Kettle River public meetings in 2022
7 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council approved a $102,188 property tax levy for 2023, including $89,220 for the general fund and $12,968 for water bond debt. The council also adopted a resolution requiring all council members to attend meetings in person, while allowing staff and consultants to use interactive technology. Other actions included hiring Bob Kohmetscher for temporary maintenance at $12/hour, releasing commercial inspector Richard Drotning and rehiring Duane Grace, and accepting two one-year leaves of absence from the fire department.
- Approved Resolution 2022-14 setting the 2023 property tax levy at $102,188 ($89,220 general fund + $12,968 water bond).
- Approved Resolution 2022-15 assessing $3,450 in special assessments and $3,346.58 in delinquent water/sewer bills to taxes.
- Approved Resolution 2022-16 requiring all council members to attend meetings in person; staff and consultants may use interactive technology.
- Released Richard Drotning and rehired Duane Grace as commercial inspector effective January 1, 2023.
- Hired Bob Kohmetscher for temporary maintenance at $12/hour from December 15, 2022 through April 2023.
- Accepted resignations of Bob Kisler (maintenance) and Tricia Riel (fire department), effective December 14, 2022 and January 1, 2023 respectively.
- Approved one-year leaves of absence from the fire department for John Lingle and Kyle Riel starting January 1, 2023.
- Approved a contract with Thien Well for yearly pump inspections at $275 per inspection.
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council met in a special closed session to discuss legal strategy regarding threatened litigation by Councilor Doward. The council voted to close the meeting under Minnesota statute 130.05 sub. 3(b), received attorney recommendations, and then reopened and adjourned. No other business was conducted.
- Closed session to discuss threatened litigation by Councilor Doward
- Meeting closed under Minnesota statute 130.05 sub. 3(b)
- Attorney recommendations received in closed session
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council approved the 2023 property tax levy of $102,188, which is about $300 less than last year. They also approved several administrative actions, including auto-draft payments for Pace and insurance, a new water pump, and a conversion to sodium permanganate for water treatment. The council moved the November meeting to November 15 and canceled a contract with Mr. Mikrot for water/sewer services.
- Approved Resolution 2022-12 for 2023 property tax levy of $102,188 (4-0)
- Approved auto draft for Pace payments (4-0)
- Approved auto draft for insurance policies (4-0)
- Approved purchase of new water pump (4-0)
- Approved use of ~$3,000 COVID funds for sodium permanganate conversion, total $2,049 (4-0)
- Approved pay increase for Jerry Peterson from $19.00 to $20.50 per hour (4-0)
- Canceled contract for water/sewer services with Mr. Mikrot with 60-day notice (4-0)
- Moved November council meeting to November 15, 2022
🗳️ How they voted (7 roll-call votes)
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council approved several actions including paying off the city tractor with COVID relief funds, hiring two new probationary firefighters, and authorizing replacement of 25 water meters. The council also approved a raise for an account clerk, accepted a liability insurance waiver, and authorized sealed bids for surplus equipment. Several items were tabled for further review.
- Approved paying off city tractor with COVID relief funds (4-0)
- Approved hiring Bob Kohmetscher as probationary firefighter (4-0)
- Approved hiring Bradley Stone as probationary firefighter (4-0)
- Approved $0.90/hour raise for Account Clerk Jamie Dobosenski to $12.90/hour (4-0)
- Approved liability insurance waiver as 'does not waive' (4-0)
- Approved advertising sealed bids for old lawn mower and tractor (4-0)
- Approved outdoor electrical box on Legion Building for Ma & Pa Kettle Committee (4-0)
- Approved permanent Christmas tree base installation by Ma & Pa Kettle Committee (4-0)
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council approved an outdoor event permit for Tower Tap, a $9,926.55 fire truck repair from the Capital Improvement Fund, and several resolutions including the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and a Code of Ethics. The meeting also included contentious discussion about Councilor Doward's allegations and behavior, leading to a recess and a 911 call.
- Approved Outdoor Event Permit for Tower Tap (Aug 12-14) (4-1)
- Approved $9,926.55 fire truck repair from Capital Improvement Fund (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 2022-10 Adoption of Carlton County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (5-0)
- Approved Intergovernmental Mutual Aid agreement with Cloquet Fire District (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 2022-11 Code of Ethics and Conduct (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including claims of $107,978.34 (4-1)
- Approved water treatment training for Jerry Peterson (4-1)
- Approved Clerks Academy Training for Kathryn Lake (4-1)
🗳️ How they voted (7 roll-call votes)
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council approved a property subdivision for Calen Eschenbach and Ike Miller, approved the purchase of a chlorine pump and fire truck repairs, and voted to censure Councilor Doward. The council tabled adoption of the Carlton County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and approved submission of the Wellhead Protection Plan.
- Approved property subdivision for Calen Eschenbach and Ike Miller (5-0)
- Approved purchase of chlorine pump for ~$800 (5-0)
- Approved hauling fire truck for up to $2,500 (4-1)
- Approved fire truck repairs with unknown cost (4-1)
- Approved spending up to $500 for secondary fence at old co-op store if city responsibility (5-0)
- Approved transition of utilities department to regular maintenance hours (4-1)
- Approved censure of Councilor Doward (4-0, Doward abstained)
- Tabled Resolution 2022-10 adopting Carlton County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (5-0)
🗳️ How they voted (8 roll-call votes)
Meeting
The Kettle River City Council voted unanimously to accept and sign a Settlement Agreement to Release with Buetow Trucking regarding road damage at Birch Street and 3rd Ave. N. The agreement assigns shared responsibility for repairing the street. The vote was 4-0, with Councilor Monique Doward absent.
- Approved Settlement Agreement to Release with Buetow Trucking (4-0)