BLUE EARTH — Blue Earth City Council has voted to accept bids and move forward with several projects this summer at Blue Earth Municipal Airport.

The projects include runway and approach concrete repair, and a new snowblower for a new tractor at the airport.

There were three bids for the concrete crack repair and panel replacement for the runway, and the parallel connecting taxiway and approaches. The lowest came from Hoffman Concrete of Mankato at $161,387. With other costs, including engineering fees, the total is $191,387.

Low bid for the snowblower came from RDO Equipment of North Mankato at $24,183. With other costs added in, the total is $34,183.

The grand total of the airport project is $225,570.

The good news, said Ron Roetzel, engineer with Bolton & Menk, the city’s engineering firm, is that there will be no cost to the city.

“Usually, the [Federal Aviation Administration] picks up most of the cost and the local share is between 5 and 10 percent,” Roetzel told the council. “But, because of the 2020 Federal Cares Act, the FAA is going to cover all the cost of this project.”

The city can use all of the federal funds it will receive this year, $150,000, and will borrow funds to be paid back with next year’s FAA funds.

In other business, the council:

o Decided to open up playground equipment and picnic areas at city parks. They have been fenced off for several weeks. It also decided to continue with hiring summer workers for the pool and for the Public Works Department. And it instructed the Public Works Department to get the pool ready for the summer, but did not determine when the pool will open.

o Voted to allow all of the city’s committees to begin meeting again, in person or via virtual meetings, as long as social distancing and other safety protocols are used.