KIESTER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 11, 2023
THESE ARE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL

The Kiester City council held a regular meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Kiester Community Center.

Mayor Hope Bauman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Council Members Present: Larry Dahleen, Brandon Hagenson. Jason Kluender. City Maintenance: Gary Skartland; City Clerk: Doris Troll; Members from the public were: Marcia Dahleen, Judy Goggin, Karen Busch, Vickie Savick, Bruce Thisted, Tina Thrond, Carol Rinehart, Nicole Roseberg, Al Bauman.

Agenda: motion to accept the agenda by Jason Kluender seconded by Larry Dahleen, vote 4-0. Motion carried.

Council minutes: Motion to accept the July 24, 2023, by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender. Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Claims: Motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Brandon Hagenson approving claims totaling $25,593.67 Vote of 4-0 motion carried.

Financials. Motion by Larry Dahleen, seconded by Brandon Hagenson, approving financials as presented. Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Past Due Water Billing: Motion to shut off on a 8-26-2023 if not paid, by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Jason Kluender. Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Building permits: motion by Larry Dahleen seconded by Brandon Hagenson to approve building permits for D. Sokol, P. Gutt, and G. Skartland

Ambulance: none

Fire Department: none

Library: none

Liquor Store: Ron Doland has resigned. Motion to accept resignation by Jason Kluender seconded by Brandon Hagenson. Vote 4-0, motion carried. Carol has Hired Martina Passeheim to replace Ron.

EDA: Al reported that Rich Goggin has resigned. Motion to accept his resignation by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Larry Dahleen. Vote 4-0, motion carried. At their last meeting, there was a long discussion with the Market and Quilters Cottage as to the rent increase. The Eda chose not to increase the rent this year. They will have an energy audit to see where we might save some money, and they were informed the rent would be raised next year. The Lot is ready to go. Doris reported we were waiting on the paperwork from the attorney. The Eda was contacting Bolton & Menk to discuss the football and baseball fields for development. The Eda would like approval from the council for the go ahead to explore the options on behalf of the city council. Motion to let the Eda explore options by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Larry Dahleen. Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Animal Control: Bruce Reported that there is one cat in foster care and one mama with 3 babies that when they are trapped, they will go to a farm. There is a meeting with Faribault County Humane Society on Monday, August 21, 2023. I have been in contact with Freeborn County and have been willing to help me.

Public Comment: One resident wanted more information on what the process will be for the trapping and keeping of them? She was told that more information would be out after the meeting with the County Humane society.

One resident asked if the city ever sponsored a cleanup day with dumpsters for residents to clean up their property? There used to be one that was held by the Jaycees, but the city has not had one is quite a long time.
Is there any ordinances that are in place to be fining these people for the junk in their yards? After more discussion, there was a motion to have Gary get bids for dumpsters, and we will look at the ordinances and fee schedule again.

Maintenance Report: Every 5 years we must do copper and lead samples for the state those are done.
Working on getting the equipment ready for the fall. Will have Bernie Schultz come in and trim some of the low-hanging branches again. Gary was asked if he was working on the budget for next year? He said he was.

Clerk Update: there is a contract for CFS for next year’s LP usage A motion by Brandon Hagenson, seconded by Larry Dahleen to approve the contract. Vote, 4-0. Motion carried. The property owner at 100 N 2nd Street has called the city and is on board with the getting rid of the cats on the property. I asked him to please email the city back as a way for us to track the conversations. He also said he was going to get down here later in the month to work on the property. The clerk informed the council that the property at 210 s 1st street does not have electricity and she confirmed this from a very reliable source and we will shut the water off at the end of the month. She had heard the owner was living in another part of town. And that the house is very dark and quiet at night. The council needs to be concerned with the fact that some of the foundation to that house has been removed. There are now ways for rodents and stray animals to get into that house with no issues. How would the council like to go about dealing with this?

Mayor Update: Gary and Doris will help me pick the carpeting out for the ambulance garage and city hall. There was to be a moratorium on Cannabis use that David has been working on with other communities that we will discuss at the next meeting.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Brandon Hagenson seconded by Jason Kluender, Vote 4-0, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by
Doris M Troll
City Clerk/
Treasurer