Cambridge council approves off‑sale liquor license, clears claims and selects nuisance‑abatement work for 2025

Mayor David Gunderson opened the Cambridge City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cambridge Community Building and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

At 6:32 p.m., the council held a public hearing on an application from AZN Inc., owner of Cambridge Super Market at 421 Nelson Street, for a Class D off‑sale beer, wine and spirits license. There were no public comments. Council Member Vernita Saylor moved to approve the application; Council Member Jeff Ommert seconded and the motion carried with votes recorded in favor by Vernita Saylor, John Kutnink, Jeff Ommert, Nora McGowen, Troy Westadt and Kevin Banzhaf.

The council then considered its consent agenda, which included approval of prior meeting minutes, claims and several SDL reception permits for HOJO’s. Mayor Gunderson removed claims #27 and #40 for separate consideration before the roll call on the remaining items. Council Member John Kutnink moved, seconded by Council Member Troy Westadt, to approve the other consent items; the motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Kevin Banzhaf moved, seconded by Nora McGowen, to approve claim #27 for Weaver Bros. Tree Service; those voting yes were Vernita Saylor, John Kutnink, Jeff Ommert, Nora McGowen, Troy Westadt and Kevin Banzhaf, and the motion carried. (The meeting’s claims list shows Weaver Bros. at $32,350.00 in the claims report but the motion recorded an approval amount of $21,100.00; the transcript contains both figures.)

Council Member Vernita Saylor moved, seconded by Jeff Ommert, to approve claim #40. Voting yes were Saylor, Ommert, McGowen, Westadt and Banzhaf; Council Member John Kutnink abstained. The motion carried.

City Superintendent Mike Tomlin reported routine public‑works items: the street sweeper warranty is expected to begin in March, a traveling mechanic will handle repairs, the sewer plant block heater has been fixed, Miller & Associates is surveying a drainage ditch in the southwest part of town, and tree removals are underway in multiple locations. Tomlin also noted the alternator on the green truck was repaired and that one position (Greg’s) remains vacant.

City Clerk/Treasurer Courtney Stanton reported total sales tax receipts of $37,991.67, said she is preparing the FY24 community grant submission, confirmed submission of a required EPA lobbying certification and delivery of a finalized work plan to West Central, and said she will attend clerk school in March.

On the nuisance‑abatement program, the council selected Section D to be completed in 2025 in partnership with the West Central Development District. Council discussed attendance at the upcoming Midwinter Conference on Feb. 24–25 and noted that Mayor Gunderson and Council Member Troy Westadt were interested in attending.

Council Member Kevin Banzhaf moved, seconded by Troy Westadt, to adjourn at 6:52 p.m.; the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance: AZN Inc. Class D license — motion by Council Member Vernita Saylor, second Jeff Ommert; yes: Vernita Saylor, John Kutnink, Jeff Ommert, Nora McGowen, Troy Westadt, Kevin Banzhaf; outcome: approved. Consent agenda (remaining items) — motion by John Kutnink, second Troy Westadt; outcome: approved. Claim #27 (Weaver Bros. Tree Service) — motion by Kevin Banzhaf, second Nora McGowen; outcome: approved (see body for amount discrepancy). Claim #40 — motion by Vernita Saylor, second Jeff Ommert; outcome: approved, John Kutnink abstained. Adjournment — motion by Kevin Banzhaf, second Troy Westadt; outcome: approved.

The council’s next procedural step on the nuisance‑abatement item is implementation planning with West Central Development District; no further formal votes were recorded on that item during the meeting.