CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
7:00 P.M.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Tasha Dahl, City Council Members Deb Ellis, Jacob Klejeski, Hunter McGovern, and Krystal Sultze. Members absent: None.
City staff and others present: Interim Administrator/Clerk Elizabeth Sorg, Maintenance Director Casey Dahl, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, Tracy Boyum, Duane Boyum, and Mike Berg.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by McGovern to approve the agenda with one addition of a Request from the Hogfest Committee, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
Tracy and Duane Boyum expressed their unhappiness with the water rates and that there is no gas station or any other businesses in town, and they felt that is why no one will be moving here.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consisted of the Minutes of the July 11, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting, Minutes of the July 18, 2023 Emergency City Council Meeting, and Resolution No. 23-17: Resolution Accepting Donation. Motion by Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
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 Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Interim Administrator/Clerk Sorg sent Claremont Township the Fire Service Contract renewal which they approved and returned. Motion by Sultze to approve the Claremont Township Fire Service Agreement, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
The Public Health and Safety Committee reviewed the Garbage and Refuse Hauler Ordinance and recommended changes to it. The haulers will need to fill out an application, show proof of insurance, hours of collection will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and delete paragraph D. regarding the hauler showing a schedule of proposed rates. Attorney Rahrick will draft an amended ordinance for review at the September meeting.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Clifford Brekke finished his façade project which cost $3445. Motion by Ellis to reimburse him half of the bills which is $1722.50, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
Greg Himler applied for a façade improvement grant to replace front windows at 232 W Front Street at the estimate of $2300. Motion by Klejeski to approve the façade application, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PEOPLESERVICE
Their reports were in the packet.
CITY ENGINEER
Preconstruction meetings for the outfall sewer project have been scheduled and the 2-week project is planned to start August 17. A verbal agreement with Brennan Toquam was previously agreed to. He will stop in to sign the agreement with compensation of $1485 to cover the land use, crop damage and any other inconveniences to him. Motion by Dahl to approve the Temporary Easement, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
For the water tower rehab, temporary water tanks have been delivered to the site. The new gate valve should arrive within a week. After that is fixed, the water tower will be drained. The council would like to see a design draft of slate gray color for the water tower and also the aluminum color. Council will review the designs and Mayor Dahl will approve the final draft.
The crack filling on the streets has been completed and chip sealing will be done Thursday. Pearson Bros. turned in their invoice for $8476.65 for the crack filling. Motion by McGovern to approve payment of that invoice, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK
Maintenance Director Dahl’s 90 days is September 4. Interim Administrator/Clerk Sorg will do his 90-day review and share with the council.
Evan Brown has approved and signed the Separation Agreement.
CITY ATTORNEY
Nothing other than what is on the agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
There are roughly 75 old street signs. The signs will be sold on a first come, first served basis at $20 each sign.
NEW BUSINESS
Interim Administrator/Clerk Sorg has the proposed 2024 budget in the packets along with a 4% and a 5% increase to the levy. If council has any questions or comments on the budget, they should ask Sorg so that the proposed budget can be approved at the September meeting. The proposed levy has to be approved by September 29. The council would like to see a 6% and a 7% levy for review at the September meeting.
The Hogfest Committee asked if they could use the Fire Hall for free during Hogfest if it rains. Due to the liabilities that could happen, and also the pavilion is open and can be used or the former school gym, the council denied the request.
Motion by McGovern to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m., second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Elizabeth Sorg, Interim Administrator/Clerk Tasha Dahl, Mayor
