A Clear Zone Action Plan, new equipment for the Blue Earth Municipal Airport, and a new Business Subsidy Policy were all on the agenda at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 25.

City engineer Ben Rosol presented the council with Task Order No. 2, approving a Master Agreement for Professional Services with Bolton & Menk to create a Clear Zone Action Plan (CZAP) for the airport.

“This agreement with Bolton & Menk will allow us to move forward with the creation of a CZAP,” Rosol explained. “This project cost will be a 70-30 split, with a total cost of $10,000. We have requested a state grant agreement in the amount of $7,000 to help pay for the project, which leaves us to pay the remaining $3,000.”

Hearing no further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve Task Order No. 2. The motion was passed unanimously.

Rosol then presented the council with a quote from O’Day Equipment for the purchase of a new fuel monitor and card reader for the airport.

“We received two bids for this project, and O’Day Equipment was the low bid at the price of $35,459.75,” Rosol shared. “This project cost will be split 60-40, with our portion being $14,183.90. We have submitted a state grant agreement for the remaining 60 percent of the cost, which will be $21,275.85.”

Following some discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the quote from O’Day Equipment in the amount of $35,459.75. The motion was passed unanimously.

EDA specialist Amy Schaefer presented the council with a draft for an updated Business Subsidy Policy for the city of Blue Earth.

“As has been discussed at previous meetings, our current Business Subsidy Policy dates back to 1999, and is in need of an update,” Schaefer explained. “I have written an updated draft to be addressed at tonight’s public hearing, and possibly for approval tonight as well.”

Following this explanation, a public hearing was opened and held for discussion on the new Business Subsidy Policy. Hearing no discussion or questions from the public, a motion was made and seconded to close the hearing. The motion passed unanimously.

Following the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded to approve the new Business Subsidy Policy. The motion was passed unanimously.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

• The final 2024 Financial Audit, which was performed by Carlson SV, was unanimously approved.

• Pay Estimate 7 for the 2024 Street & Utility Improvements project in the amount of $329,737.50 was unanimously approved.

• Mayor Scholtes presented the council with information on two city-owned lots, 116 Sixth Street SW and 926 Galbraith Street S, seeking direction on what to do with the lots. Following some discussion, a motion was made and seconded to hold a public hearing for the sale of these two lots. The motion was passed unanimously.

• A recommendation to discharge Norman John Kolve, who is currently on a probationary period with the Public Works Department, was unanimously approved.

• City attorney David Frundt provided an update regarding a complaint brought against Amber Belaski by the supervisor of Blue Earth Wine & Spirits. An inquiry will be opened to further investigate the complaint, and a closed session will be held at the City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 15 to discuss the issue further.

• Council member Mike McNerny presented the council with a request to host Riverpalooza at the fairgrounds this year, as the road leading to the Riverside Town and Country Club has been damaged by the recent rains and caved in. Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the hosting of Riverpalooza at the fairgrounds. The motion passed 6-0, with McNerny abstaining from the vote.