CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
7:00 P.M.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Tasha Dahl, City Council Members Jacob Klejeski, Hunter McGovern, and Krystal Sultze. Members absent: Deb Ellis.
City staff and others present: Interim Administrator/Clerk Elizabeth Sorg, Maintenance Director Casey Dahl, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, Triton High School Activities Director Corey Black, and Donna Gregory.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by McGovern to approve the agenda, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consisted of the Minutes of the August 1, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting, Resolution No. 23-18: Acceptance and Appreciation of Donation, and Resolution No. 23-19: Certifying Past Due Bills to Dodge County. Motion by McGovern to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Motion by McGovern to change Liz Sorg’s job title from Interim Administrator/Clerk to City Administrator/Clerk, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. The council stated Sorg can work the hours she needs to get the job done. Motion by Sultze to accept the Employment Agreement with Sorg with a change to the hourly rate to $34/hour, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
Sorg went over a 90-day Employment Review with Casey Dahl, Maintenance Director. Overall, he has met or exceeded expectations in his position and the council and public seem to appreciate his work. Motion by McGovern accepting Dahl’s review and approve a raise of 2% which is an hourly increase of .50 cents, second by Sultze. Vice Mayor Klejeski called for the votes. Ayes: McGovern, Sultze, and Klejeski. Nay: None. Abstain: Mayor Dahl. Motion carried.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Klejeski to approve the financial reports, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by McGovern to approve the amended list of bills to be paid, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
City Attorney Rahrick amended City Code Section 7.24. Garbage and Refuse Haulers. The committee and council discussed the changes wanted at the last meeting. Motion by McGovern to approve the Section 7.24 Ordinance Amendment, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Sultze to approve the Application for Garbage and Refuse Hauler License with an annual fee of $100, second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Klejeski approving Resolution No. 23-20: Resolution Approving Publication of Ordinance by Title and Summary, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Sorg will check with Arden Homes on the current status of the housing development.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Hodgman has finished the work on the parking area at the new ballfield. Seeding will be done when the weather will cooperate.
PEOPLESERVICE
Their reports were in the packet.
CITY ENGINEER
Most of the sewer outfall project is finished besides some cleanup. Motion by McGovern to approve Pay Request #1 for $171,878.75, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Sultze to approve the MN PFA Bond Purchase and Project Loan Agreement, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Klejeski to approve Resolution No. 23-21: Resolution Accepting the Offer of the MN Public Facilities Authority to Purchase a $123,330 Taxable General Obligation Water Revenue Note of 2023A, Providing for its Issuance and Authorizing Execution of a Bond Purchase and Project Loan Agreement, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
On August 9, the water tower was drained and work started on the rehab. The work is almost finished and the tower is anticipated to be back online by September 15. Motion by McGovern to approve Tanksco’s Pay Application #1 of $267,077.54, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Crack filling and chip sealing the streets has been completed. Pearson Bros. turned in their final invoice for $27,700.70. Motion by McGovern to approve payment of that invoice, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK
Nothing at this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
Nothing other than what is on the agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Triton High School Activities Director Corey Black requested having a kickoff for homecoming in Claremont, West Concord, and Dodge Center. Homecoming Week is September 25-29. Motion by McGovern to have a get together at City Hall Wednesday, September 20 from 7:00-7:30 p.m., second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
A new DEED representative requested approval of 3 policies for the Small Cities Development Program. Initially, West Concord only needed to sign the additional policies. The 1st policy is the Fair Housing Plan of Action which is a federal requirement stating the city can not discriminate as to whom receives the funds. Motion by McGovern to approve the Fair Housing Plan of Action, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. The 2nd policy requires the city to have a plan on how to deal with funds that are repaid. If a homeowner sells or no longer uses the improved home as their primary residence for the loan term of 10 years, they must repay it. After 6 years, the amount will decrease 20% per year until totally forgiven after 10 years. Any property transfers within the first 6 years shall be repaid at 100% of the deferred amount. Motion by McGovern to approve the Local Income Plan, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. The 3rd policy is also a federal requirement encouraging contracting opportunities to low to moderate income individuals and businesses that employ those individuals. Motion by Sultze to approve the Section 3 Plan, second by McGovern. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Klejeski to approve the Amended Memorial Park Pavilion Permit which states it is a non-refundable fee to reserve the pavilion, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by McGovern to approve the 2024 Proposed Budget and the 2024 Proposed Levy at a 7% increase, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
On Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m., the council will discuss and approve the 2024 budget and levy. The public will be allowed to speak at that meeting in regards to the budget and levy.
Motion by McGovern to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., second by Klejeski. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Elizabeth Sorg, City Administrator/Clerk Tasha Dahl, Mayor
