CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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, December 2, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze and City Council Members Ethan Johnson, Deb Ellis, Krystal Sultze, and Donna Gregory.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, Jamie Sultze, Nick Sultze, Mike Stupka, Daniel Martinez, Lisa Martinez, John Baier, Denise Baier, Richard Haberman, Alec Vaughn, and Greg Himler.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Johnson to approve the agenda, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
Lisa Martinez had a question about why her water was yellow lately. The city has been working on the water quality. The State of Minnesota has tested the water, and it is safe to drink. Gregory asked if Al-Corn is using water or if what they do there has anything to do with the water problem. Al-Corn is not on city water.
Denise Baier asked how many copies of the agenda there were. Administrator Sorg replied that there was 1 packet for the visitors and the agenda is on the tv screen for everyone.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of November 5, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. Motion by Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Ellis to approve the financial reports, second by Johnson. 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
Dodge County Ambulance had a meeting and Sorg shared the paperwork they went through. They discussed call times, how many calls to each city/township, donations from cities/townships, etc. Most cities and townships have voluntarily contributed financially. Administrator Sorg suggested a donation of $10,000 to the Dodge County Ambulance. A motion was made by K. Sultze to approve the donation of $10,000 to the Dodge County Ambulance, second by Gregory. Motion carried unanimously.
Radios for the fire department cost between $5,000 - $6,000 each. The fire department’s 2025 budget included $18,600 capital overlay; they have used $4,640. The budget also included $1,200 for radios. Administrator Sorg recommended the $15,160 left from the capital outlay and radios be deposited into the fire department savings. Motion made by K. Sultze to approve putting the $15,600 into the fire department savings, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Planning & Zoning Chair Mike Stupka briefly went over the Planning & Zoning Meeting discussion of the variance request by Alec Vaughn, 120 Hayes Street, to put a fence on the property lines. Vaughn asked for a variance to have the height of his fence on the south side and east side to be the same height as Haberman’s. Along Hayes Street (east side) the fence will line up with Haberman’s then kiddy corner to his front deck, on the south side of his driveway. He is asking for the fence to be on his property line on the south and west sides of his property. On the south side of his property that neighbor, Richard Haberman, has his fence close to the property line. That fence is built right behind his sheds that have been there for a long time so at one end of the fence it is just inches from the property line and at the other end it is almost a foot from the property line. The commission believes it is only fair that since Haberman’s fence is very close to the property line that Vaughn should be able to put his fence close to the line also but not on the property line as requested. On the west side he has spoken with that neighbor about putting the fence on the property line and his neighbor, Jessie Garza, 132 E Front Street, has given him a verbal ok that he has no problem with that. The fence will be 6’ tall except on the south side, it may vary as it will be the same height as Haberman’s. The commission members recommended putting plastic and/or rocks between the fences as the weeds and grass will need to be controlled. The commission recommended the council approve Vaughn’s variance for a 6’ fence being constructed as proposed in the right of way along Hayes abutting Haberman’s property and near the property line between Haberman and Vaughn’s (on the south side) to be the same distance off the property line on the east and west corners as Haberman’s and the same height as Haberman’s fence. Also, to be on the property line on the west side by Garza. The fence will be 6’ high everywhere except on the south (Haberman’s) side. Chair Stupka will come over to Vaughn’s when he is installing the fence to make sure he is installing the fence in the approved areas. Motion by K. Sultze to approve the variance as recommended by the commission (in bold print above) and that both property owners will need to control the weeds/grass between the fences, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
The furnace in the pumphouse is 18 years old and was repaired. When being repaired they warned us that it will need replacement within a couple years or sooner. A couple of months after that it wouldn’t work at all. Eight different furnace quotes were received from two different businesses. It was decided to go with the Bryant brand from Wencl Plumbing for $4,230. It has been installed and works much better.
The high service pump #2 VFD failed November 17th, and the cost to repair it was $2,670. It was fixed on November 19th and has a 3-year warranty. The high service pump #1 VFD was fixed in 2024.
CITY ATTORNEY
He called and apologized as he couldn’t be present.
OLD BUSINESS
City Attorney Rahrick drafted a Minnesota Paid Leave Policy. The employee must apply for a leave, and it is run by the state. The policy will be added to the Employee Policy. Motion made by K. Sultze to approve the Policy, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
The snowplow was repaired for $1,081.94. They couldn’t find the battery draw, so they put a battery kill switch in. It was decided by the council to continue snow operations as they currently are. Before buying another V-plow, truck and sander they want to make sure the V-plow is what works best for the city.
NEW BUSINESS
The public comment period on the 2026 budget and levy was opened. There were a few comments by the public on the budget and levy, just like everybody no matter where you live, they wish taxes were lower. Motion by Johnson to approve the 2026 budget, second by K. Sultze. Ayes: K. Sultze, Ellis, and Johnson. Nay: Gregory. Motion carried.
The council and staff worked hard to set the levy at only a 3% increase. The total levy will be $563,672. Motion by Johnson to approve Resolution No. 25-26: Resolution Approving The 2026 Tax Levy, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
The Public Hearing for Special Charges (Unpaid Bills) was opened. There were 2 people listed on the resolution in the packet but 1 made a payment plan. Motion by K. Sultze to approve Resolution No. 25-27: Resolution Certifying Past-Due Bills to Dodge County for Collection with 2026 Property Taxes, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No. 25-28: Resolution Certifying Past Due Bills to Dodge County for Collection with the 2026 Property Taxes (Water/Sewer Bills), second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Greg Himler owns 2 apartment buildings in town. He asked the council to consider a meter per apartment instead of the current meter per building. The council said they would consider it.
On October 23, MN Department of Health did an on-site inspection of the water system and submitted a report. The report includes a review of the system’s water source, facilities, equipment, operation, maintenance, and monitoring compliance for the purpose of producing and distributing safe drinking water. There was only 1 deficiency that needs to be fixed: It was observed that the air release discharge piping for Well #3 was missing a screen and was less than 18” from the floor. It is required that the piping be cut at least 18” above the floor and covered with a 24-mesh screen. Once that is fixed, they will reinspect it. MDH also recommended to reduce the level of manganese in the water.
FINAL WORD
A resident asked for the agenda on the screen to be enlarged.
Motion by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m., second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Deb Ellis, Assistant City Clerk
Jared Sultze, Mayor
