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Bellechester tables police contract; council approves multiple building permits and reviews pool, junk rules
Summary
Council tabled a decision on the Goodhue County police contract after a county representative explained rate-setting; the council approved several building permits for private garages, church shingling and a reroof, and directed rewriting the junk ordinance and clarified pool-permit thresholds per state code.
Bellechester’s City Council on Aug. 21 delayed action on a county police contract while approving a batch of local building permits and reviewing local ordinances.
The council was informed that Goodhue County commissioners will re-examine the police-contract figures; the minutes state, 'Sheriff Huneke spoke about how the rates have been determined.' The council tabled a decision on the contract until September.
During new business, the council approved multiple building permits: plans for a two-car garage presented by Nick Huneke (motion by Rich Majerus, second by Mark Gerken; motion carried), a garage for Jesse Fox (motion Rich Majerus, second Jered Buxengard; motion carried), a church shingling permit (motion Rich Majerus, second Mark Gerken; motion carried), and a reroof permit for Treasurer Kyle McKeown (motion Rich Majerus, second Jered Buxengard; motion carried).
The clerk noted guidance on pool permits: under the Minnesota State Building Code, above-ground pools that exceed 5,000 gallons and have a depth of 2 feet or more require a building permit; the county confirmed that interpretation. The minutes also state the junk ordinance will be rewritten over the winter to take effect before next summer. Clerk Lisa Redepenning reported the city’s 2025 Local Government Aid allotment of $30,598 and a Small Cities Assistance allocation of $12,041.
A resident complaint from Tim and Betty Huneke was recorded and noted as addressed during the above discussion, though the minutes do not restate the complaint’s specifics. The meeting concluded with council concern about adding security signs at the can collection area and fencing at the brush pile. The council adjourned at 7:21 (motion Rich Majerus, second Jered Buxengard; motion carried).
Next step: The council will revisit the police-contract figures in September and will draft the revised junk ordinance over the coming months.
