BE council has street project hearing
Declares 2024 assessments
Blue Earth brought another street improvement project to a close at a meeting held on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
City engineer Ben Rosol led the final assessment hearing for the 2023 Street & Utility Improvement Project at the start of the meeting.
“Tonight’s hearing will provide you with an overview of the assessment process,” Rosol told the assembled public. “After allowing you to have some comments on the project, the council will take action by either adopting the assessment roll or tabling it for a later date.”
The project, which took place last summer, consisted of improvements to Moore Street from Fourth Street to First Street; Galbraith Street from Third Street to First Street; Ramsey Street from Fifth Street to First Street; First Street from Ramsey Street to its east dead end; and Third Street from Main Street to Rice Street.
The project included necessary improvements to sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main, as well as street construction and sidewalk and boulevard improvements.
“The project is not totally finished up,” Rosol clarified. “We still will be putting the final layer of bituminous on this summer.”
He added Bolton & Menk will also be completing a few punch list items with the project’s contractor, Holtmeier Construction.
The project’s total cost came to $4,478,731. It will be financed through a general obligation bond with a 15-year term and a 3.51 percent interest rate, as well as by sanitary sewer and water rates. The Storm Sewer Fund and the Street Fund will also contribute to the project’s financing.
The remaining $1,013,787 of the project’s costs will be financed by assessments against benefiting property owners.
“The assessments are based on a three year average from the last three projects,” Rosol clarified.
The payments will be assessed to owners’ property taxes over a 15-year term with a 5.51 percent interest rate. Otherwise, they can be paid in full, or partially, by Nov. 1.
“In any year, the property owner may pay that year’s interest, and anything additional,” Rosol added.
Before opening up the hearing to questions from the public, Rosol said a quick word about the importance of caring for newly-installed sod.
“The sod appeared to be in good shape last fall,” he reported. “Be mindful of the sod for the next growing seasons…think about warm and dry weather to water accordingly to get the sod established. It takes time before it can take off and be resistant to drought conditions.”
Mayor Rick Scholtes echoed Rosol’s advice.
“Do water your sod – the city gives you a credit to do it,” he urged. “And keep your mower deck set as high as you can.”
A few members of the public inquired about issues which will be punch list items this summer – areas that need more gravel, for example, and damaged surfaces on finished streets and sidewalks.
Rosol urged the public to inform Bolton & Menk or staff at City Hall as soon as possible if they discover issues at their property which should be addressed along with other punch list items.
“The sooner, the better, so we can have these conversations with the contractors early on,” he said.
Rosol also pointed out that there is a two-year warranty for the project.
“There will be additional time to review the conditions for the project and verify if something needs to be addressed by the contractor,” he concluded.
After closing the hearing to the public, the council passed Resolution 24-03 adopting the final assessments for the 2023 Street & Utility Improvement Project.
In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:
• Passed Resolution 24-04 declaring costs to be assessed for the 2024 Street and Infrastructure Improvements, and calling for a hearing on the proposed assessments on May 18.
• Approved the sale of a city-owned lot at the Prairie View Addition to Jared Bruellman for $5,000.
• Went into closed session to discuss pending litigation related to the annexation agreement and the assessment appeal cases.
“The council heard from myself regarding updates to procedural issues associated with both cases,” city attorney David Frundt reported. “No action was necessary.”
• Scheduled a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, at 4:45 p.m. The meeting will be held so the council can receive an update on the annexation matter in a closed session.
• Reviewed a proposed ordinance to amend a subsection of the City Code regulating kennels, and set a second reading to approve the proposed changes for the next City Council meeting on March 4.
“Currently, the city prohibits kennels, and the council had directed us to review that ordinance and update it to allow kennels to operate in the HBLI (Highway Business Light Industrial) Zone,” city administrator Mary Kennedy explained.
• Approved a proposal for the city to finance a seventh-month advertising package from KEYC to air commercials promoting the city of Blue Earth. The advertising package is expected to cost $5,000.
• Approved a grant application letter from the Blue Earth Municipal Airport to finance a new mower. If the application is approved, 75 percent of the purchase’s costs would be covered by state funds, and the remaining 25 percent – totaling $7,113 – would be covered by a local share.
• Authorized the city to borrow $250,000 from the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help finance the Putnam Park tennis courts reconstruction project, which is estimated to cost $1.3 million.
The funds will be borrowed at a four percent interest rate with a five-year term.
• Authorized the city to borrow $200,000 from the Fitness Center Enterprise Fund at a 2.5 percent interest rate, with a five-year term, to help finance the tennis court project.
• Authorized the city to borrow $225,000 from the Liquor Enterprise Fund at a 2.5 percent interest rate, with a five-year term, to help finance the tennis court project.
• Approved the publication of a Request for Proposals for mowing services for city-owned properties.
• Accepted Ray Wigern’s resignation from the Street Committee following 17 years of service.
• Heard annual reports for the Blue Earth Community Library, the Blue Earth EDA and the Blue Earth Fire Department at a 4:15 p.m. work session.
• Approved the 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary Election judges.
• Voted to table a travel request from liquor store manager Dave Olson and employee Amber Belaski, who want to attend the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Annual Conference in April.
“I’m not sure why we need to send two people,” observed council member John Huisman.
The council will consult Olson about whether both employees need to attend the conference before voting on the matter at a future meeting.
• Held a brief discussion about concerns regarding flagging liquor store profits. The council decided to invite Olson to the next City Council meeting to discuss the liquor store’s finances.
• Approved permit applications for Norseman Lobster Food Truck and the Chick-fil-a Food Truck.