Silverlake public meetings in 2025
20 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council unanimously approved Change Order #4, authorizing drilling a new well and adding permanent chemical feeds to Well No. 1 at a cost of $348,808.39. The change order was revised from an earlier $389,560.36 estimate, saving about $40,750. The council also reviewed preliminary plans for Main Street improvements from Grove Ave to Century Lane, with a 30% design review scheduled for December 18 and an open house tentatively planned for mid-January.
- Approved Change Order #4 for well drilling and chemical feeds at $348,808.39 (unanimous)
- Reviewed preliminary Main Street layout from Grove Ave to Century Lane (no action taken)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council unanimously approved moving forward with design for a new well (Exhibit K Amendment #2) and decided not to close on a $2,000,000 temporary financing loan. They also approved several contracts, including water tower coating and snow removal, and passed resolutions on grant funding, credit cards, and utility assessments.
- Approved Exhibit K Amendment #2 for new well design (unanimous)
- Declined to close on $2,000,000 temporary financing loan (unanimous)
- Approved Central Tank water tower coating bid not to exceed $55,850 (unanimous)
- Approved Borka Excavating for snow removal at $125/hour/truck (unanimous)
- Approved three-year fire officer appointments: Kyle Wawryzniak, Tim Grenke, Mitchell Thompson, Tyler Kosek (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of auditorium refrigerator not to exceed $2,638.40 (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of Alto-Shaam Vector H3 multi-cook unit not to exceed $13,232.72 (unanimous)
- Approved zoning ordinance amendment on cannabis with 500-foot boundaries (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-28, authorizing a $2,000,000 temporary general obligation utility revenue note (Series 2025C) with a 5.15% interest rate, maturing November 1, 2028. The council also tabled Change Order No. 4 for drilling a new well and adding chemical feeds to Well No. 1, along with the related SEH fee amendment, until the November 17, 2025 meeting. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved Resolution 25-28 for $2,000,000 utility revenue note (unanimous)
- Tabled Change Order No. 4 for well drilling and chemical feeds until Nov 17, 2025 (unanimous)
- Tabled SEH fee amendment for well design until Nov 17, 2025 (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council unanimously declared a vacancy for the Deputy Clerk position effective October 10, 2025, and discussed filling it. They reviewed an advertisement for the position and established a hiring committee consisting of Mayor Bebo, Councilor Jacobs, and City Clerk Pedersen. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Declared Deputy Clerk vacancy effective October 10, 2025 (unanimous)
- Established hiring committee: Mayor Bebo, Councilor Jacobs, City Clerk Pedersen (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council approved a 2026 preliminary tax levy of $709,796, a 9.79% increase, and set the Truth in Taxation hearing for December 15, 2025. The council also approved several contracts, including sludge reduction work, pool filter replacement, and a PERA benefit increase for firefighters. A new fire chief and a part-time office hire were also approved.
- Approved 2026 preliminary levy of $709,796 (9.79% increase) (unanimous)
- Set Truth in Taxation hearing for Dec 15, 2025 at 6:00pm (unanimous)
- Approved Fergus Power Pump sludge agitation, not-to-exceed $6,350 (unanimous)
- Approved Team Labs sludge treatment, not-to-exceed $17,250 (unanimous)
- Approved Aqua Logic pool filter replacement, not-to-exceed $8,500 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-20 increasing fire PERA benefit, requiring $3,795 contribution (unanimous)
- Appointed Keith Anderson as Fire Chief 3 for term 9/16/2025-12/31/2026 (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Roxanne Chrast as part-time office help at $14.42/hr (unanimous)
City Council
The council approved a rezoning request for 120 Main St E from R-1 to R-2s, with Mayor Bebo opposed, to allow a potential four-unit building. It also approved replotting and rezoning Main Street city lots for two proposed four-plex units, and approved the 2025 Comprehensive Plan. Several other actions were taken, including increasing the comp time limit, removing the cash-only requirement for THC sales, and approving two ambulance staff status changes.
- Approved rezoning of 120 Main St E from R-1 to R-2s (4-1, Mayor Bebo opposed)
- Approved replotting Main Street city lots into two equal lots and moving south lot line six feet (unanimous)
- Approved rezoning Main Street city lots from R-1 to R-2 once replotted (unanimous)
- Approved 2025 Comprehensive Plan as presented (unanimous)
- Approved increase in comp time limit from 24 to 40 hours effective Aug 1, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved removal of 'Cash Only' requirement for THC sales at Municipal Liquor Store (unanimous)
- Approved status change for Stephen Bennett from EMR to EMT effective June 7, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved status change for Trevor Erickson from EMR to EMT effective May 20, 2025 (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning request for 102 Main St E from R-1 Low Density Residential to R-2 High Density Residential, contingent on the owner providing a site plan with parking for the July city council meeting. The commission also declared a vacancy due to Ted Gehring's council appointment and reviewed a subsidy application for city lots.
- Recommended approval of rezoning for 102 Main St E (unanimous)
- Declared vacancy on Planning Commission due to Ted Gehring's council seat
- Reviewed Michael Lipe's building plans and subsidy application for city lots
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council accepted Councilor Jarrett Whitney's resignation and declared a vacancy, approved a $725,927.49 contractor payment for the infrastructure project, and received a clean 2024 audit. Several personnel actions were taken, including pay increases, terminations, and seasonal hires. The SafeBuilt fee schedule was tabled.
- Approved Resolution 25-16 accepting Jarrett Whitney's resignation and declaring council vacancy (unanimous)
- Approved contractor payment of $725,927.49 for infrastructure project (unanimous)
- Approved 12-month review for Jon Ramige with pay increase to $23.24/hr (unanimous)
- Approved 12-month review for Chris Penaz with pay increase to $26.98/hr (unanimous)
- Approved 12-month review for Amanda Sathre with pay increase to $16.01/hr (unanimous)
- Approved termination of Jessica Gutzmann effective immediately (unanimous)
- Approved invoices to Rural Development totaling $1,950,454.18 (unanimous)
- Approved 1-day gambling licenses for Pola-Czesky Days (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Silverlake Planning Commission discussed a proposal by Michael Lipe to build two two-level duplexes on city lots, including a conditional use permit for ground-floor rentals and requests for TIF, fee waivers, and lot replatting, but took no formal action. The commission also reviewed the Public Utilities section of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and agreed to continue section-by-section reviews at future meetings.
- Approved minutes of March 11, 2025 (unanimous)
- Discussed proposed duplex housing on city lots; no action taken
- Reviewed Public Utilities section of 2025 Comprehensive Plan; suggestions to be added for next meeting
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council approved hiring David "Jarrett" Whitney as Municipal Liquor Store Manager at Grade 17 Step 7, $27.65/hour ($57,517/year), with a start date of May 19, 2025, pending background check and drug test. The vote was unanimous. The meeting was procedural and focused solely on this hiring decision.
- Approved hiring Jarrett Whitney as Municipal Liquor Store Manager at Grade 17 Step 7, $27.65/hour ($57,517/year), start date May 19, 2025, pending background check and drug test (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council unanimously approved all agenda items, including two advance agreements with the MN Rural Water Finance Authority for construction loans totaling $15,675,000, and authorized participation in joint powers authority for those loans. The council also approved the purchase of a utility locator for up to $5,780 and the replacement of an air conditioning condenser at the municipal liquor store for up to $4,575.
- Approved purchase of utility locator from Utility Logic, not to exceed $5,780 (unanimous)
- Approved B&C Plumbing & Heating quote for AC condenser replacement, not to exceed $4,575 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-13 authorizing advance agreement with MN Rural Water Finance Authority (unanimous)
- Approved advance agreement for $12,858,000 loan from MN Rural Water Finance Authority (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-14 authorizing advance agreement with MN Rural Water Finance Authority (unanimous)
- Approved advance agreement for $2,817,000 loan from MN Rural Water Finance Authority (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council approved a one-year mosquito control agreement with Clarke Environmental after a motion for an 11-treatment contract with a 2027 extension failed on a 2-2 vote. The council also approved summer pool use, declined a donation of four unbuildable lots, and approved removal of the south goal post for $1,275.
- Approved agenda (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, payroll, and claims (unanimous)
- Approved summer recreation pool use 4-5 Friday mornings 9-11am (unanimous)
- Declined donation of four unbuildable lots on Frank Street (unanimous)
- Failed motion for Clarke Environmental mosquito agreement with 2027 extension (2-2)
- Approved one-year Clarke Environmental mosquito agreement for 11 treatments (unanimous)
- Approved working with McLeod County on CR 92 change order (unanimous)
- Approved Litzau Excavating quote for south goal post removal at $1,275 (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council approved several operational items, including a temporary water billing method for residents affected by the infrastructure project, a $2,594.84 tire replacement for Engine 3, and a switch to Metro-Billing Services for ambulance billing. They also approved the MLS manager job description, a cleaning contract, and a pool fee change. The mosquito control contract was tabled until the next meeting.
- Approved temporary water billing at previous year's same-period rate (unanimous)
- Approved $2,594.84 for Engine 3 tires from Sam's Tire (unanimous)
- Approved terminating Expert Billing effective June 30, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved agreement with Metro-Billing Services effective 4/1/2025 (unanimous)
- Approved updated MLS Manager job description with amendments (unanimous)
- Approved ServiceMaster cleaning quote up to $2,910.00 (unanimous)
- Approved participation in McLeod County aerial photography (unanimous)
- Approved pool fee change: 2 and under free, must be on family pass (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council approved sewer main bids for Thomas Ave, authorized advertising for the sale of the old SCBA compressor system, approved a $5,000 down payment for LED light upgrades on the ambulance, hired EMR Quinton Fisher pending background checks, and approved a contract with Metro-Billing Services for ambulance billing. The council also approved increases in EMT pay rates, a part-time office help position, a gambling permit for Molly's Café, and the 2025 property/casualty insurance premium.
- Approved sewer main bids: Juul Underground LLC $9,100 and Litzau Excavating $10,950 (unanimous)
- Approved advertising for sealed bids for sale of old SCBA compressor system (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 down payment for ambulance LED light upgrades (unanimous)
- Approved hire of EMR Quinton Fisher pending background check and drug screen (unanimous)
- Approved pursuing contract with Metro-Billing Services for ambulance billing (unanimous)
- Approved EMT day pay increase to $6.50/hr effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved EMT night/weekend pay increase to $5.00/hr effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-12 for property/casualty insurance premium not to exceed $33,721 (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Silver Lake Planning Commission tabled a discussion about using city lots for a community garden because the resident who developed the plan was not present. They also reviewed the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, focusing on the Public Services section, and discussed potential zoning ordinance changes related to cannabis. No final decisions were made on the cannabis or comprehensive plan items.
- Tabled community garden discussion until resident Olivia Oster is present (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of February 11, 2025 (unanimous)
- Adjourned meeting at 7:40 pm (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-11, awarding the infrastructure project bid to R&R Excavating in its entirety, including all alternates. They also approved a $180,284 contract with Braun Intertec for construction materials testing, approved new bulk water rates, and made several other administrative decisions.
- Approved Resolution 25-11 accepting R&R Excavating bid for infrastructure project (unanimous)
- Approved Braun Intertec materials testing contract for $180,284 (unanimous)
- Approved bulk water rates: $15/1000 gal inside city, $20/1000 gal outside, $60/month meter rental (unanimous)
- Approved Music in the Park stainless-steel serving table construction (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-09 for Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting on April 7, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 25-10 for workers' comp premiums not to exceed $42,740 (unanimous)
- Approved pay increase for Max Petersen to Grade 11 Step 1 $15.22 (unanimous)
- Appointed Ted Gehring to Planning Commission vacancy (unanimous)
City Council
The Silver Lake City Council held a special meeting to authorize the city attorney to send an email to Rural Development confirming the city will issue a Final Title of Opinion for the project upon completion. The motion passed unanimously. The council also noted that no work can occur on a property before an easement is filed, and if an easement cannot be obtained, a change order would be needed to remove or redesign around the property.
- Authorized city attorney to email Rural Development re: Final Title of Opinion (unanimous)
- Adjourned meeting (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Silverlake Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing for April 15, 2025, to consider rezoning the church property at 102 Main St E from Public/Parochial R-2 to B-1 Central Business for a proposed event center. The commission also unanimously recommended Ted Gehring to fill an open commission seat. Discussions were held on possible uses for city lots, including a community garden and a coffee/ice cream shop, but no decisions were made on those items.
- Scheduled public hearing for rezoning 102 Main St E to B-1 Central Business (April 15, 2025)
- Recommended Ted Gehring to city council for open commission seat (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from January 14, 2025 (unanimous)
City Council
The council unanimously approved a resolution to receive bids for the infrastructure project but did not award the contract. Bids ranged from $12.9 million to $16.5 million base. A workshop is scheduled for February 4 to review affordability. The council also approved several hires and a utility credit.
- Approved Resolution 25-08 receiving bids for infrastructure project (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Madlynn Emery as EMT effective 1/21/2025 (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Alexis Forar Grade 11 Step 0 effective 12/18/2024 (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Adeline Plath Grade 11 Step 0 effective 1/10/2025 (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Finley Sturges Grade 11 Step 0 effective 1/10/2025 (unanimous)
- Declared vacancy on Planning Commission for position held by Ryan McDonald (unanimous)
- Approved utility credit of $257.52 for 1212 Main St W (unanimous)
- Approved compensating Deputy Clerk for MMBA meetings in 2025 (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the 2025 Comprehensive Plan to the city council. They also discussed a possible rezoning inquiry for 102 Main St E, a community garden proposal for 117 E Main Street, and a proposal for LED signs. No final decisions were made on these items.
- Recommended 2025 Comprehensive Plan to city council (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from December 10, 2024 (unanimous)
- Declared a vacancy on the commission