CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Tasha Dahl, City Council Members Jacob Klejeski, Hunter McGovern, and Krystal Sultze. Council Members absent: Deb Ellis.
City staff and others present: Administrator/Clerk Elizabeth Sorg, Maintenance Director Casey Dahl, Matt Durand, and Donna Gregory.
AGENDA
Motion by McGovern to approve the agenda, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of the December 5, 2023, City Council Meeting and Resolution No. 24-03: Resolution Expressing Acceptance of and Appreciation of Donation. Motion by McGovern to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Sultze to approve the financial reports, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by McGovern to approve the amended list of bills to be paid, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
The fire department members voted for Casey Dahl to remain Fire Chief for 2024. Motion to approve Dahl as the 2024 Fire Chief by Sultze, second by McGovern. Ayes: McGovern, Klejeski, and Sultze. Nay: None. Abstain: Dahl. Motion carried.
The MN State Legislature enacted a one-time public safety aid in 2023 and Claremont received $22,318. It will be split evenly between the Fire Department and First Responders.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Matt Durand was present to give an update on his housing project. He has 2 signed purchase agreements, he is working with the building official on permits, and has ordered the houses. He will be building 3 houses in April.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PEOPLESERVICE
Their reports were in the packet.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Olinger was not present due to a scheduling conflict but had turned in Tanksco Pay Application #5 (the final one) in the amount of $12,424.10. Motion by Klejeski to approve Pay Application #5 contingent upon the submittal of final closeout paperwork, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
The 2024 budget included a 3% payroll increase as a cost of living/inflation adjustment. Motion by McGovern to approve a 3% wage increase for Deb Ellis, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Sultze to approve a 3% wage increase for Casey Dahl, second by Klejeski. Ayes: Sultze, Klejeski, and McGovern. Nays: None. Abstain: Dahl. Motion carried. Motion by Sultze to approve a 3% wage increase for Elizabeth Sorg, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously. The wage increases will be in effect for the January 11 payroll.
Administrator/Clerk Sorg will be gone February 28 – March 4. Ellis will cover for her during this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Mark Rahrick was not present due to a scheduling conflict.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion by McGovern to approve Ordinance 24-0105: Ordinance Amending Section 4.60, Subd. 33 of the Claremont City Code, Regulating Fences, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by McGovern to approve Resolution No. 24-04: Approving Publication of Ordinance by Title and Summary, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Sultze to keep the appointments for Resolution No. 24-01: Resolution Stating Annual Designations for 2024 the same as it was for 2023 which is: Jacob Klejeski as Acting Mayor in the absence of the Mayor. The 2024 committees will be:
Budget and Finance: Dahl and Sultze
Public Health and Safety: Ellis and McGovern
Planning: McGovern and Ellis
Parks: Klejeski and Dahl
EDA: Mayor and Council Members
Personnel: Klejeski and Sultze
Dahl will be the alternate member.
The official newspaper will be the Dodge County Independent. The primary depository of city funds shall be Equity Bank and the City Attorney will be Mark Rahrick, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Klejeski to approve Resolution No. 24-02: Resolution of 2024 Fees, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
The March City Council Meeting needs to be rescheduled due to the Presidential Primary Election on March 5. Motion by Klejeski to have the regular meeting on Monday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m., second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Sultze to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m., second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Elizabeth Sorg, Administrator/Clerk Tasha Dahl, Mayor
