BLUE EARTH– With prime construction season fast approaching, the Blue Earth City Council discussed upcoming projects at a meeting held on Monday.

City engineer Ben Rosol first updated the council on the tennis court reconstruction project at Putnam Park. He said the project contractor expects to start grading and prep work this week, and the concrete crew is expected to arrive at the beginning of May.

Mayor Rick Scholtes then shared that the Blue Earth Area Tennis Association is interested in installing cut-outs in the fence near spectator seating so it is easier to view matches.

However, city attorney David Frundt observed that having a gap in the fence near spectators might be a liability issue.

Frundt will research both concerns prior to the council’s next meeting on Monday, May 6, at which point the council will vote on both proposals.

Rosol also brought forward a proposal to evaluate the condition of Blue Earth’s existing concrete streets.

He explained that while most of Blue Earth’s street improvement projects have involved full reconstruction, some of the streets do not require such extensive repairs, but might benefit from surface-level maintenance.

The council directed Rosol to bring a proposal for the evaluation on May 6.

Finally, the council approved two task orders. Task Order No. 2 authorizes Bolton & Menk to perform engineering and survey work for the 2024 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

Task Order No. 3, meanwhile, concerns an upcoming project at the Blue Earth Municipal Airport to construct a new T Hangar.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Reviewed a draft of the annexation agreement between the city of Blue Earth and the Township of Blue Earth City.

Since the last City Council meeting, the agreement has been revised from a five-year agreement to a three-year agreement.

According to the agreement’s updated property tax reimbursement plan, Blue Earth would reimburse the township for $50,000 over a three-year period, paying $16,66.67 a year in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The council will review the final agreement on May 6.

— Heard Randy Anderson’s comments on the council’s dismissal of former Blue Earth Community Library employee Mollie Halverson following a public hearing on April 1.

Observing Halverson was given notice of the hearing on Friday, March 29, Anderson questioned whether she was given adequate notice to obtain legal representation by the following Monday.

— Discussed renovations at Blue Earth’s future City Hall, the former Wells Fargo building. Kennedy inquired whether the council wants to add controlled access to the building, and the council agreed that both exterior doors should be wired as such.

The council also agreed that City Hall’s existing contracts for vendors and contractors for items such as trash and recycling, office supplies and pest control should be bid out for orders for the new City Hall.

— Considered adjusting the city’s compensation rates for elected officials, which have not been raised since 2014.