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Spring Grove council approves hires, grants follow-up and administrative items
Summary
In addition to ordinance and fire-hall matters, the council approved hiring Fireman Jim Norman, authorized a one-time flex-time for the administrator, asked staff to request SMIF grant forgiveness, approved Viking Park door wraps, revised solar ordinance language, and directed paper packets for meetings.
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Spring Grove City Council approved a series of administrative and programmatic actions.
Personnel and facilities: The council approved hiring Fireman Jim Norman (motion by Council Member Trent Turner, seconded by Council Member Morgan Buckland). Administrator Jana Elton’s request for a one-time flex-time exception to make up a shortfall in PTO hours was approved (motion by Council Member Morgan Buckland, seconded by Council Member Trent Turner). The council also approved providing paper council packets at meetings after repeated connectivity problems prevented members from accessing materials (motion by Council Member Michael Hagen, seconded by Council Member Morgan Buckland).
Grants and economic development: Elton reported a Polling Place Accessibility Grant awarded Dec. 15, 2025, for $5,610.95 to replace two doors at the Fest Building. Regarding a $20,000 SMIF grant awarded Aug. 29, 2024 for an online business database, Elton said the city lacks the data and that CEDA could recover it only for a fee; Council Member Morgan Buckland moved that staff write SMIF to explain the situation and request forgiveness or clarification of the grant requirements; the motion, seconded by Council Member Eric Ostern, passed.
Parks and planning: Parks and Recreation recommended door-wrap designs for Viking Park restrooms paid for by an anonymous donor; the council approved the recommendation with a 4–1 tally (Mayor Wilhelmson opposed). The council also revised Chapter 1109 language on ground-mounted solar arrays by removing a sentence that would have prohibited visibility from the public right of way; Council Member Morgan Buckland moved the change and Council Member Trent Turner seconded, and the motion carried.
Next steps: Council appointments and liaisons for 2026 were approved unanimously, and zoning permits were reviewed with no concerns. The council scheduled a joint special meeting on Feb. 26, 2026, to share goals with local partners. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
