CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 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 Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Mayor Jared Sultze and City Council Members: Ethan Johnson, Deb Ellis, and Krystal Sultze. Absent: Donna Gregory.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, City Engineer Derek Olinger,
City Attorney Mark Rahrick, Jamie Sultze, Nick Sultze, Carter Behnken, John Baier, and Denise Baier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
AGENDA
Motion by Johnson to approve the agenda, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
Nick Sultze asked if the city could put the agenda up on the screen. Administrator Sorg said they will try to work it out for the next meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of October 7, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting and Resolution No. 25-24: Resolution Establishing Polling Place. Motion by Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by K. Sultze to approve the financial reports, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Johnson to approve payment of the bills including the added bills, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
A meeting is scheduled for November 24 at 6:00 p.m.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Council mentioned having a town meeting in March or April to see what residents would like to see at Henning Park.
CITY ENGINEER
Derek Olinger went over Pay Application #5 (final payment) for the 2025 Street & Utility Improvements in the amount of $6,146.03 contingent upon JJD submitting their final paperwork. Motion by Johnson to approve Pay Application #5 contingent upon JJD submitting their final paperwork, second by K. Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Nothing at this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Rahrick will be meeting with Administrator Sorg on updating the employee policy on Minnesota Paid Leave Benefits and will present a draft at the December 2 City Council Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion by K. Sultze to approve the MN Paid Leave Employer and Employee Contributions of .44 for the city and .44 for the employee, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Dodge County Highway Department stated that speed limit signs for County Road 3 are unposted and will remain unposted as the speed limit is 55 MPH. State statute is 55 MPH for all unposted roads and Dodge County doesn’t post any of the county roads unless it is different than 55 MPH. Speed limit signs for County Road 1 are currently posted by Al-Corn, at 45 MPH and south of the overpass bridge by TH 14. The county will add another speed limit sign by W. Front St.
NEW BUSINESS
Claremont Area Chamber donated $200 for an outdoor Christmas decorating contest. Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No 25-25: Acceptance of and Appreciation of Donation ,second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
The council agreed to a 3% budget and levy increase.
The city snowplow was DOT inspected and now the PTO won’t work, and something is draining the battery. It is starting to need more and more repairs, and it is too big for the town. It will be taken to Curt’s Truck and Diesel in Owatonna to get repaired. Maintenance Supervisor Dahl recommending thinking about selling the plow, the Ford pickup and the topper on the Chevy. The city could purchase a 4-wheel drive service truck and get a sander in it and a V plow. The service truck could also pull pumps when needed.
FINAL WORD
Carter Behnken mentioned the dead-end sign on Julia is not needed anymore and needs to be removed. The maintenance department will remove the sign.
John Baier asked when the assessment payments were due. Administrator Sorg let him know that the date is November 15.
Motion by K. Sultze to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m., second by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
______________________________ ____________________________________
Deb Ellis, Assistant City Clerk Jared Sultze, Mayor
