Waseca Council proclaims Constitution Week

The Waseca City Council proclaimed Constitution Week and discussed mosquito spraying at the regular City Council meeting Sept. 2. 

 

Waseca resident Marily Wilkus, who is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), requested that the city commemorate the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America. She said the DAR chapter has been considering ways to celebrate, and has three goals surrounding proclaiming a Constitution Week. 

 

Wilkus said the first goal is to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the constitution, the second is to remind the public that the constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life and third, to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution. 

 

The council passed the motion, proclaiming Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, 2025 as “Constitution Week.” 

 

Not originally on the agenda, but added through a request from councilmember Jeremy Conrath, the council discussed the options for additional mosquito spraying. Although each treatment costs $2,180, Conrath said, “If any of you have been outside, I think we all know that the mosquitoes are relatively bad this year.” 

 

With the first frost expected first in four to six weeks and the Waseca Marching Classic coming up, Conrath asked the council whether it would be beneficial to spray a few more times. 

 

After clarifying with city manager Carl Sonnenberg that the city did not already have treatments scheduled for the time of the Sept. 20 Marching Classic, councilmember Mark Christiansen said if the city were to spray, it would have to cut funding elsewhere in the budget. 

 

“I’m sorry the mosquitoes are out, but that’s life. For the last couple of weeks, there’s taxes and levies and stuff like that, so unless you can show me somewhere we can find the money, I’m not for it,” Christiansen said. 

 

Councilmember James Ebertowski asked if there was a way to allocate money without causing problems in the budget. Sonnenberg replied that he hadn’t looked into it but that it would be considered as a budget amendment and that he can work to find where in the budget adjustments would be made. 

 

Mayor Randy Zimmerman said he didn’t think the mosquitoes had been that bad, just within the last week. Councilmember Stacey Shroeder added since everything is cyclical and that it’s coming to the end of the season, she would say no. 

 

“Authorizing a spray doesn’t mean the mosquitoes are going to listen,” Sonnenberg said. 

Ebertowski then suggested an idea of scheduling a spray before the Marching Classic and if the funds can’t be found within the budget, to then cancel the spray. Between Sonnenberg’s concerns about proper scheduling and Schroeder’s comments it would be unfair to the sprayers, council members reached a unanimous consensus not to schedule another mosquito treatment.  

 

Also discussed at the meeting was the request for assistance from the city fire department in raising funds for the Waseca Wrestling Club. Fire Chief Jason Forshee presented to the council and explained the request from the Wrestling Club to sell tickets for a drawing, with the winning child(ren) granted the experience of taking a ride in a fire truck. 

 

According to the request, City staff have conferred with City insurance and legal representation, both of which would not object to the participation if the passenger(s) are wearing seat belts and the vehicle’s lights and sirens are not used in any manner not allowed by law. 

 

Forshee said the fire department participated in similar requests when assisting the school district reading program more than 10 years ago. He added that staff is working to put together a policy for future requests. The council approved the request. 

 

The Waseca Band Boosters requested permission to paint the Waseca Bluejay logo on downtown sidewalks. The logo would be part of a Boosters fundraiser with area businesses paying to have the logo painted in front of their entries. The symbol is expected to last about two years. 

 

Conrath asked whether the group had a plan for removing or refreshing the symbols once they become weathered. Mayor Zimmerman said he was not “super in favor” of the idea because symbols would likely become faded or worn over time. 

 

The council ultimately decided to table the request until the next council meeting so a representative from the Band Boosters could be present to answer the council’s questions and concerns. 

 

An on-sale liquor sales request for Minnesota Vikings morning football games the days of Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 was also approved by the council. 

 

In commission reports, Conrath said the Fire Relief Association is getting a square card reader so people can start paying with debit and credit cards. He added they are hoping to have it for the chili feed open house, but that it will be at all future events such as the fish fry and onion stand.