City of Plato public meetings in 2025
14 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission reviewed and discussed adopting a Solar Energy Ordinance requested by the City Council, but took no vote on it. Chairperson Shane Palmquist will make changes per the discussion and present a new version for review at the January meeting. The commission also heard the Zoning Administrator's 2025 report and upcoming 2026 projects. The only votes taken were to approve the November 18 minutes, approve the agenda, and adjourn.
- No vote on Solar Energy Ordinance; discussion only, revised draft to return in January
- Approved November 18 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved the December 16 agenda (all in favor)
- Adjourned at 7:23 p.m. (all in favor)
City Council
The City Council approved the 2026 budget and set the tax levy at $300,000, a 4.2% increase from 2025. They also appointed Ryan Neubarth to Fire Chief 1, contracted with Nuvera for phone/internet, and approved several other routine items. No items were denied or tabled.
- Approved 2026 budget as presented (all in favor)
- Set 2026 tax levy at $300,000 (all in favor)
- Appointed Ryan Neubarth to Fire Chief 1 effective January 2026 (all in favor)
- Approved contract with Nuvera for phone/internet (all in favor)
- Approved 2026 Emergency Services Contracts for Camden Township (all in favor)
- Approved one-day malt liquor license for GSL Post Prom Committee (all in favor)
- Approved payment of claims totaling $42,000+ (all in favor)
- Approved paying Rachel Scott $15/hour for clerical work (all in favor)
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission approved an amended version of the shipping container ordinance, which had been discussed at the previous meeting. The commission also approved the October meeting minutes and the agenda. The amended ordinance will be presented to the City Council for approval.
- Approved October 21 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved meeting agenda (all in favor)
- Approved amended shipping container ordinance (all in favor)
City Council
The City Council approved the revised Ordinance No. 87, which updates the rural service tax district boundaries to exclude land no longer within city limits, effective after publication. The council also approved several routine items, including claims, contracts, salary increases, and a donation, and discussed various complaints and maintenance issues.
- Adopted revised Ordinance No. 87 (all in favor)
- Approved 2026 Emergency Services Contracts for Bergen, Young America, and Helen Townships (all in favor)
- Approved $1,199.96 donation from Plato Baseball Club for stadium electrical expenses (all in favor)
- Approved public works salary increase to $52,610.48 effective Jan 1, 2026 (all in favor)
- Approved clerk/treasurer hourly rate increase to $32.50 effective Jan 1, 2026 (all in favor)
- Approved claims payment including two invoices from Gavin, Janssen, Stabenow & Moldan (all in favor)
- Approved exempt gambling permit for Panther Boosters Inc. event on Jan 31, 2026 (all in favor)
- Approved reduced community hall rental fee of $175 for GSL fundraising event on Jan 10, 2026 (all in favor)
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission discussed a draft ordinance regulating residential and business shipping containers, made changes, and will review a revised draft at the next meeting before sending it to the City Council. A draft ordinance on solar energy systems was tabled for the November 18 meeting. No final decisions were made on either ordinance.
- Approved agenda for October 21 meeting (unanimous)
- Approved September 16 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Discussed and amended draft shipping container ordinance; revised draft to be reviewed next meeting
- Tabled solar energy system ordinance to November 18 meeting
City Council
The City Council approved the Assessment Policy as presented, entered into a snowplowing contract with Dakota Robinson for the 2025-26 season, and accepted several new fire department members. They also approved a temporary moratorium on shipping containers and solar panels, renewed two certificates of deposit, and approved payment of claims totaling over $60,000.
- Adopted Assessment Policy as presented (all in favor)
- Approved snowplowing contract with Dakota Robinson for 2025-26 (all in favor)
- Declared temporary moratorium on shipping containers and solar panels (Resolution 2025-11, all in favor)
- Approved Cole Stuedeman as new firefighter member (all in favor)
- Approved Scott Graupmann and Brad Droege as Rescue Reserve members (all in favor)
- Approved purchase of 16ft spruce tree for $3,040 and Autumn Blaze Maple for up to $500 (all in favor)
- Renewed two Certificates of Deposit for 6-month term (all in favor)
- Approved payment of claims totaling $60,000+ (all in favor)
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission held its monthly meeting, approving the July minutes and the meeting agenda. Discussions were held on residential and commercial use of solar panels and storage containers, but no formal decisions were made on these topics. The next meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.
- Approved July 15 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved meeting agenda (all in favor)
- Adjourned meeting at 7:35 p.m. (all in favor)
City Council
The City Council approved the 2026 preliminary levy of $316,420, allocated across general, sewer, and water funds. They also accepted a tree service quote for $11,000, approved claims and the treasurer's report, and tabled action on an assessment policy. No other major decisions were made; several items were discussed or deferred.
- Set 2026 preliminary levy at $316,420 (General $266,420, Sewer $30,000, Water $20,000) (all in favor)
- Accepted L&E Tree Service quote for $11,000 for tree removal/trimming (all in favor)
- Approved claims payment as listed, including interim claims (all in favor)
- Approved Treasurer's Report (all in favor)
- Approved minutes of August 11 regular and August 28 special closed meetings (all in favor)
- Tabled assessment policy adoption to next meeting
- Approved agenda as presented (all in favor)
City Council
The Plato City Council adopted the Plato Comprehensive Plan as presented and approved new variance/CUP/zoning request procedures with a $50 application fee. The council accepted a $9,613.24 donation from the Plato Lions for park improvements and approved a $6,500 street repair bid from MP Asphalt. Council also approved electrical power and lights for the new open shelter and accepted the treasurer's report and claims. The city was notified that the Assistant County Attorney will not bring charges in the December 2, 2024 Well House vandalism.
- Adopted the Plato Comprehensive Plan as presented (all in favor)
- Adopted revised variance/CUP/zoning request procedures (all in favor)
- Implemented a $50 fee to process a zoning application request (all in favor)
- Accepted $9,613.24 donation from Plato Lions for park improvements (all in favor)
- Approved MP Asphalt street repair bid of $6,500 (all in favor)
- Approved lights/electrical power to new open shelter as discussed (all in favor)
- Approved Treasurer's Report and payment of listed claims (all in favor)
- Approved Public Works Director time off Aug 21-22 (approved)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Neil Engelmann to construct an accessory building at 604 1st St. NE, exceeding the 1,000 sq ft allowance. Final approval will be made by the City Council in July. The commission also discussed a draft procedure document and tabled the 2025 Comprehensive Plan review for the July 15 meeting.
- Approved May 20 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved June 17 agenda (all in favor)
- Granted conditional use permit for accessory building at 604 1st St. NE (vote not recorded)
- Tabled 2025 Comprehensive Plan review to July 15 meeting
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission approved Dan Trukki's application for a detached accessory building. Neil Engelmann's application for a similar building was discussed but requires a conditional use permit due to size limits, so a public hearing was scheduled for June 17. The meeting minutes and agenda were approved unanimously.
- Approved April 15 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Approved Dan Trukki's detached accessory building application (motion by TB, second by KP)
- Scheduled public hearing for Neil Engelmann's accessory building application on June 17
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of Jason Schroeder's conditional use permit (CUP) to build a shed on the southeast corner of his north parcel. The recommendation includes provisions on shed size, setbacks, and code compliance, and will be forwarded to the City Council for final determination on May 12. The meeting was otherwise procedural, approving the agenda and prior minutes.
- Approved meeting agenda (all in favor)
- Approved March 18 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Recommended approval of Schroeder CUP for shed with provisions (all members voting in favor)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission reviewed a land use permit application from Jason Schroeder to build an accessory building. The commission determined a conditional use permit is required. A public hearing will be scheduled for the next meeting if the applicant pays the required fee.
- Approved the meeting agenda
- Approved February 18 meeting minutes
Planning Commission
The Plato Planning Commission met on February 18, 2025, and approved the agenda and January minutes. No projects were reviewed, but two projects are in progress. The commission reviewed Ordinances 154.115, 154.130, and 154.131, with no formal decisions made.
- Approved meeting agenda (all in favor)
- Approved January 21 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Reviewed Ordinances 154.115, 154.130, and 154.131 (no action taken)