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Madelia City Council approves 10% tax levy increase, backs bridge grant pursuit and OKs $195,508.96 street pay request
Summary
At its Dec. 9, 2024 meeting the Madelia City Council adopted a 10% tax levy increase to fund a $823,000 general fund and $90,000 debt service levy, approved several routine resolutions including support for a historic bridge grant, confirmed fire department officer appointments and authorized a $195,508.96 pay request for street work.
Chair Cody Eager called the Madelia City Council to order on Dec. 9, 2024, and the council moved through routine business, approving a package of consent items and several resolutions affecting city finances, public safety staffing and infrastructure.
The council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2024-25, establishing the 2025 tax levy at $913,000 — $823,000 for the general fund and $90,000 for debt service — a 10.0% increase from the preliminary levy. Councilmember Glen Christensen made the motion, which was seconded by Councilmember Andy Gappa and carried on recorded unanimous votes.
In the same meeting the council approved multiple other routine resolutions and actions. By unanimous vote the council approved Resolution 2024-26 authorizing St. Mary’s Parish Bingo and Raffle on Jan. 26, 2025; Resolution 2024-27 supporting the Watonwan County Engineer in pursuing grants for Historic Bridge 6527 over the Watonwan River (southwest Madelia); and Resolution 2024-28 authorizing a permanent utility easement acquisition at 514 Center Avenue South (parcel 17.027.0800).
On personnel matters, the council approved the slate of 2025 Madelia Fire Department officers: Chief John Tierney; 1st Assistant Chief Cody Eager; 2nd Assistant Chief Josh Schoener; Safety and Training Captain Mark Slater; Secretary Travis Bottelson; Captain Jon Gappa (two-year term, year two of that term); and Captain Grant Halverson (new two-year term). The appointment motion was made by Councilmember Andy Gappa and seconded by Phyllis Schickling; Mark Slater and Cody Eager recorded abstentions on that vote, and the motion passed with the other councilmembers voting in favor.
The council authorized Pay Request No. 1 to WW Blacktopping in the amount of $195,508.96 for storm sewer and back-alley work behind City Hall and the first layer on the alley by Wells #4 and #6. City staff reported the project is approximately 50 percent complete. The pay request motion was moved by Councilmember Andy Gappa, seconded by Glen Christensen, and passed unanimously.
Council also accepted the resignations (retirement) of Don Smith and John Watts from the Madelia Fire Department by unanimous motion.
The meeting briefly recessed into a closed session and then reconvened. With no further business, the council adjourned. City Administrator Chris Fischer later certified the typed minutes on Dec. 10, 2024 and noted that meeting videos are available at Madelia City Hall and control over any discrepancy with the typed minutes.
Votes at a glance
- Consent items (checks/claims): Approved. Motion: Mark Slater; Second: Phyllis Schickling. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Resolution 2024-25 (2025 tax levy – $913,000 total; General $823,000; Debt $90,000): Motion: Glen Christensen; Second: Andy Gappa. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Resolution 2024-26 (St. Mary’s Parish Bingo & Raffle Jan. 26, 2025): Motion: Mark Slater; Second: Glen Christensen. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Resolution 2024-27 (Support for Historic Bridge 6527 grant pursuit): Motion: Glen Christensen; Second: Phyllis Schickling. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Resolution 2024-28 (Utility easement at 514 Center Ave S, parcel 17.027.0800): Motion: Andy Gappa; Second: Glen Christensen. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Fire department officer appointments (2025 slate): Motion: Andy Gappa; Second: Phyllis Schickling. Outcome: Approved (3 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain). - Pay Request No. 1 to WW Blacktopping ($195,508.96): Motion: Andy Gappa; Second: Glen Christensen. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Acceptance of resignations (Don Smith; John Watts): Motion: Glen Christensen; Second: Andy Gappa. Outcome: Approved (5-0). - Adjournment: Motion: Glen Christensen; Second: Mark Slater. Outcome: Approved (5-0).
The meeting record lists attending councilmembers Cody Eager, Mark Slater, Andy Gappa, Glen Christensen and Phyllis Schickling; City Administrator Chris Fischer and several staff and guests (including students from Patti Wovcha’s fifth-grade art class at Madelia Elementary) were present. The agenda included a claims/checks register totaling $333,307.55; specific vendor payments recorded in the register include a $49,422.72 payment to Reihs Farms and a $33,856.37 payment to Madelia Light & Power.
The council noted the WW Blacktopping contract work sits at about 50 percent completion at the time of Pay Request No. 1. The typed minutes were certified Dec. 10, 2024; video of the meeting is available for review at Madelia City Hall and supersedes the typed minutes in case of any discrepancy.
