City of Good Thunder public meetings in 2025
16 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved Resolution 2025-15 setting the 2026 tax levy with a 0% increase and Resolution 2025-16 adopting the 2026 budget. The council also approved a $500 increase in the annual benefit for vested firefighters, authorized up to $250,000 for a used rescue truck, and accepted a $75,000 fire department donation. Other actions included buying carbide plow cutting edges, moving $200,000 within the General Fund, and accepting the BEC Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Approved Resolution 2025-15: 2026 tax levy with 0% increase (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-16: 2026 budget (motion carried)
- Approved $500 increase in annual benefit for vested firefighters, from $2,500 to $3,000 (motion carried; Stoltzman and Klammer abstained)
- Approved up to $250,000 for purchase of a used rescue truck (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-18 accepting $75,000 Fire Department donation (motion carried)
- Approved $2,950 purchase of carbide cutting edges for the plow (motion carried)
- Approved spreadsheet to balance General Fund line items and move $200,000 (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-17 accepting the BEC Hazard Mitigation Plan (motion carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved Resolution 2025-14 to certify delinquent utility and ordinance accounts to Blue Earth County for 2026 tax collection, excluding 440 S. Halladay St. The council also voted to reimburse resident Thomas Shoemaker $814.27 and adjust off $390.16 in past-due water charges after he disputed his bill. In other actions, the council approved a bid from MK Concrete for sidewalk and curb work, approved a 50/50 premium cost share for MN Paid Family Leave along with related policies, and approved changes to health and dental insurance coverage.
- Approved Resolution 2025-14 certifying delinquent utility and ordinance accounts to Blue Earth County for 2026 tax collection, excluding 440 S. Halladay St (motion carried)
- Approved reimbursing Thomas Shoemaker $814.27 and adjusting off $390.16 past-due water bill (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda items A-G including bills, minutes, building permits, and payroll (motion carried)
- Approved MK Concrete bid for curb, gutter, and sidewalk panel replacements (motion carried)
- Approved 50/50 premium cost share for MN Paid Family Leave and approved MN Paid Family Leave and FMLA policies (motion carried)
- Approved changes to health coverage (HSA-eligible plan) and dental coverage (motion carried)
- Adjourned regular council meeting at 8:22pm (motion carried)
City Council
The City Council approved the issuance of third-notice letters to three properties for noncompliance regarding maintenance and unlicensed vehicles. The Council also authorized funding for sidewalk repairs, tree purchases for city parks, and the purchase of new tractor tires. Additionally, officials scheduled a closed meeting for attorney-client litigation and set the date for the annual Truth and Taxation meeting.
- Approved 3rd notice letters for 211 Main, 311 Hubbell, and 738 Chapel
- Approved up to $5,000 for sidewalk replacement
- Approved Safe Step quote for sidewalk repair
- Approved up to $1,500 for park trees
- Approved Bauer Built quote for four tractor tires
- Approved Fourth Amendment to Refuse and Recycling Agreement
- Scheduled closed meeting for Oct 27 at 5:30pm
- Scheduled Truth and Taxation meeting for Dec 8 at 7pm
City Council
The City Council approved Resolution 2025-12 for a proposed tax levy of $391,278.00 and Resolution 2025-13 for the proposed 2026 budget, with fund amounts as listed. The council also discussed the Houk Street drainage repair, with Eli Depuydt breaking down WW Blacktopping's numbers to work toward the best outcome. No community comments were made, and the meeting adjourned at 6:08pm.
- Approved Resolution 2025-12, proposed tax levy of $391,278.00 (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-13, proposed 2026 budget: General Fund $727,777.00, Water Fund $97,266.00, Sewer Fund $120,700.00, Sanitation Fund $62,000.00 (motion carried)
- Discussed Houk Street drainage repair, no action taken
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved three resolutions, a building permit, a $13,550.00 bid from Quality Flow to upgrade check valves and guide systems at the ponds, and a $3,849.40 bid from Blue River Excavating to install a pipe at Willard and Chapel. The council also approved mileage reimbursement and set a budget workshop for Sept 15 at 5pm followed by a special meeting at 6pm to approve the proposed levy and budget. In the public hearing, the council directed third letters be served for violations at 621 Main St, 730 Chapel St, and 844 Chapel St, and gave 738 Chapel St 10 days for a written action plan and 30 days to comply.
- Approved consent agenda items A-E, including August 11 minutes and bills (motion carried)
- Approved building permit GT-12-25 (motion carried)
- Approved Quality Flow bid of $13,550.00 for pond check valve and guide system work (motion carried)
- Approved Blue River Excavating bid of $3,849.40 to install pipe at Willard and Chapel (motion carried)
- Approved Resolutions 2025-09, 2025-10, and 2025-11 (motion carried)
- Approved mileage reimbursement for Clerk Petty (motion carried)
- Directed 3rd violation letters for 621 Main St, 730 Chapel St, and 844 Chapel St
- Set budget workshop Sept 15 at 5pm and special meeting at 6pm to approve proposed levy and budget
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council voted to change its engineering firm from Bolton and Menk Engineering to Bollig Engineering, following a presentation by Bollig's representative. The council also approved several spending items, including a $4,975 tractor bucket attachment, a $1,470.70 sidewalk striping contract, and a $48.40 utility bill write-off. The council waived the city's Tort Limit as part of the 2025 insurance renewal package.
- Approved switch of engineering firm from Bolton and Menk to Bollig Engineering
- Waived Tort Limit for 2025 insurance renewal
- Approved $4,975 quote for tractor bucket with skid loader attachment
- Approved $1,470.70 quote for sidewalk striping and angle parking on Houk St.
- Approved building permit GT-11-25 for shed relocation
- Approved $48.40 utility bill write-off for 131 N Houk St.
- Approved agenda, July minutes, and bills as listed
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved a quote from WW Blacktopping to repair part of Houk St. for $12,221.25, with an additional charge of up to $9,072.60 depending on excavation needs. The motion was made by Councilor Stoltzman, seconded by Councilor Klammer, and carried. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved WW Blacktopping quote for Houk St. repair at $12,221.25, plus up to $9,072.60 for excavation (motion carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved several spending items, including a $20,000 donation from the Fire Department for tools, up to $20,000 for mastic and crack sealing, a $16,665 dust control contract, $2,500 for removal of infected ash trees, and $2,092.36 for treating remaining ash trees. They also approved a $27,000 quote for a building around the phosphorus pump, set administrative fines at $50 for first and $100 for second violations, and scheduled the 2026 budget workshop for August 18. All motions carried unanimously.
- Approved Resolution 2025-07 accepting $20,000 Fire Department donation for tools
- Approved up to $20,000 for mastic and crack sealing
- Approved dust control quote of $16,665 including Willard St. block
- Approved $2,500 removal of 3 infected ash trees and $2,092.36 treatment of remaining ash trees
- Approved building permits GT-09-25 and GT-10-25
- Approved $27,000 quote for Midwestern Construction to build shed around phosphorus pump
- Approved Resolution 2025-08 setting fees and charges with $50 first and $100 second violation fines
- Approved $600 donation to National Night Out activities
City Council
The council held a special meeting focused on reviewing an Administrative Fines Ordinance explained by Clerk Petty. Under the described process, the clerk or Eli would review properties (residents can also report them), a letter would go out with the fine and a hearing date, and the resident could state their case; if the violation is not fixed, the council could start abatement. Council discussed weeds, overgrown lawns, and inoperable vehicles, and heard community comments from Tom Brunz and John Lillis. No vote on the ordinance is recorded; the only action was adjournment.
- No vote recorded on the Administrative Fines Ordinance; it was reviewed and discussed only
- Adjourned special council meeting (motion by Brude, seconded by Klammer; carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved buying a new battery-powered extrication tool for the Fire Department at a total cost of about $40,000, with the city having received $24,000 in one-time public service funding in December 2023 to help cover it. Council also approved a 5% raise for Clerk-Treasurer Sue Petty effective April 1, 2025, and approved the purchase of two Tactacam Defend Security cameras plus a lithium battery and charging panel for $478.00 for the compost pile and Archery Park. Building permits GT-03-25 through GT-08-25 were approved except the retaining wall for GT-04-25, and a special council meeting for ordinance review was scheduled for June 16, 2025 at 6pm.
- Approved purchase of fire extrication tool, about $40,000 (motion carried)
- Approved 5% raise for Clerk Petty effective April 1, 2025 (motion carried)
- Approved 2 Tactacam Defend Security cameras and battery/charging panel, $478.00 (motion carried)
- Approved reimbursing Kellon Giese for the camera purchase (motion carried)
- Approved building permits GT-03-25 through GT-08-25, except retaining wall for GT-04-25 (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution GT-2025-05 accepting $500 Minnesota Deer Hunters Association donation for Archery Park target stands (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution GT-2025-06 transferring funds from general fund to refuse fund (motion carried)
- Scheduled special council meeting for ordinance review on June 16, 2025 at 6pm (motion carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved two $2,500 grants for the fire department to replace radios, approved a building permit, and approved routine bills and minutes. They also scheduled a special meeting for May 21 to discuss an administrative fines ordinance and a cannabis ordinance. No other major decisions were made; most items were informational or routine.
- Approved Resolution 2025-03 (Benco Electric grant, $2,500) and Resolution 2025-04 (Crystal Valley grant, $2,500) for fire department radios
- Approved building permit GT-02-25
- Approved bills (checks #18452-#18477, EFTs #56846-#56859, payroll EFTs #500168-#500172)
- Approved April 14, 2025 council minutes
- Approved clerk mileage reimbursement of $161.70
- Scheduled special council meeting for May 21, 2025 at 5pm to discuss administrative fines and cannabis ordinances
City Council
The council approved Bolten & Menk to update the Intended Use Plan for the $10.9 million bonding bill project, which includes a new well, treatment facility, and road work. The 2024 audit found three material adjustments but no compliance issues; the city has healthy reserves but the refuse fund is negative. Council also approved a new firefighter, a building permit, and water shutoff for a frozen meter.
- Approved Bolten & Menk to update the IUP for $10.9M project (unanimous)
- Approved March 10 and March 27 meeting minutes with correction (unanimous)
- Approved bills #18421-18451, EFTs #56825-56845, payroll EFTs (unanimous)
- Approved Gavin Doering as GTFD firefighter effective 2/18/2025 (unanimous)
- Approved building permit GT-01-25 (unanimous)
- Approved turning off water at curb stop for frozen meter on Chapel St (unanimous)
- Approved reimbursements to Clerk Petty ($193.50) and Brian Severns ($9.53) (unanimous)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council held a special meeting to consider a counteroffer for the City Maintenance Supervisor position. After discussion about benefits, the council approved the counteroffer of $32/hour, which is higher than the advertised wage. The meeting was brief and adjourned at 6:10pm.
- Approved agenda (motion carried)
- Approved $32/hour counteroffer for City Maintenance Supervisor (motion carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council approved a 20-year Xcel Franchise Agreement (Resolution 35B) and two resolutions authorizing ACH/EFT payments and allowing the clerk to pay invoices up to $3,500 between meetings. They also discussed spring clean-up dates, a city hall remodel, and a potential water/sewer extension, but took no final action on those items. The meeting was otherwise routine, with no public comments.
- Approved Resolution 35B Xcel Franchise Agreement for 20 years (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-01 authorizing ACH/EFT payments (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-02 allowing clerk to pay invoices up to $3,500 between meetings (motion carried)
- Approved bills (checks #18405-#18419, EFTs, payroll) (motion carried)
- Approved February 10, 2025 meeting minutes (motion carried)
- Approved clerk's attendance at MCFOA Conference (motion carried)
- Approved mileage reimbursement for clerk for January and February (motion carried)
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council held a special meeting to review and approve three ordinance proposals for further processing. All three motions carried unanimously, initiating public hearings and potential adoption. The council also discussed but did not act on adding ordinances regarding hunting and ATV/UTV use on city property.
- Approved THC ordinance proposal to initiate public hearing process (unanimous)
- Approved Fee Schedule ordinance proposal to remove dollar amounts for resolution updates (unanimous)
- Approved Nuisance Properties ordinance proposal to add violation letter and hearing process (unanimous)
- Discussed but took no action on hunting and ATV/UTV ordinances for city property
City Council
The Good Thunder City Council accepted Raece Johnson's resignation from the Streets Department and declared the Maintenance Supervisor position vacant, authorizing it to be posted. The council also approved the 2025 committee assignments, set a special meeting for ordinance updates, and approved the Xcel Energy agreement contingent on clarification. No other major policy decisions were made.
- Accepted Raece Johnson's resignation (motion carried)
- Declared Maintenance Supervisor vacancy and posted position (motion carried)
- Approved 2025 Council Committees, official bank, newspaper, and posting places (motion carried)
- Scheduled special meeting for Feb. 10 at 5:30pm for ordinance updates (motion carried)
- Approved Xcel Energy Ordinance Agreement contingent on clarification (motion carried)
- Approved Clerk Petty to make payments up to $3500 between meetings (motion carried)
- Approved listing council meeting videos on new website with YouTube button (motion carried)
- Approved Clerk Petty attendance at MCFOA Conference March 18-21, 2025 (motion carried)