Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spooner City Council approves Make Music Day proclamation, multiple routine measures and $7,500 watering contract over one dissent
Summary
On June 3, 2025, the Spooner City Council adopted a Make Music Day proclamation, approved routine consent items including licenses and plats, authorized two resolutions (including Harmon Street reimbursement intent), and approved a $7,500 watering contract on a 7–1 vote. Several staff reports and an appointment to the Library Board were also approved.
Mayor Gary J. Cuskey called the Spooner City Council to order at 5 p.m. on June 3 and read a proclamation recognizing Make Music Day on June 21, 2025; the council unanimously approved the proclamation after a public commenter, Hemshrot, thanked the city for recognizing the event.
The council approved the meeting agenda and adopted the consent agenda in a single motion, accepting minutes from May 6, authorizing monthly payables, advancing an electric rate study presented by Ehlers, approving park permits for summer events, accepting Penny Swan’s retirement, and approving extraterritorial certified survey maps and a slate of liquor and tobacco/vaping licenses for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 licensing period.
On finance items, the council approved RES 25-08 (Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures) for the Harmon Street project to support seeking DNR funding; the motion (Dunn/Dohm) passed. The council also accepted the CMAR (Comprehensive Monitoring and Annual Report) for the wastewater treatment plant, which the report shows earned A grades in all but one category; the clerk noted a clerical misnumbering on the agenda and recorded the correct resolution number when adopting the item.
Councilmembers voted to authorize a flat-rate watering contract after a brief negotiation: Dunn reported that Jennifer Kiminski counteroffered $7,500 rather than the originally recommended $7,200. The council directed staff to draft and execute a roughly 18-week service agreement at $7,500, with Koverman preparing the contract and sending it to Kohler for legal review. The motion (Dunn/Lake) passed 7–1, with Councilmember Krueger casting the lone opposing vote.
The council approved a revised Utility Billing Specialist job description and five-step salary scale (hourly range $25.26–$30.70; an average municipal benchmark of $31.24 was cited); the position will be posted with local and statewide outlets. The 2024–2025 Annual Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan, led by the Washburn County Health Department, was approved. The council also approved a DOT‑approved temporary street closure and detour for the Spooner Rodeo Parade on July 12, 2025, and appointed Christine Bruce to the Library Board for a term July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028.
In staff reports the council accepted the April 2025 financial report. The police chief reported a binoculars grant from Kwik Trip, assistance in an apprehension, and an increase in welfare checks and suicide-threat calls. The BID reported on downtown flowers and discussed Emerald Ash Borer concerns affecting five trees on Walnut Street and potential grant-funded treatment options. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
Next steps: Koverman will draft the watering contract and send it for review; the Utility Billing Specialist position will be posted as authorized; no additional public meetings were scheduled in the transcript.
