BLUE EARTH – Blue Earth City Council held a public meeting via teleconference earlier this week to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Leland Parkway reconstruction project.

City engineer Wes Brown led the discussion. The project stretches along County Road 16 from Grant Street to Grove Street. Brown said the project could potentially start the first week of May.

The existing structure of Leland Parkway is in poor condition, with signs of distress including alligator cracking, rutting and potholes. The water system along the stretch of road is aging, undersized and in poor condition, while the storm sewer condition is poor and failing.

The objectives of the project are to improve the safety and reliability of the street while decreasing maintenance; improve the drainage conditions; replace deteriorating infrastructure; improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and to mitigate flood impacts east of the former railroad tracks near Hood Street.

Proposed improvements include street reconstruction; replacement of driveway aprons, curb and gutter; a new pedestrian and bike trail; replacing water and storm sewer infrastructure; and changing the roadway profile to mitigate flood impacts.

The council discussed whether to utilize concrete or bituminous paving. Ultimately, it chose bituminous, at a cost of $3.26 million, voting to accept the sole bid from Ulland Brothers of Albert Lea. The motion passed 5-2, with Dan Warner and John Huisman voting against bituminous pavement.

In other action, the council:

o Approved an additional food truck site request for Scotty Biggs Food Trailer to set up near Giant Park.

o Adjusted Blue Earth Wine & Spirits liquor store hours to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with store hours remaining the same on the weekend. The new hours will go into effect Monday.

o Went into closed session to discuss a complaint against city employee David Childs and a proposed resolution of the matter per union contract. After the closed session, the council approved a separation and release document executed by Childs prior to the meeting and passed a motion to take no further action against Childs as it relates to the complaint.