City of Ghent public meetings in 2024

City Council

The Ghent City Council meets to approve the final budget and levy for 2024, hear a sheriff's report, and designate a polling place. They also review city hall improvements, personnel policy, and a quote for exterior tuckpointing.

• Final levy resolution passed
• Final budget resolution passed
• Delegated cannabis retailer zoning to Lyon County
• City hall improvements totaled $95,656 ($99,000 expected)
• Exterior tuckpointing quote: $43,000 for 2,000 sq. ft.

The Ghent City Council approved the final 2025 levy of $205,369.14 and the final budget of $342,444.14. They also adopted a resolution delegating cannabis retailer registration and land zoning to Lyon County, and voted to switch the city's banking from Bremer Bank to Minnwest Bank. The council designated the Lyon County Courthouse as the polling place and reviewed the personnel policy with minor edits.

• Approved final 2025 levy at $205,369.14 (unanimous)
• Approved final 2025 budget at $342,444.14 (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution delegating cannabis retailer registration and zoning to Lyon County (unanimous)
• Changed financial institution from Bremer Bank to Minnwest Bank (3-0, 1 abstention)
• Adopted personnel policy with minor edits (unanimous)
• Designated Lyon County Courthouse as polling place (unanimous)

City Council

The Ghent City Council will certify November election results and vote on a resolution delegating cannabis retailer zoning to Lyon County. A public hearing will review a zoning variance for 102 McQuestion St, and the council will consider forgiving $1,525 in past-due code enforcement balances.

• RESOLUTION #11-12-24-01: Delegate cannabis retailer zoning to Lyon County
• RESOLUTION #11-12-24-02: Certify election results
• ZONING VARIANCE APP 2024-3 for 102 McQuestion St (Adam DeRoode Garage)
• Forgive $1,525 in past-due code enforcement balances (Kenneth Horton)
• Approve $85,000 ARPA reimbursement for City Hall improvements

The Ghent City Council approved a zoning variance for 102 McQuestion St E, appointed 2024 Fire Department officers, and forgave $2,097.51 in past due fees for a property sale. They deferred the cannabis ordinance decision to December and certified the 2024 election results.

• Approved zoning variance #2024-3 for 102 McQuestion St E (3-0, DeRoode abstained)
• Certified 2024 election results via Resolution #11-12-24
• Approved Fire Department officer appointments (Chief I: William Maertens, Chief 3: Matthew Norby, Captain: Mike Stassen, Chief II: Steve Sussner, Captain II: Dallas Mahoney)
• Forgave $2,097.51 in past due code enforcement and utility fees for Kenneth Horton property
• Assessed past due balances to Lyon County tax rolls
• Deferred cannabis ordinance decision to December meeting
• Approved minutes of October meeting
• Approved meeting agenda

City Council

The Ghent City Council will vote on creating a fire department officer review board, discuss a zoning question for a garage at 102 McQuestion St E, and consider replacing the utility billing software. The current software costs $3,750 annually with ACH fees of 1% per transaction, while the proposed gWorks system has a $1,000 setup fee, $2,748 annual cost, and $1.75 per ACH transaction, though there are concerns it is not ready.

• Create fire officer review board with Chief Cory Crowley and Captain Matt Norby
• Zoning question: 102 McQuestion St E (Adam DeRoode garage)
• Curb/driveway replacement at 107 Cardinal Circle (Loyson)
• Utility billing software: gWorks proposal ($1,000 setup, $2,748/yr + $60) vs current ($3,750/yr)
• Floodplain removal documents update

City Council

The Ghent City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on rezoning 202 South Chapman from residential to commercial. They will also approve purchase agreements for four properties and discuss fleet equipment replacement. The council will review code enforcement and receive reports on water/sewer improvements and disaster relief funds.

• Final Pay Estimate #6 for Bluebird Court Subdivision street & storm sewer improvements
• Kubota Mower/Snow Blower replacement with $25,000 available and 2 quotes
• Public hearing and vote on rezoning 202 South Chapman from R-1 to C-1
• Approval of purchase agreements for 202 Chapman South, 107 Cardinal Circle, 305 Burlingame East
• Receipt of parcels and easements from EDA to city ownership

The Ghent City Council/EDA approved a rezoning of 202 Chapman Street South from R-1 residential to C-1 central business district, with Councilmember VanKeulen abstaining. They also approved purchase agreements to convey city-owned properties at 202 Chapman Street S and 107 Cardinal Circle to private buyers, tabled a third property sale due to a state highway right-of-way issue, and set the proposed 2025 levy at $205,369.14, a 3% increase.

• Adopted Resolution #09-10-24-1 rezoning 202 Chapman St S to C-1 (3-0, VanKeulen abstained)
• Approved purchase agreement and EDA conveyance of 202 Chapman St S to Willam and Jodi Maertens
• Approved purchase agreement and EDA conveyance of 107 Cardinal Circle to Gordon Loyson
• Tabled purchase agreement for 305 Burlingame E pending state highway right-of-way issue
• Accepted ownership of created parcels from property sales
• Approved final pay estimate #6 for Bluebird Court street and storm sewer improvements
• Approved purchase of new Kubota mower/snowblower from Kesteloot Enterprises
• Set proposed EDA 2025 levy at $5,418.98

City Council

The Ghent City Council and Joint EDA will meet to consider several items, including the 2025 Lyon County Sheriff's contract, an offer for a lot at 202 Chapman Street South, and the 2025 budget. They will also discuss fleet equipment purchases, code enforcement, and other administrative matters. The meeting includes routine approvals and reports.

• 2025 Lyon County Sheriff's contract
• Offer for lot at 202 Chapman Street South (accept/deny, zoning variance vs. conditional use)
• Fleet equipment: Kubota mower/snow blower ($25,000 available), pickup ($22,000), loader ($33,786)
• Code enforcement: Kenneth Horton update, certifying fees as county assessments
• 2025 budget review

The Ghent City Council approved the sale of parcel #25-104012-0 at 202 Chapman Street South to Jodi Maertens for $5,000 and initiated rezoning from R-1 to C-1 with conditions, setting a public hearing for September 10. They also approved an extended sheriff's contract through 2027 with annual rate increases. Other items were informational or tabled for further review.

• Approved sale of parcel #25-104012-0 to Jodi Maertens for $5,000 (4-0)
• Approved rezoning of parcel from R-1 to C-1 with conditions; public hearing set for Sept 10 (4-0)
• Approved extended sheriff's contract through 2027 with rates $26,328 (2025), $27,158.40 (2026), $28,036.80 (2027) (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of July meeting (unanimous)
• Approved agenda (unanimous)

City Council

The Ghent City Council and joint EDA will hold a regular meeting to approve a pay estimate for Bluebird Court street and storm sewer improvements, review the 2024 budget for the first time, and discuss the lead service line inventory. The council will also consider a fence permit and hear a code enforcement report. The meeting is largely routine, with several items requiring motions.

• Pay Estimate #5 for Bluebird Court Subdivision street and storm sewer improvements (Bolton & Menk)
• 2024 Budget first look
• Fence permit application for Leon Schroepfer
• Lead Service Line Inventory update (Widseth Engineering)
• 2024 Elections filing period July 30 – August 13 for Mayor and Council seats

The Ghent City Council approved pay estimate #5 for the Bluebird Court subdivision street and storm sewer improvements, and granted Richard Huber a 30-day extension to move his tractor into his garage. A fencing permit for Leon Schroepfer was approved with conditions, and the council discussed downspout connections for Bluebird residents, with the clerk to confirm the rules. The 2024 budget was reviewed for the first time, and the August meeting was rescheduled to August 12th.

• Approved minutes of June meeting (unanimous)
• Approved agenda with addition of Culver downspout discussion (unanimous)
• Approved pay estimate #5 for Bluebird Court street & storm sewer improvements (unanimous)
• Granted Richard Huber 30-day extension to move tractor into garage (unanimous)
• Approved fencing permit for Leon Schroepfer with conditions (unanimous)
• Discussed Bluebird downspout connections; clerk to confirm rules (no vote)
• Reviewed 2024 budget; no action taken
• Moved August meeting to August 12th (no vote)

City Council

The Ghent City Council and Joint EDA will hold a regular meeting on June 18, 2024, to discuss and act on several items, including street and sewer improvements for Bluebird Court, a compost agreement with Minneota, community center rental rates, and liquor license renewals for KB's Bar & Grill. The council will also conduct employee evaluations in a closed session and consider a resolution on health reimbursement arrangements.

• Bluebird Court Subdivision street and storm sewer improvements (Bolton & Menk)
• 2023 watermain and sanitary sewer improvements (Widseth Engineering)
• Liquor licenses for KB's Bar & Grill: off-sale $100, on-sale $1,995, Sunday $50
• Compost agreement with City of Minneota
• Resolution 06-18-24: Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements

The Ghent City Council approved a new rental agreement for the remodeled community center, setting rates at $150 for residents and $250 for nonresidents with a $250 damage deposit, effective immediately for new rentals. They also approved a compost agreement with the City of Minneota for $750, issued liquor licenses to KB's Bar & Grill, and approved a 3% COLA raise for full-time employees.

• Approved community center rental agreement with new rates ($150 resident, $250 nonresident) and $250 deposit
• Approved compost agreement with City of Minneota for $750
• Approved off-sale liquor license ($100), on-sale liquor license ($1,995), and Sunday license ($50) for KB's Bar & Grill
• Approved Alec Beultel and Jaydn Walberg as new fire department members
• Approved 3% COLA raise for full-time employees
• Approved Resolution #06-18-24 for Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• Changed August meeting date to August 12 to avoid primary election day

City Council

The Ghent City Council meets to discuss water and sewer improvements, a grant-funded tree project, and community center rental policies. The council will also review code enforcement reports and election filing deadlines.

• Bluebird Court Subdivision street and storm sewer improvements
• 2023 Watermain & Sanitary Sewer Improvements funding decisions
• Shade Tree Diversification Grant for water tank/watering system ($1,750)
• Community Center rental rates, deposit requirements, and rental agreement
• Code Enforcement report review

City Council

The Ghent City Council and Joint EDA will hold a regular meeting covering routine approvals, a sheriff's report, and a public hearing for the Board of Appeals. Key business includes reviewing the Southwest Sanitation contract (no rate changes), discussing street and sewer improvements for Bluebird Court, and considering new fees for permits. The council will also review watermain and sanitary sewer project details, including possible assessments, and decide on changing the June meeting date.

• Public hearing: Board of Appeals with Mark Buysse
• Southwest Sanitation contract: no fee increases through April 2026
• Bluebird Court Subdivision: street and storm sewer improvements review
• New fees: fencing permit $25, zoning variance $100, flood plain $10
• 2024 elections: filing period July 30–August 13 for Mayor and Council

City Council

The Ghent City Council will consider resolutions to apply for Minnesota PFA loans totaling $13,535,035.72 for watermain and sanitary sewer improvements, and will discuss a speed bump on South Collins Street, hall renovations, and the city website. The meeting is a regular council and joint EDA session with several informational updates.

• Resolution of application: MN PFA Drinking Water $4,655,224.55
• Resolution of application: MN PFA Clean Water $8,880,811.07
• South Collins Street speed bump discussion with daycare communication and signage
• Hall renovations update, including replacing a small window with a larger one
• Public safety aid received: $16,410 from the state of MN in December

The Ghent City Council approved submitting applications to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for drinking water ($4,655,224.55) and clean water ($8,880,811.07) projects. They also approved using $8,205 of state public safety aid for police protection, replacing a City Hall window with CD interest funds, and submitting the 2023 water and sewer rate memo as presented. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved submitting 2023 water and sewer rate memo (unanimous)
• Approved application to MN PFA for drinking water project, $4,655,224.55 (unanimous)
• Approved application to MN PFA for clean water project, $8,880,811.07 (unanimous)
• Approved replacing City Hall side window with larger window, funded by ~$5,000 CD interest (unanimous)
• Approved using $8,205 of public safety aid for police protection contract (unanimous)

City Council

The Ghent City Council and Joint EDA will hold a regular meeting with several action items, including accepting a donation, investing in a certificate of deposit, and voting on website services. They will also discuss the completed Letter of Map Revision, a watermain and sewer project update, and nuisance enforcement.

• Resolution #02-13-24: Accept $28,968.56 donation from Bluebird Conservation Club
• Vote to invest $25,000 of donated funds in a certificate of deposit
• Vote on Basic Website host, domain change to ghentmn.gov, and IWorQ Management Website
• LOMR effective May 24; survey and paperwork for Gruhot & Bloome parcels to be ready by May 25
• Ghent Fire Department charges $60/acre for burns; 48 acres = $2,880

City Council

The Ghent City Council and joint EDA will hold a regular meeting with routine approvals, including minutes, agenda, and 2024 appointments. They will also review and adopt the 2024 fee schedule, discuss a fire truck purchase, and hold a public hearing on annual abatement. The meeting includes reports from the sheriff and fire department, and a review of year-end expenses.

• Approve new fire department member Reynieri David Anariba
• Fire truck purchase discussion
• Raffle permit for Ghent Firemen Relief Association (March 9, 2024)
• Adopt 2024 fee schedule via Resolution #01-09-24
• Annual abatement hearing and resolution #1-9-24