Council hears about power lines, liquor sales

During the Waseca city council meeting the evening of Tuesday, March 3, council members heard from Anna Thill and Zach Rogers, representing Xcel energy. The two summarized a project underway in town where poles are being replaced with either new wooden or steel poles. Thill explained the project’s purpose is simply to replace the poles; the voltage being transmitted will remain the same. 

 

Work is already underway along 14th Street and is expected to continue into the summer. Thill also reported that letters summarizing the project were already sent to all residences located within 100 feet of the work area. When asked by council members whether work crews would be cutting or trimming trees located on private property, Thill stated confidently that that wouldn’t be happening.

 

Coborn’s/Cashwise Liquor was fined $750 for two instances of underage sales which occurred there in the past year. An employee has been charged with the sales and pleaded guilty. Two representatives from the company appeared at the council meeting, vice president of legal operations Kristi Shulty, and asset protection manager K.J. Harnack. 

 

The two stated a commitment to carry out 24 internal “sting” operations at the Waseca store in the next year, with underage individuals going in to attempt purchasing either alcohol or tobacco products. Based on that assurance, the council imposed the $750 fine, but did not rescind the company’s license, a step it could have taken based on city ordinance.

 

Kevin Lee and Terry Nelson presented on behalf of North Memorial Ambulance, providing statistics and information on area operations, which cover not only Waseca County, but also both Faribault and New Prague. The agency’s base location is in Waseca at 1508 4th Street NE. Lee and Nelson reported there are two ambulances available 24 hours a day, with employees on two twelve-hour shifts from 5 a.m. through 5 p.m. and also 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. During peak hours there are seven trucks available throughout all locations. Typical 911 response time for Waseca is about 7 minutes, with inter-facility transport at 8 minutes. The two said the company had responded to nearly 1,700 calls from February 2025 to February 2026. 

 

Council members approved a resolution authorizing staff to apply for 2027 federal community grant funds; the hope is that any money received will help jump-start construction of water and sanitary sewer utilities to the West Interchange, or to support projects meant to alleviate inflow and infiltration in city lines. City Manager Carl Sonnenberg said various local agencies have submitted letters of support which will strengthen the applications.

 

The Waseca Fire Department recertified the fire extinguishers at the airport. Specifications for a replacement fuel system there will be sent out soon for bids. Two airport hangar spaces remain available for rent.

 

A new refrigerator and freezer were purchased for the fire department’s onion ring stand at the fairgrounds. Councilwoman Schroeder commended the Sleigh and Cutter committee for a successful parade and commented that the snowfall added a special touch, saying “It was very beautiful.”