BLUE EARTH– A marathon Blue Earth City Council meeting was held on Monday. It started off with a public improvement hearing for the 2024 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

The improvements entail full reconstruction of Rice, First and Second Streets, as well as maintenance to 10th and 11th Streets.

Second, 10th and 11th Streets pose fewer issues than the rest of the project area, but still need attention. Second Street is in good condition, but its storm sewer needs to be reviewed.

Tenth and 11th Streets are also in good condition overall, but they are showing signs of surface delamination. The watermain along 10th Street also requires replacement.

As property owners on Second, 10th and 11th Streets were assessed for recent improvement projects, they will be receiving credits to their accounts for this project.

The full reconstruction portion of the project is estimated to cost $3,190,486, with $530,048 assessed to benefiting property owners. The estimated cost of the project’s maintenance portion is $347,620, with $51,423 assessed to benefiting property owners.

“The project will be funded through general obligation bonds, utility funds, the Street Reconstruction Fund and assessment funds,” Bolton & Menk engineer Ben Rosol explained.

The project’s final assessment hearing is scheduled for the summer of 2025. Construction is slated for the summer of 2024.

Following the public hearing, the council approved Resolution 23-35 ordering the improvements, and the preparation of plans and the receipt of bids for the 2024 Street Improvement Project.

Additionally, the council approved Task Order No. 7 for the design and bidding phase of the project.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Discussed a proposal from the Blue Earth Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) to construct an ADA compliant playground at Giant Park, which is city-owned property. The CVB is requesting that the city serve as a fiscal agent for the project, and cover the playground’s liability insurance.

The group is not requesting any funding for the project, as costs are expected to be covered by private donations and financial assistance from B&G Foods. The CVB also plans to have a maintenance fund in place once the project is completed.

— Approved the city’s new Sewer Forgiveness Policy. The city will go back a maximum of three months when issuing sewer credits, approving credits within a range of $20 to $500.

— Approved an updated draft of the city’s Snow Plowing and Snow Emergency Policy, granting the Public Works director the authority to declare a snow emergency. Parking restrictions in the central business district will be lifted after 6 a.m. during snow emergencies.

— Approved Resolution 23-38 adopting assessments of unpaid charges for services the city has performed in 2023, including snow removal, mowing, extra dumps and impound fees.

— Approved a two-year recycling contract with B&B Sanitation. Residents’ rates will increase from $4.01 to $4.25 per account, per month.

— Approved Resolution 23-39 declaring certain property at the Blue Earth Community Library surplus.

— Approved a Request for Proposals for new accounting software at City Hall.