305 E. Luverne St.  
Luverne, MN 56156  
www.cityofluverne.org  
Announcement of Meeting  
City Council  
Regular Meeting Minutes  
Tuesday, February 11, 2025  
5:00 PM  
Council Chambers  
A.  
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL  
Mayor Patrick Baustian, Council Member Caroline Thorson, Council  
Member Kevin Aaker, and Council Member Marlin Kracht  
Council Member Dan Nath  
Present:  
Excused:  
Benjamin Vander Kooi, Jessica Mead, Jill Wolf, and Tyler Reisch  
Additional :  
B.  
C.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND SPECIAL ORDERS  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by Council Member Thorson,  
that the be approved.. The motion carried unanimously.  
D.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING(S)  
City Council Minutes from January 28, 2025.  
D.1. 2025-47  
A motion was made by Council Member Thorson, seconded by  
Council Member Kracht, that this Minutes be approved. The motion  
carried by a unanimous vote.  
E.  
F.  
RECOGNITION OF GUEST(S)  
Lori Sorenson and Evan Verbrugge.  
PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS  
Luverne Fire Department Minutes from December 30, 2024.  
F.1. 2025-46  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by  
Council Member Thorson, that this Other Boards and Commission  
Minutes be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous  
vote.  
G.  
STAFF AND CONSULTANT REPORTS  
2024 Annual Report--Rock County Sheriff.  
G.1. 2025-45  
Sheriff Verbrugge highlighted key statistics and activities across  
various municipal services. The city responded to 4,470 service  
calls throughout the year, with the most frequent categories being  
traffic stops (1,062), ambulance calls (487), health and welfare  
checks (314), and public order incidents (309). Law enforcement  
addressed 101 violent crimes, including domestic assaults and  
criminal sexual conduct, while also handling 119 cases of theft and  
scams. Fire department activity, with 41 fire calls, and 54 assists to  
other departments. Permits and licensing remained steady, with 233  
permits issued, including 129 carry permits. Civil matters, animal  
complaints, and office duties accounted for a significant portion of  
city operations. Rock County joined Buffalo Drug Task force and will  
be posting a position internally to fill a drug agent position.  
City Administrator Report.  
G.2. 2025-33  
There were two rounds of snow removal with a snow emergency  
issued. With the first measurable snow, please remember to clear  
snow from streets and sidewalks, participation in monthly pool  
challenges, and a Valentine's Day event for fourth graders and a  
Kids Night Out at the pool. The electric department successfully  
passed a quarterly generator test. The airport received a $29,000  
state grant for a new mowing deck. The water department repaired  
a water main break efficiently with a new truck. The wastewater  
permit renewal is under a public comment period, available on the  
MPCA website. Watermain break was able to be repaired in record  
time with the new vac truck. Discussion followed on the importance  
of regular generator testing for emergency readiness.  
H.  
FINANCE AND BUDGET  
First Claim Report for February 2025 (Check No. 163978-164084)  
H.1. 2025-31  
for $551,349.27.  
A motion was made by Council Member Thorson, seconded by  
Council Member Aaker, that this Minutes be approved. The motion  
carried by a unanimous vote.  
Application and Certification for Payment No. 10 for $115,945.05 to  
Knutson Construction RE: Childcare Facility.  
H.2. 2025-48  
The January payment application includes but is not limited to vinyl  
flooring, carpet flooring, and walk off flooring installations. Electrical  
continued devicing out, installing remaining fixtures, fire alarm  
systems, and lighting control panels. This application also includes  
labor for miscellaneous specialty items, door hardware, finish  
carpentry work, as well as glazing and remaining fire sprinkler  
scopes. As of the date of this application, the project is 94.15  
percent complete.  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by  
Council Member Kracht, that this Motion be approved. The motion  
carried by a unanimous vote.  
Certificate for Payment No. 2 - Final to Duininck, Inc. for $2,516.68  
and Owner's Acceptance of Contract Construction RE: Trunk  
Highway 75 Storm Sewer Improvements Project.  
H.3. 2025-49  
This payment request includes the remaining retainage on the storm  
sewer work on TH 75. The total project cost was $231,867.90, the  
City partnered with MnDOT for a 50/50 cost split on construction  
costs.  
A motion was made by Council Member Thorson, seconded by  
Council Member Kracht, that this Motion be approved. The motion  
carried by a unanimous vote.  
I.  
PERSONNEL  
I.1. No items under personnel to consider.  
J.  
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS  
MOTIONS AND GENERAL BUSINESS  
K.  
Application for Exempt Permit for American Legion Post 123 to  
K.1. 2025-51  
Conduct Bingo at Big Top Tents and Events.  
Representing American Legion Post 123, Edward Stearns has  
applied for an application for exempt permit to conduct a bingo  
fundraising event at Big Top Tents and Events.  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by  
Council Member Thorson, that this Motion be approved. The motion  
carried by a unanimous vote.  
Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Luverne Brew Partners, DBA  
Take 16 Brewing for February 16, 2025 at Luverne Lanes.  
K.2. 2025-57  
Representing Take 16, Amanda McDonald has applied for a  
temporary on-sale liquor license for the sale and consumption of  
alcohol on February 16, 2025 during an employee event at Luverne  
Lanes, 117 N Cedar Street. Sales and consumption will be limited to  
Luverne Lanes. All materials have been submitted including fee and  
certificate of liability insurance. If approved, an application will be  
sent to the State for their approval as well.  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by  
Council Member Kracht, that this Motion be approved. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Patrick Baustian, Kevin Aaker, and Marlin Kracht  
Caroline Thorson  
Aye:  
Abstain:  
L.  
COUNCIL REQUESTS - GENERAL DISCUSSION  
Wolf and Baustian will be attending the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities  
Legislative Action Day event this week.  
M.  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Council Member Aaker, seconded by Council Member Kracht,  
to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.  
__________________________  
Jessica Mead, City Clerk  
__________________________  
Patrick T. Baustian, Mayor