A small crew represented the Blue Earth City Council on Monday, June 5. Nonetheless, mayor Rick Scholtes and the three council members present accomplished a lot of business after they banged in the meeting at 5 p.m.

In response to recent concerns about the condition of the bleachers at Veterans Field, city administrator Mary Kennedy and public works director Jamie Holland explained why the bleachers were recently closed to the public.

The bleachers were erected at Veterans Field in 2017. They were previously owned by the United South Central (USC) School District, but became available when the district constructed its new school building.

“There was a requirement of the bleachers to be approved by a structural engineer when they were built (in Blue Earth), and a certificate of certification needed to be on file,” Kennedy explained. “This step was not properly followed or provided by the group that built the bleachers and we were notified during our loss control meeting that this needed to be completed before the bleachers could be used any further.” 

Holland also clarified that, though the bleachers met standards when they were owned by USC, after they were dismantled and reconstructed at Veterans Field they were considered new bleachers and therefore required to undergo the inspection process once again.  

The state also requires bleachers on city property to be inspected by a licensed building inspector every five years and by a certified structural engineer every 10 years.

The city enlisted a structural engineer to inspect the bleachers in early April, and several deficiencies were identified.

Kennedy summarized, “The bleachers are inaccessible for the time being and are not to be used until decisions regarding the repairs have been made.” 

The city obtained a $23,000 estimate for repairs necessary to bring the bleachers back into compliance.

However, it is arguably the timeline for the repairs which poses a greater problem, as Veterans Field is scheduled to host two tournaments this season. A tournament is scheduled to be hosted by the American Legion in mid-July, and the Blue Earth Pirates plan to host their league tournament at Veterans Field at the end of their season.

“We’ve got to find bleachers for people, or they’re not going to let us be a tournament site again,” Blue Earth Area Youth Baseball Association representative Brent Legred told the council.

Holland has obtained an estimate from SAAFE, LLC, but the company will most likely be unable to complete the repairs until September as they are booked with projects throughout the summer.

However, Holland added he has also contacted HB Construction for an estimate. He hopes they will be able to complete the repairs more quickly.

In the event that repairs cannot be completed before July, the council and Legred agreed it may be possible to erect portable bleachers as a temporary solution.

Holland will look into ordering portable bleachers before the council’s next meeting on June 20.

“We can always cancel the order if the bleachers get fixed,” Holland added.

The council also discussed waiving the baseball association’s $200 fee for maintenance work provided by the city at Veteran’s Field, as the association is a non-profit organization.

The council voted to table the matter until the next meeting so all council members may be present to discuss the suggestion.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council: 

• Passed Resolution 23-14 for the issuance and sale of $5,025,000 in general obligation bonds to TD Securities. The bonds will be paid over a term of 15 years with a 3.49 percent interest rate, and will be used to finance various improvement projects and capital equipment.

• Agreed to return items currently on display at the Blue Earth Community Library to donor Jim Pollard, including a dinosaur skull cast and a mural, as well as several display cases.

The council decided to leave the back room’s Pteranodon exhibit in tact, as the display was funded by many community donors.

• Discussed ongoing negotiations with the owner of a property on Seventh Street who has accrued several City Code violations.

The council directed city attorney David Frundt to work with the property owner on a potential solution to the violations. They also asked Frundt to look into notifying city properties which are exhibiting similar code violations.

• Approved Task Order No. 4 for professional services from Bolton & Menk to design a tennis court facility at Putnam Park. City engineer Wes Brown intends to collect bids for both post-tension concrete and asphalt courts.

• Approved the replacement of the Senior Center sidewalk along both Seventh Street and the center’s parking lot. The project’s cost estimate is $19,524, and it will be completed as part of the 2023 Street Improvement Project.

“There are a lot of trip hazards, and there is a lot that doesn’t meet ADA compliance,” Brown observed. “With it being the Senior Center, it’s important that it meets safety requirements.” 

• Approved Blue Earth Light & Water to apply for the 2024 Capital Bonding Bill.

• Approved the Blue Earth Police Department’s new Community Camera Registration Program, which offers residents and businesses the option of registering their security video cameras with the police department so the footage could be used in the event of a criminal investigation.

• Allocated $7,370 in Fitness Center funds to the Blue Earth Active Living Coalition to finance signage for a city-wide bike route.

• Approved a routine Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Contract with the state.

• Approved a raffle permit for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4486.

• Approved temporary liquor licenses for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4486, the Kiwanis Club of Blue Earth and the Faribault County Fair.

• Approved beer and wine license renewals for Lost Saint Brewing Company.

• Approved a permit application from Kris’ Tacos.

• Approved the hire of Alexandra Laabs as a part-time employee at Blue Earth Wine & Spirits.

• Appointed Al Gieser to the Street Committee.