City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. It is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. We'll call the city council meeting of the city of New to order. First item of business is the consent agenda. Councilors, what are your wishes? I'll move it. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion carries. Item 2.1, summary of business conducted during board and commission meetings. We do have our first two that usually go um out today. So, we'll start with councelor Mack.

I'm going to just give an update from sister cities. We conducted five interviews um over the past two weeks for our outbound u sister cities exchange students and uh we narrowed it down to one candidate and uh um Lisa sent that off to M and hopefully they'll be able to get back to us if they can accept that individual for his trade and we'll move forward. Thank you.

And uh um Heritage Preservation Commission met um a week ago yesterday. Uh a very short meeting, just one item. We uh approved adding a Scove Brotten Wealth Management signage right underneath the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management sign a block north of here. I did see that. Mayor,

well, I'll just uh share with you the highlights from this last weekend. I had the opportunity uh to spend the day and I don't know where the city staff was but I was um kidnapped in case you don't know Mr. Chief of police uh and all the other management uh team here from the city but I spent the afternoon with the nar celebrating uh fashing this past Friday and it was so delightful. Uh we stopped at 12 different businesses along the way on Minnesota Street. Uh were engaged in conversations with many people along the way. In fact, I do have to share this with you. It was a a couple walking. Each one of them had a dog. Uh so here they are walking down the street and of course me hello how are you? What are you doing? They said oh we are moving here from Chanhassen. And I said ah how exciting. Do you have relatives here? No, we just love the city. There's so much going on. And of course, the narin reinforced part of the c, you know, celebrating why why not move to New Minnesota. So, they are spending two days a week here until spring and then they will be moving full-time uh to New Minnesota. So, how wonderful. So, it was a great day.

Awesome. Thank you, Mayor. And um because you were on vacation a few years ago, I had the opportunity to get kidnapped once myself and it is a great day getting out to see the businesses and the the NAR and they run a tight schedule. So uh so that's great. Um just in regards to EDA, we had a work session. We are beginning to kind of look at our strategic planning um and look through some of the different programs we offer and discuss what's working and not working. And so, um, we discussed the multifamily rehab and the, um, single rehab, commercial, commercial rehab and small business loans

and the small business loans. And so, um, we want to make sure that what we're doing with those funds is of the the maximum benefit um for for us and for the community. So, um, so there'll be more to come on that, but if you're not familiar with the EDA programs, there might be one out there that would be good for you. So, we encourage you to go to the website or our Facebook page and take a look. Um, that's all I have. Anyone else? All right. Thank you very much. Under old business, um, item 3.1 is the 2026 utility street and alley improvement projects. Mr. Stoddheim.

Thank you, Madam President. City councilors, uh, we are just before you today to ask uh, to set the bid date for the 2026 utility street improvement project. Previously conducted a public hearing where you ordered in those improvements. So, we're asking you to approve the plans and specs and set the bid date for March uh 18th.

Okay. Madame Chair and counselors, I'd like to uh offer the resolution approving the plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids on the 2026 utility street and alley improvement project, setting the bid opening date, and authorizing staff to receive and open bids for the project at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026, right here in the council chambers at city hall. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker,

yes. That motion carries. Item 3.2 is the airport crosswind runway 927 construction project.

Madam President, city councilors again asking you to approve the plans and specs and set the bid date uh for March 24th. This is for the construction of crosswind runway 927 at the airport. That's going to be an aggregate turf runway. um as per our airport layout plan and as a reminder this is a project funded by congressionally directed spending in which we were awarded $2.5 million. I'm going to offer the resolution approving the plans and specs ordering the advertisement for bids on the airport crosswind runway 0927 construction project setting the bid opening date and authorizing staff to receive and open bids for the project at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.

Second. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. Motion carries. Item 3.3 is the 18th South Street Storm sewer lift station project.

Madame President, city councilors uh pleased to report that staff opened bids on February 11th for the 18 South Storm sewer lift station project. Staff received five bids um ranging from the low of 1.3 million to a high of 1.8 million. Um the low is underneath the engineers's estimate by 13% and engineers estimate was about 1.5 million. Low bidder was Holtmeer Construction out of Mano. Uh Holtmeer Construction has worked with other contractors in the area on numerous city projects. Very competent contractor who we are confident will be able to successfully deliver this project. As a reminder, uh this project is partially funded in FEMA pre- disaster mitigation funding in the amount of $1,125,000 on a 7525 funding split with the city. The city project funds for this project will come out of the 2025 bond issuance. Um the abstract is included uh within the action form and there's also a recommended award letter from Bolton Mink who is our consultant contract uh consultant on this project. Be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you madame president and counselors. I uh support this project of uh anti- flood you know disaster mitigation um storm sewer project and trying to keep the water on the Minnesota river side of our burm levy. So, I would make a motion to award the contract for the 18th South Street Storm Sewer Lift Station project to Holt Meyer Construction Incorporated in the amount of 1,321,233. Second. Do we have a motion and a second? Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I.

That motion does carry. Under new business, item 4.1 is the 2026 Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting. Well, I'm going to receive notice that the 2026 board of equalization meeting has been scheduled for Monday, April 20th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the city hall council chambers at 100 North Broadway, New Minnesota. Second that motion. We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 4.2 Two is taxexempt general obligation permanent improvement revolving fund bonds series 2026.

Councilors, this is the first step in the 2026 bond process. It just allows us to start those projects and pay costs as they come along and then reimburse ourselves out of the bonds that will be sold in August. Madame President, counselors, I'd like to offer the resolution to declare official intent to the city of New Alm to reimburse utility street alley and other capital expenditures with proceeds of the taxexempt general obligation permanent improvement revolving fund bonds series 2026. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. Resolution. Oh, it's a resolution. Director Jordan, please call the role. Schmidz. Yes. Councelor Mack. Yes.

President Becker. Yes. That motion does carry. Um item 4.3 will need to be tabled because we do need a four-fifths majority vote to uh approve the year end transfers and incumbrances. So we will move on to item 4.4 which is a video board for the Johnson Park replacement scoreboard. And I see Mr. Schugle approaching. Hello.

Thank you. Council President Bker, city councilors, Joey Schugle, park and recreation director for the city of New Alm. Uh before you is a proposal for the New Alm Baseball Association to move forward with the purchase and donation to the city of New for a replacement scoreboard at Johnson Park. This replacement scoreboard would be a digital scoreboard and the purchase would come from AIM electronics through the baseball association at an estimated amount of two $259,553. So our current scoreboard at Johnson Park uh was purchased in 2008. Uh over the last couple years there's been significant dimming um to a point where uh it is hard to see uh the board during during day games especially and it's also been to the point where it's hard to get replacement parts there. Uh so the baseball association had had a desire to have that board replaced. Uh the city hadn't had funding for that replacement. So the baseball association is proposing to purchase the board uh through their own funding. Uh the dimensions of the board are mostly the same. There is uh a difference where uh there's a 5-ft high arch truss on this new board which is in your packet. A concept is in your packet that kind of shows what that looks like. The existing posts would be able to support this. Um all electrical upgrades which are required to be able to uh um input the digital display would also be taken care of through the baseball association uh funding. If approved then to this step uh this uh there would be a formal uh donation coming back to you for acceptance at a future meeting as well.

Any questions? I'm happy to answer. I've got no questions. I think it's wonderful. So, I'm going to offer the motion to approve the proposal for the Newan Baseball Association to move forward with purchase and donating to the city a replacement of Johnson Park scoreboard with new video board from AIM Electronics and the estimated amount of $259,553 including electrical updates, installation, removal of the current current board subject to formal acceptance of donation by resolution of the city council. Second. Thank you. Do we have a motion and a second? Any further discussion?

Uh, madame chair and counselors, I would just like to thank the new baseball association and uh point out that in all my experience of yours here in the community of the nearly 80 special interest groups that are involved with the park and recreation system, the New Alm Baseball Association has uh donated the most amount of money um in my recollection. So, thank you very much baseball association. I concur. Thank you. Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Thank you. Item 4.5 is a BMX request for temporary camping.

Thank you, Council President Ber City Council uh looking for a resolution to authorize overnight camping uh through the River Valley BMX Association to host their state qualifying race on Friday, June 12th, Saturday, June 13th, and Sunday, June 14th. This has become a yearly request from um this association and this year they're more excited than ever because they're the track redesign is allowing them to host a larger field. Uh so they do feel that additional opportunities like this camping um uh could be used by by those participants. So where the camping would occur is in South German Park uh right next to Third Street. Um, one of the things that has to happen uh before they do camp is we have to be sure that the areas allows them to camp. It it's a area that can be really wet depending on the time of year. So staff would check that out. In addition, if the the weather is not permitting um recreational fires, we would communicate that that to them as well that that wouldn't be allowed use for this activity. Any questions on any of this? Madame President and counselors, this is an annual request from a uh another one of our many special interest groups that operates um one of our facilities and provides great programming for our community and region. So, I would uh definitely like to offer the resolution to authorize overnight temporary camping not to exceed five recreational fires in South German Park near Third South Street for a BMX Minnesota State qualifier racing event on the nights of Friday, June 12th, Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack. Yes. President Becker. Yes. That motion carries. Park and wreck donations is item 4.6.

Becker. City Council. Uh this is uh looking for a resolution to accept donations for uh purposes that I will outline shortly. Before I do that, I do want to note that uh this was approved by the park and art commission at their February 9th meeting, which is incorrect in your packet that uh does not have board and commission recommendations, but it was approved unanimously. First donation from Derek and Nancy Wickman and Brenda Kudson honoring Bria and Chris for $200 for a German park paper. Mary Ellen Domire in memory of Michael Schwarz for $50 for the Riverside ELC. Carol and Joseph Domeire in memory of Michael Schwarz for $50 for the Riverside ELLC. Again, uh Newm Public Schools in the amount of $1,600 $600 for the final 20% for the Wreck on the Go program. The Optimus Club with two donations. First for $1,000 for the New Year's Eve skate program and then for the teen skate event, again from the Optimus Club for $750. And then a Herman Heights PA stone from Peter Brand honoring the Brand family for $200. That total equals $3,850.

Thank you. Thank you, Joey, for reading them in. I will offer the resolution to accept donations offered to the city of New M through the park and rec department totaling $3,850 for the identified purposes. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion carries. Item 4.7 is fire department donations.

Madame President, counselors, I'd like to offer a resolution to accept the following donations um from August Shell Brewery, a firefighter event proceeds of $228.82 82 and then from tips from that firefighter um event of $415.50. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Schmidz. Yes. Councelor Mack. Yes. President Becker. Yes. That motion carries. And with no additional business today, this meeting is adjourned. We will move to a work session.