Litchfield public meetings in 2022

City Council

The City Council approved the payment of a $13,600 fine to the MPCA for wastewater overloading and will seek to split the cost with two industrial users. The Council also approved the purchase of tax-forfeited property and updated energy production rules.

• Approved $13,600 payment for MPCA Administrative Penalty Order and negotiation to split costs with FDA and Northstar (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of tax-forfeited property (Parcel #27-1177000) for $50 (unanimous)
• Appointed Gary Barnes to the Planning Commission for term 1/01/23-2/28/25 (unanimous)
• Adopted Rules Governing the Interconnection of Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities (unanimous)
• Approved updated Cogeneration and Small Power Production Tariff (unanimous)
• Approved lawful gambling permit for Meeker County Pheasants Forever for March 4, 2023 (unanimous)
• Approved lawful gambling permit for Litchfield Rescue Squad Aux, Inc. for January 9, 2023 (unanimous)
• Authorized payment of bills totaling $108,479.04 (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission and City Council met to discuss proposed changes to modernize and simplify city codes. City Planner Hannah Rybak presented the revisions based on public and staff feedback. No formal action was taken during the meeting.

City Council

The City Council approved a total certified tax levy of $3,397,248 and adopted operating, debt service, and revolving fund budgets for 2023. The council also authorized the sale of public property on Nelson Street East and approved a local sales tax for a community wellness center.

• Certified 2023 Property Tax Levy of $3,397,248 (6-1)
• Adopted 2023 Operating, Debt Service, and Revolving Fund budgets (6-1)
• Approved sale of 212 and 216 Nelson Street East to Gregg Schilling (7-0)
• Approved local sales tax for up to $10M community wellness/recreation center (7-0)
• Approved free use of Civic Arena for AmeriCorps Seniors SAIL program (7-0)
• Approved 2023 Litchfield Visitors Bureau budget and annual report (7-0)
• Granted Certificate of Appropriateness for 237 North Sibley Avenue (7-0)
• Designated Church of St. Philip as 2023 polling place (7-0)

Heritage Preservation Commission

The Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for masonry work at 237 Sibley Avenue North. It also authorized grant applications for a GIS map of the CHD and a pre-assessment of the Litchfield Opera House basement.

• Approved masonry work on the west facade of 237 Sibley Avenue North (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to apply for 2023 CLG Grant for a GIS map of the CHD (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to apply for 2023 CLG Grant for a pre-assessment of the Litchfield Opera House basement (Unanimous)
• Approved September 22 minutes as submitted (Unanimous)

City Council

The City Council authorized a $3,936,422 loan from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for drinking water treatment plant improvements. The council also approved employee retention bonuses and wage increases using ARPA funds and approved several zoning variances.

• Approved $3,936,422 General Obligation Water Revenue Note for water plant improvements
• Approved $363,363.44 in second-half ARPA fund allocation
• Approved $500 one-time bonus and $0.25 hourly wage increase for full-time employees via ARPA funds
• Approved $0.25 hourly wage increase for full-time employees via 2023 budget
• First reading of Ordinance No. 814 to sell public property at 212 and 216 Nelson Street East to Gregg Schilling for $12,500
• First reading of Ordinance No. 815 to vacate 20-foot alley between 606 and 618 North Sibley Avenue
• Granted variance for entry porch at 908 North Sibley Avenue
• Granted lot line adjustment waiver and variances for 315 and 323 West Depot Street

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission recommended approval for a side yard setback variance for an entry porch and a lot line adjustment with associated variances for two properties on W Depot Street.

• Recommended approval of variance for 6-foot side yard setback reduction at 908 N Sibley Ave (All aye)
• Recommended approval of lot line adjustment and two variances for 315 and 323 W Depot Street (All aye)
• Approved minutes of the October 10, 2022 meeting (All aye)

City Council

The City Council met to officially declare the results of the November 8, 2022, general election. The council certified the winning candidates for Mayor and three Council Member seats and confirmed the passage of a sales tax referendum.

• Adopted Resolution 22-11-197 declaring Ron Dingmann (Mayor), Eric L. Mathwig (Ward One), Betty J. Allen (Ward Three), and Sara Miller (Ward Five) as elected officials (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 22-11-198 declaring City Question #1 regarding the sales tax referendum as 'Yes' (Unanimous)

City Council

The City Council denied a cigarette license for King Tobacco based on a history of non-compliance. The Council also approved holiday lighting for Central Park and granted a variance extension for a residential deck.

• Denied cigarette license application from King Tobacco Litchfield Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved $4,530 quote from Russel Williams Home Services for Central Park tree lighting (unanimous)
• Authorized Litchfield Visitors Bureau to place candy cane lighting in Central Park (unanimous)
• Approved $802,542.56 payment for 2022 Street Overlay Improvements (unanimous)
• Granted variance extension for deck construction at 428 South Yale Avenue through Dec 31, 2023 (unanimous)
• Authorized execution of MnDOT grant agreement for Litchfield Municipal Airport improvements (unanimous)
• Approved Lawful Gambling Permit for Litchfield Area Mentorship Program-Kinship for Nov 18, 2022 (unanimous)
• Directed Library Board to provide furniture specifications and costs for community room by January 2023 (unanimous)