City engineer Ben Rosol addresses the council and the public at the meeting.

While the final assessment hearing for the South Linton Area Street & Utility Improvement project was the primary agenda item for the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday, May 4, they also discussed the sealed bids that came in for the property at 1006 East Fifth Street.

City engineer Ben Rosol held a presentation for the council and the assembled members of the public, explaining the particulars of the Linton Street project and answering questions along the way.

“This project includes both full street reconstruction and utility work,” Rosol shared. “The affected areas will be South Linton Street from Fifth to 10th Street, Sixth Street from Nicollet to where the pavement ends, Seventh Street from Nicollet to where the pavement ends, Eighth Street from Holland to Main, and Ninth Street from Holland to Main. We will also be replacing the asbestos-lined watermain along Nicollet Street from Fourth to 10th, along with a few other utility projects in other areas.”

Rosol then went through the cost estimate breakdown for the project, with the clarification that as the project bids had not been awarded yet, these estimates were likely to change.

“In total, this project is estimated to cost $7,654,950.54,” Rosol said. “Of that total cost, $1,679,585.67 is going towards the watermain, $1,256,715.08 is allocated for sanitary sewer services, $815,388.62 is for the storm sewer, and $3,903,263.16 will be for the street surface, curb, and gutter renovations.”

Rosol also went over how the assessment payment process would be dealt with, as well as the estimated interest rate.

“Assessment payments may be paid partially or in full by Nov. 1, 2026,” Rosol explained. “After that date they will be itemized on your tax statement, with two payments each year. In any year, the property owner may pay that year’s interest along with the outstanding principal. The anticipated interest rate is five percent.”

After finishing his presentation, Rosol opened the floor for questions from the public about the project.

A member of the public who was in attendance asked if there was a construction timeline available, so that they could view when certain areas would be under construction.

“We are planning to hold a neighborhood meeting with all of the residents who will be affected by the project, by which point we will hopefully have a rough timeline for construction,” Rosol replied. “The date for that meeting will be announced soon. We will also be providing updates via newsletter, as well as on our project website at www.blueearthconstructionprojects.com, which is already up and running. You can sign up for notifications via email or text, to be notified of any updates throughout the project.”

Council member Jacque Drew also voiced her support for the website as a useful resource.

“I would definitely encourage everyone to sign up for the email and text notifications,” Drew remarked. “They notify you right away of when construction is going to start in your area. When my neighborhood was under construction a few years ago, we got updates every Friday with information on what areas would be worked on the next week. I understand it will be difficult to maneuver with all of the construction in the area, but you will be very glad when the project is done.”

Following the closing of the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded to pass Resolution 26-21 approving the final assessment roll for the South Linton Area Street & Utility Improvement project. The motion passed unanimously.

City administrator Dawn Collins presented the council with the sealed bids for the property located at 1006 East Fifth Street.

“This is the second time we have put this property out for sealed bids,” Collins explained. “The first time we set a minimum bid of $15,000 and received no bids. This time, we lowered the minimum bid to $10,000. We received one bid from Polo Sifuentes for $7,000, which is under the minimum bid amount. I am seeking direction from the council on how to proceed.”

Council member John Huisman suggested that the council accept the bid, noting that he did not want to put it out for bids a third time.

“I’m also willing to accept the bid, but we should consider setting a stipulation that says the house should be renovated and livable within 18 months,” mayor Rick Scholtes remarked. “We’ve done something similar with other properties that we have sold.”

A few council members pushed back against that notion, citing the fact that this house was in better condition than past properties that the city had sold, and did not need that stipulation put in place.

Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the bid from Sifuentes. The motion passed 5-1, with Scholtes in dissent.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

• Raffle permits for the Blue Earth Giant Museum and American Legion Post 89 were unanimously approved.

• Resolution 26-20 approving an application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund was unanimously approved.

• A registration application for a Retail Cannabis License for Ouidhaus LLC was unanimously approved.

• Authorization for mayor Scholtes and the city staff to meet with various townships and discuss their Fire Service Agreements, which are set to expire this year, was unanimously approved.