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Cleveland council approves festival district, absorbs state water testing fee, OKs events and summer hours
Summary
At its March 2 meeting the Cleveland City Council approved two resolutions, permitted American Legion events and a concert, voted to absorb an increased state drinking-water testing fee for 2026, scheduled a special project meeting for March 31 and accepted a police resignation.
The Cleveland City Council on March 2 approved a package of routine actions including two resolutions, event permits and administrative changes while hearing reports from city staff and a developer presentation.
Mayor Don McCabe called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and the council unanimously approved an amended agenda after City Clerk-Treasurer Charles Hodge asked to remove an item on water shut-offs.
Why it matters: The council’s decisions affect local events, small-city finances and near-term planning. Notably, the city agreed to absorb a state-mandated increase to the per-connection drinking-water testing fee for 2026, an expense that will be covered from city funds rather than billed to customers.
Council votes and key decisions - The council approved a motion, moved by Nancy Gens and seconded by Tonya Schummer, to absorb the Minnesota Department of Health’s increased safe drinking-water testing fee. Clerk Hodge said the fee rose from $9.72 to $15.22 per service connection, effective Jan. 1, 2026; the city absorbed the approximately $5.50 difference for 2026. The motion passed unanimously.
- The council approved two event requests from American Legion Post 207. Andy Queen asked for a street closure on Broadway between 3rd and 4th streets for a Mini Vets Festival on June 20 and permission to hold a fenced music event behind the Legion on May 29. The motions passed unanimously.
- The council approved payment of the minutes and bills, accepted February’s police report, and approved a workshop for the police department on March 19.
- The council approved concert costs for an Erik Koskinen performance scheduled July 17: a $1,500 performer fee and an additional $800 for lights and sound. The motion was moved by Nancy Gens and seconded by Council Member Sarah McCabe, and passed unanimously.
- The council accepted the resignation of part-time police officer Martin Rosales and approved two formal actions recorded as Resolution 08-2026 (festival district) and Resolution 09-2026 (a county project within municipal corporate limits). All votes were recorded as unanimous "Yes – All."
Administrative and staff reports Public Works Director Casey Volk reported a trade-in offer of $2,100 for the city’s nearly 20-year-old truck and presented two quotes for a replacement lawnmower (2026 John Deere X739, 60-inch deck): $14,831 from Kibble Equipment and $15,900 from Midwest Machinery. Volk said he will seek an additional estimate from a different brand and will use capital outlay funds for the purchase.
Clerk Hodge said he will be out of the office March 24–27 to attend the MCFOA conference. Planning & Zoning will meet March 9 to review a final sketch plan for an upcoming proposal. Councilmember Tonya Schummer reported the new public works helper will start March 9.
What’s next: The council scheduled a city project special meeting, open house and public hearing for March 31 (open house 5:00–6:00 p.m.; special meeting 6:00 p.m., public hearing to follow). The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Sources: Meeting minutes, City of Cleveland, March 2, 2026 (attendees and motions recorded by City Clerk-Treasurer Charles Hodge).
