BLUE EARTH– The Blue Earth City Council saw another street project come to a close on Tuesday. That evening, the council conducted the final assessment hearing for the 2022 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

Following a presentation by Bolton & Menk engineer Ben Rosol, the council voted to approve Resolution 23-24 adopting the final street project assessments to benefiting property owners.

The project’s total cost came to $4,738,319. It will be financed through a general obligation bond with a 3.13 percent interest rate. The costs will also be partially covered through sanitary sewer and water rates, the Storm Sewer and Street Funds, and $957,747 in property tax assessments.

Rosol also briefed the council on the proposed 2024 Street Improvement plan.

Streets under consideration for full reconstruction include Rice Street from First Street to Seventh Street and a block of Second Street from Gorman Street to the train tracks. Portions of 10th and 11th Streets are eligible for mill and overlay and underground work.

The project is estimated to cost roughly $3 million.

The council approved Task Order No. 6 ordering a feasibility study from Bolton & Menk, which will cost an estimated $52,500 in consulting fees. Additionally, the council ordered the preparation of a report for the proposed 2024 street improvements.

Rosol also updated the council on the progress of a long-awaited project to rehabilitate the tennis court facility at Putnam Park.

The trees have already been removed at the existing facility and pavement and fence removals are expected to begin during the week of Sept. 11.

The council then approved Task Order No. 5 — an agreement for Bolton & Menk’s engineering services for the construction of the tennis courts. The consulting fee is an estimated $115,000.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Approved Resolution 23-26 setting the 2024 preliminary tax levy at $2,242,661, which represents a 20 percent increase over last year s levy.

— Amended Resolution 23-08 s legal description of lands which would be annexed to the city of Blue Earth per an agreement between the city and Blue Earth City Township.

City Attorney David Frundt informed the council a preliminary hearing for the proposed annexation is scheduled at the Public Safety Center on Oct. 5.

— Approved the Faribault County Historical Society’s annual request for a budgeted reimbursement of their light and water bills.

— Appointed Brian Koranda to the Library Board, and approved the hire of Megan Goshorn and Deborah Soria as part-time library clerks, pending a background check.

— Accepted the resignations of part-time library clerk Brooke Spear and part-time police officer Chase Davis.