CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 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, September 2, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze (arrived at 7:13 p.m.) 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 Engineer Derek Olinger, Jim Zylstra, and Elle Leeper.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Johnson to approve the agenda, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
Jim Zylstra asked if any city council member was an employee of the city and if it is a conflict of interest. Council stated Deb Ellis is a part-time employee and there is no conflict of interest if a council member is part-time. Jim Zylstra asked about the cub cadet, council said it is on the agenda and will be discussed later.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of August 5, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, Minutes of August 11, 2025, Special City Council Meeting, and Resolution No. 25-22: Certifying Past-Due Bills to Dodge County. Motion by Johnson 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 Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve payment of the bills including the added bills, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT
City council discussed how to sell the cub cadet. Council will accept sealed bids until October 6. The bids will be opened at the October 7 council meeting.
At this time Mayor Jared Sultze arrived, and K. Sultze handed the meeting over to him.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ENGINEER
Olinger went over Pay Application #3 for the 2025 Street & Utility Improvements in the amount of $76,033.25. Motion by K. Sultze to approve Pay Application #3, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Triton Public Schools asked to use City Hall to hold a public meeting to discuss the upcoming referendum with the public. It will be held on October 21 at 7 p.m.
CHS notified the city that they will be closing the grain elevator in Claremont, but their agronomy business will continue.
There is a resident on 3rd Street that is working with JJD Companies on minor repairs to her driveway. She wanted council aware of the issue and will contact City Hall if it is not repaired as she and JJD Companies agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion by K. Sultze approving the revision to the Assessment Policy stating “interest shall accrue during the period of deferment and shall be payable on an annual basis”…, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by K. Sultze to approve the 2026 proposed budget, second by Johnson. Ayes: J. Sultze, Ellis, Johnson, and K. Sultze. Nay: Gregory. Motion carried.
Council previously discussed a 5% levy increase. Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No. 25-23: Resolution Approving the Proposed 2026 Tax Levy which is a 5% increase from last year, second by K. Sultze. Ayes: J. Sultze, Ellis, Johnson, and K. Sultze. Nay: Gregory. Motion carried. The council will discuss the budget and levy, and the public will be allowed to comment on Tuesday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
Council reviewed the City Council Code of Conduct. Some members would like it to say during the meetings, the use or possession of electronics by council members-including cell phones, tablets and laptops are prohibited at the council tables. One council member uses a tablet to help them remember what happened at the meetings. The other members explained it seems to get in the way of keeping up with the meeting and staying aware of what is currently going on. The council members agreed to amend the Code of Conduct and allow devices to be set up prior to the meeting and set the devices at the table the Owl is on or somewhere not easily reachable by the person or to be distracted by them or others.
FINAL WORD
More discussion was held on whether people should pay to use the ball field. Majority of the council members do not want to charge for the use of the ballfield at this time.
Motion by K. Sultze to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m., second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Elizabeth Sorg,
City Administrator
Jared Sultze, Mayor
