KIESTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 9, 2026
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
The Kiester City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Kiester Community Center.
Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members present: Marcia Dahleen, Brandon Hagenson, Paul Martin, Jason Kluender came in after the approval of the agenda. City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members from the public: Kristy Flaskerud.
Agenda: Motion to accept the agenda, by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Marcia Dahleen. Vote 4-0; motion carried.
Council minutes: Motion to accept February 9, 2026, by Hope Bauman, seconded by Paul Martin, vote 5-0. Motion carried.
Claims: Motion by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender, approving claims totaling $25,791.57. Vote 5-0; motion carried.
Financials: Motion by Jason Kluender, seconded by Brandon Hagenson, approving the financials as presented. Vote 5-0; motion carried.
Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on 3-26-2026 if not paid by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Paul Martin. Vote 5-0; motion carried.
Ambulance: There is also a policy for Recruitment and Retention starting April 1, 2026. This policy would pay the potential members to receive pay for their training. Motion by Brandon Hagenson to approve, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-0, motion carried.
Fire Department: no one was present
Library: January numbers were 63 adults and 6 children. The adult reading program is going on until March. The February winner was Judy Johnson. We are still working on the author Cary Griffith event for May 7. Other events we are working on are Easter, the 4-H group will be here in June and July for activities for the children. There is a group called Kiester Fiber Friends that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 7 pm. To crochet, knit, weave, punch needle, and other needle crafts.
Eda: They have remarked the way property lines that they want for the lot by the city shop. They will have Bolton & Menk draw up the new property lines and list the lot for sale.
Motion by Hope Bauman to put the lot up for sale, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-0. Motion carried.
The EDA has been working with someone out of Owatonna about the welcome to Kiester sign. The council would like to see the landscaping redone by the sign, something that is low maintenance and will still look nice.
Public Comment: none
Maintenance: We have mailed the first quarter water samples. The Faribault County Clean-up day for Kiester is May 30, 2026, from 9 am to noon. I have swept the streets. The park bathroom door has been replaced. I have done some cleaning up in the park and tested the park equipment. Gary was asked when he was going to take down the Christmas lights? He thought if the weather was good at the end of the month.
Clerk Update: There were lawyer agreements in the packets, and it was recommended that we keep David for the road project as well as for our prosecutor. There was a motion to go with Campbell Knutson, PA by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-0. Motion carried. The clerk then asked the council if they wanted to change the insurance agent of record for our work comp and our liability insurance. This can be done with confirmation that the commission fees will not change. Resolution 2026-10 to close the lottery account. A motion to move the money into the park fund by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender, vote 5-20. Motion carried.
There was in the packets a letter to the residents explaining the new water billing. The clerk will get these in the mail so that the residents receive them and have time to call with questions. There was also a discussion about who should be responsible for the bills. The clerk informed the council that she would discuss this with the attorney, along with other water issues. The attorney will also need to rewrite the ordinance and update forms and cutoff letters.
Mayor Update: she had nothing.
Adjournment: Brandon Hagenson moved to adjourn, and Jason Kluender seconded his motion. Vote 5-0; motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/ Treasurer
