BLUE EARTH– On Monday, the Blue Earth City Council approved a proposal from the Active Living Coalition, but rejected another proposal from Project 3 Sisters.

The Active Living Coalition’s proposal involved establishing 12 to 15 miles of two-way loop trails throughout Blue Earth by connecting existing trails with signs and posts.

The two-way trail loop would start at the Giant Welcome Center and continue south through town, eventually looping back to the Giant Welcome Center.

Twenty Share the Road signs have already been purchased, but 21 bike route signs, 48 directional arrows and 46 galvanized posts are needed to complete the proposed trail. Accounting for labor, the project’s estimated cost is $7,370.

The coalition requested the council’s financial support for the project. Although the city does not have $7,370 in the budget for this, the council suggested alternative funding sources, such as the liquor store fund and the Faribault County Fitness Center’s budget.

The council declared its intent to support the project once it is able to locate the necessary funds.

Meanwhile, the council was unanimously against a proposal from Project 3 Sisters, LLC.

Several months ago, city attorney David Frundt informed Project 3 Sisters that the city was willing to take back the three Main Street buildings the company owns. Project 3 Sisters was amenable to the offer if the city reimbursed them for the funds they have invested in the buildings’ improvement.

On Monday, Project 3 Sisters submitted a proposal requesting reimbursement of $180,000 in exchange for re-conveying the buildings to the city’s ownership. Project 3 Sisters also asked the city to accept $240,000 in design costs as a gift.

The council unanimously rejected the offer.

“I just don’t think their request has got any validity to it,” council member John Huisman said.

The council also selected the winner of a recent contest to re-name Third Ward Park. Several Blue Earth Area Elementary School classrooms submitted entries, but the two finalists were ‘Piano Park,’ submitted by Karen Dressler’s kindergarten class, and ‘Evergreen Park,’ submitted by Cathy Bell’s fourth grade class.

The council selected the name ‘Piano Park’ on a narrow 4-3 vote.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Authorized the sale of $5,025,000 in general obligation bonds to fund the 2023 Street Improvement Project. The bonds will be put out for bid on June 5, at 10 a.m.

— Received the annual Blue Earth Light and Water (BELW) audit report. BELW received an unmodified/clean audit opinion, although BELW manager Tim Stoner said there were some unexpected expenses in the electric fund.

— Sold one half of a city-owned duplex on Bluestem Drive to Kevin and Annette Pevestorf for $223,000. The agreement is contingent on the sale of the buyers’ property in Chaska.

— Approved a proposal for construction testing services from American Engineering Testing, which will cost an estimated maximum of $20,578.

— Declared a city-owned four piece grain bin tube starter kit as surplus property.

— Approved Craig Wells’ one-time sewer credit request in the amount of $332.

— Approved permit applications from The Lemon, and Kee Kafe LLC DBA Bummy s, and a Brewer Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Lost Saint Brewing Co.