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Calumet Council adopts 2025 property tax levy and approves routine 2025 fees and agreements
Summary
The Calumet City Council adopted a $237,464 property tax levy for 2025 and approved a set of routine 2025 fees and agreements, while discussing MCWW billing discrepancies and directing the clerk to pursue a realtor for the city's bank building.
The Calumet City Council on Tuesday adopted its final 2025 property tax levy and approved a series of routine contracts, fees and reimbursements during its Dec. 17 meeting.
Councilmember Dan Strand moved to adopt Resolution #24-12-17 certifying a 2025 levy of $237,464, a 5% increase over 2024; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Barbara Banks and approved by the members present. Mayor Tim Zaren, Councilmembers Strand and Banks voted in favor; no members voted against. Amanda Hernesman and Nick Porter were recorded as absent for the roll call.
The council also approved routine financial and administrative items. Early in the meeting Mayor Tim Zaren moved and Councilmember Barbara Banks seconded approval of the meeting agenda; the motion carried. Councilmember Banks moved to approve the November meeting minutes with a correction about arena ownership, and Councilmember Dan Strand moved to approve the November Clerk & Treasurer reports and bills (Receipts $15,181.45; Disbursements $64,096.31; Investments $11,599.85; checking balance $411,963.82); both motions passed. Clerk April Serich flagged a likely error in the way MCWW billing was being split between cities, saying investments should be deducted before allocating disbursement costs and that she would discuss the issue with Patti and Sarah and check timing for the next MCWW meeting.
After Councilmember Amanda Hernesman arrived at 2:30 p.m., the council approved a package of 2025 items: a $4,582 worker's compensation premium (motion by Strand); $450 in Minnesota Rural Water dues (motion by Mayor Zaren); a $1,000 Itasca County prosecution agreement (motion by Strand); a $160 half'page Greenway High School yearbook ad (motion by Zaren); and mileage reimbursements for the Clerk ($318) and Treasurer ($482.40) (motion by Hernesman). Each motion was seconded and carried.
On infrastructure and operations, the council tabled the Meyer Group engineering agreement for city hall/library projects while it awaits further information. Councilmembers were told the city is waiting for an SBA payment to Everest before finalizing radio tower work. The council directed Clerk Serich to contact a realtor to list the bank building for sale.
Public works items included a report that crews had been sanding roads (Councilmember Strand thanked Street Maintenance Worker Bill Berger) and an update from Public Works Supervisor Bob Hoshal that he is returning to work and will reimburse the city for his share of insurance from his first full January paycheck; Hoshal also thanked the council for continuing his medical insurance while he was out.
Other business: the council discussed the Hill Annex Mine Club House, debated what to do with VFW color guard uniforms (decision: keep and store them in the basement), and noted Paul Bunyan franchise fees will be invoiced in the spring. Clerk Serich was directed to set up a January meeting with Auditor Bonnie Sterle to review the budget and financial issues with the new council. The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
The minutes include a clerical signature block listing "Mike Troop, Mayor," which conflicts with the record in these minutes that Mayor Tim Zaren called the meeting to order; the discrepancy is noted for the record.
