KIESTER CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL meeting for canvasing the 2024 Elections
Discussion and vote on the Liquor Store
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City council held a special meeting on Tuesday November 19, 2024, at the Kiester Community Center.
Mayor Hope Bauman called the, meeting to order at 7 pm Council Members Present: Larry Dahleen, Kurt Grobe, Brandon Hagenson, Jason Kluender City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members of the public: Heather Goldman,, Alan Steinke, Michele Alphs, Marcia Dahleen, Gloria Pederson, Jeanette Parriott, Carol Rinehart, Kieth Rinehart.
Agenda: Motion to accept agenda by Jason Kluender seconded by Kurt Grobe vote 5-0 motion carried.
contracts. Motion to Let the Fire Department negotiate their own contracts by Hope Bauman Seconded by Brandon Hagenson, vote 5-0, motion carried.
Canvassing the Elections: The City of Kiester held an election for the office of Mayor and two Council Members on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, during the General Election with approximately 227 people voting, including absentee votes.
WHEREAS: The votes tabulated at said election were:
MAYOR TOTAL % council total %
VOTES votes
Hope Bauman 191 87.21 Brandon Hagenson 188 49.21
Write ins 28 12.79 Kurt Grobe 183 47.91
Write ins 11 2.88
That the official election results for the office of Mayor for the term of 2025-2027 shall be Hope Bauman
That the official election results for the offices of Council Member for the term of 2025-2029 shall be Brandon Hagenson and Kurt Grobe.
MOTION BY: Jason Kluender SECONDED BY: Kurt Grobe
Vote 5-0, motion carried.
The Liquor Store: There were 4 proposals given to the council to choose from.
1 Vote to table closing until the end of March giving the chances to implement changes to show a profit in the first quarter. This will also give the council a chance to see the auditor’s report from 2024.
2 Vote to close January 15, 2025 with no purchases of inventory after the last week in December. Sell inventory down the first two weeks in Jan and them do an inventory and put it up for sale ourselves with a price reasonable for a private party to purchase including all inventory and equipment and building.
3. Same as # 2 except Hire and Realtor.
4 Same as #1 or #2 except hire an auctioneer.
There were discussions as to whether a city being able to make a profit over owning the liquor store as to an individual owning it. Items that could make the difference are being a municipal and must make a profit and also with the minimum wages and work comp issues that cities have compared to the private sector.
Brandon Hagenson made the motion that was seconded by Larry Dahleen to table closing until the end of March giving the chances to implement changes to show a profit in the first quarter. This will also give the council a chance to see the auditor’s report from 2024. With the possibility of putting, it up for sale after the first of the year. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Jason Kluender and seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
