KIESTER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday August 25, 2025
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City council held a special meeting on Monday August 25, 2025, at the Kiester Community Center.
Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Brandon Hagenson, Jason Kluender, Maintenance: Gary Skartland City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members of the public: Jon Seedorf, Jill Skartland, Minnie Dunbar, Al Bauman, Paul Martin, Jan Fure, Cheryl Cogley
Mayor Bauman called the meeting to order and then turned the meeting over to Travis Winter.
Is was advised by the city attorney to hold a second special meeting, as this is for an additional funding package from USDA. The water treatment plant and water tower are going to be on a different bid process as well as grant/ loan package other than the main project due to the nature of the work. The original plan did include the water treatment plant as well as the water tower.
The water treatment and water tower subsequent funding would be $ 9,986,800.00. We are looking for this funding now as any other projects that have funding that have not been used could be applied to this one as we are ready to just bid out if the funding is ready for the city.
With this project the following would be done at the water tower. Repaint the outside of the water plant, update the equipment inside the tower a generator for when the power goes out.
Questions that were asked that the residents for the whole project.
1 ,. With St Paul, being hacked how do you prevent that? Cyber security is a concern for any town Cities have plans in play. Kister’s Kiester’s computers are stand alone with no networking and they get tuned completely off each night.
2. How would these loans be paid back? The loans will be paid back from the water/ sewer bills, according to regulations from USDA that will require payment current expenses and future expenses in the monthly billing.
3. How with the residents’ handle navigating the city over the winter months. We will have the roads paved with the first layers of asphalt for the winter and then if there are any issues of frost boils, or soft spots we will be able to tear them up and redo what needs to be done before the final layer of asphalt is put down.
4. with the sidewalks from the houses to the curb be replaced? And what about any retaining walls? Everything will put back together, some of the landscaping may change the appearance of the yard, but not by much.
If any of the residents have any questions, they can get a hold us at Bolton & Menk and we will be happy to answer their questions.
Adjournment: Motion By Brandon Hagenson seconded by Jason Kluender. Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
KIESTER CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 25, 2025
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City council held a work session meeting on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Kiester City Hall.
Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Brandon Hagenson , Jason Kleunder Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll.
Mayor Bauman called the meeting to order at 7 30 pm.
Topics that were discussed. Were pay raises as the minimum wage will be going up to # 11.41 per hour (2.5% increase).
Medical insurance rates for next year are unknown at this time.
More dollars for auditors and legal fees.
Sheriff’s contract. Pay in crease
Library maybe increase Kristys hours and pay into Pera.
Radios for all vehicles with the new encryption
Gary was getting quotes for redoing the outside of City Hall, and The Library building gable ends. Tires for the city pick up.
The clerk is going to hold of getting a new computer.
This is the last year of the Payloader payments. Those monies should be allocated to something else in 2027
New year is the MN family act. Not a lot other than the cost to the city/employee is around $.88
And how to administer it this could include all city departments. More information needs to be gathered.
Water/sewer rates need to be adjusted. With water usage being accounted for.
Fire is looking to just hold the line for next year.
There was a conversation of moving some of the CDs to an investment firm for higher interest with less paperwork having to be done.
Adjournment: Motion By Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kleunder vote 3-0
Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
