First for Zimmerman

Newly installed mayor Randy Zimmerman presided over his first city council meeting Tuesday evening. ConAgra is looking to expand its operations to year-round; a new Waseca resident in the process of opening a coffee shop is facing a roadblock from MnDOT; and two members of the planning commission resigned. 

Jeff Kraimer, plant manager at ConAgra, gave a presentation depicting how, and why they would like to expand to year-round operations. The “win-win” scenario he described would require the city to authorize use of the city’s wastewater treatment facility. In exchange ConAgra would pay an industrial user fee. The council authorized staff to move forward with ConAgra in order to put together an official proposal. 

New Waseca resident Taylor Gates is building a coffee shop in the property adjacent to Farm Bureau Insurance at 1005 North State St. “I just want to make you aware that MnDOT is putting your community at risk.” 

What Gates referred to was MnDOT’s refusal to allow a safe exit point from the location of the soon-to-be-built coffee shop. MnDOT’s proposed solution was to allow for an exit off of Eleventh Street. “His (MnDOT’s) (proposed) solution will jeopardize the safety of the citizens of Waseca,” Gates pleaded.

Gates said more than once that the city has been very good to work with and 100% accommodating. His frustration is with MnDOT and his comments really were intended as a call for help from the council to assist him in his talks with the agency. 

No action was taken, but more than one council member talked with Gates after the meeting.

Mike Tate and Tom Glaser both resigned from the Planning Commission. One resigned for work-related reasons; the other because he is involved in other city activities. Persons interested in joining the commission are encouraged to contact city hall. 

The council approved a release of a request for proposals for the design of the Eighth Avenue NE reconstruction project, which will be paid for jointly by the city and county. A grant of $500,000 was applied for; the council will learn whether it will be receiving the grant sometime in March. The proposed project includes sidewalks along the north and south sides of Eighth Avenue, the location of the Waseca County Fair and paving a .6 mile stretch of county highway with concrete. Also planned are sanitary sewer piping; a municipal lift station, and other sewer related improvements. Total cost for the bike trail/sidewalk project is about $685,000, the bulk of which could be covered by the hoped-for grant. 

The council discussed the project at length, including which agency will be responsible for snow removal and lighting on the sidewalk.  Snow removal falls on the city, which bills the county at the end of the year. Lighting is covered in the grant. The city is 100% responsible for the utilities, other costs are really up for discussion. Four different engineers, Stantec, Bolton & Menk, Widseth, and Stonebrooke were invited to submit proposals from the feasibility study. 

The project is not likely to be bid out for another year. 

The Law Enforcement Labor Services Union Contract and letter of agreement for 2023-’25 was approved. Changes include a 3% cost of living increase for each of the three years, and a “health insurance reopener” at the end of ‘24, and ‘25. 

“I want to make sure our officers are well taken care of,” councilman Ebertowski expressed. 

“Everything was cooperatively agreed to,” interim city manager Carl Sonnenburg answered. 

Council members had a somewhat lengthy discussion about how they would like to improve the contract in order to benefit the union. They also agreed to look into the possibility of having a council member sit in on future negotiations. 

The consent agenda was approved and included meeting minutes from January 3; payroll and expenditures; MnDot contract agreement allowing the city to accept federal aid through the state. 

Council members John Mansfield, Jimmy Ebertowski, Stacey Schroeder, Daren Arndt, Jeremy Conrath, Mark Christansen, and Mayor Randy Zimmerman were appointed to the following boards and commissions: Airport board: Schroeder; Charter Commission: Mansfield; EDA: Zimmerman, Mansfield; Heritage Preservation Committee: Ebertowski; Park Board: Christiansen; Planning Commission: Arndt; Fire Relief Association: Conrath; Community Education Advisory Board: Christiansen; Region 9: Ebertowski; Discover Waseca Tourism Board: Conrath, Schroeder. 

An ordinance was approved for Warehouse Storage LLC, allowing the company to sell  three accessory structures at the property of 1340 State St. S to D&M Body shop.

Final payment was authorized for the sanitary sewer lining project completed by Hydro-Klean, LLC. 

The council authorized the Waseca Fire Department to replace the 1977 tanker using grant money along with money from area rural fire departments. 

The council accepted a tariff report, a state mandated filing on solar electric rates. 

About 4.5 acres of land owned by the airport has been farmed by Wayne O’Conner for an unknown period of time estimated at between 10-15 years. A lease was approved between the two parties. O’Conner, out of good faith, without being asked, paid for the equivalent of last year’s rent as well. Council member Conrath asked about “back pay” and was ignored by council members. The lease agreement was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion at Conrath’s urging. He ultimately voted alongside everyone else to approve the lease agreement at a cost of $350 an acre with an automatic renewal process (with cost review.) 

The city manager’s report included only one item: the Loon Lake aerator is turned on and residents are warned to be careful of thin ice.

Tina Wilson shared details of an exciting grant opportunity from the National Parks Department. The possible grant could expand the city’s historic downtown walking tour to a potential 20 sites. A grant of $15,000 is sought, but the group needs about a $5,000 cash match. 

It was shared that only Trowbridge Park will be available for Ice Skating this winter. 

On February 19, Dreamcatchers, will return with their large kite display to Waseca. 

Mayor Zimmerman shared he is meeting with Senator Jasiniski at the end of the week to talk about how the state's budget surplus can help Waseca. 

A work session was scheduled for Jan. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss the council’s goals for the year. The decision came after a strong attempt by Zimmerman to make the meeting more informal, off site, with food. His goal was for a longer goal session, but the group ultimately settled for a formal work session at the end of the month. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.