KIESTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 14 , 2025
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City council held a regular meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Kiester Community Center.
Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Larry Dahleen, Brandon Hagenson, absent, Kurt Grobe, Jason Kluender. City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members from the public: Marcia Dahleen, Karen Busch, Michelle Gurung, Kelly Meislahn, Jason Zinter, Ashely Schroader, Chastin Allen,
Agenda: Motion to accept agenda By Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Larry Dahleen, vote 3-0 motion carried.
Council minutes: Motion to accept Regular meeting minutes on March 10, 2025, and the Special meeting minutes, on March 24,2025 Hope Bauman seconded by Brandon Hagenson, vote 3-0 motion carried.
Claims: Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Brandon Hagenson approving claims totaling $34,996.06 vote 3-0, motion carried.
Financials: Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Hope Bauman, approving financials as presented, Vote 3-0, motion carried
Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on 4-27-25 if not paid by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Larry Dahleen. Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Building Permits: Presented permits for N Kuiper R Escherich Motion by Brandon Hagenson, Seconded by Larry Dahleen to approve. Vote 3-0, Motion carried.
Bolton & Menk Updates: the trees have been removed from the right a ways. There was a contractor meeting last week to go over where they are going to start. Ulland is waiting on permit approval form the Rail Road to do the sewer digging that will need to be done south of the tracks. They will be having a 2nd crew coming in. and at this point they were going to start at 5th and North streets. They will also be bringing in a crew this summer to do the clean up work that still needs to be done on 7th and 8th. The trees that they piled up at the city compost site will be removed.
The water meter project has been awarded to Dakota Supply Group. And there is the notice of award that we need a council vote on. Motion to accept the bid by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Bauman, Vote 3-0. Motion carried
The e USDA have reviewed our application for Rural development, Water and Waste Loan and Grant program for the proposed water project. and they are willing to consider it for the amount We requested $2,500,000.00 and they ware willing to consider this amount based on the information supplied at this time.
Ambulance: we are starting to get payments from the new billing company. Winnebago, Elmore and some of the other services were and are having issues With Expert billing and were considering a class action suit. One council member asked if the auditors made any comments about the ambulance revenue. I told them what wass going on. And that we have changed companies, I did see they did make some large adjustments to the ambulance account.
Fire: No one was present from Fire department. However, the clerk did tell the council that she had received a letter of resignation from Tim Engebretson. Motion to accept resignation with regret by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Hope Bauman, Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Library: March numbers were 74 adults and 4 juniors. The winner of the monthly adult reading program was Myrna Sorenson the Find the chocolate easter bunny game will end on 4-17-2025. They are also doing a ham drawing with the ham being donated by the Quilters cottage. The library is asking anyone who is interested in the event on May 15, 2025, Ann Peterson, who is the Former Museum Manager at Minnesota State Public School in Owatonna. To please contact the library so they can know numbers to find here presentation.
Eda: Michele Gurung reported that they were waiting to see if they will be awarded a grant for Paint the Town. This would be used to paint the picnic tables and crosswalks as well as a barn quilt project. They are still exploring about a possible daycare facility. The EDA is also still waiting to see if they qualify for a grant from Taylor Corporation, This is would be used to install a basketball/ pickle ball court.
Garbage: Brandon had questions at the Special meeting on 3-24-2025. However, due to the topic not being on the agenda, we were not allowed to have any discussions on it. Brandon did have his questions answered between that meeting and tonight.
Public Comment: One resident came forward and concerns with the new garbage hauler stating that it would be more expensive for those who choose to have bins bagged service. They also feel that the city should promote the recycling program more. They would like to see more items on the web site. Like a link to pay the water bills as well as a link to all the ordinances.
Another resident had concerns that with the new garbage service with not using standard garbage bags they are afraid that people are going to be using the bags that you get from Walmart and grocery stores to use for their garbage bags and then we will have garbage all over the city as the animals break them open.
One resident asked about the Liquor store as an all in one. The state of Minnesota told us that it had be be broken down by building & contents, and then by liquor we still had.. They felt it should have been left open; However, the state informed the city that it could not.
Maintenance: when we get rain Gary will be going out with, the street sweeper to get some of the tree removal debris removed. The first round of discharge was done at the ponds. The bathroom at the park has been resided. Electrical service was here to locate the lines from the park shelter to the watertower for us to see where we can put the chain link fence around the horseshoe pits. Gary will open the park bathroom around May 1st. USC will be here early May to do service work. There are two huge piles of wood chips that are available to the residents. The new banners are here and Gary and Brandon or Jason will get them up.
Clerk Update: Items that Doris is working on are Liquor store sale, USDA items, Items for to audit to finish up with, Covid money reports to be filed. Doris got hold of the State and they have to contact Faribault County to have them fill out the paperwork, to get the tanks taken out of the old Food & Fuel Building.
Mayor Update: Hope has been working with Doris on the Liquor store sale.
Motion to adjourn made by Brandon Hagenson and seconded by Hope Bauman Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
