CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze, City Council Members: Deb Ellis, Krystal Sultze, and Donna Gregory. Currently there is 1 vacant seat.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, City Attorney Mark Rahrick, City Engineer Derek Olinger, Sheriff Scott Rose, Timothy Hudson, Jamie Sultze, Elle Leeper, Ethan Johnson, Hannah Behnken, Carter Behnken, Alec Vaughn, Jim Zylstra, Ethan Reed, Denise Schwering, and Amber Ward.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Ellis to approve the agenda with the deletion of the Audit Presentation, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
A question was directed to the council regarding the ball field at Harmer Park. Who oversees Harmer Park, the Chamber or City? The council said the city is in charge as the owner of the property. The property owners that live north of the ballfield said Dean Schuette told them a fence would be put up between the properties. The city was not aware of this. Question on whether there will be restrooms, bleachers, concessions, etc. With the donations the city has now, the scoreboard and bleachers are covered and will be installed this spring. Other amenities will be added as donations are received.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of March 4, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, Minutes from March 4, 2025, Special City Council Meeting, Approve Resolution No. 25-10: Resolution Expressing Acceptance of and Appreciation of Donations, Approve Resolution No. 25-11: Certifying Past-Due Bills to Dodge County, Approve Resolution No. 25-12: Resolution Expressing Acceptance of and Appreciation of Donation, and Approve Automatic Renewal of CD for 6 months. Motion by Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE
Nothing currently.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Sultze to approve the financial reports, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve payment of the bills including the added bills, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Sheriff Scott Rose was present, he wanted to introduce himself and give a short update on what is happening in the sheriff’s department. The implementation of a new CAD (Computer Aid Dispatch) system is being installed. The new system will be a substantial upgrade for the staff and residents. The system will have 3D mapping including crime data mapping. The system will be able to tell the exact location of an officer in a building when they go in. It will also be able to give more detailed reports.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing currently.
EDA
Nothing currently.
MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT
The maintenance department is requesting a new V-plow. The V-plow would be easier on the roads and cut down the time it takes to clear the roads. Maintenance Director Dahl got quotes for the V-plow. The maintenance department has $10,000 in their capital outlay budget. A quote from Trucking America comes in at $9,932.50 (installed) and the other companies were over $10,000. Motion by Sultze to approve Trucking America for the purchase of the V-plow, second by Ellis. Ayes: K. Sultze, Ellis, J. Sultze. Nays: None. Abstain: Gregory. Motion carried.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Ethan Reed discussed what additions he will make to the Food Forest out on the walking trail. He is taking care of the area and furnishing the plants, vegetables, and fruit trees.
Once again it is time to check pricing for weed control and fertilizer at the parks. A quote from TruGreen came in at $1005 per treatment, 3 times per year and a quote from Corey’s Outdoor Services came in at $854 per treatment, 3 times per year. A question was asked if the treatments are safe for pets and children. This will be tabled for next month’s meeting.
The city will check with Dean Schuette regarding a fence between the ballfield and the owners of the adjacent land. Council Member Gregory asked if there would be a fee for outsiders to use the ballfield. Fees and reservations for the use of the park will be discussed at a later date.
PEOPLESERVICE
Nothing currently.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Olinger looked into extending water and sewer lines over to the ball field for future use. He noted there is no cost difference to wait for water/sewer lines to be extended to Harmer Park, so it will wait.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
The last council discussed installing inclusive playground equipment in Henning Park. Sorg asked if this council agreed, which they did. Administrator Sorg will check to see if there are any grants available for playground equipment.
At the last council meeting restrooms for Memorial Park and Harmer Park were brought up. The T-ball league pays for a porta-potty during the summer up to Hogfest. Council Member Ellis called 3 companies for porta-potty prices. Jerimiah Porta Potty out of Rochester quoted $459 for 28 days, emptying 1 time a week. Countrywide Rental of Rochester quoted $275 for 28 days, emptying 1 time a week. On-Site Companies of Rochester quoted $181.50 for 28 days, emptying 1 time a week. Motion by Sultze to have On-Site Companies bring in 1 handicap Porta-Potty at Memorial Park from Memorial Day until Labor Day and 1 handicap unit for 2 months at Harmer Park from August 1st till Labor Day.
The special election for 1 council member will be on August 12th. For a limited time, the city will need 2 election judges at City Hall each week for absentee ballots. There will need to be 4 election judges on election day. The city can set a time for the election with the exception that the poll must be open from 5 pm – 8 pm. More information will be provided as it comes up.
The Fire Department was checking prices to add a little addition onto the SE side of the Fire Hall. Thoughts were to add a bathroom in the NE corner of that addition. It is going to cost more for the addition than originally thought (approximately $67,000) so that won’t be happening at this time.
This will be the last year for Terri Schuette to purchase and plant the flowers and the upkeep of them. Keep this in mind so if someone would like to take this over that would be great.
The Board of Appeal and Equalization is April 21 from 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY
Motion by Sultze to Approve Resolution No. 25-13: Procedures for Appointing a Person to Fill the Vacant Council Position, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-0401: Procedures and Timing of Special Elections to Fill Declared Vacancies in Elected Offices, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
The Advisory Committee had information on microphones and video cameras for meetings. They also talked about putting the meeting on You Tube but weren’t sure as you could lose rights to it once it is posted. The microphones cost $461.53. Other options will be checked out also. The committee has the council’s permission to continue working on this project.
A workshop to go over the City Council Code of Conduct will be held on April 21 following the Board of Appeals and Equalization at 3:00 pm.
NEW BUSINESS
Three people applied to the vacant council seat that was held by Ryan Hedberg: Cindy Johnson, Ethan Johnson, and Alec Vaughn. Motion by Sultze to appoint Ethan Johnson as city council member, second by Ellis. Ayes: Sultze, Ellis, and Sultze. Nays: Gregory. Motion carried. Johnson will be on the council until the special election.
Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No. 25-09: Resolution Appointing Vice Mayor, which will be Krystal Sultze, second by Mayor Sultze. Ayes: Ellis and J. Sultze. Nay: Gregory. Abstain: K. Sultze. Motion carried.
Motion by Ellis to open the Public Hearing regarding Adopting Ordinance No. 2025-0402: City Code Section 4.71 Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously. No comments were received. Motion by Sultze to close the Public Meeting, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Sultze to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-0402: Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
With PeopleService’s contract ending April 30, contracts were made for Spencer McDermott at $1000 per month to oversee and train the maintenance department for water and Chas Schroht will oversee and train for sewer at $1500 per month. Switching from PeopleService to independent operators is a savings of over $77,000. Motion by Ellis to approve the Wastewater Contract with Chas Schroht, second by Sultze. Ayes: Ellis, Sultze, and Sultze. Nay: None. Abstain: Gregory. Motion carried. A motion by Sultze to approve the Water Contract with Spencer McDermott, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
All 3 Council Members and the Mayor will be attending the LMC Duluth Annual Conference.
FINAL WORD
None
Motion by Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m., second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
_____________________
Deb Ellis,
Assistant City Clerk
Jared Sultze, Mayor
