Council sees short meeting, updates

The Waseca City Council experienced a short meeting, discussing land purchases involving the Clearwater Preserve during their regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

 

The first land purchase, presented by City Engineer Nate Willey, involved Rachel Kluver, owner of 1100 10th St. SE, who first approached the city in 2023 requesting the purchase of a 40-foot by 120-foot section of city-owned land just south of, and adjacent to, her property. At the time of the request, city staff informed Kluver that the city intended to develop the land to the south, including the area she wanted to purchase, for what is now the Clearwater Preserve. 

 

Now, the project would require that the land be platted, and the sale of the requested area would help align the north boundary of the newly platted lots. Therefore, the city agreed to plat the requested area as Outlot B with the intention of selling it to Kluver for a price of $1,200. The council approved the resolution. 

 

The council also approved a similar resolution selling an almost 30-foot by 136-foot section of city-owned land just south of, and adjacent to, the property of David and Loretta Schlaak, owners of 804 Eleventh Avenue SE. The Schlaaks were approached by the city this past spring in order to align the north boundary of the new Clearwater Preserve subdivision lots to the south. The Schlaaks indicated they would like to purchase the section of land, and Outlot E was platted with the city proceeding with the sale of the outlot at $995.86.

 

In commissioner reports, council member Mark Christiansen reported on the park board, stating the skatepark in Waseca has some money designated to resurface the area, but the board is also looking at replacing equipment, which will be in phases. Christiansen said the board is looking to see if anyone is interested in getting involved with the project or to help raise funds, as was done with the dog park project.

 

“It is an asset for our community. I don’t want to see it leave in a sense, but it also does cost money,” Christiansen said. 

 

He added that parks and facilities will likely be closed by Oct. 31 due to the colder weather and that leaf pickup started the week prior to the meeting. 

 

Mayor Randy Zimmerman and council member James Ebertowski reported on the economic development authority (EDA) meeting, and said there was a presentation from ICS, a consulting firm that works with public private partnerships. Zimmerman said the EDA is looking at the idea of possibly putting out a request for a consultant to help the city with economic growth. He added the EDA had a conversation about a joint meeting before the next city council meeting in order for other city council members and individuals from the public could attend.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next regular city council meeting will be 7 p.m. Nov. 4.