KIESTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 8, 2024
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL

The Kiester City council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Kiester Community Center.

Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Larry Dahleen, Kurt Grobe, Brandon Hagenson, Jason Kluender. City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members from the public: Marcia Dahleen, Nicole Roseberg, Katina Thrond, Carol Rinehart, Michele Alphs, Jerry Alphs.

Agenda: Motion to accept agenda, by Jason Kluender, seconded by Kurt Grobe, vote 5-0 motion carried.

Council minutes: Motion to accept the December 11, 2023, minutes by Hope Bauman seconded by Larry Dahleen, vote 5-0 motion carried.

Claims: Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Brandon Hagenson approving claims totaling $56,049.62, vote 5-0, motion carried.

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

Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on 1-26-2024 if not paid by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-0, motion carried.

Ambulance: the ambulance was taken for its annual service, and they found that there was a radiator leak. It was repaired.

Fire Department: Jerry Alphs was present to present the officers for the 2024 calendar year. Chief: Jerry Alphs Asst chief: Jim Schroeder and Jordon Alphs, Captains: Nick Knutson, Travis La Core, Training Officers: Dylan Hemmingsen, Tyler Schroader Fire Marshall: Ashley Schroader, Secretary: Adam Shur;
They also would like it to be better to have no parking markings on the building and yellow paint on the driveway. As when the community center has been used by others, they have been parking in front of the doors.
They also reported that their annual fish fry will be on Feb 3, 2024.

They also requested the council to approve a $ 18,000.00 CD. Motion by Jason Kluender seconded by Hope Bauman, vote 5-0, motion carried.

Library: November numbers were 70 adults, 7 children. December numbers were 68 adults and 2 children.
The winner of the Thanksgiving turkeys were Myrna Sorenson, and Sonja Scherb. The turkeys were donated by Gayle and Mary Aske and Global Innovations. The winners of the Christmas hams were Peggy Gonsalez and Kiersten Clark. Karen Busch (Kiester Liquor Store) and Patchwork on the River donated the hams.

5 kids took a do at home project and 10 kids sent letters to Santa. The adult reading winner for December was Roger Oldfather. There will be a drawing at the end of the reading program for a quilt that was donated by the Material Girls, Quilters Cottage, and Larry Dahleen,

We would like to do a drawing for Easter and are looking for donations.
We are also planning another author event with Cathy Van Hove.

Liquor Store: the last group of giveaways has gone out. These items were from the Liquor Conference.
That we attended earlier this year. Carol felt the liquor store finished the year out well. Inventory went well. We are working on a promotion for Valentine’s day that would include local businesses. Hope told Carol that Michele Gurung will work with her on marketing ideas and that Michele will contact Carol.

Eda: They have found a renter for the front office at city hall, and he would like to move in on 2-1-2024. The rent would be $150.00 a month for 6 months then month to month after that. Motion to accept the lease agreement terms seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-0. Motion carried.

Public Comment: The Kiester Historical Society would like to mount a flag bracket on the outside of the building for them to put a banner out when they are open. Motion to let them put a flag out by Kurt Grobe, seconded by Brandon Hagenson, vote 5-0. Motion carried.

Maintenance: The carpet is torn up and the ambulance garage and city hall. We are ready to paint in both buildings. The sander is on the pickup. Along with toolboxes mounted on the sides. There was an issue with the freezer in the market that had a thermostat timer go out.

YEARLEY APPOINTMENTS:
Official Depository-Global Innovations Bank.
Official Bank Guarantor-United Banker’s Bank
Official Newspaper – South Central News
EDA Investment Banker-Northland Securities
Engineer Bolton & Menk

2024 MEETING SCHEDULE: the seconded Tuesday Mondayof the month at 7:00 pm at the Kiester Community Center Fire hall.
Council Pay will be $50.00 per meeting for the mayor and $40.00 per meeting for the council members.

The Vice Mayor will be Larry Dahleen
The mileage rate will be $0.67 per mile.
Election Judge pay will be $12.00 for judges and $14.00 for head judges, with one meal being provided by the city.

Motion by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Jason Kluender to accept the appointments as listed above. Vote 5-0, motion carried.

COMMITTEES:
Maintenance: Jason Kluender, Brandon Hagenson,
Liquor Store- Brandon Hagenson, Larry Dahleen Carol Rienhart
Fire Department Liaison- Brandon Hagenson, Jason Kluender
Ambulance Liaison-, Hope Bauman, Jason Kluender
Police: they turned this over in the county:, Brandon Hagenson.
Fire Relief board: Hope Bauman
Emergency Radio: Jerry Alphs, Brandon Hagenson, Gary Skartland, and Lee Schumann
Park and Community Center: Kurt Grobe

Clerk Update: the clerk is getting ready for the audit on February 19, 2024, changing over into the new year.
Working to get the credit cards up and running for the water billing.

The Splash Pad: They have their 501c3 status and we are starting to fill out grants to help with the cost.

Mayor Update: None

Motion to adjourn made by Jason Kluender and seconded by Kurt Grobe. Vote 5-0, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer