305 E. Luverne St.

Luverne, MN 56156

www.cityofluverne.org

Announcement of Meeting

City Council

Regular Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

5:00 PM

Council Chambers

CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL

Mayor Patrick Baustian, Council Member Caroline Thorson, Council

Member Kevin Aaker, Council Member Dan Nath, and Council Member

Marlin Kracht

Present:

Benjamin Vander Kooi, Jessica Mead, Jill Wolf, and Tyler Reisch

Additional :

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND SPECIAL ORDERS

A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by Council Member Thorson,

that the Agenda and Special Orders be approved. The motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING(S)

City Council Minutes from April 8, 2025.

D.1. 2025-127

A motion was made by Council Member Nath, seconded by Council

Member Kracht, that this Minutes be approved. The motion carried

by a unanimous vote.

RECOGNITION OF GUEST(S)

Carol Morgan.

PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Board of Appeals and Adjustments Minutes from April 3, 2023

HRA Minutes from March 12, 2025

F.1. 2025-125

A motion was made by Council Member Nath, seconded by Council

Member Aaker, that this Other Boards and Commission Minutes be

received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

STAFF AND CONSULTANT REPORTS

City Administrator Report.

G.1. 2025-134

Spring cleanup is this week, employees throughout the city are

assisting with pickup. Branch pickup begins Monday, April 28th, and

public works is spraying crab apple trees to combat apple scab

disease. During Severe Weather Awareness Week, sirens were

tested, and issues with dispatch triggering the sirens were identified

and are being resolved. The Water Department is replacing dirt and

seeding grass at water main repair sites, potholing for lead service

lines, and has contracted sewer jetting in Ellsworth. The Electric

Department has relocated 10 transformers on West Dodge for

better accessibility. Luverne Aquatics and Fitness announced that

summer swimming lesson registration opens on May 5th, and

e-bikes are now available for rental. City Offices is currently

interviewing for the utility billing clerk position, and received 51

applications. Upcoming events include the MRES Annual

Conference on May 7th and 8th in Sioux Falls, and the MRES 101

class for newly elected officials on May 7th at 9 a.m.

FINANCE AND BUDGET

Second Claim Report for April 2025 (Check No. 164505-164613) for

H.1. 2025-126

$874,906.53.

A motion was made by Council Member Thorson, seconded by

Council Member Kracht, that this Claim Report be approved. The

motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Contract Change Order No. 13 for a Contract Increase of

$11,182.36 to Knutson Construction RE: Childcare Facility.

H.2. 2025-133

This change order includes the following scope changes: additional

return air grilles per punch list from mechanical contractor;

additional foot pulls to garbage receptacles (per DHS requirements);

and added a drop ceiling to storage room 138 per code

requirements. These changes result in a net increase of

$11,182.36, which will come out of the contingency balance. After

this change order, the balance remaining in contingency is

$181,006.78. The guaranteed maximum price (GMP) remains

unchanged.

A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by

Council Member Nath, that this Motion be approved. The motion

carried by a unanimous vote.

PERSONNEL

I.1.

No items under personnel to consider.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

MOTIONS AND GENERAL BUSINESS

Private Use of Public Right-of-Way Request for Take 16 on June 6,

K.1. 2025-128

2025.

Representing Take 16, Amanda McDonald has requested a street

closure of Blue Mound Avenue from Main Street to Lincoln Street

from 3 p.m. to midnight on June 6 for a Block Party. In conjunction

with Buffalo Days, this also includes a request to dispense and

consume liquor within the requested street closure boundaries

during the community festival.

A motion was made by Council Member Kracht, seconded by

Council Member Aaker, that this Motion be approved. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Kevin Aaker, and Marlin Kracht

Caroline Thorson, and Dan Nath

Aye:

Abstain:

Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Application for the Rock County

Ag Society for July 23-26, 2025.

K.2. 2025-129

Representing the Rock County Agricultural Society, Ryan Fick has

applied for a temporary on-sale liquor license from July 23 through

July 26, 2025 during the Rock County Fair. If approved, an

application will be sent to the State for their approval as well.

Staff Recommendation: City Council Approve a Temporary On-Sale

Liquor License Application for the Rock County Ag Society for July

23-26, 2025.

A motion was made by Council Member Thorson, seconded by

Council Member Nath, that this Motion be approved. The motion

carried by a unanimous vote.

COUNCIL REQUESTS - GENERAL DISCUSSION

Kids Rock! open house will be May 28 currently tours and staff interviews are being

conducted.