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Council discusses feral cat relocations, drops Fest Building appraisal and reviews housing-site options and pedestrian-safety plan
Summary
Spring Grove leaders reviewed an animal-control update, canceled a planned Fest Building appraisal after appraisal estimates exceeded a buyer’s price, and heard staff updates on potential housing concepts for city-owned land and a pedestrian-activated flashing-light crossing study for Main and Division.
Spring Grove city leaders on Oct. 15 reviewed an animal-control report, voted to cancel a formal appraisal of the Fest Building and discussed redistributing remaining housing-design grant funds to city-owned land near the Fest Building, according to official minutes.
Animal Control Officer Isaak Solum reported he had trapped and relocated nine cats, three opossums and one raccoon to local farms or countryside. Mayor Saundra Solum said she was concerned that removing too many cats could result in increased mice and rats and recommended moving traps to the northwest side of town for the next month; the council approved the invoices submitted by Isaak Solum for his services and agreed to revisit the issue.
On the Fest Building, Mayor Saundra Solum described preliminary appraisal figures that were higher than RockFilter Distillery’s purchasing threshold. Council Member Trent Turner moved to cancel the planned formal appraisal; Council Member Michael Hagen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Solum also updated the council about remaining grant funds originally used to hire architect Miranda Moen to design housing at a former motel site now owned by the school. The city proposed redirecting Moen’s work to develop conceptual housing plans for city-owned land near the Fest Building and community garden; Mayor Solum emphasized the discussion was exploratory and did not signal imminent development.
On pedestrian safety, Jana Elton said she is working with MnDOT to improve the Division and Main Street intersection and described a recommended RRFB (pedestrian-activated flashing-light) system in which a pedestrian presses a button and blinking lights alert drivers. Elton said most funding for the project is already budgeted and the city is exploring grants to cover remaining costs.
City staff also noted a final pay request from contractor Zenke Inc. for the 1st Street SW reconstruction and reminded the council the city retains a two-year maintenance bond to address any defects after completion. The Houston County Sheriff’s quarterly statistics were reviewed by Mayor Solum and Elton; the council had no follow-up questions.
The council did not receive any public comments during the open-forum portion of the meeting and adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
