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‘3 Sisters’ plan must raise $1M

BLUE EARTH – The sale of the “Three Sisters” buildings in downtown Blue Earth to a group called the Rural Renaissance Project has taken a couple more steps toward becoming a reality.

The Blue Earth City Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt a development agreement with Rural Renaissance.

And the city held a first reading of an ordinance that could eventually transfer ownership of the buildings at a cost of $1 per building to the group.

The development agreement spells out the responsibilities of Rural Renaissance, including having it raise $1 million in 90 days as a good faith gesture to show it can do what it is proposing for the buildings.

The final sale of the buildings could happen after the second reading of the property transfer ordinance, which would happen at the council’s July 2 meeting.

According to Blue Earth’s City Charter, sale of land or buildings by the city can only happen by passage of a city ordinance.

Janie Hanson, a representative of Rural Renaissance, told the council she is comfortable with the stipulation of raising the $1 million, but the timing may be a problem.

“We will begin our fundraising with a kickoff at Giant Days,” she said. “We needed something in writing to show those who are planning on donating that we will be getting the buildings.”

In other business Monday, the council:

o Accepted the sale of $4.075 million in General Obligation Bonds that will be used for financing various public improvement projects in the city, including a new Public Works building, a current street improvement project and a housing development. The interest rate on the bonds will be 3.27 percent.

o Held a closed session to conduct a review of city administrator Tim Ibisch. After the closed session, Mayor Rick Scholtes reported that the council reviewed the administrator’s performance in 11 categories, from organizational skills to technology ability. Ibisch received an average score from the council across all 11 categories of 8.89 on a scale of 1 to 10. It was the same score the administrator had received last year.

“We are very happy to have Tim as our administrator,” Scholtes said. “We look forward to having him working for us for many years to come.”

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