Trimont council approves ToolCat purchase, transfers $52,337 to ambulance fund and sells old school lot for $1

Trimont — The Trimont City Council voted on multiple equipment purchases and property actions during its Feb. 18, 2025 meeting at the Trimont Community Building.

The council approved buying a ToolCat, a multipurpose hydraulic utility vehicle described by staff as useful across city departments, in a 4-1 vote; Council Member Brian Krumwiede cast the lone dissenting vote. Council Member Bradford Flohrs moved the purchase and Council Member Justin Lubben seconded. The council also directed Clerk Kelli Harder to obtain updated interest rates from local banks to finance the purchase.

In public-safety budget moves, the council voted unanimously to move $52,337.24 from state emergency ambulance aid into a 4M account earmarked for ambulance expenses. The fire and ambulance report noted that new radios have arrived, the pumper truck returned to service, and the tanker truck requires valve work. Council approved the purchase of a chief’s helmet for firefighter/EMT Nick Swanson (5-0). The minutes indicate grants will cover the ambulance’s Zoll cardiac monitor so the ambulance will not incur extra cost for that equipment.

During procurement decisions, the council approved a $700 bid from Kuehl’s Electric to wire a wastewater wet well heater; the vote was recorded 4-0 with Mayor Kevin Kuehl recorded as abstaining after presenting a letter saying he is no longer a shareholder in Kuehl’s Electric.

On land and permitting matters, the council approved a zoning permit for Richard Ericson at 40 5th Ave SE with a condition that the owner purchase part of a neighboring parcel (5-0). The council approved chicken-keeping permits for Ryan Geistfeld and Kody Schultz (5-0) and renewed a conditional use permit for Lacey Schmidtke for Litle L’s Sweet Treats (5-0). The council also moved forward with a nuisance abatement on Apple Street, accepting an owner’s willingness to sign the property over to the city (motion approved 5-0).

After a closed session to discuss real estate under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. D, the council reopened and approved sale of the city’s old school lot for $1 (motion by Council Member Justin Lubben; second Ronald Shade; 5-0).

The clerk reported the farmland appraisal returned at $8,103 per acre and that the city submitted capital bonding requests for 2025. The council approved sending two council members to “Day at the Capitol” at $99 each and added a $25 fee to the schedule for a Certificate of Assessment (both motions passed 5-0).

Council business concluded with approval of Resolution 2025-02 accepting a $717.37 donation from Fuller's for library use (5-0). The council approved the proposed committee roles and responsibilities as presented by Mayor Kevin Kuehl in a split 3-2 vote; Council Members Bradford Flohrs and Justin Lubben voted no. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - ToolCat purchase — motion passed 4-1 (nay: Council Member Brian Krumwiede). - Transfer $52,337.24 to ambulance 4M account — passed 5-0. - Kuehl’s Electric $700 wet well wiring — passed 4-0; Mayor Kevin Kuehl abstained. - Sale of old school lot for $1 — passed 5-0. - Committees roles/responsibilities — passed 3-2 (nays: Council Members Bradford Flohrs, Justin Lubben).

The council also approved multiple routine permits, training, and repairs; the consent agenda included January financial statements and an itemized list of bills. No community comments were recorded during the meeting.