Claremont public meetings in 2023
14 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved the 2024 tax levy and budget, which increased 3% from 2023, and authorized new investments including transfers to the 4M Plus Fund and a money market account. The council also approved resolutions certifying past-due bills to Dodge County for collection and discussed a potential agreement with Al-Corn regarding a new driveway.
- Approved Resolution No. 23-25 adopting the 2024 tax levy and budget (3% increase)
- Approved transferring $130,000 to the 4M Plus Fund and $200,000 to a new 6-month Money Market at Ameriprise
- Approved Resolution No. 23-27 certifying past-due bills (special charges on 2 properties) to Dodge County for collection
- Approved Resolution No. 23-26 certifying past-due bills for unpaid water/sewer fees on 5 properties
- Approved Resolution No. 23-28 concurring with Dodge County's designation of old TH14 as County State Aid Highway 34
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved several items including the 2024 law enforcement contract, a variance for a California-style fence, a cannabis use ordinance, and a new building inspection contract. They also agreed to a 3% final levy increase for the upcoming budget, to be formally approved in December.
- Approved 2024 Law Enforcement Contract for $75,190 for 28 hours per week
- Approved variance for California style fence at 113 3rd Street
- Approved Ordinance No. 2023-1107 regulating cannabis use on public property
- Approved contract with Inspectron for building inspection services
- Agreed to 3% final levy increase for 2024 budget
Meeting
The Claremont Planning and Zoning Commission discussed and voted to recommend that the city council amend the fence ordinance's definition of decorative fencing. They also held a public hearing and recommended approval of a variance for a California-style fence at 113 3rd Street.
- Recommended amending the fence ordinance definition of decorative fencing
- Public hearing for variance request by Donna Gregory at 113 3rd Street
- Recommended approval of variance for California-style chain link fence in front yard
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved several expenditures and actions, including buying a new skid loader for $39,000, approving a fence variance for a resident, and moving forward with sump pump inspections. They also discussed ambulance service funding, a potential cannabis ordinance, and the resignation of the building official.
- Approved purchase of skid loader from MN Ag Group for $39,000 using 4M Fund
- Approved fence variance for Donna Gregory at 113 3rd Street, 12' into right-of-way
- Approved pay request #2 for sewer outfall project ($4,773.75) and water tower rehab ($133,095.71)
- Approved sump pump inspections with GIS mapping, estimated $9,250-$11,750
- Discussed ambulance joint powers agreement and cannabis ordinance
Meeting
The Claremont Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and voted to recommend the city council approve a variance for a fence at 113 3rd Street, allowing it closer to the road than normally permitted. The commission also renewed a member's term and elected new officers.
- Public hearing and recommendation for fence variance at 113 3rd Street, with fence set 20 feet from road edge
- Renewed Mike Stupka's term on the commission
- Elected Don Gray as Chair and Ed Krenke as Vice-Chair
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved the 2024 proposed budget and a 7% levy increase, with a public hearing scheduled for December 5. The council also approved several contracts and payments, including a $171,878.75 sewer outfall pay request and a $267,077.54 water tower rehab payment. Personnel changes included promoting Elizabeth Sorg to City Administrator/Clerk at $34/hour and giving Maintenance Director Casey Dahl a 2% raise.
- Approved 2024 budget and 7% levy increase
- Approved Pay Request #1 for $171,878.75 for sewer outfall project
- Approved Tanksco Pay Application #1 of $267,077.54 for water tower rehab
- Approved $27,700.70 final invoice from Pearson Bros. for crack filling and chip sealing
- Approved garbage and refuse hauler license with $100 annual fee
Meeting
The Claremont City Council held its regular meeting, approving routine items and several contracts. Key actions included approving a fire service agreement with Claremont Township, reimbursing a façade improvement, and approving a temporary easement for a sewer project. The council discussed the proposed 2024 budget and requested 6% and 7% levy options for review, and denied a request from the Hogfest Committee to use the Fire Hall for free in case of rain.
- Approved Claremont Township Fire Service Agreement
- Reimbursed Clifford Brekke $1,722.50 for façade project
- Approved façade grant for Greg Himler at 232 W Front Street ($2,300 estimate)
- Approved temporary easement for sewer project with $1,485 compensation
- Approved payment of $8,476.65 to Pearson Bros. for crack filling
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved several routine items, including financial reports, a fire service agreement, and a chicken permit. They also discussed a garbage hauler ordinance and approved a severance package for an employee returning from deployment.
- Approved $27,500 severance plus PTO for Evan Brown
- Approved Aurora Township Fire Service Agreement
- Approved chicken permit for 2-3 hens at 303 Church Street
- Discussed changes to Garbage and Refuse Hauler Ordinance
- Approved loan of 3 bleachers to West Concord for tractor pull
Meeting
The Claremont City Council held a special meeting to discuss the hybrid Administrator Clerk position and an Administrator position. They also voted to offer Casey Dahl the maintenance position at $25 per hour plus a $300 monthly health insurance substitute and standard benefits, pending background check and drug screen. The council declined to extend Midco's tower lease contract, but will review any offer Midco submits.
- Motion to offer Casey Dahl maintenance position at $25/hour plus $300/month health insurance substitute, passed 3-0-1 (Dahl abstained)
- Discussion of hybrid Administrator Clerk position and Administrator position
- Council agreed not to extend Midco tower lease for 30 years, but will review any offer
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved plans and engineering for a water tower rehabilitation project, accepted a maintenance worker's resignation, and named Liz Sorg as Interim Administrator/City Clerk. They also approved a facade improvement grant, a coaching contract, and several other routine items.
- Approved Resolution 23-12 for water tower rehab, with bids opening May 25 and cost estimate $400,000-$450,000
- Approved $1,925 facade improvement grant to Clifford and Margaret Brekke for Elm Street building
- Accepted maintenance worker Brian Styndl's resignation, effective May 4
- Approved job posting for maintenance worker with $25/hour minimum pay
- Approved $3,000 coaching contract with Skyehill for Clerk Sorg
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved a DNR matching grant for a ballfield project, moved forward on a water tower project that may require a 23% water/sewer rate increase, and discussed extending Midco's tower land lease. They also approved contracts for weed control, water operations, and a pay raise for the clerk.
- Approved Resolution 23-11 for DNR grant; city would incur $350,000 of up to $700,000 project
- Moved forward on water tower project; estimated $425,000 total, $85,000 city share, requiring ~23% rate increase (~$11/month for average user)
- Discussed Midco's request to extend tower land lease 30 years at $3,000/year; current agreements expire 2031
- Approved TruGreen weed control proposal for parks at $698
- Approved PeopleService operations contract at $144,696 for the year
Meeting
The Claremont Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and approved a variance for Keith Cloutier at 124 Oak Street to build a garage 25 feet from the edge of Oak Street, despite the usual setback requirement. The commission also approved rezoning the donated ball field on 3rd Street from Agricultural to Residential, as parks are permitted in residential zones. The appointment of Chair and Vice Chair, as well as Mike Stupka's reappointment, were tabled until the next meeting.
- Approved variance for garage at 124 Oak Street with 25-foot setback from Oak Street edge
- Approved rezoning of ball field on 3rd Street from Agricultural to Residential
- Tabled reappointment of Mike Stupka and Chair/Vice Chair election until next meeting
Meeting
The Claremont City Council approved several resolutions, including accepting donations totaling $18,000 from the Chamber and $50 from the Hedbergs, and added a $150 fee for snow and ice removal from sidewalks. They also discussed a request to use Elm Street for a tractor pull and denied a proposal to rent donated land for corn production.
- Accepted $15,000 donation for new city sign, $1,500 to Fire Department, $1,500 to First Responders
- Approved Resolution 23-05 adding $150 fee for snow and ice removal off sidewalks
- Discussed Hogfest request to use Elm Street for garden tractor pull
- Denied renting 5 donated acres for corn production
- Accepted $50 donation to Fire Department from Mr. and Mrs. Hedberg
Meeting
The Claremont City Council held its regular January 3, 2023 meeting, approving routine items like the consent agenda, financial reports, and bills. The council also approved a 5% payroll increase for two employees, appointed 2023 fire officers, and passed resolutions setting annual designations, 2023 fees, and signature authority for city accounts.
- Approved 5% payroll increase for 2 employees effective January 9
- Approved 2023 fire officers: Casey Dahl (Chief), Jacob Klejeski (Assistant Chief), Tim Kruckeberg (Training Officer)
- Approved Resolution No. 23-02: Resolution of 2023 Fees
- Approved Resolution No. 23-01: Annual Designations, including Equity Bank as depository and Mark Rahrick as City Attorney
- Approved Resolution No. 23-03: Signature Authority for City Accounts