Good afternoon. It's 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. We'll call the city council meeting of the city of New to order. Item one is consent agenda. Councilors, what are your wishes? >> I'll move it. Second. >> Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those
in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. That motion does carry. Item 2.1 is a public hearing on the final plat of Garden Terrace, second edition. Um, at this time, the public hearing will be open. Mr. Schnebrick, good afternoon.
>> Um, Madame President, members of the city council, uh, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions. Um the the final plat at its September 25th,
2025 meeting. The applicant in this case is a gentleman by the name of Matt Gatner and he's doing this on behalf of Garden Terrace Newm 2. That's a LLC. The legal description of the property at
the present time is all lot 178 except the northwesterly 370 ft. And then lot one and lot two block one garden terrace edition. Street address uh it ranges from
101 to 1021 North Garden Street. The property is generally located west of North Garden Street and south of Oak Street. The city council approved with conditions the preliminary plat at its
September 2nd, 20125 meeting. The um the parcel contains 8.8 acres. The outlot area has never been developed.
The new plat would establish three new lots. Um, and a comparison of the previous and the new plat. Um, basically the change that has taken place is that the new lot
one and lot three have been reduced in size and lot two has been increased in size. and the owner is proposing to construct a 39 unit three-story apartment building
on the new lot 2. Now this is a reduction of six units from the number that was identified at the time of preliminary plat approval. Um the reason for this is that um they
have increased the number of twobedroom units in the building and the size of the building though stays the same. Um the building will provide housing for
independent seniors 55 and over. Uh the existing and proposed buildings comply with city code zoning standards for the R4 zoning district. The property lines between lots two and
three and lots one and two cross the paved surface of the parking lots and service roads that um serve garden terrace one and two. and the owner is proposing to use a reciprocal easement
agreement to address this situation. Copy of the easement is provided in attachment three and I believe it's the very last sheet that shows you um exactly where these locations are
located. the um upon completion of the project that's its construction it is proposed that the owner will lease the property to Oak Hills Living Center. Oak Hills will have
the option to purchase the building at a future date. Um there are two recommended um conditions. Um the first is that the appropriate
parties will approve, sign and record the reciprocal easement agreement. And the second is that the resolution approving the plat will be filed with the Brown County Recorders Office.
That would conclude the staff report. >> Thank you, Mr. Nisley. At this time, the public hearing is open. Uh being on notes, anybody come up to the microphone. I'm on a motion to close the public hearing and offer resolution with conditions approving the final plat
of Garden Terrace, second edition, generally located at 1011 North Garden Street. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Dave, were they still thinking of starting construction this fall winter
if this is approved? What I have heard is that um they would like to start December 15th. >> Okay. >> Um the reason being that the soil conditions are such that a a frozen
>> um >> marsh >> bed would be able to better handle equipment rather than its current condition where would make that much more difficult. >> They're the pros. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Fantastic. Thank you. Any additional discussion? >> Director Jorgensson, please call the role. >> Councelor Christian, >> yes. >> Councelor Warma, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> President Becker, >> yes. That motion does carry. Item 3.1 is a raffles gambling permit for Newm Youth
Wrestling Association. I'll make a motion to approve an issuance of a lawful gambling permit for the New Alm Youth Wrestling Association to conduct raffles gambling at Rolling Thunder Wrestling, 1607 South German Street, New Minnesota on Sunday, December 21st, 2025.
>> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Item 4.1 is a summary of business conducted during board and commission meetings. Uh due to a lack of agenda items, we did not have
a park and wreck meeting. Uh the EDA actually had two meetings. One was the special meeting for uh closing out a revolving or get it ready loan program. And as always, I'm going to defer the uh regular meeting to President Ber. That's it. >> I have nothing new to report.
>> Okay, councelor Mac. >> I have nothing new to report. >> Okay, mayor. >> Wow. I have lots to report. >> Uh do I have an allotted time? >> Three minutes. Well, we're not going to break any records today, so you can go ahead. >> Uh, first of all, um, I attended two
newcomer events uh, within the last month. One sponsored by our own human rights commission. It was a welcoming event and then the following week uh attended a newcomer event sponsored by uh the chamber of commerce and both of
them were had great participation and I kudos to those who organized it and I'm hoping that continues and they did talk about uh perhaps uh bringing those two events together. So we'll see if that happens in the future. Uh we had
a police commission meeting where we did interviews for candidates for a corporal position and that corporal position was filled and we had a ceremony of um induction uh this Monday. So officer
Andrew Oman is now our newest corporal on our police department. uh fest keg opening at October Fest was well attended at that particular event on the first Saturday. Uh we had a crew
from Berlin, Germany in town and uh I was interviewed along with other people that were organizers as well as participants and I asked them why they were here and it was because new they heard that new was the most German
community in the United States and they represented a German television station that is one of the most popular morning shows. So kudos to NWAM on that and all that made that happen. Uh Sister Cities Commission met and Samuel, our exchange
person for the Hansio's uh program did a presentation and it was very informative and interesting. So that was good for us. I did a presentation for Network New on downtown New 1955
and it was always fun to revisit that particular presentation to remind me and others of what downtown News used to be and um CBB has met twice since we did our reporting and uh basically working
on their 2026 marketing plan and uh their budget. So, uh, very active and great things happening in New. >> Well, thank you so much, Mayor. Um, just a little update from EDA is that the, um, we did receive an update report from
New Brick. The Tiny Homes project is moving forward. So, we're excited to see what that will mean for the community. Moving on to uh, five communications. Item 5.1, request for tax abatement for Garden Terrace.
Um, Madame President, members of the city council, uh, we just, uh, council took the action of approving the plat of garden terrace, second edition. And so this is the
location of the proposed tax abatement uh, program. Um it would be um associated with the construction of the new apartment building.
Um, the business that is cons is involved with this project has requested tax abatement assistance to help pay for excessive building costs
and for enhanced structural expenses associated with the poor soils um in the building area. Um, a tax abatement program allows the city to rebate a portion of the property
taxes back to the property owner who then uses it to help offset development or redevelopment costs. The city at the present time has four active tax abatement programs
and a permitted use of tax abatement is general economic development that results in increased tax base. Preliminary projections for this project indicate a financial need for $862,92.
Anticipated property taxes would produce this amount over a 10-year time period. Uh, however, the proposed project would also necessitate Brown County participation.
Um, the establishment of a tax abatement program will require a development agreement with the city and a public hearing will be held on the project following the preparation of
that development agreement. Uh, tax abatement payments will only be made if the applicant is not in default um on the development agreement. The agreement will address the payment
of property taxes, the construction of the building, and other related items. At this time, city staff is requesting authorization to proceed with the following steps. Uh number one is to
retain the firm of David Drone Associates Incorporated to prepare the necessary documentation to establish the tax abatement program for the city at a cost of $3,000.
And then city staff will provide all technical support required to complete the approval process for the project. and that would include any work associated with um u Brown County's uh
phase of the project. Um we tenatively would like to conduct the public hearing um at your November 18th meeting, but we'll have to make sure that we have all
of the necessary materials prepared uh by that time. Uh that would conclude the uh staff report. >> Thank you. >> I have one question, David. I know it it's it's based on it looks good with
the county. I know it's a loaded question, but that they'll participate in it. So, initial talks with um their administrator, he seems confident that this would be a project the county would support because it is dealing with um Oak Hills um helping them
have a sustainable future. Um so, what we're going to do, if it is approved tonight um at council, then I'll work with Sam to get it on their their agenda. I think the first meeting in November is what we're shooting for to have that conversation with the the county commissioner, see if they'll
approve it, and then if that goes through, then we'll um do a joint advertisement to for the public hearings to approve. >> That's what I wanted to hear. Thank you. >> Yeah. The um the county and the city are
required to go through the same approval process. So everything we do, they also have to do. I was just curious if you heard any like, "No, we're not going to." I mean, with that being said, I'll authorize the staff and project
consultant to prepare the documentation necessary to establish a tax abatement program for Garden Terrace New Limited Liability Company and Garden Terrace New Limited Liability Company. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in
favor signal by saying I. I. >> That motion does carry. Under old business 6.1 is the 2025 MSAS improvement projects. Mr. Stodde, >> thank you. Madam President, city councilors um previously you have considered awarding a consultant
contract for this project and um we are now um at the moment in time where plans have progressed have been approved by the MIDOT District 7 state aid engineer to proceed with this project. As a reminder, this is a slope uh and scour
stabilization project on Minnesota River Bridge um uh on 20th CL Street or CASA 37. That's bridge number 08520. Uh it had an underwater inspection performed um late last year. We received
a report in January and it noted significant scour under Pier 1 uh for the bridge. though it was deemed that uh as an emergency project, this wasn't a planned project and we are now at the point where we want to move forward and
receive bids for the project. And uh one last item to note that this is a 50/50 cost share with Nicollet County in agreement which you previously approved. >> Thank you. >> I'm okay with that. So, I'm going to offer the resolution approving the plans
and specs and ordering the advertising for bids for the 2025 MSAS improvement project bridge number 08520 slope and score stabilization setting the bid opening date and authorizing staff to receive and open bids for the
project at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 in city hall council chambers. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. >> Councelor Christian, >> yes. >> Councelor Wormka, >> yes. Councelor Mack, >> yes.
>> President Becker, >> yes. That motion carries. Item 6.2 is a project spark development agreement. >> Mr. Nisley, hello. >> Good evening, council president, counselors. John Nisley, planner with the city of Newm.
Um, this is a resolution approving the development agreement with project spark for the property legally described as lots 1 through 8, block one, integer addition ed add edition and generally located at 415 13th south and uh 1305 through 1315
South Minnesota Street uh and would authorize the city manager and finance director to execute the agreement on behalf of the city. Um there was no board or planning commission recommendation on this item and uh the preparation and approval of the development agreement uh was a
requirement in order to reszone the subject property from medium density residence district that's the R3 district to plan unit development district number four or PUD number four. Uh approval of the development agreement would facilitate the development uh of
the following. Uh phase one would be the construction of two model homes on lots one and two block one integer edition and that's fronting 13th South Street. Uh and phase one is proposed to start uh in the fall of 2025. Phase two would be the construction of
13 additional homes um with a common building on the site and phase two could start as early as spring of 2026. Uh the homes and common building would be owned by project spark uh in new brick and all the h homes would be rented out. The developer will be
constructing a parking area along the valley and installing utility services uh to serve each home. Uh the development agreement was prepared with the assistance of the city attorney and has been reviewed by uh New Brick and Project Spark um as well as their attorney. Um I would though I would note
um since there was a little address mistake on the top um what'll happen here on this site uh is it'll be given one address and then each one of the buildings will give it uh be given a separate unit number. Um and so you guys know when we decide on addressing for properties like this we work with uh the
police department, the fire department, the post office and emergency services to come up with addressing that works for everybody. So that concludes the staff report. >> Thank you Mr. nicely. >> I do have one question. The building official isn't going to like me, but
that that issue when we had looked into the building code stands, right? There is no need for shelters. Thank you. There I I should explain myself. There was a question came up with the project about h having to have an emergency shelter for these people.
No, as long as they're built state of Minnesota qualified building standards codes, they don't need it. Okay, I have no other questions, I guess, too. So, I'll offer the resolution approving the development agreement with project spark for the properly legally described
as lots 1 through 8, block 1, integer edition, generally located at 418 and 424 13th South Street and 1305 to 1315 South Minnesota Street and authorize the city manager and finance director to execute the agreement on behalf of the city.
>> Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Director Jorgensson, please call the role. >> Councelor Christian, >> yes. >> Councelor Wormka, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> And President Becker, >> yes. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Under new business, we have
library donations, item 7.1. >> All for the resolution to accept donations to the new public library for the period beginning July 1 to September 30th, 2025. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Would we like to read the >> donations into the record? >> We got quite a few of them. If you want me to go down. >> Yes, we generally do. Yes. >> Okay. We've got uh where do I want to start here? So,
the donor is Dory Nicholas. Mount $19. Uh books. Uh, anonymous donation, $20 cash. Friends of the New Public Library, $350 cash. Uh, Dougen Betty Royer, $50 cash. Larry
Sber, $25 cash. Anonymous don donor. Judy uh Nelson, $20 cash. Bob and Helen Vogle, $25 cash. Jill Colts, $20 cash. Anonymous, $100 cash.
Randy and Teresa Merkel, $25 cash. Michelle Feral, $75. I'll go to the next page here. So that's uh we got Optimus Club and Newm $800 cash. So that's total donations of
$1,54057. And then I think we have a Oh, that that must be it. >> That's it. >> Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Um, any further discussion? >> Director Jorgensson, please call the role. >> Councelor Christian, >> yes. >> Councelor Warma, >> yes.
>> Council Mack, >> yes. >> President Becker, >> yes. That motion carries. Item 7.2 is fire department donations. >> I'll offer the resolution to accept the following donations to the new home fire department. $100 from Ryan and Stefan Meyer. $100 from Joanne Fish, $111 from
tips at the Pizza Ranch during uh the fire prevention week, and $200 from Christensen Farms. >> Second. >> You have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Director Jorgensson, please call the role. >> Councelor Christian, >> yes. >> Councelor Warma, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes.
>> President Becker, >> yes. That motion carries. With no additional business today, our meeting is adjourned. Work session will follow shortly. Thank you.