Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I just got to uh >> Good afternoon. It is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. We will call this city council meeting of the city of New Ulm to order. Our first item is the consent agenda. Counselors, what are your wishes?
>> So move. >> Second. >> And a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Item two, licenses and permits. 2.1, temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses for
Brown County Agricultural Society. >> I'll make a motion to approve the issuance of the temporary on-sale liquor license to Brown County Agriculture Society to sell alcohol at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 1201 North State Street for the Citizens Bank 150th event on
Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, Brown County Free Fair, August 12th to Sunday, August 16th, 2026, annual fall demo derby event on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, subject to compliance with all city and state requirements. Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a
second. Any further discussion? Those in favor Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Item 2.2 is a rescind of a liquor license extension for Crazy Days. >> I'll offer the resolution rescinding Benny's and Sweet Haven Tonics extension
of the liquor licenses for Crazy Days on Minnesota Street from First North to Center Street from Friday, July 24th at 2:00 p.m. till Sunday, July 26th at 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Street from Third North to First North from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26th and from
First North from Minnesota Street to alley from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Following the chamber's decision to revise the street closures for Crazy Days event, eliminating the closure on Minnesota Street from First North to Third North Street. >> Second. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? >> Um just uh another point of business, we will have uh another um rescinding of liquor licenses for Kaiserhoff and 209. >> Thank you very much. Any additional discussion?
Assistant Director Amira, please call the roll. Councilor Christian? >> Yes. >> Councilor Warmka? >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack? >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmitz? >> Yes. >> And President Becker? >> Yes. That motion does carry. Item 2.3 is kennel
tobacco and tree license renewals for 2026-27. >> I'll make a motion to approve the issuance of license renewals for the following: kennel license for Debbie Christensen doing business as Pup's Playland, 2004 North Broadway; tobacco license for Cloud Trading Inc., 701
North Broadway; and Holiday Station Stores LLC, 1201 Westridge Road; uh tree service licenses for Randy's Quality Tree Service, 204 Minnesota Street, Hanska, Minnesota 56041; and Root and Up
Tree Service PO Box 473 Winthrop, Minnesota 55396 for the periods beginning July 20 July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, subject to compliance with all city and state requirements. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Item 3.1 is summary of business conducted during board and commission meetings. >> Okay, uh today I did attend the uh city and PUC audits. Uh that was all in good
shape. We'll be approving that next on the agenda. I did attend the BMX uh ribbon cutting with the Park and Rec Commission. It was fantastic, and they had a fantastic crowd this weekend for their state qualifiers. I also attended the Park and Rec meeting. Uh normal business. They do
have a couple items on the agenda coming down for approval. And I also attended the EDA, and as normally, I'll just defer that to the mayor and President Becker. That's it. >> Thank you. >> Nothing major to report. >> [snorts] >> Nothing to report.
>> President Becker and councilors, um there has not been a Heritage Preservation Commission nor a Cable Communications meeting since our last meeting here. Um I will be attending the National Heritage Preservation Convention in late July in the Twin Cities.
>> Thank you. Mayor? >> Um I um was invited by the New Ulm Baseball [clears throat] Association to do an official thank you to Terry and Mary Steinbach, uh, down at Johnson Field with our new scoreboard. Uh, it was
very, um, uh, good experience to meet them in person and to extend our thank you and appreciation to them. Uh, also, uh, was at the ribbon cutting for the BMX track. Uh, a new culture for me to experience and did attend also
the, uh, BMX state qualifier and wanted to extend expression, uh, express our appreciation to the River Valley BMX Club. The excellent job they did. There were so many people at that event, uh, this last weekend. And then finally, did
the welcome for the military band concert that was held at State Street Theater this weekend. And I did not attend the EDA meeting because I was vacationing, so I'll defer to our city council president. >> All right. >> Thank you very much, Mayor.
Um, so I did attend a ribbon cutting for CADA. Um, they provide services for those, uh, maybe struggling with, um, difficult relationships, domestic violence. That was, uh, new location for them. It's great to have them, have those services here and available folks
in New Ulm. Um, I did also welcome, uh, the Association of Minnesota Counties last Friday. So those are county commissioners from all of our nine counties within Region Nine. And then I believe, the last one is Murray County. There's one more county that's not in our, um, region that is also part of
the, the regional Association of Minnesota Counties. Um, I attended the EDA meeting. We're just continuing to discuss and work through some of the loan programs that we have. Um, and otherwise, no major new business there. Any other updates?
All right, thank you very much. Moving on. Item 4.1, um, annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31st, 2025. >> Madam President counselors, I'd like to make a motion to receive the annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31st, 2025 for the city
of New Ulm and the New Ulm Public Utilities Commission. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Moving on to old
business. Item 5.1 is a large shooting range grant from the Minnesota DNR cancellation. Mr. Shugol, thank you. Hi. >> Council President Becker, City Council, Joey Shugol, Park and Rec Director for the city. Uh, here before you to ask you to decline acceptance of the
large shooting range grant from the Minnesota DNR in the amount of $100,000. At the at your May 19th meeting, uh, bids were rejected for the new trap range project. This is the next step in that process then, uh, as we uh, we're working with the Sioux Valley
Gun Club on a matching grant from the DNR uh, Sioux Valley Gun Club funds uh, to a new trap range building. The next step was kind of go back to the drawing board and work on revamping the plan without uh, state DNR money. Uh, as part of that next project. So,
working with uh, Mr. Scott in his office on a new lease agreement as we move forward with that process. >> Thank you very much. >> I just a comment. I mean, it was presented at the Park Commission after Mr. Shugol did an excellent job explaining it to them. Unanimously recommend we send it,
decline it. If there's no other discussion, I'm going to offer the resolution to decline acceptance of the large shooting grant large shooting range grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $100,000. >> Second.
>> We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Assistant Director Amira, please call the roll. >> Councilor Christiansen >> Yes. >> Councilor Warmka >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmitz >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack >> Yes. >> President Becker >> Yes, that motion carries.
Under new business, item 6.1, write-in votes for municipal elections. >> I'll offer the resolution requiring a person seeking election to a municipal office as a write-in candidate who desires to have write-in votes individually recorded shall file a
written request with the finance director no later than the 19th day before the election. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? I would like to just clarify that this is bringing our ordinance in line with state ordinances and was previously not
um included in our city charter nor the city code and so it is a little bit of clean up and just kind of updating our process. Any additional discussion? Assistant Director, Amira, please call the roll. >> Councilor Christiansen >> Yes.
>> Councilor Warmka >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmitz >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack >> Yes. >> President Becker >> Yes, that motion does carry. Item 6.2 is to set a public hearing date for noise variance for New Ulm Chamber of Commerce Crazy Days. >> I'll offer a motion to schedule a public
hearing date for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. for a request from the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce for a noise variance to permit amplified sound music during Crazy Days on Minnesota Street between 1st North and Center Streets for the following dates: Friday, July 24th,
2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 25th, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. >> Second. >> Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I.
>> That motion does carry. Item 6.3 is to set a public hearing date for noise variance for New Ulm Chamber of Commerce Spikin in the Street. >> Madam President and councilors, I'd like to make a motion to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. for a request from the New Ulm
Chamber of Commerce for a noise variance to permit amplified sound music during Spikin' in the Street on Minnesota Street between 2nd North and Center Streets for the following dates: Friday, July 31st, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00
p.m. and Saturday, August 1st, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. >> Second. >> Second. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. Item 6.4 is a
security upgrade for administrative offices. Hi, Mr. Pautzke. Hi, how are you? >> I'm well, thank you, counselor. Council President Becker, city councilors, we're here to recommend that after receiving three bids for the last security upgrade in City Hall building, uh R. D. B.
Karlstrom came in with a low bid and that's our proposal to accept that and move forward with the security upgrade in the building. >> We've talked about it for quite a while. I'm going to motion to accept the bid from R. W. Karlstrom in the amount of $100,715 to update security to city admin office.
>> Second. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> That motion does carry. >> Thank you very much. >> Item 6.5 is acquisition of real property to evaluate future potential uses.
>> Council President and councilors, um this is just the quick claim deeds uh for the field maintenance shop and the armory. Um just asking you to approve these so we can take them down and get them recorded and we will be the official owners of both properties and then begin the process of putting
together an RFP potentially um for the armory building uh and then looking at what uses and how we'll divide the field maintenance shop between the different departments. >> Very good. I'll offer the resolution authorizing the city manager and the finance
director to execute a quick claim deeds from uh with the state of Minnesota Department of Military Affairs acting by its Adjutant General to acquire property 001.001.103.01.010, New Ulm Armory 205 North Broadway, and now dang it 001.002.121.08.080
Field Maintenance Shop found at uh 1523 South Washington Street for a purchase price of $1 for each parcel. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Assistant Director Amira, please call
the roll. >> Councilor Christian? >> Yes. >> Councilor Womack? >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmidt? >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack? >> Yes. >> President Becker? >> Yes, that was >> And does carry. Item 6.6 petition to appoint city charter commission member.
>> Uh before I make the motion on it, uh we're going to I hopefully we'll fill one position. We still have two vacant on our city charter, but this one does put us in much better shape for having a quorum. I'm going to offer the resolution directing the city attorney to prepare and file a petition
requesting the district court to appoint Michael First to the City Charter Commission serve a four-year term. >> Second. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Assistant Director Amira, please call the roll. >> Councilor Christian? >> Yes.
>> Councilor Womack? >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmidt? >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack? >> Yes. >> President Becker? >> Yes, that motion does carry. Item 6.7 is regarding ordinance num- 2026-TBD first consideration amending chapter 6
section 6.01 of the New Ulm City Code. >> Madam Council President and Councilors, before you have a minor amendment to the snow and ice ordinance. For this, we are looking at adding the language that snow needs to remove
be removed from edge to edge to edge instead of what we currently allow, which is just shovel width. That way, we're increasing the width to allow wheelchairs, people on walkers, crutches to get through the sidewalk and not have to trudge through
the snow. And then just defining who is responsible for that, whether it's the owner, the occupants, or persons having care, custody, and control of the property. And this would also be for the pedestrian
pedestrian crossings or ramps going onto the sidewalks as well. Usually during the winter, we see individuals on electric wheelchairs kind of in the street instead of on the sidewalks cuz the ramps aren't clear for them to get up there. So, this is spelling out what needs to be cleared so
it's clear to everyone what what needs to be done. >> Madam President and Councilors, I'd like to make the motion to conduct the first consideration of ordinance number 2026 TBD amending chapter 6 of the New Ulm City Code regarding ice and snow removal
requirements, clarifying language to be added to chapter 6 section 6.01 of the New Ulm City Code regarding snow and ice on public sidewalks. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion?
I would like to bring up the fact that we did discuss this at a work session and these particularities were not discussed. It's not that I'm not in favor of them, but one of the things that we did talk about was kind of that 24-hour time frame in which people would have to
contact the city. This leaves property owners with 12 hours after such snow ice has ceased to be deposited and I really would like it considered that we increase that to 24 hours to align with the other with the other policy.
>> We actually this wasn't at a work study session. This was at a public hearing and 12 hours hasn't been changed. That's currently what it is in our city code. We can change it to 24 but we normally don't go out until there's a complaint
and it's usually 24 to 48 hours after a snow event. Anyway, but we can change it to 24 if that's what the wishes. >> speak up on that snow ordinance. You go to 24 and now it's 48 hours. I I will not support that changing it. We've always given the citizens of New Ulm the
benefit of the doubt. Never went and did the actual code enforcement. If you give them 24, it'll be 48. >> But I think lining 24 up in our ordinance to align with when you can be calling somebody in is just kind of
I mean I think it just makes sense. You have 24 hours and then at that point if somebody wants to you know, make a phone call or report that. It's just it I In my mind it just seems a little clearer to bring it, you know, up to date with what the reportable time is
cuz what's the difference between that 12 and 24 hours? So now that that creates kind of a gray area as well. Well, they didn't have it cleaned up in 12 hours but I can't do anything until it's 24 hours. Like I I would just kind of
feel more comfortable if those two hour time frames were aligned. That's my thought. >> Madam President >> a question. >> Madam President Counselors, I agree with Counselor Christian as a an avid user of
our sidewalks and our right-of-ways both as a pedestrian and a bicyclist, I feel very strongly that it's urgent for the adjacent landowner to remove snow and ice especially after um
the event has been ceased for 12 hours. So, I I like the 12-hour time frame. >> Council President, city council typically speaking, it's only handled on a complaint basis. And that the complaints don't
we don't go out until there's 24 hours. So, even if the phone calls do come in at the 12-hour mark after a storm, we don't go out until the 24-hour mark. To to make that determination at any rate. So >> Okay. >> I know that we can't do anything tonight anyway. That's not on our
>> No. >> No. >> No. I mean I mean it's it's up for consideration, so I'm assuming it's up for discussion. >> Yeah, and if you wanted to change, then we would be able to make those changes and bring it to the next meeting if that's what the wishes were of the council.
>> I mean, I'm just curious what you know and maybe this is a question for Mr. Scott. Like, you know, what is the difference between having that 12 and 24-hour ordinance? Because if it's within 12 hours or after 12 hours, they're technically in violation.
You know, so then I don't know. I would just prefer to kind of have things match and be cleaned up, but maybe I'm I'm supportive of different opinions. >> Council President, members of the council >> Oh, I'm sorry. We have no call for you, Robert.
>> sorry. Can you Can you hear me okay? Council President, can you hear me? >> We are working on that for you. Okay. >> Uh Council President, this is Robert. Can you hear me? >> Yes, thank you. >> Okay, thank you. Um as drafted [clears throat]
as the ordinance exists now, every property owner subject to this ordinance has the obligation to remove snow from their sidewalk within 12 hours after the snowfall has ceased. >> [clears throat]
>> The authority for the city to then go onto the property and clear the snow itself and assess the cost back to the property owner um doesn't begin until after 24 hours. Why that discrepancy exists, I don't know. Um we were not directed to address
that in this draft ordinance in your packet, but certainly that is not a difficult change to make. And if the Council wishes to make those um time periods, bring them [snorts] into alignment, we can certainly do that uh for your consideration on when this comes back on second reading and
adoption. So, that's not a difficult change or a problem at all procedurally. We just I think need some direction if that's what you'd like us to do. >> I'm just curious what the implications for somebody would be if they don't remove the snow between hours 12 and 1
minute and 24 hours. I mean, I know it's nothing, but then why would we not have these be the same? >> In practice, I don't think there's going to be much of a difference whether you leave it at 12 or remove it to 24 without making a change to the 24-hour
period um that must pass before the city can enter and clear the snow itself. I think uh theoretically, they could be subject to citation or something um if they don't clear within 12 hours even before the city comes out to clear it, but I don't understand that to be the city's
practice. So, >> Yeah, you're correct. They don't >> I don't believe that change would be extremely consequential as administered. >> Right, because by the time our contractor is given that list, we are well past the 24, we're at 36, 48 hours. >> Potentially.
>> Right. >> Well, again, I always go with the wishes of the people, so are there any other comments? Okay, um those in favor of this as uh motioned, signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay, that motion does carry. Thank you.
Um item 6.8 is ordinance 2026-TBD first consideration appending uh mending appendix A of the New Ulm City Code. Mr. Neisely, thank you. >> Good evening, uh Council President, Councilors. John Neisely, planner with the City of New Ulm.
Um this ordinance is amending appendix A to the New Ulm City Code to rezone property from AOS, agricultural open space, to R3, medium density residence district, um for the property legally described as Lot 1, Block 1, Wells Addition.
Um at the Planning Commission meeting on May 28th, 2026, they unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning with conditions. And following that, at the Council meeting June 2nd, 2026, City Council unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning with conditions.
Um the petitioner for this rezoning is Adam and Shannon Wells. Property was annexed in 2024 as part of the Wells subdivision. As we um annexed property um and as required by the city zoning ordinance, when it was annexed, it was
zoned AOS at that time. Uh the property is generally located west of North Highland Avenue and north of Lake Avenue, and the property is proposed to be developed as medium density residential. Uh there were three recommended conditions with the rezoning.
Uh the south property line abutting the R1 zone property shall be screened as required in section 10.2 D of appendix A of the New Ulm City Code. B, a stormwater plan showing how both lot one block one Well Subdivision and lot one block two Lakes at Addition will
meet appropriate engineering standards for the shared facility. And then lastly, uh C, to provide appropriate cross easements between lot one block one Well Subdivision and lot one block one Lakes at Addition including but not limited to stormwater
utilities, water, sanitary, parking, and garage access, and a private drive. Um and that would conclude the staff report. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Wessel. >> I'll offer a motion to conduct the first consideration of ordinance number 2026
to be determined amending appendix A to the New Ulm City Code to rezone from AOS agricultural open space to R3 medium-density residential district. The property legally described as lot one block one Well Sub Second. >> Second.
>> Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> The motion does carry. Thank you. Last item of business today, item 6.9, Park and Recreation donations. Welcome back, Mr. Schugel.
>> President Becker, City Council, uh three donations before you tonight. The first one was a tree uh that was to be placed in Lincoln Park for our annual Arbor Day program, and that was donated by River Creek Nursery and Tony Guggisberg for $225 value.
Uh next is Miller Park backstop project, New Ulm Baseball Association donating $5,500 towards that. And then the last one was from Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council for Concerts in the Park for $3,865 for a total of $9,590.
>> Madam President and councilors, I'd like to offer the resolution to accept donations offered to the City of New Ulm through the Park and Recreation Department totaling $9,590 for the identified purposes. >> Second. >> We do have a motion and a second. Any
additional discussion? Assistant Director Amira, please call the roll. >> Councilor Christians? >> Yes. >> Councilor Warmka? >> Yes. >> Councilor Schmitz? >> Yes. >> Councilor Mack? >> Yes. >> President Becker? >> Yes, that motion does carry. And with no additional business, today's meeting is
adjourned. Thank you.