BLUE EARTH– The Blue Earth City Council has been discussing pending litigation in closed session for several months. However, the matter is set to be resolved after a meeting held on Monday.

The litigation concerns a petition which was brought before the State Board of Municipal Boundaries in response to the proposed annexation agreement between the city of Blue Earth and the Township of Blue Earth City.

On Monday city attorney David Frundt put a resolution for a new orderly annexation agreement in front of the council. The resolution, the result of negotiations between the city and the petitioners, nullifies the original 1976 Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation which the city was intending to use to annex the township.

The new orderly annexation agreement would immediately annex the land in question, without further hearings on the matter. It is set to expire in five years, after the city has made a tax reimbursement to the township in the amount of $50,000.

The council approved the resolution for the new agreement, and the Township of Blue Earth City Board was expected to adopt the resolution on Tuesday, March 19.

A significant portion of the Monday meeting was dedicated to the final assessment hearing for the 2024 Street and Utility Improvement Project. Its construction is slated to take place this summer.

The project involves the full reconstruction of Rice Street, from Seventh Street to First Street. A block of Second Street between Rice and Gorman Streets will also be reconstructed, as will a block of First Street between Rice Street and the railroad tracks.

Additionally, portions of 10th and 11th Streets between Rice and Ramsey Streets are slated for mill and overlay.

The project’s total estimated cost is $3,538,107, and $559,655 of that cost will be covered by assessments against benefiting property owners.

Following the hearing, the City Council adopted the final assessments for the project.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Reviewed and approved the preliminary layout for City Hall, which is expected to be relocated to the former Wells Fargo building at the end of this year.

Brunton Architects’ plans offer a secure area for city staff which will be separate from the public area of the building. The plans also allow for more spacious council chambers to seat more members of the public during meetings.

— Scheduled a second reading and public hearing on April 1 for an ordinance to amend the City Charter.

The ordinance follows the Charter Commission’s recommendation to amend a portion of City Code concerning the tariff mill rate revenue from the city’s large power customers.

— Scheduled a second reading and public hearing on April 1 for an ordinance to amend the City Charter’s procedures for the conveyance of city-owned property.

— Scheduled a second reading and public hearing on April 1 for an ordinance to amend the City Charter’s language concerning the procedure for recalling an elected official.

— Approved More Than Mowing’s bid for the city’s 2024 mowing contract. More Than Mowing quoted $56,316 for mowing and trimming services in listed areas, plus $6,505 for spraying services.

— Approved a $5,780 assessment deferral application from Bevcomm, as the assessment was being levied against an undeveloped parcel.