KIESTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 8, 2025
THESE ARE APROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 8, 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; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members from the public: Jason Zinter, Marcia Dahleen, Jon Seedorf. Chastin Allen, Dawn Flaskerud
Mayor Bauman and the council would like to give Marcia Dahleen their condolences on the loss of Larry. As well as a moment of silence. The council will miss him.
Filling the Vacancy for Kurt Grobe. There were three candidates who filled out questionnaires: Keenan Biddle, Jon Seedorf, Paul Martin. The council asked each candidate present How do you plan to get the citizens of Kiester involved in the decision-making process the council does? The older people have moved away, and the new ones that have moved in stay to themselves more. Looking at Facebook to see the posts of those new to the area, introduced myself through there and then went to their house. Most of the residents will stand on the corner and complain about issues they need to be told to attend the meetings.
A motion to appoint Paul Martin to fill Kurt Grobes position was made by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender. Vote 3-0, motion carried. Paul’s term will serve until 12-31-2026, next year when there will be a special election to fill the term that ends 12-31-2028.
Agenda: Motion to accept agenda by Jason Kleunder, seconded by Brandon Hagenson, vote 3-0. Motion carried.
Council minutes: Motion to accept the Regular meeting of 8-11-25 & 8-25-25 work session minutes as is and the 8-25-25 special meeting minutes with corrections by Hope Bauman, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Claims: Motion by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Jason Kluender approving claims totaling $361,520.57 vote 3-0, motion carried.
Financials: Motion by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Hope Bauman approving financials as presented, Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on 9-26-25 if not paid by Jason Kluender, seconded by Hope Bauman. Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Building permits: these were presented for D. Yost, A. Bauman, J. Kinney by Hope Bauman, seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Bolton & Menk Updates: There has been a lot of progress this past month made on Front Street. Gold Eagle has given Ulland until 9-15 to get things finished before the harvest would start. Front Street will have the 3 blocks east of Main paved, and the 3 blocks west of Main will be set up with a temporary road to what the elevator needs for harvest, and Ulland will take care of all those expenses. There will start paving yet this month the streets that they can. Curbs and driveways will be poured, they are going up 5th Street toward the school to get the storm water all hooked up
Ambulance: the ambulance will have a pork feed on 11-15-25. We have 1 new person in school now and we have 3 that are refreshing to keep their license.
Fire: they are going to keep their budget the same as last year. The new fire truck is due for delivery in August 2026. The fire department asked that the council approve Isiah Wall to be added to the department.
Motion to add Isiah Wall by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Library: Dawn was present for the library to ask the city council to approve the appointing of Jean Hagenson and Lori Korn to another 3-year term. Motion by Jason Kludner to approve the appointments seconded by Hope Bauman, vote 2-0, motion carried, with Brandon Hagenson abstaining.
Dawm also informed the council that next year’s officers were Karen Busch, president; Marsha Dahleen, treasurer; and Jill Skartland, secretary. The numbers for August were 77 adults and 15 juniors. We are planning another author event for next spring. We are just working on it.
Eda: The eda meet with the CEDA to see the cost of what it would be like to use them. Ceda was going to get in contact with the Faribault County EDA to have them help us get a good list of what our needs are and to see how and if there are any grants available that we could get. The Smithfield lot is almost cleaned up. We will have to appoint another council member for the EDA. We are.
Public Comment: Chastin Allen was asking about the need for a certificate of zoning from the county to sell edibles. The issue is still with the lawyer, awaiting his response.
Dawn Flaskerud was present to ask about the water meter and the rates. She was told that the new rates and metering would not be charged until after the first of the year. There will be a meeting next week about setting the rates. We have the equipment to do the readings; however; we have not been trained yet.
She was wondering if there were going to be different rates for commercial and residential. Nothing has been set or discussed yet. There are still ordinances and fee schedules that need to be looked at set up and voted on
Maintenance: none. Gary was absent.
Clerk update: the clerk reread ordinance 2025-19 authorizing charges for emergency services.
Motion to accept by Hope Bauman, seconded by Jason Kleunder, vote 3-0, motion carried.
The clerk introduced resolutions 2025-22 CD 7200 for the ambulance
2025-23 CD 7201 for the fire department
2025-24 CD 7217 for the EDA are maturing and need to be rolled over
Motion to roll all three over by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Bauman, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Resolution 2025-25 to fill Kurt Grobes council seat with Paul Martin. Motion by Brandon Hagenson, Seconded by Jason Kleunder, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Resolution 2025-26 to declare a vacancy motion by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Bauman, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Budget: the clerk informed the council that there were bids for items that Gary would like to see in the budget for next year. It was mentioned that there were not 3 bids for each item and the council would like to see 3. Someone raised the question of whether Gary and Adam could handle the building upgrades instead of an outside source. There was a discussion of the LP rates for the upcoming year. The CFS had to get the contract signed. The gallons of LP was dropped quite a bit as we no longer have the retail center. Doris could not remember what the rate we got was but will be put into the budget. Brandon wanted to make sure that we had the lp contracted from Gold Eagle. Doris had already arranged it with them.
The council discussed the levy. The council was reminded of what percentage they set on the preliminary.
We should set the budget high, as we can never exceed the preliminary budget and should always strive to get the percentage as low as possible. Motion to set the preliminary budget at 9% over last year by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Bauman, Vote 3-0, motion carried.
Mayor Update: Hope will continue to work with Doris on the budget.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Hope Bauman, vote 3-0, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted by
Doris Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
