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RFP for new bleachers strikes out

BE City Council may budget $23,000 repair project for next year

By Fiona Green - Staff Writer | Jul 23, 2023

The bleachers at the ballfield at Veterans Memorial Field remain closed while the city researches options for their repair, or replacement.

In a marathon of a meeting on Monday, July 17, the Blue Earth City Council discussed upcoming recreational projects and a recent spate of City Code violations.

Under old business, the council revisited an ongoing discussion about the safety of the bleachers at Veterans Field. They ultimately decided to continue researching seating options.

The bleachers – purchased from the United South Central School District – were deemed unsafe following an inspection conducted in early April.

Citing several deficiencies, including needed repairs and safety updates to the backstop fence, stairway and concrete pad, the city declared the bleachers closed to the public. Since then, the city has obtained a $23,000 estimate for repairs necessary to bring the bleachers into compliance.

At a previous meeting the council decided to put out a Request for Proposals for the construction of new bleachers to obtain a quote as a reference point.

On July 17, city administrator Mary Kennedy informed the council, “There was very limited interest. Ultimately, we did not receive any proposals for new bleachers.”

Kennedy suggested the council pursue one of two options for seating at Veterans Field. They could either repair the existing bleachers to pass a structural inspection, or remove the bleachers and consider alternative seating options.

Kennedy pointed out the council will need to determine a source of funding for the project no matter which option they choose.

Several council members worried that if the bleachers were to undergo the $23,000 repair project, there is no guarantee they would be found compliant after another safety inspection.

“If we spend $23,000 fixing the bleachers and it still doesn’t pass code, what do we have then?” council member Dan Ristau wondered.

City engineer Wes Brown, however, said he feels the odds are slim that the repairs would not pass code requirements.

“I don’t think there’s a significant risk,” he argued.

“Could we put $23,000 in next year’s budget, get them fixed, and live with what we’ve got?” council member John Huisman inquired.

Mayor Rick Scholtes also observed, “We have some more time to research this before next year.”

The council agreed, and directed Kennedy to look into budgeting the $23,000 for repairs next year.

The council also reviewed a potential design for a new tennis court facility at Putnam Park.

The proposed design shifts the tennis courts several feet east and south of their current footprint, allowing clearance for a sidewalk around the entire facility. Shifting the footprint south also allows for minimal disturbance to a row of trees north of the courts.

The proposed figure allowed for six tennis courts, three of which would be painted with lines for six pickleball courts.

The council discussed whether six pickleball courts are necessary, reasoning that more lines can be painted in the future if a need is identified.

They directed Brown to adjust the figure to accommodate just four pickleball courts, and to extend the sidewalk so it ties into the adjoining parking lot.

Shifting from recreation to code violations, the council conducted a public hearing for a property located on Seventh Street which has been issued several code violations over the past year.

At its last meeting, the council said the property must be cleaned up by July 10 if the owner, Bruce Stensland, wished to avoid an escalation in the abatement process.

“The property has significantly improved since the last discussion of the matter,” city attorney David Frundt informed the council on July 17. “We’ve had this property in front of the council on numerous occasions, and promises were made. As it is today, this is the closest it has come to following through on promises. If it stays in this condition, the council will be very happy.”

Satisfied with the condition of the property, the council decided not to issue an order for abatement.

Stensland, however, expressed his frustration with the abatement process. He argued that the code violations his business has been issued have been committed by other Blue Earth businesses, as well.

“I understand if you guys want to go after me, but go after the other two (businesses),” he said.

“That may change,” Huisman replied.

The council also discussed how to prevent months-long efforts to address code violations in the future, eventually directing Kennedy to make code violations a standing agenda item.

Scholtes also suggested the city immediately start issuing daily fines once the date of compliance for code violations has passed.

“I’m thinking we could speed this up,” he said.

At the July 17 meeting alone, the council scheduled a public hearing for code violations at a property on 14th Street and voted to condemn a fire-damaged property on Galbraith Street.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council: 

• Reviewed a draft of a base fee schedule to be presented to Winnebago for coverage by the Blue Earth Police Department.

The proposed rates allow for coverage by three or four Blue Earth officers at the 2024 police wage median of $46.90 per hour, plus the cost of benefits.

The estimated fee for 240 hours of coverage per month is $30,806.68, or $369,680.20 annually.

“This model would have no impact on Blue Earth’s police coverage,” Kennedy added. “For this model to work, additional Blue Earth officers would be hired for Winnebago.”

She also clarified Winnebago has not yet seen the base fee schedule draft. Now that the council has approved the draft on a 5-1 vote – with Ann Hanna opposed - it will be sent to Winnebago for the city’s consideration.

• Closed the meeting for the preliminary consideration of allegations against city employee Tammy Davis, an office specialist.

After discussing a complaint which was filed against Davis, the council determined no further action was necessary.

• Closed the meeting to discuss security matters.

• Approved American Engineering Testing’s proposal for geotechnical services for a lift station on Highland Drive, estimated to cost $4,350.

• Approved Resolution 23-17 authorizing the city to submit a Point Source Implementation Grant application to the Public Facilities Authority, and authorizing city officials to execute a grant agreement on behalf of the city for the Faribault County Riverside Heights sewer extension project.

• Approved Change Order #1 for the 2023 Street Improvement Project in the amount of $24,340.10.

• Approved a bid from Pearson Bros., Inc, for seal coating services, estimated to cost $58,198.73.

• Approved Resolution 23-20 in support of an application to the U.S. Department of Energy for grant funding for Blue Earth Light & Water.

• Approved a variance request for a Fourth Street property whose owner wishes to install a fence one-and-a-half feet from the property line.

• Approved a variance request for a property on Circle Drive whose owner wishes to install a fence one-and-a-half feet inside the property line.

Huisman voted in opposition.

• Approved travel/training requests for police officer Joshua Crofton and four yet-to-be-determined fire department employees.

• Approved an event request from the Main Street Sewing Society to present Quilts of Honor on July 23.