BLUE EARTH– On Tuesday, Faribault County Historical Society (FCHS) executive director Randy Anderson reported a ‘grave concern’ to the Blue Earth City Council– that is, an unmarked grave located on the grounds of Blue Earth’s Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal.

The grave in question is that of an infant boy, Henry Burleson, who was buried by his father, Rev. Solomon S. Burleson, in 1874.

Anderson shared human remains have been located at the northeast corner of the church’s Guild Hall by state archeologist Amanda Gronhovd.

The discovery of the remains may affect the future of a retaining wall which borders storage sheds by Crescent Apartments. Anderson suspects the wall, which is close to the grave site, has encroached upon the church’s property line, and may have collided with Burleson’s remains.

Depending on the outcome of further excavation by Gronhovd, the wall may need to be relocated.

Anderson intends to keep the council updated as to Gronhovd’s findings. She will return to Blue Earth in the next four to six weeks to recover Burleson’s remains.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Reviewed correspondence informing the council that the Rainbow Food Co-op’s board of directors has approved becoming a cannabis dispensary site.

The letter was just informational, as the city is still determining how to respond once the sale of cannabis is legalized in Minnesota. The change is expected to occur in January of 2025.

— Conducted a public hearing for the abatement of a Seventh Street property in violation of the City Code.

The council approved city attorney David Frundt to apply for a court order authorizing the city to clean up the property if the owner does not correct the violations by July 9.

— Directed Frundt to obtain a search warrant for the inspection of a property on Galbraith Street, which is suspected to be in hazardous condition.

— Approved the publication of a Request for Proposals for the construction of new bleachers at Veterans Field.

— Agreed to notify the American Legion that it must present the council with plans for a veterans memorial at the former Kerr-McGee property by Sept. 30 of this year.

— Debated ways to expand parking options at the Senior Center as part of a proposed project to improve its sidewalks. Bolton & Menk will research options and report its findings to the council.

— Approved changing the name of the Blue Earth Community Library and Fossil Discovery Center back to the Blue Earth Community Library.

— Approved an updated job description for part-time staff at the library.

— Accepted Chuck Hunt’s resignation from the Library Board.

— Approved a one-time sewer forgiveness request from council member Dan Ristau and Lindsay Mensing in the amount of $302.44. Ristau abstained from voting.