BLUE EARTH– The Blue Earth City Council ‘flew’ through its last meeting of the year, which ended with several agenda items addressing the future of the city’s airport.  

At its meeting on Monday, the City Council reviewed and approved a letter of intent submitted by Sean and Crystal Schimmelman, owners of Advantage Aviation Services, LLC, who want to build a hangar at the Blue Earth Airport.

“We intend to use the building as an aircraft maintenance/avionics facility in support of a pipeline surveillance company and the local aircraft owners,”the Schimmelmans wrote.

The couple intends to commence construction in the spring in time for an early summer occupancy.

The council responded favorably to the news, and voted to approve the Schimmelmans’ letter of intent.

“I think it’s great to have another business come to town,”said council member Ann Hanna.

The council also discussed necessary maintenance to Blue Earth’s existing airport due to hail damage.

Kato Roofing estimated repairs to the airport’s roof will cost $94,240. However, the city will only be responsible for paying the airport’s $1,000 deductible.

The council approved the repairs to the airport’s roof on a unanimous vote.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Approved Resolution 22-31 setting the property tax levy for 2023 at $1,868,884.65. The levy represents a 4.1 percent increase over last year’s levy.

— Approved Blue Earth Area senior Cass Davis’ application to serve as an honorary City Council member in 2023.

— Approved Resolution 22-30 ordering improvements to sections of Moore Street, Galbraith Street, Ramsey Street, First Street and Third Street, and ordering Bolton & Menk to prepare plans and specifications and let bids for the planned improvements.

— Approved Resolution 22-32 to officially accept a Classification and Compensation Study submitted by Flaherty and Hood.

— Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local Union #250 implementing the police department’s new wage scale, which the City Council adopted onDec. 9.

— Approved Ordinance 22-19 to rezone land parcels on Grant Street as HBLI Highway Business and Limited Industry zones.

— Approved the Blue Earth Fire Department &Rescue Relief Association’s request to increase its budgeted benefits for members from $2,600 to $2,675.

— Denied Channel One Regional Food Bank’s request to distribute food from the Fairgrounds once a month in 2023, due to concerns about congestion.

— Approved part-time officer Ben Johnson’s resignation from the Blue Earth Police Department.

–Approved Lost Saint Brewing’s application for a city on-sale liquor license, contingent on  minor corrections being made to the application.