members absent: None. There is 1 vacant city council seat.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Evan Brown, City Clerk/Treasurer Elizabeth Sorg, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, First Responder Director Casey Dahl, CEDA Representative Robert Harris, and Nancy Schwanke.
There were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consisted of: Minutes of the March 1, 2022 City Council Meeting, Minutes of the March 1, 2022 Closed City Council Meeting, Minutes of the March 1, 2022 Special City Council Meeting, Resolution No. 22-12: Resolution Authorizing Signature Authority for City Accounts, and Automatic Renewal of a Water Fund CD. Motion by Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda excluding the Minutes of the March 1, 2022 Closed City Council Meeting, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by McGovern to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2022 Closed City Council Meeting with 1 change to the minutes of 5 cans to 3 cans on the first page, second paragraph, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Administrator Brown drafted a maintenance position job posting and job description. Motion by Ellis to approve the posting and description, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Klejeski to approve the financial reports, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve the amended list of bills to be paid, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Evan Brown applied to be on the Fire Department. He met with the Fire Chief and a couple members of the department, and they recommended approval. Motion by Klejeski to approve Brown to the Fire Department, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
The bell and wood décor in front of the fire department needs repair as the box is falling apart. The fire department will look back and see if it was donated to them, if so, it will get fixed.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing currently.
EDA
CEDA Specialist Robert Harris introduced himself as he is replacing Matt Durand. The council went over the Land Use Plan and made some minor revisions for Harris to fix and then they will review it next month for approval.
PARKS COMMITTEE
There has been discussion of having the maintenance department mow a path out to and around the storm water pond between the railroad tracks and new Highway 14 for a walking path. People could park alongside the wastewater treatment plant road. The park committee will get together and discuss a plan and bring to the council for approval.
The brick planter in front of the pavilion has black dirt in it so when it rains it is pushing the bricks out and falling apart. The park committee will discuss this too.
PEOPLESERVICE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
The Developer’s Agreement with Arden Homes will be signed tonight.
The surveyor has started the property survey behind the Fire Hall.
Attorney Rahrick has been in contact with the Harmer’s and is just waiting for them to sign the documents.
CITY ENGINEER
Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No. 22-14: Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Solicitation for Quotes, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
There are a couple small areas that need a little street repair now. They will be discussed when the bids come in and possibly be done when the contractors are in town.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
A resident submitted a request to council to remove an old, dead tree that is in a city easement. Motion by McGovern to verify the location is city property and if so, get it cut down and the stump removed, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Terri Schuette submitted a proposal for planting flowers in the 12 pots to be placed in front of the main street businesses, the city park sign, the memorial in front of the pavilion, and under the electric sign. She will donate her time for gathering the materials, planting, and weekly maintenance. The city maintenance person, Mrs. Schuette and hopefully 1 or 2 more volunteers will water the flowers. The estimated cost is not to exceed $650, and the Chamber will pay half, providing the city pays the other half. Mr. Schuette asked to change it to $700 total with the city’s half being $350. Motion by McGovern to donate up to $350 for the city flowers, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Chamber President Mr. Schuette asked if they could move the former Claremont city sign that was south of old Highway 14 to north of new Highway 14 south of the railroad tracks. It was unsure if the placement would be on the west side of County Road 3 or the east side. There was also concern about strong winds and if they were going to add additional support. The council tabled the issue and Administrator Brown will verify the information about exactly where they would like it and the support.
Mayor Dahl and the council thanked City Clerk Sorg for 25 years of service to the City.
Motion by McGovern to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m., second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Elizabeth Sorg, City Clerk/Treasurer
Tasha Dahl, Mayor
