KIESTER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 11, 2023
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL

The Kiester City council held its Tax levy Hearing meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Kiester Community Center.

Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Larry Dahleen, Brandon Hagenson, Kurt Grobe. Jason Kluender. City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members of the public were. Carol Rinehart, Diana Adams, Karen Busch, Rich Goggin, Judy Goggin, Goria Pederson, Michele Alphs, Randy Aukes, Kathy Trytten, Nicole Roseberg, Christina Olson, Sylvia Halverson, Tammy Moga, Michelle Gurung, Jody Olson, Jeff Olson, Tabatha Kuiper, Marcia Dahleen, Vickie Savick, Sharon Koester, Steve Koester, Ruby Alphs, Sheryl Engelby Jeanette Parriott, Marlin Anderson, Randy Kofstad, Bradley Soma, Curt Korn, Cathy Wilde, Katine Thrond, Al Bauman, Mike Michaelis, Don Nickel. Represevtives from the county were Lisa Frommie, Burce Anderson, John Roper.

TRUTH AND TAXATION MEETING

At 7:00 pm Mayor Bauman opened the Taxation meeting. It was explained to the residents and the council from the county representatives why the taxes have gone up by large amounts for next year. There was a discussion about where and who is mandating it and how the county went to fight the state, telling them that our residents would have a hard time paying them. We were also informed to go to the board of appeals hearings in the spring to voice their opinion.

At 7:15 pm there was a motion to close the taxation meeting by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Kurt Grobe vote 5-0

HEARING AND PUPLIC HEARING ON CLOSING THE KIESTER MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE
The Kiester City council held its public hearing as to the seconded reading Ordinance 2023-16.
Mayor Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:16 pm. She made the statement that there have been a lot of pushbacks from the residents and they were proposing to keep the liquor store open for one more year and work more closely with liquor store management to see if we can get a better profit margin. Then there was public discussion. After public comment, there was a motion to keep the liquor store open another year by Kurt Grobe, seconded by Larry Dahleen. Vote 5-0 motion carried.
A motion to close the Liquor Store meeting was made by Hope Bauman, seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 5-0 motion carried.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
At 7:38 pm, Mayor Bauman opened the regular council meeting.

Agenda: motion to accept the agenda, by Jason Kluender seconded by Larry Dahleen, vote 5-0. Motion carried.

Council minutes: Motion to accept the November 27, 2023, minutes with corrections by Hope Bauman, seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 5 -0, motion carried.

Claims: Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Kurt Grobe approving claims totaling $20,056.81. Vote of 5-0 motion carried.

Financials. Motion by Larry Dahleen, seconded by Hope Bauman, approving financials as presented. Vote 5-0, motion carried.

County Presentation: Lisa Frommie presented to the council a new service to help with predicting the weather better by a company called Climavision. The service they provide could enhance the National Weatherservices to help predict sever weather from a lower level in the atmosphere. This would be no cost to the city or to the county. They feel the Kiester Water Tower is a suitable spot to put it to help with a dead area that the weather service has. Motion to let Climavision use the water tower was made by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Baumann. Vote 5-0, motion carried.

Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on a 12-26-2023 if not paid, by Jason Kluender, seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Liquor Store: nothing.

EDA: Al reported that the front office at city hall will be vacant on January 1, 2024, and they will advertise to rent it out. Their business spotlight was at Berma’s The welcome brochures have been completed and sent to the clerk for the new residents moving in. The Grocery store has approached the EDA to have their rent reduced by $500.00. The Eda has received a profit-and-loss statement from the Market and will discuss it at the next meeting. Al was asked if he had contacted the website people to get the new one on line. He has not Doris asked him to get here the information so that she can contact and get things started.

Retail Center: Larry reported that a party has been with working with a lawyer and hopefully will have an offer for the council to consider. The party plans on keeping all the leases. And is considering dropping the rent for the Market. Larry hopes that is will be a great solution for all parties involved.

Public Comment: none

Maintenance Report: I have burned the tree pile at the compost site with the help of the Kiester Fire Department. I will lock the gate for the site for the season as we have had some illegal dumping. I have replaced the fire hydrant on the Front and 2nd streets. We had to shut water off to more of the town, as the valves we closed did not turn and tighten enough to totally shut the water off.

Clerk Update: Doris reported she is working on year end, and with that we have some resolutions to pass for the year.
Resolution number 2023-17 for the interest to be paid to the general fund from the liquor store account in the amount of $500.00 Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Kurt Grobe. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Resolution number 2023-18 for donations to the library in the amount of $2427.00. Motion by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Klunder. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Resolution number 2023-19 for donations to the Ambulance in the amount of $5285.02. Motion by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Klunder. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Resolution number 2023-20 for the official polling place for Kiester in 2024. Motion by Jason Kluender seconded by Kurt Grobe. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Resolution number 2023-21 for donations to the fire department in the amount of $6001.00. Motion by Hope Bauman seconded by Jason Klunder. Vote 5-0, motion carried.

Budget resolution number 2023-22
Approving the tax levy 2023, tax levy to be collected in 2024
General Government $ 159,362.90
GO Bonds
Ambulance $46.168.82
Library $ 12,693.84
Fire Department $ 24,764.50
EDA $ 72,845.14

Total Levy $ 315,835.20
This is a 0% over the calendar year of 2023

Mayor Update: As we are winding down 2023 its been great working with a great council and a great city staff. We have made some hard decisions this year for the city and it has not been easy. I can say that for all of us. We are thankful that all of you came to the meeting and we want you to continue to hear and listen to you.
We are thankful you had the chance to speak your opinion.
We will not have our 2nd council meeting this month.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Kurt Grobe, Vote 5-0, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/
Treasurer