Shelter returned after state inquiry

The park shelter that has been the center of controversy in Kasson for the past month was returned to the city only after the Minnesota State Auditor’s Office inquired about it.
City administrator Theresa Coleman confirmed that she received an inquiry about “suspected fraud” related to the shelter from the auditor’s office on June 10. At the time, the state official also notified her that she must report any misuse of city property. 
“The concern was related to me that a council member took possession of city property,” Coleman said, noting that the state made it clear to her elected officials shall not take possession of city property. “The message to me was that I have a statutory responsibility to report that,” she added. 
After she was questioned by the state about the park shelter, Coleman contacted the Kasson City Attorney reminding them of her statutory obligations and in effect setting the stage for the property to end up back into the city’s hands. Four days later the shelter was returned to the city by council member Coy Borgstrom, who  took it from the park, Coleman said. This took place at the direction of the city attorney.
“Whatever situation I was put in was mitigated shortly thereafter,” she said. “When the state auditor stepped in, it was the appropriate time to get it resolved.”
 The shelter is currently on a trailer at the city’s public works facility waiting for demolition, according to Coleman. She said the shelter will be dismantled