Good afternoon. It's 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025. We will call the city council meeting of the city of New to order. Item number one is the consent agenda. Councilors, what are your wishes? I so move. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. I. That motion does carry. Item 2.1 is a fireworks license. I'll offer a motion to approve the issuance of fireworks license for the American promotional events incorporated
DBA TNT Fireworks Incorporated 403 Hilton Drive Florence, Alabama to sell fireworks in the Walmart parking lot 1720 West Road, New for the period beginning June 20th, 2025 ending July 5th, 2025.
Second. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion carries. Item 2.2 is an amended liquor license extensions for spiken in the streets. I'll offer the
resolution to amend and authorize the extension of a liquor licenses for spiken in the street to include the intersections of first north street and Minnesota street and first north street from Minnesota street to the alley from August 1st at 8 a.m. till Sunday, August 3rd at 3 p.m. for the following BML bar
and Sweet Haven Tonics. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Wormka, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. Motion carries.
Item 2.3 is a Mau's Bar liquor license extension for 2025 downtown events. We'll offer the resolution authorizing Mau's Bar to extend their liquor license for the following chamber sponsored 2025 summer events to allow alcohol to be consumed, served, subject to conditions.
Crazy days. Minnesota Street from First North to Center uh from Friday, July 25th at 400 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Minnesota Street from Third North to First North from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26th. and First North Street from
Minnesota to Alley from 12 pm to 4 pm. Car and bike rollins, Minnesota Street from Third North to First South from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays July 12th, August 16th and September 13th. spiking in the streets. Minnesota Street from Second North to Center from Friday,
August 1st at 400 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. And Saturday, August 2nd at 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. And First North closed from Minnesota to Alley. October Fest, Minnesota Street from uh from First North to Center Street on Friday, October 3rd at 3:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. and
Saturday, October 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday and Center Street from Broadway to Minnesota, including the center Minnesota intersections. Lastly, Parade of Lights, Minnesota Street from First South to 4th North from 400 p.m. to 700 p.m. November
28th. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Warmut, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. Motion carries.
Item 3.1 is summary of business conducted during board and commission meetings. All right. I attended the EDA meeting. Uh the main item was preliminary budget approval. Uh the park meeting, uh we did receive a update on the comprehensive
plan. From my understanding, the surveys are now out and there won't be a lot of advertisement on how to get to those surveys for the general public. And further down the agenda, they'll be looking for approval for uh park replacement equipment and donations. One
other item I did go to uh most of you probably read it in the journal that river coalition meeting that was held over in Mano. Very interested, very well represented with the DNR, Mandot senators, some legislators. It was very interesting being min uh the river is in
our backyard. They all know the issue. It's how do we fix it? Mhm. That's it. Uh last transportation meeting uh we were notified or we kind of knew this was coming, but uh due to circumstances beyond our control, we're not getting our electric buses. But uh a
little bit later on the the agenda here is a letter of support for propane low emission buses for a letter of support from the ch the council. So that's kind of where the avenue we're looking to go down and also increasing to two buses in the future um to make two separate bus
routes. So it's ridership is s is very much so up in the last year. It's it's really kind of neat to see that. Wonderful. Thank you. Got nothing. Um president and members, uh the heritage preservation commission met yesterday. Uh we continue planning
to host the state convention in September with many local partners. That's coming together wonderfully. And then um we did approve a uh facade, a slight signage change downtown here on Broadway uh for Vunderberg Collective.
Vunderberg Collective um consignment store coming into the former Gypsy Girl uh store here um on Broadway. just a modest signage change on the glass window. Um, and then they're going to be repainting the the canopy black, which
is the color it is now. Um, that's it. And then we cable t cable TV has not met. Thank you, mayor. I have several things to report. Uh first of all on Thursday night attended
the public celebration at uh German Park for Jensen Motors uh and the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home for being recognized as businesses of the year. I'm sure those of you who attended will concur. It was a wonderful event. People were sitting everywhere in the park. It just
showed off the park as well as the businesses of the year. And congratulations to you, Eric. uh uh the CVB committee uh through them I had a ribbon cutting for the Cottonwood Valley Nature Preschool.
What an interesting concept. Uh this individual is doing a preschool for 3 to six year olds and they will be outside most of the time. Her her her comment was there's no such thing as bad weather. So um that is something that's
going to take place this summer. one session and maybe more. Uh I attended an event for the Eagle Scouts, two Eagle Scouts uh achieve that level and uh gave out certificates of commenation on
behalf of the city of New to Logan Booth and to Ryan Martanka and um congratulations to those two. uh again following up with CVB and wanting to know what's going on in NewM attended I attended the rollin on Saturday. Did
anybody else have the opportunity to attend that the energy downtown New? Uh I was there a little before 3:00 watching the vehicles back into place. But just the the number of people uh
just milling back and forth and we're not talking just uh the older generation that identifies with some of those old vehicles but also young families with their childrens. We had we saw strollers and etc etc. It was just a great night. Uh on the new partnership which I uh
participate in uh the update there was there was some conversation out about a proposed project. This hasn't been approved by the city but looking at tiny or small houses and so we had an update on that at that meeting and also uh some
of you familiar with the CTE center uh through district 88 we have now formed an informal advisory group and what we're looking at is if we can play a role uh to support uh that uh education
opportunity in the trades and if there's a way that we can support it to help maximize uh the opportunities there. And then finally, uh Human Rights Commission had an individual present to us um from COPEL, I believe you is how you
pronounce it. It's a member-based organization that works to improve the quality of life for Latin families in Minnesota through building collective power, transforming systems and creating opportunities.
And the individuals presented to us as a commission and we asked if he would come to New and present a program, a public program to our audience here. And so that is in the process of being scheduled I believe at the New Public
Library. I don't have the date or the time otherwise I would share that with you. And that completes my report. Wow. Wonderful report. Thank you, mayor. Any other comments? Thank you. Moving on. Item 4.1 um under uh reports is Lincoln Park playground
replacement. Mr. Schugle. Thank you. Thank you, Council President Bker, City Council. I'm going to pull up some visuals for this. So, just bear with me one second. Okay. So, uh, looking for approval off of the state contract with the plan, um,
with Flagship Recreation to, uh, relocate and replace the Lincoln Park playground 2 to 5-year-old section. I don't know what our problem is here. One second. There we go. Uh so Lincoln Park
playground does see a lot of use from ages 2 to five just uh with the waiting pool in the area that's designed for your younger age kids. We see a lot of use for uh that age and that play equipment within that that park. Uh this plan uh staff identified that there are
a number of pieces in that 2 to five current uh tot lot area that are either outdated or due for replacement. Uh so this proposal looks at removing that whole 2 to five. This is the 2 to5 play space here.
Removing this and um the whole container and making that green space and then adding some new play features to the existing play space. So these are a couple pictures of what this currently looks like at Lincoln Park.
and then relocating over to the 5 to 12 playground which you see here and this space right here would be slightly expanded um to house that 2 to five play equipment. One of the strategies with this is
long-term by reducing that container uh we do have yearly maintenance costs that uh with our both materials and maintenance to that uh we're adding uh wood fiber to those playgrounds every year. So that would save us on some materials as well by reducing that
container but still enhancing that play experience at Lincoln Park. And the new piece looks like this. We are also proposing in the item following this is a playground replacement for Washington's park. So by
doing both items at the same time, we would be saving both installation costs and shipping costs by doing both of these at the same time. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding this. Uh, one more note I will make is uh, in 2024 we did start uh, playground sinking fund
and the funds uh, provided in that sinking fund would be used for this if approved. Would it be the same equipment at both parks like the same little kids clubhouse looking thing or no? So the next item is for a 5 to 12. Okay. I was just wondering if Yeah, you were saying
double if there's no questions. Uh again, the park and recreal be recommended approval. I'm on a motion to approve state contract 21898091 and plan with flagship recreation to relocate and replace the Lincoln
Playground 2 to 5year-old uh in the amount of 28,218.86. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. I. That motion carries. Item 4.2. Two is in
regards to Washington Park playground replacement. Mr. Schugle. Thank you, Council President Ber. City Council. Uh this is to approve the state contract number 218091 uh to replace the Washington Park playground 5 to 12y old playground in
the amount of $178,000800 178 815 and 17. Uh Washington Park is our oldest playground in the system. Installed in fall of 1999. Again, this playground is heavily used. This is a neighborhood park, but it sees features that bring um both the
neighborhood use. It brings there's a school new access located right there. Sees a lot of use from that. But then with the waiting pool, ball field, tennis courts, it brings in uh more than your typical neighborhood use. So, heavily used playground. Uh staff again
has identified in our replacement schedule with this being the oldest playground that it was time to um look at a replacement. Here in this picture you'll see uh right the blue area that's missing a slide. At a certain point we're unable to replace certain parts as
as these playground systems age. This is one example of that. Uh with this proposed replacement, we again are recommending the shrinking of the container uh while again with the saving of some of the materials that we yearly
spend maintenance cost, but then again still enhancing the play options within by shrinking that container. You'll see a lot of open space with this container um from these different angles. I want to point out that this small uh
smaller playground here was a donation. Uh this is a newer piece. This this would stay um and be part uh still in in good working order. So we would leave that until its useful life is up. Once its useful life was up, we would not recommend additional replacement for for
that. I do want to point out one slide here showing what the what the container would look like. Um get there so currently you can see this area is where that that uh donated play piece
is. If you look over here, the new proposal of shrinking this this whole area would be would uh then shrink down with a container size of the new play features. These are some of the pieces that you would see.
again looking for unique features uh to try to hit all ability levels and age levels within this new playground. Uh Flagship Recreation uh did provide us with three proposals uh that we brought to New Almaria Catholic Schools that the school system
uses those often. So we presented those to different classrooms and let them pick out of the three concepts and this was the concept that they did choose for that had the most votes. Any questions on any of this? Again, that
that playground syncing fund currently with the 2025 contribution is $325,000 allocated right now. That was a fun idea getting the kids involved in uh the voting on that. I like that that concept. And hearing no no questions, I'll make a motion to
approve state contract number 218091 and uh uh plan with flagship recreation to replace the Washington Park playground, the 5 to2year age range in the amount of 178,815.17. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and
a second. Any further discussion? Um I just would I was curious to the lifespan of those um you know and what we'd be looking at because we have a lot of parks and a lot you know I know that's why we're putting money in the playground fund um separate as as its
own separate item outside of park and rock but I'm just curious. Well you look at this one it's 26 years old our current playground there. That's that's a pretty good lifespan where we you know we do yearly preventative maintenance on these. We're replacing parts as we go.
So, we're 20 years is a is a pretty good run, but we're we're seeing, you know, we have some others coming up on that 20 year time period here, too. So, again, that's why that contribution is is there um and recommended each year to be able to not have to replace three or four of
them at the same time. Okay. All right. Perfect. Any additional discussion? President, members, I might have another question also. Um um Director Schugle, did we look at the possibility of port in place? um surfacing as opposed to staying with the wood fiber surfacing
that requires annual um replacement or additional fiber. I know that port and place surfacing like we have at Herman Heights and German Park are much less maintenance and uh but I'm I know they're much more money also. Right. Uh
great question, Councelor Schmidt. So, we did look at two options. We actually looked at the port in place and turf surfer surfacing, the natural grass surfacing that is we're seeing more in playgrounds. Uh per the square footage of even this reduced container, it almost doubled the price of what this
playground would be. So, um recommending to stay with the wood fiber in this area. Is that something that could be considered after this is put in or would that be something that you'd kind of need to decide on before we surfacing can change after install? Now, it's
harder if you're you're going to change uh put the surfacing in first, uh like a port in place. You'd have to rip that out. Um but with the wood fiber, we would be able to come in and and put a turf surface or a port in place in. Okay. Thank you. Any additional
questions, comments? Great. We do have a motion and a second. Um all those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item um 4.3 is regarding city charter commission recommendations regarding
home rule charter. All right, council president um councilors uh we have a couple uh minor changes uh to the charter uh that did go before the charter commission and were approved as stated. Um the city attorney is on the
line in case you have any questions. Um but I'll go through these um one by one. So, under section 28 um duties and powers of the mayor, uh there was some inconsistencies between that section and section 71, which actually spelled out what the veto powers of the mayor were.
So, uh we decided to take out the language of vetoing in this section and just put the language to refer to section 71 for those powers. Um in section 60 um this simple language
change or or word change um we remove the word members and this is in regards to special meetings. We remove the word members even though that would refer to council members but just put the word counselors in there so it uh says counselors.
Um, under 66, uh, section 66, procedures, uh, on ordinances, um, we do not issue business licenses. So, we took that out and just put new licenses from the city or renew or renewals thereof,
uh, and then just spelled out uh, or got rid of email and just put electronic notifications in there. Um, so made it a little bit uh, easier. um for section 87 and 88. This um basically removed the
police commission's um ability or approval of removing a police m police officer uh from their position uh both under 70 or 87 and 88. The police commission will still be involved in the
hiring um you know giving their recommendation and moving that forward. Uh but we felt that the police chief uh and or I should be able to remove um officers without calling a meeting. Um per the police um police officer
contract though grievances will still go before the police commission if they if they do have them. Uh section 101 is the library board. Um, we've been looking at commissions just in general and I know uh the mayor and I will be presenting at future work study sessions on recommendations for the
different boards and commissions. Um, but this one is in the charter. So, the charter commission looked at it. Uh, and we're just simply removing um reducing the number from 9 to 7. Uh, no one on the current library board will be kicked off. When they term out, those positions
just won't be filled. um spoke with the library director and she was fine moving down from um 9 to 7. And then section 180 just didn't have a title, so we labeled it public nuisance. Uh and then 221 um under duties of the
city manager. This doesn't uh affect my duties. This is specifically the section that has to do with the public utilities and who the public utilities commission um needs to appoint. And there we're just having them point the utility director. Uh and the utility director
would be able to appoint the department heads for the PUC. Yep. Thank you. Okay. Um I've read through the charter many times. I'm I'm very thankful for the work that the charter commission
does and and we do this every year. Kind of look at just language clean up. Yes, we have to convene every year. Um they don't necessarily have to make changes, but they do have to at least do a cursory review. And some of these are clean up, just clean up things and other things that
make sense. So, uh I'll make a motion to receive the city charter commission recommendations to amend the following charter sections. Charter Amendment section 28, duties and powers of the mayor. Uh, Charter Amendment section 60, special meetings. Charter amendment section 66, procedure on ordinances.
Charter amendment 87 and uh, that was police department and section 88, police commission. Uh, charter amendment section 101, the library board. Uh, charter amendment section 180, public nuisances. And charter amendment 221, duties of the city manager.
Believe that's all. Oh, and conduct the first consideration of the city charter of amendment ordinances in addition to setting the public hearing date for Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 and directing public notice of the hearing to be published pursuant to the statutory requirements. Second. Thank you. We have
a motion and a second. Any further discussion? President and counselors. Just one quick item I want to add is that uh you know first what we're doing with the library board um is something that we've uh re previously done to the park and recck commission. Park and
recck commission was nine members and it was reduced to seven members a few years back and I'm not aware of any concerns or problems related to that reduction in personnel volunteer personnel. That's it. Fantastic. Thank you. Those in favor signal by saying I. I I
That motion carries. Item 4.4 is the annual financial report for fiscal year end uh December 31st, 2024. Uh being this one's hot off the press from an hour ago, I'm going to receive the annual financial report for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2024 for the
city of New Public Utilities Commission. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Under old business, item 5.1, Nicollet County Bridge number 08520 is the cost share
agreement. Uh Mr. Stoddheim, Madame President, city councilors, um as you may recall back in March, you authorized a professional services contract with Wedsth to develop project plans and specifications for the 2025 uh bridge
number 08520 slopes and scour stabilization project. Um, as part of that meeting, um, I made a note that this would be coming to you at a future date. Um, so this cost share agreement really, um, solidifies what we've been
doing with Nicollet County on bridge projects, um, on any past bridge project. We share those associated costs on a 50/50 split. Um, but we never had an agreement ex executed for those uh, projects. So, at the um, recommendation
from uh, Mr. Greenwood, the Nicollet County engineer. Um we went ahead and working with city attorney and the nicone attorney, we have prepared the agreement that's within the packet today. Um it's agreeable to all parties
and really just formalizes what we've been doing um on past projects. So be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you so much. I'm not hearing any concerns. So, I'm going to offer a motion to approve the cash share agreement with Nicola County
for the bridge 2025 number 08520 slope and score stabilization project. 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. Item 5.2, 2 ordinance number 2025-1000 second consideration in zoning. Mr. Nisley. All right. Good evening, council president, councilors. John Nisley, planner with the city of NewM. Uh, this is to conduct the second consideration
and adoption of ordinance 2025-100 amending chapter 3.2 of appendix A of the city code of the city of Newm relative to zoning uh in said city. This is for the land haven uh PUD project. Um
the property described uh is in exhibit A of the ordinance and will be reszoned from planned industrial that's the I1 zoning district to planned unit uh development district number three that's PUD-3. Property is legally described as lot one
block 1 airport industrial third edition and the property is to be platted as the land haven edition in the future. Property is generally located west of Jacob Street north of Walmart and Baron's Boulevard. Uh this is the location of the barnaminium and uh
storage condo project. You all saw the general development uh planned for at the last meeting. Uh so this is the second consideration. The first consideration was take uh took place here in front of council on uh June 3rd. Um if approved by the council uh it
would be published in the journal on June 21st and then would take effect uh uh July 21st or 30 days from publication. That would conclude the staff report. Thank you, Mr. Nicely.
A motion to conduct a sec second consideration and adoption of ordinance number 2025-100 amending chapter 3.2 appendix A of the city code of the city of NewM relative to zoning in said city land haven planned unit development district.
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. Item 5.2, ordinance number 2025-1000, second cons. Oh, nope, sorry. 2025-101,
second consideration of zoning. This is the to conduct second consideration and adoption of ordinance number 2025-101 again amending chapter 3.2 of appendix A of the city code of the city of Newm relative uh to zoning in said city. This
is the Highland Apartments plan unit development project. Uh the property described uh is an exhibit A of this ordinance and would be reszoned from agricultural open space that's a-os high density, planned unit development
district number two. That's R4, PUD number two. staff would recommend that we would change uh that to plan unit development district number two simply to be consistent uh with our other plan unit development numbering systems. So we have a plan unit development number
one, PUD1. Uh we have Land Haven which you just read uh which is PUD number three. We would like to change this just simply to PUD number two. Uh the property is legally described as part of outlot 194, 195, 196, and 197.
The property is to be platted as lots 1 through 4 uh and 10th North Street Highland Apartments Edition. Um the property is generally located west of North Highland Avenue and south of New High School and north of 7th North Street. Again, this is uh the proposed
148 apartment unit project being proposed by Keepers Construction Incorporated. Um, if approved by the council, uh, this would be published in the journal, uh, this Saturday on June 21st and would go into effect on July 21st, 2025.
That concludes the staff report. Thank you, Mr. Nisley. I'm going to offer a motion to conduct a second consideration adopt ordinance number 2025 101 amending chapter 3.2 appendix A of the city code of the city
of Newm relative to zoning in said city. Second. Thank you. 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 6.1 under new business, alley block 182 north of
Center Street, petition for improvements. I will disclose that while I am listed on um the petition, I am not and have not been a property owner um of any of those properties and so therefore I will be voting on making a vote on
this unless there is any objections from councel. Thank you. Item 6.1. Right. Thank you, Madam President. city councilor. So, this petition was originally prepared back in September of 2021 uh at the request from a property owner abuing the
project. Um this petition was received on June 3rd of this year. Um the petition has signatures from 57% of those uh owners with frontage on the project based on front footage based on parcels. Six out of the 12 um parcel
owners have signed this petition requesting improvements. City of co, excuse me, city code allows for the filing of any such petition allows city council to set a time and place for the petition to be examined, heard, and considered by council. So today, we are
requesting council set the date for the public hearing for Tuesday, August 5th at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Steinheim. President and councilors, I would like to receive the petition for grading aggregate base storm sewer if warranted.
Patuminous surfacing 7-in concrete alley approach pavement miscellaneous removals and restoration as necessary to construct the residential pavement section on the alley in block 182 north of Center Street and set the date for the public hearing uh for 4:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. 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 6.2, New Fire Department relief association
pension benefit level. Mr. Stein. All right. Thank you, Madam President. State counselors. Joe said, I'm secretary of New Fire Department relief association. Uh, so relief association had a benefit uh a pension benefit level study um
completed with its bianual actuarial evaluation completed by VIA. Um and that study uh determined the feasibility of a pension benefit increase. Our current funding level as an association is 155%. So meaning if we
were to dissolve as an association today, there would be 55% of the funds uh remaining after everybody would be paid out. Our current pension amount is $6,750 per year of service for the active members of the association. Our funding
level is up from the 2023 funding level and that was at 115%. And that included an adoption of a pension level increase in 2023 as well. So that shows our our uh investment strategy is working um quite well and
increased our our funding level about 40% uh over the 2-year period. Our proposed increase is to $8,000 per year of service, which is option three in the attachment uh for its active members. uh this does not uh increase the pension
level for our four monthly retire uh retired members. Um by enacting that uh pension increase, we would reduce our funding level to 134% uh per the study um conducted by VIA. The proposed
increase keeps the association sufficiently funded and provides uh some cushion for fluctuations in investment uh performance. We included a a uh chart with other relief associations um their pension per year, municipal
contributions, funding ratios, and uh 2023 rate of return. You'll see if you look at the rates of return, our um association's investments are outperforming all of our peers that we included as part of the comparison.
Uh just an item of note, the uh pension benefit level is an item that the fire chief uses during recruitment. It helps with retention as well for some of our more experienced firefighters. So this uh pension benefit uh increase
was recommended for approval by the association and by the association board of directors. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you. President and counselors, I'd like to offer the resolution to revise appendix
A of the New Fire Department Relief Association bylaws changing the pens pension benefit level to $8,000 per year of service for active members of the New Fire Department Relief Association to become effective January 1st, 2026.
Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Uh, one item, Madame President, as you heard Mr. Stoddeim say, I'm uh still on the monthly pension. This does not affect my pension. So, I will be voting on this. Thank you so much. For the record.
Um motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, call the role, please. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Warmup, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Ber, yes. That motion does carry. Thank you. Council, yes. Item 6.3
is public hearing date for noise variance for New Chamber of Commerce, Crazy Days. I'll motion to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. for requests from the New Chamber of Commerce for a noise variance to permit amplified sound and music during crazy
days on Minnesota Street between First North and Center Streets on Friday, 3rd North and Center Street on Saturday for the following Friday, July 25, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 26, 2025 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 6.4 is uh public hearing date for Norris variance for Newm Chamber of
Commerce spiking in the street. offer a motion to schedule public hearing for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. for request from the Newm Chamber of Commerce for a noise variance to permit amplified sound music during
spiking in the street Minnesota Street between 2nd North and Center Streets for the following Friday, August 1, 2025 from 300 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. Again, thank
you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Just a comment. Uh what a great uh event. I think this is going into our third year. And didn't we like or they double the amount of participation last year? They're doubling the size, too. It's just
amazing. So, um support uh this opportunity. Thank you so much. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 6.5, New Battery Cannon Shoot, Military Appreciation Night.
President, counselors, I'd like to make a motion to authorize the New Elm Battery to conduct a cannon shoot at Johnson Park, 500 North German Street after the national anthem to fire up to three rounds from the cannon in celebration of Military Appreciation
Night on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. 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. Item 6.6 is uh support for low or no emission grant
program. Councelor Wormka had alluded to earlier. This is a letter for letter of support for the low or no emissions grant program through the Federal Transit Administration. Um
because of cold weather um the electric buses um wouldn't have the range that we needed. Uh so we did try and use that current grant that we had to do propane buses um but that was uh deemed an ineligible expense. They really wanted to hold to um hold to the electric but
they did um come forward with a zero or no or low emission uh grant. Um and so uh Brown County um transit uh would like to apply through this through the state. Um, this would help us kind of complete
our route, get us buses that are low low emission, uh, which would help, um, meet Minnesota's emission standards, our carbon standards, uh, and also would help us complete our route, as Eric had also alluded to, to getting two smaller
routes. Um, so it makes it, uh, more efficient for people to get around. we can actually hit more stops, have two for lack, um you know, without mapping it out, two halfhour routes that meet in downtown where you can jump on the other bus and go other um and go on to the
other route. Um so I would ask for your um approval of this letter of support for this grant so we can apply. A motion to approve the letter of support endorsing Brown County's application to the Federal Transit Administration for two propane buses under the low or no emission grant
program. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? I have a couple of questions. Um I've been approached about this particular project, the busing with only good uh feedback. Um in here it
talks there's there's two points where it talks about constructing new transportation facilities to accommodate the low emission buses. My question is, is there anything uh in future planning to look at the respective stops and
having uh some kind of improvements at those locations with a shelter or with seating uh to accommodate those in weight for the bus? I would say yes, that's probably in the future plans, but as of right now, as we're still mapping out the route, there's not, it doesn't
really make sense unless we know there's a route or a stop that's physically going to be there as we manipulate stuff. Um, so once we can nail down what the two routes would be, that's when we'd start looking at potential benches. Um there is one spot I know um at
Emerson Union they're potentially looking at doing a bench there uh through a donation route or something like that because that's been a fairly requested one. But um those stops will eventually get something down the road when it's more finalized. And the the shelter issues were more with the
electric bus that we needed a more insulated building to house the electric buses. With this we're we're not there. We don't need that as it's not as big of a need. So Okay. Thank you. Yep. Thank you. Any additional discussion? Just one other note. Um these buses actually
wouldn't cost us anything. Um the state is covering the match portion for for this. Those in f in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item number 6.7 is regards to a loan to Franklin
Newm LLC. Yeah. So this loan is is kind of unique. So um Rebound was the initial um loan applicant for um this loan uh when they did the lamp lighter. They are no longer moving forward with that lamp
lighter project at this point and would like to transfer that money over um to remodel the Franklin building and get that up and running. Um they do meet all the criteria. Um it's under 30% of the total project cost. they do have equity
um in that and they're pretty much ready to go with the remodeling and improvements to um the Franklin Event Center at this point in time. I would have loved to see the lamp lighter get revived, but I also want to see this business come back back to
life. So, I'll offer a resolution authorizing a loan with conditions to Franklin Newm LLC in the amount of $149,999 from the city's revolving loan fund for building acquisition, working capital, and remodeling barring any significant
changes. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Chris, do we have any timeline when this might be occupied? I would say probably in the next year or so it'll be be up and running. I mean,
probably sooner rather than later, but most of the improvements are going to be interior, so they'll be able to work through the winter. So, okay. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Warmka, yes. Councelor
Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. And President Becker, yes. That motion carries. Item 6.8 Eight is fire department donation. I'll offer the resolution to accept a $500 donation from Jeannie Crutch. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Warma, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion does carry. Our last item of business today is item 6.9,
park and recreation donations. President, counselors, I'd like to offer a resolution to accept the following donations offered to the city of New Alm through the park and recreation department for the identified purposes. Um, and that is $42.98
for Shrubbery and German Park from Jan Jacobs honoring Marlene Marty. And then from the New Elm Junior Baseball Association out at North Park uh for dugout improvements and scoreboard improvements, $22,000 for a grand total
of $22,42.98. Second. Thank you. We do have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Christian, yes. Councelor Wormka, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. The motion
carries. With no additional business today, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.