‘25 levy approved, tax abatement to sunset, Pioneer designated as legal newspaper

The Waseca City Council approved its new tax levy, agreed to let the tax abatement program for new home builders sunset, and also designated the Waseca County Pioneer as the city’s newspaper of choice for 2025 legal notices during its final meeting of 2024.

A final levy amount of $5,834,662 was approved for 2025, about a 4.4% increase from ‘24. Also approved were 2025 budgets for both the city and the economic development authority (EDA). 

A long discussion about the city tax abatement program resulted in consensus among council members it should not be renewed. 

“What do surrounding communities do?” Councilor Stacey Schroeder asked. “I sent out emails and made calls.

“New Prague does not offer such a program… St. Peter does not. Mankato does not and has not for a long time,” Schroeder continued. “Montgomery doesn’t. Their city manager said people decide to build based on the cost of living… People wanting to build are going to want to build because they want a house they want. They’re not looking for incentive to build from a tax abatement.” 

All councilors were in agreement homeowners in Waseca should be incentivized to make visible home improvements. Council members agreed a future work session should be dedicated to the topic.  

Council members unanimously approved the Waseca County Pioneer as the city’s designated  publication for legal notices in 2025. 

“Seeing the amount of people who have a copy in their hands compared to the other [newspaper] speaks for itself,” Schroeder said. 

Development Manager for Rebound Real Estate, Marc Basara, provided a brief Marketplace Development update.

Investors in the project, a 36-unit apartment structure to be located in Waseca between the Walmart store and the high school, hope to break ground in early May of 2025. 

The council agreed not to renew a rental license to Mike Nelson, property owner  at 717 Second Avenue NE after Waseca Police responded to repeated calls for service in 2024. At least seven calls were received; drug activity, disturbances and assault are suspected. Violation letters for incidents in April, June and July were sent to the landlord. Nelson responded to the letters but took no other action. The council also imposed a $250 fine and determined not to renew the license for the property until it comes into satisfactory compliance with city code. 

A “lot of work” went into the Airport Hangar Commercial Lease agreement for 2025. Approximately $5,300 in lease revenue will be received this year from three commercial T-hangar spaces. The lease agreement was approved by the council.

The council decided against approving a new name recognition for the basketball court at Clear Lake Park until the city has a ‘naming policy’ in place. In honor of Malik and Kyreese Willingham, 2019 and 2021 Waseca High School graduates, and state champions, the park board approved recommendation to the council that the court be renamed, “Willingham Community Court.” 

“I know the people involved with this process have been diligent and patient,” Mayor Randy Zimmerman stated. “I hope they can just be patient a little bit longer.”

“I think it would be wonderful to name this basketball court,” councilor Schroeder stated. “It’s deserving. 

“I witnessed what these two boys did at that court,” Zimmerman added. “If anyone spent more time there than them, I’d beg to differ.”

The council hopes to approve the name before spring. 

Ann Fitch spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and thanked the city for its collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce during her time as executive director. 

“An absolute dream to work with the staff,” she said. “Thank you so much for everything you've given to the city and the Chamber.”

As a token of her appreciation, Fitch donated $500, personally, to city snow plow drivers.

“What they do is so important and often overlooked,” Fitch said. “They get in their trucks at all hours of the day and night… This is my way of saying thank you.

“Even though I’ll be done at the end of the year, I plan to be an even more engaged citizen,” Fitch concluded. “I’m sorry council, I'll have even more time to be an engaged citizen in my community. Thank you.”

Councilor Mark Christiansen said he wanted to thank Ann for her years of service with the Chamber. 

“Six short years,” Christiansen stated. “It feels like just a couple weeks ago she was up here [as a member of the council.]”

Serving as a councilor for the final time was John Mansfield who chose not to seek re-election and whose term has come to an end. 

Mansfield was presented with a plaque and thanked, not only by his colleagues, but by some of those in attendance. 

“I know we’re not supposed to single anyone out during the public comment portion,” Deb Dobberstein told the council. “But I want to single out somebody. John has been a very good councilman. He votes for common sense. Steps up for the rights of the taxpayers and does an awesome job. We’re going to miss you. Good luck to you.”

Councilor Jeremy Conrath thanked Mansfield for his service to the council. 

“We’ll miss you,” he added.

Mayor Zimmerman presented Mansfield with a plaque commemorating his service to Waseca from January 2021 until December 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.