City’s new ladder truck to be shown at state conference

During the Sept. 1 meeting of the Waseca city council, fire chief Jason Forshee shared information about an opportunity to showcase the new fire ladder truck 523 at the Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association conference in Duluth from Oct. 14 to 17. He told council members that, iIf there is an emergency while the truck is gone, the department does have another ladder truck that is for sale which they can use, unless it sells; or they can call on Owatonna for assistance if needed. Three Waseca firemen will drive the truck to Duluth, where the conference insurance will cover the truck as well as provide hotel rooms for the drivers during the conference.

 

Aaron Johnson, director of philanthropy with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) gave a presentation regarding services the organization provided to the Waseca area in the recent past. Johnson reported, “The City of Waseca has donated over $27,000 to SMIF since 2022 and we thank you for your support. SMIF is a regional and philanthropic organization that fosters economic and community vitality in southern Minnesota serving 20 counties, 175 communities and one Native nation.” According to Johnson’s summary, SMIF has provided $355,000 in business loans since 2023 to area companies including Morgan’s Meat Market, Harty’s Manufacturing, Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, Silver Fox Plumbing LLC, and Four Season’s Apparel. He also mentioned 160 hours of technical assistance in 2025. The foundation donated 175 books to NRHEG and 195 books to Waseca County Public Health. SMIF has awarded grants including the $7,500 Small Town Grant to the Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center, and $30,000 to Taylor Rural Improvements Grant to Bethlehem Inn. As he completed his presentation, Johnson requested that the council continue its past annual appropriate to SMIF of $2,000.  

 

Waseca City Planner Jon Froke recommended that the council approve a variance request for Jennifer Chen, owner of the Tasty House Restaurant at 105 17th Ave NE, to extend the company’s parking lot tp allow for more customer and employee parking. The current parking lot is not in the best condition; this would address those issues and repairs as well. City engineer Nate Willy spoke about issues regarding curb and gutter requirements, but the council didn’t see an issue and approved the request. Froke added, “There is some water collection in that parking lot that we would like to see fixed. The owner would like some exceptions made regarding curb and gutter requirements. We are working to reach a compromise to both allow drainage and save cost for the owner.”

 

A request was made to sell previously used fire and police radios and accessories including older radios, batteries, microphones, battery charging stations, and belt holsters. Such equipment is usually replaced every 10 years or so, these were purchased in 2014. All items would be placed in one lot on Minnbid.org for a public high-bid auction sale, with revenue going to the general fund. 

 

In order to keep the Waseca Municipal Airport zoned RR-S (Rural Service District), a conditional use permit needs to be granted. This will allow the airport to be taxed at a township rate, not a city rate. Councilwoman Stacy Schroeder, who serves on the Airport board said, “We need to replace the skydive hangar electrical panel. We also replaced the water heater in the terminal.”

 

The Waseca Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on four separate parcels of land. One parcel was within city limits; the other three were recently annexed into City limits and zoned RR-S. The council will rezone this area from RR-S to I-2 and combine all four parcels into one. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is tax-free property.

 

Waseca Public Safety Chief Kris Markeson will be presenting information about  e-bike and e-scooter rules for Waseca at the Sept. 15 city council meeting; all residents are urged to attend.

 

Councilwoman Schroeder requests, “Please watch out for kids, they are starting school.” She also wanted to point out how well the local 4-H kids are doing, “They did a great job representing us at the State Fair.”

 

Councilman Christiansen added, “Hopefully we get some rain, so people can mow. Let’s clean up our city, it will bring jobs and new residents. We need to take care of our properties, especially those properties along the main drag.”