Public comment dominates discussion

“This is your city hall,” Waseca Mayor Roy Srp proclaimed during the regular meeting of the Waseca City Council Tuesday, October 4.

More than a half dozen residents addressed the council during the public comment portion of the meeting. Most of the discussion centered around the THC moratorium and comments regarding “Dime Bag Dave,” made by council member John Mansfield. An article detailing these interactions can be found on the front page of this week’s Pioneer. 

First addressing the council, however, were Grant Whissemore and Audra Veroeven regarding the Memorial Day program and the 4-way stop located at the intersection of 4th street and 7th street, by Tink Larson field, respectively. 

Whissemore asked the council to, for the first time in more than five years, voluntarily support the Memorial Day program financially.

After Whissemore’s impassioned address, the council unanimously approved appropriating $1,000 in the 2023 budget toward the event. Whissemore had not initially specified an amount, but mentioned many expenses including $350 for insurance, $385 for flags, and $400 for “markers.” The program typically has an attendance of anywhere from 200 to 400 people, he said. 

Audra Veroeven expressed concerns regarding the newly instituted 4-way stop which replaced a 3-way stop next to Tink Larson field.  “Are you familiar with heavy duty vehicles?” she asked, suggesting that the slow starting speed of large vehicles could create a difficulty. “Even a little slippage, and we're gonna have 11 buses lined up and stuck on that hill.” 

Veroeven also expressed frustrations with the parking zone along the 4-way stop because, when buses meet one another going opposite directions, they take up much of the width of the road. 

The council agreed a study session should be scheduled in the near future, given that winter is right around the corner. 

State representative and Waseca resident John Petersburg provided an update to the council regarding his past year representing Waseca in St. Paul. An article detailing his presentation, along with reactions shared by council members, will be printed in next week’s edition of the Pioneer. 

Vanessa Jensen gave a presentation on behalf of Junior Achievement, an organization which serves nearly every school across Waseca County. More than 500 students in Waseca alone took part in the program last year, along with 22 volunteer teachers and professionals. 

The council’s consent agenda was approved, including payroll expedictures, a residential tax abatement, and payments to Met-Con Construction for the Clear Lake Park Improvement project, and to Hydro-Klean LLC for sanitary sewer maintenance and manhole rehabilitation. 

In the action agenda, the council talked about and approved an extension to the tax abatement program for residents wishing to build a home valued under $500,000 in the city of Waseca. Also approved was an abatement for water and sewer line costs of $2330 to such properties built under the previous abatement.

Final payment on street repairs on 8th street were approved with one “no” vote from Council member Mansfield who was dissatisfied with the quality of line painting. Another source of contention was that the reconstruction project came in $51,000 over the original estimate because the Minnesota Department of Transportation required that some of the curbs be 6 inches tall rather than the originally planned 4 inches. 

Waseca Airport has a new contract with Langer Aviation, unanimously approved by the airport board. The council was pleased to welcome Brent Langer, who was present at the meeting. The three-year contract becomes effective January 1, 2023, and has a clause for automatic renewal for another two years. The $3,800 monthly payment to Langer Aviation will be higher than in previous agreements, but the amount is still within the airport’s budget. An increase of 10 cents per gallon on fueling expenses was also talked about. Langer’s long-term plan is to move to Waseca from his current home in Owatonna. 

In reports, city manager Lee Mattson talked about a 15.5% increase in city energy costs, which will require an adjustment in the 2023 budget. Grating is almost done at Johnson Pavilion at Clear Lake Park and the hope is it will be done in time for sledding. The Waseca Fire department is looking for volunteer, unpaid firefighters to be on call. In the past they have had between 3 and 5 volunteers. Interested persons are encouraged to contact City Hall or the fire department.

Mayor Srp provided a spirited update regarding the Waseca Heritage Preservation committee. A statewide conference, essentially a giant history show, will be in Mankato next year. Dan Forest was also approved to be the committee’s new vice chair. The board is also looking into participating with Waseca’s school history day. 

The park board will be meeting at 5 p.m. Oct. 18 to discuss the park project, and what the city should add, either a Frisbee golf course, for example, or something else. The downtown walkway is a safety hazard and an eyesore according to council member Ted Conrath; he advocated for a future discussion regarding the surface.

Halloween will be observed October 29 at the Waseca dog park from noon to 3 p.m., and will feature a bake sale for both people and pets. Park facilities will continue to be winterized and bathrooms will be shut down by the end of October. A revitalization project has been completed at Clear Lake West, by the Boathouse. A beautiful new walkway is in place and residents are encouraged to check it out.

New fryers are in for Waseca’s Fire Relief board, and there will be, in the coming weeks, a drive-through fundraiser event where onion rings will be for sale for a good cause. 

On October 29 will be a $35 Halloween-themed event at the Waseca Art Center, including a live band and auction. 

A concern was raised regarding vehicles parked on grass. The city policy explained that this is a complaint-based ordinance, so, in order for the city to do something, a complaint needs to be submitted to city hall. 

The city ordinance regarding sale of alcohol before 10 a.m. appears to have not been enforced last Sunday during the Vikings early football game. Warnings were given out, if the ordinance was in fact ignored. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.