BLUE EARTH– Discussion on the placement of a new public access safety cabinet was held at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday.

City administrator Dawn Collins presented the council with a memo from County Commissioner Gertrude Paschke, requesting direction on the placement of an outdoor public access safety cabinet, which would contain an AED, Naloxone and other emergency medical supplies.

“Currently, we have safety cabinets located at the Municipal Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Police Department, Community & Senior Center and at City Hall,” Collins reported. “However, all of these locations are locked during the weekends, making it difficult for the public to access them. This outdoor safety cabinet is intended for outdoor public use, and will be accessible year-round.”

Paschke, who was present at the meeting, shared that special funding had been set aside to pay for the installation of this outdoor safety cabinet, and that it would be temperature-controlled to preserve the medical supplies within.

“Before we decide where to install this new safety cabinet, is there some way that we can make our existing ones more accessible?” Mayor Rick Scholtes asked. “The intent of these is for the public to have easy access to these supplies in case of an emergency. Before we decide where to place a new one, we should see if we can make the existing ones more accessible first.”

Paschke responded that this was a good idea, and that she could reach out to her contacts and see if some of the existing safety cabinets could be relocated. No further action was taken on the issue at this time.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

— Blue Earth Area superintendent Mandy Fletcher presented the council with an update on the bond referendum questions regarding the construction of a new K-6 school building, which will be on the ballot for the Aug. 11 election.

— Greg Burkhardt of Carlson SV presented the Council with the 2025 Financial Audit for Blue Earth. Following the presentation, a motion was made and seconded to approve the audit report. The motion passed unanimously.

— Food truck permits for Sip Haus and The Sweet Fix were approved unanimously.

— A travel request for Joshua Crofton to attend Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Annual Training on Sept. 14-16 was approved unanimously.

— Temporary liquor licenses for Blue Earth American Legion Post 89 for their events on July 12, 19, 26, and Aug. 29 were approved unanimously.

— A resignation letter from part-time Blue Earth Municipal Liquor Store employee Christina Garza was approved unanimously. Her last day of work was July 3.

— Resolution 26-30 approving the list of election judges for the 2026 Primary and General Elections was passed unanimously.

— Resolution 26-31 establishing procedures relating to compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the internal revenue code was approved unanimously.

— The appointment of Bill Backstrom to the Community-Senior Board for the remainder of the term through December 2027 was unanimously approved.

— A raise in rental fees for the Blue Earth Community & Senior Center was approved unanimously. The new rental rates are $60 for 4 hours, or $100 for 8 hours (a full day) with a $75 deposit.