CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze and City Council Members: Ethan Johnson, Deb Ellis, Krystal Sultze, and Donna Gregory. Absent: None.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, Deputy Isaac Gronseth, Elle Leeper, Nicholas Sultze, Sandie Reed, Cindy Johnson, Carter Behnken, Hannah Behnken, John Baier, and Denise Baier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Johnson to approve the agenda, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of July 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting and Minutes of July 15, 2025, Special City Council Meeting. Motion by K. Sultze to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Ellis to approve the financial reports, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by K. Sultze to approve payment of the bills including the added bills, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by Ellis to approve the application of Nolan Schamp for Volunteer Fireman at the Claremont Fire Department, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT
The 2010 Cub Cadet utility vehicle needs to be replaced as it started on fire due to excessive engine wear causing blow by. The fire department has mentioned that they could use a utility vehicle for brush fires. Maintenance Director Dahl researched UTV’s, included information for 4 of them in the council packet, and recommended either a 2025 Polaris for approximately $11,984 or 2025 CFMoto for approximately 13,499. Those 2 proposals were 2 seaters and council wondered if maybe the fire department would like a 4-seater. Council discussed splitting the cost with the fire department but if the fire department wants a 4-seater or additional options, then they could pay for the additional costs. Motion by Ellis to approve either a Polaris or a CFMoto with the maintenance department paying $6000 and the fire department paying the rest, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Derek Olinger presented the updated final assessment roll.
City Attorney Mark Rahrick explained tax deferral as written in the city’s assessment policy. It is for persons who are 65 and older, or who is retired by virtue of permanent and total disability, for whom it would be a hardship to make payment. A hardship is when the annual payment for the special assessment exceeds 2% of the adjusted gross income of the owner as determined by the most recent federal income tax. There are 2 property owners who asked about deferral. The council will consider each application on an individual basis. Interest still accrues during the period of deferment until the property is sold or death of the owner. It would be a better option for homeowners who are approved for deferral to pay interest for the period of the deferment. Motion made by Johnson to approve the deferral application and payment of interest during the deferral and to update the existing policy, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Olinger went over Pay Application #2 for the 2025 Street & Utility Improvements in the amount of $170,484.15. Motion by Johnson to approve Pay Application #2, second by K. Sultze. Ayes: Ellis, Johnson, K. Sultze, and Mayor J. Sultze. Nay: Gregory. Motion carried.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Administrator Sorg attended the Dodge County Ambulance meeting. The ambulance service will purchase ambulances on a 7-year rotation. Some of the townships have donated this year to the ambulance service. The next ambulance meeting is November 19, 2025.
The levy was received in the amount of $342,722.
Dodge County Highway Department will be starting work on CR 1 on Monday. The project will go from County Road 34 for 3.5 miles and consist of: shoulder widening, full depth reclamation, bituminous overlay, and concrete pavement. County Road 1 will be closed on Monday from County Road 34 to the railroad tracks; from the railroad tracks to the migrant camp will remain.
Last year, some residents started a Claremont Crawl, and this year will be the 2nd Annual. They are inviting residents to ride their golf carts, 4 wheelers or side by sides and stop at a few houses for snacks and drinks. They will end at the Claremont Pub. This event is on Saturday, September 27 and they start at the Claremont Pub at 2:00 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY
Nothing at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
City Administrator Sorg signed up for a trial of GoTo Meetings. An annual fee is $16/month. This program allows the residents the opportunity to see and hear the council meetings on their phone, laptop, tablet, or computer or you can call in and listen to the meeting also. It stays on the cloud and can’t be tampered with. This will eventually be made accessible on the city’s website. Motion by Ellis to approve the subscription to GoTo at $16 per month for 1 year, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
The 2026 Law Enforcement Contract will remain the same but with the rate of $80,080 annually. Motion by K. Sultze to approve the 2026 Law Enforcement Contract with Dodge County Sheriff's Department, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
The city council will share comments and knowledge learned at LMC Conference and turn them into Sorg to be put in the Newsletter.
FINAL WORD
Nothing at this time
Motion by K. Sultze to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m., second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Elizabeth Sorg,
City Administrator
Jared Sultze, Mayor
