City of Dennison
Meeting Minutes
May 1st, 2025
The May Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Present were Councilors Nichole Schloesser, Caleb Voight, Heidi Cooke, and Diane Ruddle, and clerk Jessica Page.
Councilor Schloesser moved to approve the Meeting Minutes from the April City Council meeting. Councilor Vioght second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Voight moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0.
Goodhue County Sheriff: Asked about whether someone from the Sheriff’sOffice was in town on the afternoon of April 12th. It was requested a week ahead of time, but no one showed up at the event.
Council asked about barricades for the City. If a street is blocked off, call the sheriff so they know. The City can decide what barricades to use. Council gave the Deputy in attendance the dates for Dennison Days.
Todd Greseth:not present
Utilities:
1. Update from Nate via email: First discharge was completed in April. Acid was added as the pH was too high. Nate noted the TSS was high too. Transfer was completed. Nate will sample next week to begin the second discharge. Influent samples were completed last month. Water metes were read.Hydrant flushing, Fluoride and bacti water samples will be done in May. Mowing has started, beginning with the ponds.
2. J Hasse water quality issues. No additional information
3. Estimate from Deutsch Excavating to fix the gate valve box at 374th and Second Avenue. Sawcut, excavate and repair broken riser. No restoration of blacktop concrete = $1,500. To excavate down to box and clean out so it operates = $250 per hour 2 man and machine. Compact in 1 ft lifts. Jeff/Dan/Nate will try to clean it out so you can get a wrench on it to turn it off. Need to fix it. Mayor Flaten move to accept Deutsch Excavating quote of $1,500. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
4. Bill Deutsch asked about fixing the manhole by the elevator (on 376th street west of main streetI). This had been looked at several years ago and was noted that there was some separation of the storm water lines that was causing fill to be washed away and causing the sinking around the manhole. Bill suggested that since this was going to be repaired by Seykora, now might be a good time to check on it and fix if needed. Bill, Dan and Jeff are going to look at it and if needed, Bill will submit a quote before the June meeting. If it needs to be fixed. Council suggested that this project wait until the larger projects all take place.
5. Update on DO meter. DO meter and cable probe have arrived.
Old Business/Committee Reports/Building Permits:
Mike Strese/Joe Pumper want to build a large storage shed. Working with Karl to get easement to use his driveway. Then extend the driveway to his property. Would be a large triangle shape. Average side size is over the requirement and Council is okay. Would be similar to other buildings that are there. Will need to do land split and rezone to Industrial, then do building permit. Jess email land use application documents to Joel Pumper.
Permit submitted from Mark Hanson. To pave a driveway. Doesn’t need a permit. All should be okay per council.
Administrative Issues:
1.Complaint forms for Goodhue Ave. going south of town. Two Complaint forms have been submitted from Kevin Shannon regarding the condition of the gravel road. He noted that the road needs gravel and needs to be graded as there are many potholes. Clerk spoke with clerk from the township and noted that it was graded 6 times last year, with a couple extra trips to address potholes in the road. Gravel is scheduled to be applied this year. 2025 plans are to grade 6 times again this summer, and as needed for potholes, etc. Matt Estrem from Northfield Township was not able to attend the meeting. Clerk send letter to Kevin with actions taken.
It is also time to review the chloride applications to Goodhue Ave. going south and north of town. Last year the City reduced from a 12 foot swath to a 9 foot swath due to increased pricing. Any comments on that reduction? It is usually 600 feet for each side. Cost for 9’ x 600’ ($261 x 2) is $522. Councilor Ruddle move to apply the chloride dust control to Goodhue Ave, both north and south of town, for 600 by 9 feet. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0. Reminder to make sure they put the rock down before the chloride solution goes on.
2. Update regarding the new trees from Goodhue Soil and Water Conversation. They arrived on April 25th. Heidi estimates the City could potentially use 25 (for now and later) on the south side of town. Diane and Heidi will drive around up on the hill and see what can be planted there. Heidi posted on Dennison Facebook page advertising the trees for citizens in town and 35 trees haven been spoken for already. Someone asked Heidi if trees could be made available to rural folks once those in the City get trees? As of May 1, the SWCD has 100 trees that they will donate to the City. Heidi was going to put some information out on those. 50 Hackberry, 25 Birch, and 25 Red Pine. Nichole has 30 cages with stakes. Kevin Helm donated them. When to plant the trees for the City? Council folks will plant trees on Saturday or Sunday. Diane has stakes and ties. With the donation of the extra trees, will open it up to folks outside the City limits.
3. On April 15th, it was reported to the mayor that rock was accidentally delivered to 5th Avenue Way. Kielmeyer delivered 5 loads, almost up to Nichole's place. Mayor talked with Duane England from Warsaw Township about the situation. So, Dewy figures the delivery was about 25 tons per load, at $8.50 a ton = $1,062.00. The City hasn't received a bill for the rock. The road was graded by Bill Deutsch last week. The Nesseth's were wondering if the rest of the road would be rocked? What does the council want to do? Last year, the City rocked 5th Way.
No need to do the back half of the road at this time. City doesn’t feel that we should pay for the rock because the City didn’t order it.
4. Tree removal. The mayor received a verbal quote from John Miner to take down 6 trees in total. 4 pine trees surrounding the Larson house on 376th Street and 2nd Avenue; one on 377th street, across from the well house; and one on 3rd Avenue, across from Justin Cormican's house. Each tree for $450, except for the smaller pine tree on 2nd Avenue on the corner of Larson's place, would be $300 dollars. His work would include cutting down and removing the trees from town. The pine trees on 376th street have a power/service line going through them. The mayor had John call Xcel Energy to find out how they wanted to deal with the power line. Xcel Energy recommended a line drop. We would need to schedule a date with them (Xcel Energy). They are currently running about 4 weeks out. Money coming from the Lions for some projects. (pump house, tree stumps) Councilor Ruddle move to remove the four pines by Larsons, plus the maple tree across from Cormican’s for $2100.00. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0. Will wait for the ash tree to be removed as it is still alive. Mayor will get John’s opinion regarding other trees that would need to come down.
6. Front door and lock at City Hall. It was brought to the mayor's attention that the front door (deadbolt) wasn't working anymore by using the electronic keypad. The mayor checked the keypad and found the electronic mechanism inside the lock didn't move the deadbolt. The front door could still be locked but by moving the deadbolt inside the entry way. The mayor talked with Almen's Lock and Glass about getting a quote to replace the lock on the front door with a regular deadbolt and cutting 6 extra keys. His verbal quote would include a $75.00 service fee and $70 for the lock and making extra keys. Written quote sent today is for $180. If we wanted to replace the existing Schlage Electronic Keyless Entry Door Lock, Keypad Deadbolt, the mayor found similar products on Amazon for $104 and The Home Depot for $109. The day the mayor happened to be looking at the front door, Councilor Ruddle mentioned the only reason we went with the keyless door lock was to allow the fire department access to the medical cabinet, which isn't there anymore.
Councilor Ruddle move to hire Almens to replace the lock on the front door and have him key the locks to the back door. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0.
7. Mayor is asking the council to approve setting up a charge account at Menards in Dundas. Most of the surrounding communities have charge accounts there. It would be helpful when we have projects and need supplies. The City doesn't have to pay sales tax and we could avoid the hassle with that, too. Would need to determine who can charge there also. Council agreed on Nate, Dan, Jess, and Jeff for folks on the list. Councilor Schloesser move to open the charge account from Menard’s with the four individuals as signers on the account. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
8. Caleb built 2 wood barricades that are 8’-0” long. There had been talk at the last meeting of possible purchasing the rail that goes in between the two A frames, the cost being around $63 plus shipping. Caleb is suggesting buying orange paint (approx. $60) and reflective tape (approx. $15). Caleb noted that the materials so far have cost $0. Councilor Schloesser move to have Caleb buy the paint and tape to finish the barricades. Councilor Voight second. Motion passed 5:0.
9. City Attorney was contacted about the Cannabis Ordinance as it was noted that it only mentioned the contract with Goodhue County. Brittany felt that it would be ok to stand as is and didn’t need to be corrected to include Rice County.
10. There are issues with the siren not sounding during the last severe storm, and most likely during the severe weather awareness soundings earlier in April. Jeff contacted Earl Merchlewitz regarding the siren. Siren didn’t work for recent severe weather. City doesn’t want to keep having them come look at the siren and say it works, and then it doesn’t work. Try to get us on the schedule. Councilor Schloesser move to reach out to Amcon to fix the siren if it doesn’t work on Wednesday’s test cycle. Mayor Flaten second. Motion passed 5:0.
If it is broken, are there alternate warning methods. Code Red for cell phones is one.
11. 11 gray chairs returned from Bebees’ on 4-26-2025. Most chairs have been gone for a bit and are currently at the Event Center. Review forms for those folks who let people take chairs/tables out. Other discussion?
12. Ducks Unlimited would like to do a Bingo event and a raffle at the Event Center in June. Need to approve Resolution 5-2025-01. Councilor Ruddle move to adopt Resolution 5-2025-01 to allow Charitable gambling to occur at the Ducks Unlimited event on June 14th. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0.
13. Arpa Funds formally obligated in the annual ARPA reporting for the City that was due by April 30th.
14. Bill Deutsch reported to the mayor that several trees in town are overhanging the city streets and would like to see them trimmed (an Oak tree on 376th street, in particular). He would also like to see the encroaching brush/trees on 5th Avenue Way, in the area close to the first house on the west side of the road, be re-moved. Mayor Flaten will go out with Bill to see what needs to be pulled.
15. Northfield Township told Bill Deutsch that there is a plugged culvert, inlet side (east side), full of cornstalk material, on Goodhue Avenue South, about 75 feet North of the 30 mile sign. Bill figures it will cost about $300 to unplug that. Councilor Schloesser move to have Bill unplug the culvert. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 5:0.
16. What will be the focus of the first work session on the 19th? Leave definitions for later. Review the differ-ent zones. Possibly use Northfield to compare.
Citizens Issues:
Portable toilet (handicapped accessable one) for the park? Councilor Schloesser move to get one for May through September. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Schloesser move to pay the bills. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Cooke moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion was adjourned at 8:58 pm.
Next meeting: Regular meeting is Thursday, June 5th, 2025 at 7:00.
Work group on Monday May 19th at 6:00 pm.
