Caledonia Argus

Pool prices will increase, rural residents to pay more

Posted: 4/29/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

It will everyone more to swim this summer at the Caledonia Pool, and swimmers who live outside the city limits will pay extra for the privilege of using the city pool.

At its regular meeting Monday evening, the council agreed on a new rate schedule for the pool. The daily price for open swimming will increase from $2 to $2.50, and the baby pool price will increase from 50 to 75 cents. Night swims will be $1.75, up from $1. A family season pass has been increased from $70 to $85 and an individual season pass will increase from $30 to $40. Level I lessons will be $20 per session, up from $15, and Levels II-IV will stay at $25. For water aerobics, the new price will be $1.50 per day.

For residents from outside the city limits, prices for daily fees are 50 cents more than those listed above, and a season pass will cost $10 more. Lessons will be $5 more than the rate charged city residents.

The council will direct the pool staff to do the best job they can in identifying which swimmers are city residents and which are are not.

Council members said that because city residents subsidize the pool through taxes, those who donít pay city taxes should pay increased fees.

With the pool facing a possible shortage of WSI-certified staff for giving lessons, Mayor Robert Burns recommended that priority be given to residents of the city.

ìIf there are not enough instructors, donít offer Brownsville and Eitzen lessons,î he commented. People should be told when signing up that lessons may have to be reduced.

Green Acres light project moves ahead

In other news, City Clerk-Administrator Robert Nelson reported that the city continues to work with Caledonia Township and Tri-County Electric to get two lights installed at the Green Acres intersection south of Caledonia. It was originally thought that the city would bring electrical service to the site at an approximate cost of $4,000, but since that time Tri-County has been contacted and said it can provide the connection for about $550. Clerk Nelson said that MN/DOT will install the poles and the bases. he suggested that if the state is willing to install the bases for the light, the township could pay the $550 for the connection and the city would pay for the electricity and maintenance.

The township has requested that MN/DOT proceed with a lighting design, cost estimate and three-way agreement between the city, township and MN/DOT.

Salvage yards a topic at meeting

In other news from the city council, a salvage yard permit was granted to Stanley Betz after a public hearing on his request. The permit is contingent on Betz meeting the criteria, including having a $2,000 bond, putting a mosquito/rodent control plan in place and having all materials placed behind a fence.

In another matter, the council noted that a property on East Main Street for which a salvage yard permit has been granted has not yet met all the necessary criteria. The property is owned by Russell Besse.

ìI have no problem with it being a salvage yard, but he has to do what we said,î said Mayor Burns. ìWe were very patient and gave extensions.î

The council agreed that it would begin following procedures set forth by the League of Minnesota Cities if the May 1 deadline is not met.

In other news from the city, the council approved several variances for Witt Drug for construction of a new building on Esch Drive. It also approved variances for Lyle Klug and Roseanne Hargrove.

The Witt project required a variance of almost 5,100 feet. Because the parcel is zoned industrial, there is a minimum lot size of 20,000 sq. ft. The council noted that most of the businesses located in that area do not meet the requirement and were granted variances.

Construction on the new store is expected to begin in mid-May.

In other news, the council learned that the assessorís office has reduced the valuation on the Patrick Jilek home by $34,300 due to an error in calculating the area of the second story. Jilek had appeared at the Board of Equalization meeting to appeal his valuation.

Council will meet Monday to discuss budget

The council agreed to continue its meeting to Monday, May, 5, in order to discuss budget cuts that may be necessary to deal with state cutbacks. The council encourages the public to attend and share ideas.

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