City of Dennison
Meeting Minutes
August 6th , 2026
The August Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, August 6th, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Present were Councilors Caleb Voight, Heidi Cooke, Nichole Schloesser and Diane Ruddle, and clerk Jessica Page.
Councilor Voight moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 4th 2026. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Schloesser moved to approve the meeting minutes from July 9thth 2026. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Schloesser moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
Sheriff: Not present.
Todd Greseth: August 25th major budget meeting for the county. Large number was thrown out, but Todd felt it will be able to be brought down to a more manageable level. There is currently a court case regarding the data center in Pine Island, so it’s on hold for now. Todd noted there are now folks showing up in support of the data center, as well as those who are against it. Districts 2 and 4 have races for the General Election. There are 2 candidates running for sheriff.
Old Business/Committee Reports/Building Permits: Lots of re-roofing permits going through, but nothing else.
Administrative Issues:
1) The Sapphire Event Center and Liquor License. Last month, an email was forwarded to the council from Councilor Schloesser regarding her research on the issue. The mayor also forwarded emails from the city attorney and the state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement office on liquor licenses and State Statue 340A. The city attorney reviewed Ordinance 72 and prepared a memo outlining the changes she believes would be appropriate to create a new “event center” category. She also presented a draft ordinance that would enact the changes. Being that some of the council members didn't receive the emails or didn't have enough time to review the information, it was decided to hold off on a final decision on the liquor fee. The city council then passed a new resolution, incorporating the same language used from Resolution 1-2026-01, except for allowing the lower fee until the August 6th council meeting. Mayor Flaten moved to keep the license at the full cost for the remainder of the year. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
2) Continued discussion on repealing Ordinance 32 and replacing with Ordinance 90, Firearms in the City Limits. Last month, the city council came to a consensus regarding the language for a fine/penalty for Ordinance 90. Council feels the final version is ready to move forward. Public hearing is scheduled for September 3rd at 6:45.
3) Opus and billing issues update. The mayor and city clerk had a conference call with Mike Shuba from Opus on July21st. 7 issues were discussed. The mayor believes the meeting was productive and helpful in resolving the highlighted issues. If more issues need to be addressed or necessary follow-up is warranted, the mayor won't hesitate to ask for more meetings and more accountability/clarity.
4) Fire hydrant on 378th street. After our July meeting, Nate reached out to Travis from Hayward about the hydrant and whether it needed to be totally replaced. MRWA and Core and Main representatives came to town to give their opinion and offer their help. It was determined the hydrant could be fixed (break away hydrant) and Rural Water could help the City do that. The replacement kit and parts needed would roughly be around 500 to 600 dollars. It will take about three weeks for the parts to come in. As of right now, the hydrant is not usable but not on the verge of a complete failure, either. We anticipate it being fixed the first or second week in August.
5) The mayor is requesting the council to approve removing four trees in town this year. One is on 376th street, a dead ash tree. Two poplar trees on 3rd Avenue, in the city boulevard and in front of S. Jeno's property. The other tree is also on 3rd Avenue and in front of Malecha's house, a dead ash tree. John Miner was contacted to give the city an estimate. To remove, grind the stumps and to fill with holes with black dirt, it will cost $750.00 per tree. John will also include trimming one of the trees in the city park which has low hanging branches, west tree near the playground. See what is left of the dollars that are budgeted. Councilor Schloesser move to approve the removal of the four trees, stumps ground, and filled with black dirt by John Miner at the cost of $750 each. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 5:0.
6) The four items (old metal round first aid container with a stretcher in it, weight scale, cinder blocks and black landscape fabric) agreed by the city council to be removed from the city shop/fire station were loaded up on the clerk's trailer on 7-30-26 to be taken to the auction in Mazeppa. The new flammables/chemical cabinet is scheduled to arrive at Menard's on 8-7-26. Councilor Ruddle will look at what should go in there.
7) Roof at City Hall was replaced by Rowan Construction on 7-25-26.
8) East catch basin in the intersection of Goodhue Avenue and County Road 9 was repaired/grouted by Bill Deustch on 7-22-26.
9) The annual Workers Comp audit for the City is due to be completed. This is when the hours and wages that everyone for the City works is reviewed by the LMCIT representative. This determines the cost of coverage for the City for the upcoming year. Each employee is covered in a different manner based on their job with the City. If an individual is performing a work task outside of their classification, it could affect their ability to be covered if something happens to them while completing that work. The City is to have accurate records of who worked what hours doing what job. In order to have accurate records, the person who is filling in for Nate does need to document those hours worked, and get paid for them. The City Council should also probably approve the person doing those tasks, and the pay they should receive, in order to ensure that person is covered in case something happens to them while performing those tasks. General maintenance role for the folks who are filling in for Nate.
10) Updates from Zach Bubany/Bollig was sent out via email to the council regarding Rural Development and next steps moving forward. The mayor has completed the two required online classes for the EPA federal grant. Jessica has sent all the requested balance sheets and financial statements to USDA RD. On 8-4-26, EPA approved waving the cost sharing requirement to provide non-federal funds in the amount of $250,000 for the FY 2026 appropriation of $1,000,000 for the City of Dennison for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Project. Zach plans on attending the September council meeting.
11) Update regarding the intersection at Goodhue Avenue, 1st Avenue Court and County Road 9. The mayor reached out to the bank and the owner of the property across the street, the old ford building, about using cameras to record pedestrian traffic for use in a study to meet the requirements Goodhue County needs to move forward with potential safety improvements. The bank is unable to assist the City, but the owner across the street is willing. The mayor was also informed by Austin Lowell, Public Health Educator from Goodhue County, that MNDoT has a Portable Counter Loan Program for bicycle and pedestrian traffic counting. He would be very willing to help with the setup. The mayor is willing to submit an application to SMIF for a Small Town Grant to help with the costs to do the pedestrian study which Goodhue County is requesting before any improvements occur. Grant requests can be up to $10,000 with $2,500 matching by the community. Deadline to apply is August 19th.
12) The MN DNR has grant money available to help remove and replace ash or high-risk unsafe trees. The 2026 Protect Community Forests for Community Resiliency Grant applications are due by September 14th. No matching funds are required. The mayor plans on submitting an application.
13) The mayor attended the Nerstrand Fire & Rescue Contract meeting on 7-29-26. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the fire chief is trying to keep the budget increase to less than 5%.
14) City Website. Mayor talked with Catalis about our contract and pricing. We can renew our current website for 1 year 2027-2028, the price would be $ 1,300. If we would like to extend for another year, they would like to know by the end of the year. If we plan on severing ties with Catalis, then they need to be notified by the end of August. To upgrade, redesign and meet ADA requirements, the pricing would be: Year 1 = $1,800, Year 2 = $1,908, Year 3 = $2,022 and Year 4 = $2,143.00. Councilor Ruddle move to sever ties with Catalis and use Municipal Impact allowing for time for set up and transfer. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Ruddle moved to allow the set up fee of no more than $600 if needed. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
15) The mayor checked with the LMC on whether or not the City needed to paint a handicap sign on the parking stall on the street in front of City Hall. Information provided by the LMC, and their determination is that we don't need to.
16) Nate's review and summary. The city council conducted his review and listened to his concerns. Nate received a 4% cost of living increase, to $29.78 per hour. With the new improvements to our Water Treatment Facility coming down the road, the city council is expecting Nate's water license will need to be upgraded to a C, after construction is complete and operational. Council encouraged him to work towards that goal/requirement starting now. He was also reminded that he needs to submit the DMR numbers to Jessica by the 10th day of every month.
17) Mayor Jeff Flaten filed for office. Council Member (2 positions) had three people file for office, Diane Ruddle, Cole Scadsem, and Heidi Cooke.
18) State Primary Elections are on August 11th.
19) City budget work session is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25th at 6 pm.
20) Set dates plowing request for bids. Sept 1 due at 5:00 or noon.
Citizens Issues:
Mayors Issues:
Utilities: Update from Nate:
copper testing done…
Water meter changed at the Meat Locker and water filter changed at City Hall on 7-23-26.
Fire hydrants flushed on 7-17-26. Ponds have lots of storage.
Councilor Voight moved to pay the bills. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 5:0.
Councilor Schloesser moved to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Flaten second. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
Next meeting: Regular meeting is Thursday, September 3rd at 7:00 pm.
Public Hearing for Proposed Ordinance 90 will be at 6:45pm just prior to the meeting.
