Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hanska council accepts donations for July 4 event, discusses land for water system and clerk pay rules, approves veterans memorial purchase
Summary
The council approved Resolution #2024-4 accepting donations for the Hanska Fourth of July event, agreed to purchase a veterans memorial display, noted $881.61 remaining in event donations, considered a 14.98-acre land offer for a future water tower, and discussed the impact of a new salaried-employee law on the city clerk position.
HANSKA — At its July 8 meeting the Hanska City Council approved a resolution accepting donations for the city’s Fourth of July event, agreed to buy a veterans memorial display and discussed a possible land purchase for a future water tower and treatment facility.
City Clerk Cinnamon Moldan presented Resolution #2024-4, accepting donations from area residents and businesses for the Hanska Fourth of July event. Councilmember Miller moved to approve the resolution; Councilmember Larson seconded. Roll-call votes listed Larson, Kjelshus, Miller and Geiger as voting Yes and the motion passed. Clerk Moldan reported all event expenses had been paid and $881.61 from donation proceeds remained for use in 2025.
Moldan also reported that Public Works staff had been approached about 14.98 acres of Peterson land that the city is considering for a future water tower and treatment facility. According to the minutes, "Matt from Bolton and Menk" and the City Attorney advised the council that the city could make an offer; Moldan cautioned that applying for a USDA grant could take a couple of years. Councilmembers Geiger and Mayor Daniel Vee said they were unsure whether the city could later sell off portions of the property as lots because the parcels might be too small; Councilmember Miller said she would speak with Peterson about the land.
Clerk Moldan raised a separate administrative issue: a new law taking effect Jan. 1, 2025, that establishes a minimum salary of $58,656.00 for salaried (exempt) employees. Councilmember Geiger said the city could not justify paying the clerk that level and recommended converting the clerk position to hourly pay; Miller suggested trying hourly pay for 2025 and monitoring how other cities respond. The council tabled further action pending additional information from comparable cities and staff.
Mayor Daniel Vee reported on a proposed veterans memorial display featuring 50 small engraved plaques the city could sell for $250 each; the council voted to purchase the main display. Geiger moved to purchase the veterans memorial; Kjelshus seconded. Roll-call votes listed Larson, Kjelshus, Miller and Geiger as Yes and the motion passed.
The meeting closed after routine business and adjournment at 8:03 p.m.
What happens next: Staff will gather additional detail about the Peterson land offer and USDA grant timing, and the council will revisit clerk pay/position status after reviewing comparable municipalities and budget implications.
