The new Pteranodon exhibit at the Blue Earth Community Library and Fossil Discovery Center, above, was recently delivered and installed. The Blue Earth City Council had a discussion at their meeting on Monday about the library and the Fossil Discovery Center.

The Blue Earth City Council debated setting a precedent at a regular meeting on Nov. 21.

Discussion arose from two residents’ requests for reimbursement for private improvements to their properties, which were negatively affected by the city’s 2021 and 2022 street improvement projects.

Both improvements were installed in the projects’ right-of-way.

Orv Terhark requested a reimbursement of $425 to Great Lawn Services for partial repairs to his sprinkling system, which was uprooted as a part of the street project at the corner of 10th and Holland Streets. Bill Halvorson, meanwhile, requested an $850 reimbursement for the removal of an irrigation system on his property following this year’s street improvements.

Bolton & Menk engineer Wes Brown told the council, “The way we’ve been handling any private improvements in the right of way is it’s the property owner’s responsibility to move it out of the way, or the contractor will salvage it best they can. It’s the homeowner’s responsibility to put it back if they want it back.” 

Brown added the policy is always explained in a newsletter which Bolton & Menk sends out to affected residents at the beginning of a new street improvement project.

He noted, “The council can discuss whether they want to reimburse this one, and start a new precedent going forward.” 

Council member Ann Hanna responded, “If you improve in the right of way, I think you’re taking your own responsibility.” 

Council member Russ Erichsrud disagreed, however, saying, “I think these two gentlemen should be paid.” 

The council voted on the matter, passing a motion to decline both requests for reimbursement on a 5-2 vote. Erichsrud and council member Marty Cassem voted in opposition.

The council also discussed the city’s policy for accepting donations to the Blue Earth Community Library and Fossil Discovery Center.

The conversation was sparked by local Paleontology enthusiast Jim Pollard’s donation of a large Pteranodon fossil to the library. The Pteranodon will join a collection of fossils which Pollard has put on display at the library recently.

“I think we’ve reached a point where I don’t think our library can house any more (fossils),” council member John Huisman said. “I’d like to see the city giving (the library board) some direction. If we want to expand this thing, then I think we have to find another building.” 

Library director Heidi Schutt also commented, “I have lots and lots of questions. It is stressful for the staff when we’re not informed when something comes into the building.” 

Kennedy concluded, “I think the key here is this needs to become, then remain, a city-led project, not a donor-led project.” 

The council took no official action regarding the matter, but decided to discuss the donation policy with Pollard in the near future.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council: 

• Discussed the 2023 budget at a 4:30 p.m. worksession.

Mayor Rick Scholtes observed that overall, there is nothing out of the ordinary about this year’s budget. The final budget will be affected by several factors, including the results of a class and compensation study which has not yet been finalized and potential new hires next year.

“The biggest thing that’s eating up money this year is just that the cost of living has gone up,” Scholtes said.

• Heard an update from city attorney David Frundt regarding longstanding city code violations at a Blue Earth property located on E. Sixth Street.

Frundt told the council he is in the process of securing a court date to resolve the matter. He has also begun to coordinate the clean up of the property.

Frundt added he did send a letter to the property owner, per the council’s request at a Nov. 7 meeting, to inquire whether he would be interested in selling the property to the city for $1. However, he is not optimistic that he will receive a response.

• Received an update from Bolton & Menk engineer Wes Brown regarding the 2023 street improvement project.

Brown said that the project was not fully completed before winter conditions set in. Delays were primarily caused by material supply shortages early in the project and the sod contractor’s busy schedule when it came time to lay down sod. However, street and concrete work is complete.

Due to the delays, the remaining sod will now be laid in the spring.

“Spring sod is always more difficult to keep alive, so we’re talking (with the contractor) about an extended watering period as one solution. They’re willing to work with us on that,” Brown said.

• Approved Engineering Services Addendum No. 6, which contracts Bolton & Menk to work with city staff and the Park and Recreation Committee to develop a community-wide Park System Master Plan.

Bolton & Menk will be compensated $40,974 for their services.

“Typically, the parks budget is $40,000 (per year). That’s what this costs,” Kennedy explained. “This will be the project for 2023.” 

She added, “This is the recommendation from the (Park and Recreation) board so they know what projects are good projects for them to pursue in years to come.” 

• Granted an extension to the Faribault County Humane Society, which is rehabilitating a building in Blue Earth’s West Industrial Park area. The Humane Society now has until Feb. 1 to complete the project.

• Approved alterations to the city’s fees and rates for 2023. The council agreed to raise the impound lot fee from $5 per day to $10 per day. The council also agreed to raise the rates for administrative fines from $50 per day to $75 per day.

• Conducted Kennedy’s annual review. Overall, her average performance rating was 8.53, representing an increase from the 8.19 rating she received last year.

• Canvassed the local election results for the city of Blue Earth.