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Caledonia council keeps municipal tort limits, approves $7,400 soil conditioner purchase
Summary
At its March 10 meeting, the Caledonia City Council voted not to waive statutory municipal tort limits and approved purchase of a soil conditioner from Caledonia Implement for $7,400 (one abstention); council also received City Day on the Hill updates and routine public works and clerk reports.
The Caledonia City Council on March 10 voted not to waive the state municipal tort limits and approved the purchase of a soil conditioner for $7,400, while receiving updates on public works and state legislation.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson introduced the recommended Property & Liability Insurance renewal through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust and explained the annual decision whether to waive municipal tort limits — a statutory cap on recoverable damages for individual claimants. Council Member Bob Klug moved to not waive the municipal tort limits and to maintain the $2,500 deductible; Council Member Amanda Ninneman seconded. The motion passed 4-0.
The decision keeps the statutory protection in place rather than exposing the city to potentially higher liability awards; Dickson framed the tort limits as a routine statutory protection that the city does not typically waive.
On procurement, Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug presented two vendor quotes for a soil conditioner (Harley rake): $10,748 from Bobcat of the Coulee Region and $7,400 from Caledonia Implement. Council Member John Rauk moved and Council Member Amanda Ninneman seconded a motion to purchase the unit from Caledonia Implement for $7,400. The motion passed with a 4-0 tally and Member Bob Klug recorded as abstaining. The council approved the expenditure as part of routine public works equipment replacement.
Council also approved a consent agenda that included regular payments and disbursements, 2025 soft drink license renewals, and a contract for professional services with David Carlson. Member Bob Klug moved the consent agenda, and Member Ninneman seconded; the motion passed with four members voting in favor.
Dickson reported on City Day on the Hill (March 5 in St. Paul), telling the council he is monitoring pending state legislation on cannabis, funding, housing, taxes and zoning that could affect local authority over single- and multi-family zoning. Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug briefed the council on recent water main breaks and the status of the Wastewater Treatment Plant construction project.
During public comment, resident Tracey Knutson raised concerns about street closures and planning for Founder’s Day; Mayor Jeremy Leis directed Knutson to the Founder’s Day Committee for follow-up.
The council announced its next regular meeting for Monday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. There being no further business, Mayor Jeremy Leis adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
