CITY OF NERSTRAND, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Nov 12th, 2025
7:00p.m.
221 Main Street, Nerstrand
1. Call to Order/Pledge Allegiance
2. Roll Call: Karla Ingersoll, Betty Voge, John Harris and Todd Evavold were in attendance. Pam Caron was absent.
3. Approval of Last Month’s Agenda
4. Consent Agenda
(All items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and have been made available to the City Council in advance of the meeting. The items will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member or citizen requests, in which event the item will be removed from this agenda and considered in normal sequence.)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of Oct 14th, 2025
B. Payment of Claims dated:
1. October 23rd, 2025
2. November 12th, 2025
Approval of last month’s meeting minutes and the consent agenda was motioned by Todd and seconded by Karla with All approving.
5. Clerk’s Report- Clerks have prepared the assessment of 4 properties and homeowners were sent letters. No response. We will be contacting Banyon to inquire how we clear this balance from their account. And if they make contact with the clerks who we refer them to for payment of the balance.
Water Billing Update: There will be an additional letter sent with some of the water bills this month. It is in regards to the lead inventory project and is being sent to the “unknowns”. If there are questions in regards to the infor-mation received residents will be directed to calling Steve.
The Clerks still need the map so we can post about the lawn mowing bid request.
The Clerks are requesting on the behalf of the Fire Department and the Public Works Department that they be able to purchase Microsoft Licenses. This provides a uniformity of City documents and storage of information in a lo-cation that the departments can all view and make changes too.
Additionally, in 2026 City Council is going to start having work session’s two weeks after the council meeting. 3 days prior to these meeting a posting of the intended topic of the work session will be posted on the City Hall doors.
6. New Business
A. Compensation Request Fire Dept- Fire Chief Joe Johnson submitted a request for increase the pay for the fire department. The council would like a resolution created for the December meeting to pass this change in pay.
B. Goodhue County Contract Renewal- The City of Nerstrand will continue to use the County of Goodhue as it building permits processor and inspector.
C. 2025 Assessments Resolution- 4 properties will be assessed on their 2026 property tax statements totaling $4292.33.
D. Fire Contracts Review and Sign-Fire Contracts are starting to be returned for final signature. We would like to note these in the budget with the percentage of contributions.
7. Old Business
A.Dettling Lease- Renter’s Insurance and Cost- Mr. Dettling was kind enough to attend the meeting with questions in regards to his lease. City council members and Steve were able to explain the changes in the lease. Mr. Dettling felt the explanation was enough to continue with his lease renewal.
B.Doors for City Hall- A new quote for the doors is still needed. But in the meantime Todd is going to be replacing the seal. With this change we are hoping to keep out the elements and the creepy crawlers small enough to make it through.
C.Fire dept resolutions for Oct items- There were three resolutions from last month that needed to be passed in regards to the Fire Department.
a.2025-23 A resolution authorizing the donation of surplus Fire Department Equipment. A motion was made by Todd, seconded by Betty and All approved.
b.2025-24 A resolution accepting donation from Hamilton County Emergency Communications. A motion was made by Karla, seconded by Betty and All approved.
c.2025-25 A resolution authorizing the sale or auction of surplus Fire Department equipment. A motion was made by Betty, seconded by John and All approved.
D.Budget 2025-
a.After reviewing the budget a motion was made by Karla and seconded by Betty and All approved to move $7000 to water and $73,000 of incumbent funds to balance the budget. A resolution will be prepared for council in the December meeting.
b.With the incumbent funds moving the council felt that the budget was finalized for 2026 and requested a resolution motioned by Karla and seconded by Betty and all approved.
c.With the budget finalized the council decided to lock into it’s proposed levy amount of 6.67% a request for a resolution was motioned by Todd and seconded by Karla. Voting for approval was Todd, Karla and Betty but voting nay was John Harris.
E.Discussion regarding cannabis ordinance- meeting with the lawyer soon to get an update of changes.
F.Discussion regarding liquor ordinance and permitting-meeting with the lawyer soon to get an update of changes.
8. Reports of Officers
A.Public Works Director- Hydrant flushing was completed. Service line work has also been occurring around town. A curb stop repair was also completed. Letter’s from the Minnesota Department of Health will be sent out to residents with the water bill. This is in regards to the lead service pipe inventory. Not all residents will receive them just the ones considered “unknown”. Will be working on a grant for chlorine equipment/storage. Submitted a grant for tree removal. With the tree removal we will also have the option to replace with a tree. Most of these trees are Ash trees and they are a safety concern. Without the grant it would cost approximately $38,000 for the removal.
B.Mayor
C.Fire Department – Joe Johnson (Absent)
D.Council Members
E.Zoning Committee-Meeting Minutes Provided by Lu
F.Ordinance Committee- Updates provided by Karla
9. Other Business
10. Adjourn
Motion made by Betty, seconded by Todd and All approved.
Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for December 9th, 2025, at Nerstrand City Hall.
