Conagra study approved

At their regular June 20 meeting, members of the Waseca City Council approved a wastewater impact study which will help determine whether it will be possible for ConAgra to move to year-round operation. Earlier this year, ConAgra informed the council that it wants to continue processing foods through the colder months, but would need to be able to expel wastewater into the city’s sewage system to do so. The impact study approved Tuesday night is a second preliminary step. An earlier study determined that the city’s system could not accept untreated effluence; this one will see how well it can handle partially treated waste. ConAgra will be paying for the study. 

Council members bantered somewhat over new questions surrounding the Gaiter Lake development. On a 4-3 vote, the council approved moving $500,000 from the utility fund into the general fund, thus making it accessible to continue with previously approved work at the city-owned property near Gaiter Lake. City Manager Carl Sonnenberg described the move as a simple balance sheet adjustment. 

Council member John Mansfield reminded the council of their opportunity to walk back their previous decision. 

“I don’t agree with us being in the real estate business,” councilman Jimmy Ebertowski commented. “I’m not hoping Waseca fails with this project… I just don’t agree with it.”

Despite these digs, the vote to move the funds was the same as the previous one to move forward with the development: 4-3.

Observations about the Gaiter Lake development had also been shared during the public comment period at the start of the evening. Area resident Deb Dobberstein said the council should be more transparent and honest with the citizens of Waseca; she described a recent tax increase as part of a system to raise money to invest in the Gaiter Lake property with the plan of making more money yet.

VFW members Tom Sexton, Steve Kahnke and Dean Farley spoke to the council about paving a strip of land along the south edge of the organization’s parking lot. When patrons use the city-owned drive space as an entry to the VFW’s lot, it wears on the edge of the concrete and carries rocks into the otherwise smooth space. VFW leaders have researched the cost and found a contractor willing to pave the space at a bargain price of $9,700, providing the work is performed simultaneously with another project. The organization has raised nearly $3,000 toward the $9,700 cost, and requested that the city consider paying the remaining $6,900. The council agreed to the request. 

James Christensen addressed the council during the public comment portion. He suggested that photos of past mayors and other significant artwork be moved out of the council chamber, which is kept locked during business hours, and displayed in hallways and other locations more open to public perusal. He also suggested that identifying information should be posted beneath historic city photos on display in the council chambers.

Other items approved during the meeting included previous meeting minutes, expenditures, a residential tax abatement for a new property and two public hearings were set for: July 5, a public nuisance at 501 3rd St. NE, and July 18 for the THC/cannabis moratorium. 

During updates from the council, it was mentioned that the tourism board is looking for donations to help fund the city’s fireworks, as it no longer receives income from the “Sinister Forest” Halloween fundraiser. It was announced that work on the Johnson Pavilion at Clear Lake Park is done. The next city council meeting is set for Wednesday, July 5. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.