CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 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, March 4, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze. City Council Members: Deb Ellis, Donna Gregory, and Krystal Sultze. There is 1 vacant city council seat as Council Member Ryan Hedberg resigned effective May 3.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, Bret Nordstrom, Timothy Hudson, Jamie Sultze, Elle Leeper, Ethan Johnson, Hannah Behnken, Carter Behnken, Nick Sultze, Lisa Martinez, Jeff Smith, Tom D, Greg Peterson, Alec Vaughn, Jim Zylstra, and Ryan Hedberg.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Sultze to approve the agenda with the addition of Council Member Hedberg’s resignation and the deletion of the Audit Presentation, seconded by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously. Due to the weather the Audit Presentation will be April 1.
RESIGNATION OF RYAN HEDBERG
Motion by Sultze to accept the resignation of Council Member Ryan Hedberg effective March 3, 2025, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
Ryan Hedberg asked if council members should be treated differently than the public. Hedberg showed pictures of a council member’s property that had multiple city code violations, including a dilapidated garage. Another resident had to tear down his garage due to the condition of it. Hedberg believes that council members need to show a higher level of standards. Hedberg also mentioned to the council about the legitimacy of the petition that was turned in to the council, the signatures on line 36, 37, & 38 look like the same person signed all 3 lines. The council member in question responded that she knows she has an issue with her garage, and they need to address it. The council member also replied that they should not be singled out, all violations should be addressed. That said council member brought up that Hedberg has more vehicles than allowed on his property. Hedberg replied that he is compliant with the city ordinance, and he is not parked on any grass.
Alec Vaughn wanted to know if there could be a more orderly format put together so that all the complaints could be in one area. Vaughn believes if the properties were taken care of, it would be of tremendous value to the city. Council Member Ellis responded by saying that there are complaint forms at City Hall for residents to fill out. Administrator Sorg would check out the complaint and if accurate she would follow city code for compliance. Administrator Sorg mentioned that she does not feel comfortable going around town and looking at properties because she would be accused of singling residents out. If you see something that you believe is in violation, please fill out a complaint form.
Jim Zylstra mentioned that he was at the chamber meeting and Andy Arseneau of the Claremont Pub has a complaint about the park not having bathrooms. Arseneau thinks the city should put porta-potties in the parks. The Pub is getting tired of people wanting to use their restrooms. The parks would probably get used more if there were restrooms in place.
Tim Hudson said there needs to be accountability for how the council is handling the empty council seats and mayor’s seat. Mr. Hudson asked if the council creates their own ordinances to suit themselves.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of the February 4, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting, Minutes from the February 24, 2025 Special City Council Meeting, and Resolution No. 25-07: Resolution Accepting and Appreciation of a Donation. Motion by Sultze to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Ellis to approve the financial reports, second by Sultze. 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
Motion by Ellis to approve fire contract renewals for Claremont, Ripley, and Aurora Townships, seconded by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Sultze and Administrator Sorg attended a meeting with the townships and 4 cities regarding the Dodge County Ambulance. There was not much of an update as one city still wants to have 2 or more votes when the other 3 cities only have 1 vote. There will be more meetings hoping all can come to an agreement. If the cities can come to an agreement, it is estimated that it would be $63 per household. If the ambulance service goes away, the residents would have to wait for help from Owatonna or Rochester.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PEOPLESERVICE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ENGINEER
Nothing at this time.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Administrator Sorg received a request from a resident who graduated from Claremont School to borrow the trophies from upstairs for the All School Reunion. Being it is questionable how many people will continue to go to these reunions, they would like them there for this event. Also, the resident is requesting to post in the newsletter that anybody who has any school memorabilia to bring it to City Hall and it will be put upstairs. If the city ever gets a museum or history center, it would all be there. The council agreed with this.
At the Fire Hall, one of the fire trucks didn’t get the emergency brake applied and it rolled into one of the garage doors. Thompson Overhead Doors will be replacing it. It is covered by insurance with the $500 deductible.
Administrator Sorg has found someone new for water operations and another for wastewater operations. It will cost a little more than the previous person the city had lined up. Administrator Sorg and Maintenance Supervisor Dahl will contact both parties and set up a time to review the contracts.
CITY ATTORNEY
Mark Rahrick went over the new cannabis regulations. The City will delegate registration and enforcement of licenses to the county and create zoning designations with city ordinance. The operation of a cannabis business will be prohibited within 1000 feet or more from any school, 500 feet from any day care facility, residential treatment facility, and any public parks or trails, this includes any playgrounds and athletic fields. The ordinance will require a public hearing on the ordinance, and then go to the council for approval.
Motion by Sultze to approve Resolution No. 25-08: A Resolution Delegating Registration Responsibility for Cannabis Licensing to Dodge County, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Mark Rahrick went over the facts of the council seats and mayor seat. The mayor seat was filled by the council from applications that were submitted, following the law. The mayor seat will be up for election in 2026. The council will take applications for the vacant council seat (Hedberg’s) and will appoint someone to that council seat in April or May. The seat will be held by that person until a special election which will be held in August. The winner of the election will hold that seat for the rest of the term which would be through 2026.
Motion by Ellis for Attorney Rahrick to make an ordinance in regard to Special Elections, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
The council created an advisory committee to research microphones and recording meetings. The advisory committee will be: Greg Peterson, Ethan Johnson, Alec Vaughn, Tim Hudson, and Tom D.
NEW BUSINESS
Administrator Sorg drafted a City Council Code of Conduct. The council will review and discuss at the next meeting. Attorney Rahrick explained that the only person able to call on someone from the public would be the mayor. The other members of the council do not have that authority.
Lester Trapp said he would like to buy a park bench in his brother’s name as a memorial and would like it in Memorial Park. He will need the city maintenance guys to assemble it as he does not have a heated garage, and he would like the city to store it inside in the winter.
The Hogfest Committee submitted a request to use Front Street for the Gopher State Garden Tractor Pulls as they have in the past. The council has no problem with it as long as they get permission from Dodge County.
Administrator Sorg showed information on membership to MN Association of Small Cities. The council discussed this and chose not to become a member.
Terri Schuette submitted a proposal for the city flowers as she has done in the past. She asked for a volunteer to help water the flowers if she is unable to. Ryan Hedberg volunteered since he has the equipment for watering. The estimated cost is not to exceed $850. The Claremont Chamber will pay half and the city the other half. Council approved.
THE FINAL WORD
Time was given for the public to finish any questions they had. There was a 3-minute limit per person. The was more discussion on council seats, the petition and election. Also, it was brought up asking if a city ordinance was in place for any businesses that leave town to make sure their property is safe for other businesses to use that area in the future.
Motion by Sultze to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 p.m., second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
______________________
Deb Ellis,
Assistant City Clerk
Jared Sultze, Mayor
