Good evening and welcome to the regular City Council meeting for the city of St. Peter, Minnesota. It's Monday, June 22nd, 2026. At 7:00 p.m. we are called to order. Would all please rise for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh next up, approval of the agenda. Everybody has received an additional
memo memo and a revised copy of the consent agenda, uh which includes a an additional temporary dance license. So, uh considering those two items of information, is there a motion to approve the agenda as revised?
>> I'll make a motion to approve with the second. >> All those in favor of approval, say I. I. Any opposed? Our agenda's approved. Moving on to approval of the minutes. The minutes appear on pages, uh let's see, five and six of the packet. Is
there a motion to approve or are there any revisions or corrections? All right. >> So moved. >> All right, thank you. >> Second. >> All those in favor of approval, say I. I. Any opposed? Our minutes are approved. We now have time as usual on our agenda
for visitors. Are there any visitors who'd like to address the council on any agenda items? Hearing none, we also have time for general visitor comments. If there's a visitor who'd like to address the council on another matter. Hearing none, we will move on to the approval of the consent agenda. The
consent agenda, uh everybody should have a a copy. The consent agenda includes the following employee appointments, Christian McCabe and Olivia Denzer at the position budget and wage listed within the memo. A temporary gambling license to Gustavus
Adolphus College at the location and date listed. A temporary dance license to the Redmond Club for the location and date listed. The following item will be declared surplus and staff is authorized to sell or dispose of it, a 2028 Jeep Grand
Cherokee, as well as the schedule of disbursements for June 5th through 18th, 2026. Is there any discussion of any item on the consent agenda, Brad? >> Anna may you indicated a temporary dance license for the Redmond Club, but the consent agenda says temporary gambling license.
>> Yeah, we have an error on the resolution. It's actually a dance license. This is for the annual fireman's fundraiser dance that occurs at the Redmond Club on July 3rd. >> Yep, so the the resolution should indicate the memo's correct, the resolution has a typo. Uh it is a dance
license. Any other questions or discussion? How about a motion to approve the resolution? >> I'll make a motion to approve the resolution with the one change to the resolution. >> I'll second it. >> All right, we have a motion and a
second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Sharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos. >> Aye. >> Mayor Noel. >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis. >> Aye. >> Council member Ramp. >> Aye. >> Council member Wiesenfeld. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Moving on,
2026 A general obligation bonds. Oh, and Shannon came all the way to Saint Peter to talk to us about this. Great to see you, Shannon. >> [laughter] [laughter] >> No. We danced at the college on the hill, so >> [laughter]
>> Not well. Not well. But but we did. Um >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, Mayor and members of the council. Here to present two resolutions that would initiate the process for selling bonds to fund a
variety of projects. Uh your staff's uh being efficient by combining multiple projects together, which makes my math harder, and makes our schedules a little bit more misleading, but at the end of the day, uh we think you'll be able to follow along with what we're up to.
We intend to fund the Gorman Park project, the North Fourth Street Improvement project, the equipment purchases for 25 and 26, along with the public works roofing project, all under one bond issue. Ultimately, we apply multiple statutory authorities, we'll
have many underlying schedules that describe how these are repaid, but at the end of the day, it would be helpful for you to understand the the equipment is being financed over a term of 5 years, the Gorman Park improvements over a 15-year term, North Fourth Street also
over a 15-year term, which matches the assessments that we'll have that pay for a portion of that project costs, and the public works roof also over a 15-year term. Uh in order to fund the Gorman Park improvements, we are proposing to issue tax abatement bonds. We did something
similar, uh I think it was 2019 when we did the pavilion project, and that's ultimately the same authority that we're using for for for the [clears throat] Gorman Park improvements. Tax abatement authority is a process that requires us to hold a public
hearing, which the resolution that's in your packet calls for that public hearing to be held on the day of sale, so at the same time we're selling bonds on July 27th. Uh ultimately, that process includes a a public hearing notice that identifies parcel
identification numbers in the community to the extent that those those parcels pay property taxes sufficient to cover the annual principal payments on the bond issue. To be clear, we're not treating those folks any differently than any other
taxpayer in the city. It's a procedural requirement that requires us to uh jump through this hoop that the state's created for us in order to pledge a tax levy for the repayment of this this activity. Uh so, we'll have a list of parcels that
people may ask you questions about, "Why is my house listed on this public hearing notice?" It's simply to meet the state's requirement that we identify sufficient tax base to pay the principal on the bond. Again, [clears throat] there's no certification to the county
of those properties or anything along those lines. Once we have the hearing and we've uh awarded the sale of bonds, the tax levy is spread over all of our taxpayers as all of our other tax levies are. So, I just want to be absolutely clear in case
you get any questions on that portion of the process. Otherwise, the other thing that you would want to understand is that ultimately a significant portion of this is for equipment purchases, almost a million four. And ultimately, our enterprises contribute uh significantly
to the debt service on that even though we have a pledged tax levy. So, in our cash flow for this bond issue, we show it as a tax levy because that's what statute also requires us to do. We're able to cancel that portion of the levy for which we have revenues derived from
our enterprises to make payments on the bonds for those purposes. So, uh These are all things we do when we mush a bunch of stuff together, but at the end of the day, you know, we save quite a bit of dough in issuance costs and on
guys like me. So, that's a good thing. And ultimately, we're a little bit more efficient in this process, and your staff has handled the management of these things well, and so we'll we'll ultimately save a little bit of money in in order to achieve some efficiencies in
combining these things together. So, at the end of the day, we have two resolutions as I mentioned. The first is a resolution providing for a competitive negotiated sale. Ultimately, that means we're preparing an offering document. We're securing a credit rating from Standard & Poor's.
We're sending that out to underwriters that like to invest in St. Peter bonds, and even some that don't, but ultimately we send it out to a whole bunch of people that have a chance to bid on an issue this size. I expect at least five or more bids, which is a good thing. Again, we're
creating competition. And at the end of the day, we'll be presenting the low bid from the underwriter that is interested in purchasing your bonds at the lowest overall lowest overall cost. And that will happen on July 27th, the same
evening that we have the public hearing on the tax abatement issue. The second resolution is simply calling that tax abatement hearing and uh setting a maximum amount, talking about the duration of that levy, which is 15 years. And we'll have additional detail
for you with an approval resolution for that abatement levy at your meeting on the 27th as well. So. My only disappointment in this process is Kisha told me that we're going to meet here and not at the new place. So. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Todd, anything to add before we go to questions? >> The only other thing I'd add that as you get that council packet, the resolutions will have blanks because it's being bid that day, and so they will be filled out for you when you get to the desk that night after the sale, the competitive sale process has occurred.
So. Yeah. That's it. >> All right, Daryl. >> Do you Shannon, do you actually have a levy number that this would increase our levy by? I see you've got like park streets, fire, general public works. >> I have what it's I have what is pledged,
but not what is paid. And so, ultimately, we do have a pretty detailed spreadsheet that Perry assembled with regard to the enterprises that are contributing. Uh for the sale date, we will well, we
it probably won't even be able to be fast enough on the sale date, but at the end of the day, uh if Perry asked for payment schedules that allocated to enterprises, so he has something internally with principal and interest payments, we'll provide that. But that will probably follow this process a little bit.
>> Just just looking at numbers, it looks like it's just under half a million dollars. Half a million dollars would be the top of it. That would be all of it if you have to take off the enterprise ones. This will be a >> [clears throat] >> increase in levy that we will have to do, and we've been fully aware of that the whole time. >> Yeah, thank you for that.
>> So, I asked it at the beginning at the some of the those that's front-loaded, so that part of it would go off just like we normally do every 5 years, recycling those out. This causes a little bit of a bump in that, but uh it it goes along with what we budgeted,
um you know, for this year, and we'll have a more complex analysis of it as we get to the end of this and know what the know how to separate the two out. >> Yeah, cuz I don't Shannon, are you anticipating different interest levels or >> this all go through at one interest
level? That's what we didn't really talk about. >> Uh ultimately, there'll be interest rates well, >> [laughter] >> You've asked a complicated You've asked a complicated question. They'll probably I mean, a bond is bonds that I sold last
week had a 4% coupon or interest rate through the entire schedule, but the purchase price generating premium was different in each maturity. And so, you actually the yield or the real interest
cost that you're paying by maturity starts low and builds over the life of the schedule, whether it's through premium or through, you know, somebody bidding straight up and not having premium. Then you would see a scale that's similar to what's in your packet,
starting at 2.75% 27 and going to about 4.15% in 43. And so, >> [clears throat] >> we use yields in these schedules that we provide cuz we think it's closer to the truth than just me putting a four coupon on here and throwing some premium in
premium in here that is supplemental money that the purchaser gives us in order to charge a higher interest rate. So, if they're giving you more money than you ask for, but you're paying a little bit higher interest, you have this extra money you can use to reduce the size of the bond
issue and do things like that in order to manage it and get the yield where it's supposed to be. But, uh and that's how people are bidding these days. And so, we'll have uh probably a good chunk of premium that will reduce the par amount
of this bond issue. So, right now we're saying it's 5,995. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if it's $150,000 less than that with the premium, maybe more. Uh I know that's deep in the weeds.
And I'm sorry that period I said that. >> I should have. >> [laughter] >> I realized as I asked it that this is going to be a lot. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> It It does get really complex, but um as we get closer, we'll we'll have a better idea of exactly where it it comes
out. Um >> And we could we could do we could do an allocated payment schedule based on the preliminary >> Right. >> in between now and the sale if that was of interest. So, but it would be >> the sales in August. No, I think we're
okay cuz budget the first budget draft isn't until late a little later than that. So, I think we're okay through August. Where it gets interesting is really that the As Shannon said, the heavy part of the our a large part of this is those equipment certificates. And really those
are going to be those go away after 5 years. So, I need to to analyze this slightly differently so that the portions of those that the enterprise funds are paying, you know, isn't divided into over the entire 15-year life of the loan. So, I have
some more work to do on that once we have more information. This is a This is a general broad brush look at it. >> And I can give you allocated payment schedule so you have a place to start with, you know, at least now. So, >> to be my next question. >> Yep. Yep.
>> Uh Brad. Uh so, the question is that >> Yeah, as you said, you know, you might a resident might say, "Why is my property in the tax abatement district?" "Why are we doing tax abatement?" Well, versus doing it another way. What's the advantage of the tax abatement versus uh >> You would have to have a referendum
otherwise. >> Okay. >> And you'd have to go through that expense either at a general election or special election. It'd cost you money and all those kinds of things. So, that's the only other other authority under statute that'll allow you to fund a park project. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Additional questions for Shannon or any discussion? Hearing nothing Yeah? Oh, go ahead, Shannon. >> I I misstated. You could assess for it. >> [laughter] [laughter] >> I mean, that's basically >> That's it.
>> Well, that that I guess that's what I was saying. So, >> It boils down to bonding authority and what's the most efficient way to borrow the money then achieve the same outcome. And this is the most efficient way to do that. >> All right, thanks for that. Hearing nothing further, the first resolution
we're considering appears on pages 18 through 20 of the packet. That is a resolution calling for a public hearing on property tax abatement and the issuance of bonds. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member DeVos.
>> Aye. >> Mayor Noel. >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettus. >> Aye. >> Council member Riemer. >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld. >> Aye. >> Council member Scharstrom. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved, assuming no additional questions. Uh the next
resolution we'll consider is a resolution providing for the competitive [clears throat] negotiated sale of 5,995,000 general obligation bonds series 2026A. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. Mayor Noel. >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettus. >> Aye. >> Council member Riemer. >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld. >> Aye. >> Council member Scharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Thank you so
much. Um moving on unfore- unforeseen circumstances loans. >> Madam Mayor, members of council >> For this one, Ben's unable to be to the meeting tonight and this is under the program that you developed over the last couple of months that's entitled
unforeseen circumstances microloan program. Um you've had three applications that have been reviewed so far by the committee and the and recommended by the economic development authority. Uh one is for El Agave, one is for River Rock Baking, and the third is for Puddled Fish Brewing. Um these
loans are based on 0% interest. Um the timeline for these loans is a little bit over 8 years because it's driven by a $100 per month payment um by each of these groups. There may be other applications in the future, but this is kind of your first wave of this.
Um again, this has been uh reviewed by the Economic Development Authority and recommended for approval. The resolution that's in your packet starting on page 31 um provides for the three loans. >> Uh open for questions or if there's any
council member who sits on the EDA who has anything to add. Carrie. >> Yeah. So, at the EDA meeting um where we discussed this and then moved it forward for uh recommendation to council
uh both River Rock Big Kitchen and Baking Company and Paddlefish um brewery reps from both were there and could answer some of the questions about unforeseen circumstances and what they felt um qualified and so there was some discussion about that and um just for
context kind of where we landed is you know, in River Rock Baking Company's case they're they're shifting gears with their business model. Um the and and with Paddlefish they're they're still very very new as a business and they're still gaining traction and so uh at
times it's kind of hard to see what's going on if you're just looking at the financials. So, having their narrative um was helpful and I felt comfortable um as an EDA member moving it forward. Um
next year what's going to be added to the application with the budget narrative. So, it can kind of explain some of that in writing um if the financials aren't totally explaining a full picture of why it's whatever circumstances
impacting them is unforeseen. >> Makes sense. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> All right. I'm not seeing any other hands or questions. The resolution approving applications for the unforeseen circumstances micro loan program appears on 30 pages 31 through
32 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Penas? >> Aye. >> Council member Brandt? >> Aye. >> Council member Weizenfeld? >> Aye.
>> Council member Scharstrom? >> Aye. >> Council member DeBoer? >> Aye. >> Mayor Noel? >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Next up, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership CLT project funds designation. >> Bare members, you've talked about this at a couple of different workshops as is
my recollection. This is really providing an additional $57,000 to Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership for their CLT homes. And um those that's community land trust. That's been a successful program for you. The challenge is construction costs and lot
costs in trying to move things forward. So they requested some additional funding um for additional application opportunities for these CLT homes. Those new requests are designated towards two locations with homes that are already built. 2109 Lundeen and 2108
um Nelson Street. There's a resolution included in your packet along with some other information from Southwest about how they market these. And that resolution's on page 36. >> Thanks. Questions for Todd? This is kind of a interesting uh
situation. A very a neat program to keep housing available um affordable and So I encourage people to read the packet and maybe even look at some past packets cuz we've talked about it a lot. >> Yes, we have. And certainly if there's folks that are interested out there, this provides additional affordability.
So if they might have interest in a community land trust home, give us or give Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership a call. >> Absolutely. Uh seeing no hands, no further discussion, the designation of funds uh for uh community land trust housing projects by Southwest Minnesota Housing
Partnership. That resolution appears on pages 36 through 37 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Pettis. >> Aye. >> Council member Ramler. >> Aye. >> Council member Wisenfeld.
>> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeBoss. >> Aye. >> Mayor Nowell. >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Moving on, 1225 South Washington Avenue development update.
>> Um, Mayor and members, this is asking for you to pass a resolution that really does two things. Um, overrides a previous purchase agreement that you had with ALH L ALH Land Company. And then providing a grant to
ALH Land Company so that we can meet the criteria established by the state of Minnesota relative to this parcel, which we've commonly called in the past President's Corner, at the corner of Washington and Jefferson. So, here's kind of the scoop. The scoop is is that
as a part of a project in the mid-2010s, um, the city of St. Peter received funds through the state of Minnesota for development of additional water treatment. That included the demolition and closure of wells of a very, very small 1950s-ish
water treatment plant. Not wastewater, but water treatment plant located at that location. As a part of that, and as a part of the loan documentation through the state of Minnesota, the land was encumbered. The rules say that if we sell that or look to do something else with that land for a non-public use,
meaning not a park or where a city hall's located, or um, where a wellhead might be, um, we have to provide them with an appraisal of the property. And then when the property is sold, we must pay them the appraised amount. The appraisal came back at $100,000. As you know, that's not the
agreed upon sale price of approximately 64,000. That's where the grant comes in. The grant then it gets provided to ALH so that they then have $100,000 to pay you, which then you would be required to pay the state of Minnesota to remove any state driven encumbrance on the property
so that development can move forward. Um again, the resolution really takes those two things into account. Um you've reviewed the development itself multiple multiple times and what's going to be located there, you've seen images. Um you've seen layouts, all of those
things. This is something that the council has actively pursued and thought that this is a great use for that location and provides additional housing within the community. Um so there's an agreement that's been developed by your attorneys related to um the purchase agreement and we would reenter that and
of course then there's a grant that would be required. Once the property is closed, we provide for um the $100,000 to the state of Minnesota which clears the encumbrance and development is able to occur. We cannot provide or allow for development to occur before that happens
under the state rules. Um I'm happy to answer any questions that you have about this as best as I can. Um this really comes down to in many ways that the appraisal was higher and as the council is aware, we've had this for sale multiple times through RFP processes over the last well, not quite
15 but certainly 10 years. And so this is the closest as close as you've gotten to a sale and a development that met the criteria for the type of development established by the council. Happy to answer questions again as best as I can but the resolution is included in your packet. I'm scrolling through
here. Forgive me for just a second. I believe it starts on page 60. >> Questions for Todd then. >> So this $36,000, $35,934 or whatever it is. >> Um where are those funds coming from?
>> So those funds would come from your housing project fund, the same location where we're doing the CLT stuff from. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I'd love to tell you there's a faster solution, a less expensive solution,
um one that doesn't kind of require this type of effort to move it forward, um but there just isn't. They have an encumbrance for 40 years, and this is how you get rid of that encumbrance. >> All right, Brett. >> Um using our housing fund uh for that 35,000, does that um
does that require us to do any any any uh what do you call it? Any any uh what is it? LMI uh uh requirements on to the >> No, and that's not part of the development agreement here. I I You have seen the development project itself, and you've seen projections on what the
rentals are going to be. And so, I would consider that um mid-market for rentals. >> I just wasn't sure if there were going to be any additional requirements since we're using our housing funds. Um I don't know. Okay. >> Additional questions?
All right, hearing nothing further, this resolution is a mouthful. So, uh the resolution approving the sale of the old water treatment plant property at located at located at 1225 South Washington Avenue to ALH Land Company
LLC and Fox Valley Properties Limited Liability Company, having found that the property is no longer usable or needed to carry out the governmental purpose for which it was originally acquired, constructed, or bettered is on pages 60 through 61 of the packet. Is there a
motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. Councilmember Ramp? >> Aye. >> Councilmember Weisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shoemaker? >> Aye. >> Councilmember DeVos? >> Aye. >> Mayor Newell? >> Aye.
>> Councilmember Johnson? >> Aye. >> Councilmember Pettis? >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. >> Mayors and members, the the second resolution really is that grant amount. >> Yes. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Any questions about the grant before we move to our approval of the resolution?
All right. Do we have a a motion to approve the second resolution providing a development grant and entering into a purchase agreement with ALH Land Company LLC, Adam Hiras, and Fox Valley Property LLC, Eric Dunker for the city-owned land
at 1225 South Washington Avenue, President's Corner. >> So moved. >> Second. >> With a motion and a second, call the roll, please. >> Council member Rosenfield. >> Hi. >> Council member Sharstrom. >> Hi. >> Council member DeVoss. >> Hi. >> Mayor Noel. >> Hi. >> Council member Johnson.
>> Hi. >> Council member Pettis. >> Hi. >> Council member Ramp. >> Hi. >> The resolution is approved. Next up, 2026 ADA Accessibility Grants. >> Mayors and members, you've seen this um very very very similar documentation
over the last few years related to your ADA accessibility grant program. This year is no exception to that, and approximately $50,000 was provided, primarily driven by interest from your revolving loan fund in your economic development authority, um to provide for grants for improving accessibility to
buildings, um businesses, and others within the community. You can see that an application review committee was established, and they met, and they used criteria that's described on page 65, which again is substantially similar to what you've seen in previous years. To
that end, they made a recommendation to the Economic Development Authority, who then accepted that recommendation and is moving it forward to you of seven loans, one to the Redmond, one to El Agave, one to Reflection Salon, Four Seasons, Sweet
Alice Hasslebus Chiropractic, and Shady Ridge. You can see the implication in the estimated costs of those, and um you've put out a lot of money that's helped these helped businesses and helped accessibility for your community members and others, which has been
fantastic. The resolution that's included in your packet provides for all of these grants to be provided and then we'd follow the same administrative process as we move forward. Um, they're required to sign an agreement related to the maintenance of what they do, an automatic door, ramp, or whatever it
happens to be and so that's standard practice as a part of your program. Again, the resolution providing for these is on page 67. >> All right. Questions or discussion? Oh, Keri. >> Yes. Um, so just to provide some context
again from the EDA, um, we did accept the recommendation from the committee and, um, thank goodness for the committee for all they do to, um, look at these applications and, um, just I think we were able to award everyone
who applied, um, their, uh, award. Their, uh, what they're needing, but the only thing where things went a little bit a rye between the committee and the EDA and I'm just saying this so this is maybe something we think about when we, um, reauthorize this program if we do that in the future, is just being, um,
clear with the committee and the EDA kind of what the intent is be- behind, um, what types of ADA improvements we are we're we're hoping for. Um, from my understanding the intent of this program
was to make, um, these businesses ADA accessible, not kind of telling the business what they need to do to do that where the business might want to decide how they, um, make their business accessible, whether it's a doorbell or a ramp or an
automatic door. The the feeling from at least one of the business businesses was that automatic doors were really pushed and that just did not apply to, um, the business and and how that business is structured and and the entrances. So, we
were able to modify that and that worked out, um but perhaps that's something that we think about and provide more direction to the committee and the EDA in the future. Um and then the other thing that came up that I've been thinking about a lot and that would also be I think helpful for
the EDA and the committee in the future is to we think about this a lot in terms of customers coming through these businesses and customer volume makes you more likely to um like rise to the top of the application process. And maybe
that's the case and that's true. Um I also think we need to think about what makes a business accessible to an employee who might work there someday or a a business owner that needs that type of accessibility, wants to purchase a building down there and run a business.
So, um just kind of broadening our thinking a little bit, I think the customer base is very very important. Um but also there's other impacts to making it accessible that I think we can kind of put within our lens, too, especially
as we're reviewing applications and coming up with criteria over why one might rise above the other. >> Thank you. It's really helpful to have some insight into the discussions at the EDA. Cuz I know they do a lot of work. >> Thank you to the committee. Thanks to the EDA. It's It's a great program and
just continuing to make that program better over time is great. So. >> Brad. >> Uh so, thank Yeah, thanks again to the EDA. I remember when I was on the EDA, there was a lot of thought and a lot of discussion on these and it was always and while while it was earnest, it was
also it was one of the more exciting meetings to talk about cuz we were talking about ways to help people at the time. Um Carrie, thanks for explaining that. Um I do wonder if the auto doors just sort of became uh uh the the auto doors, everybody felt like that was the main way, especially
the first Well, gosh, 2020, so what is this is our 7th year doing it now. So, maybe I I I I think maybe we just couldn't get beyond that that, but that's a very good thought process as far as, you know, may it isn't always just doors. That's it. That stood out to
me is that we had a sidewalk and ramp and handicap parking stalls this time around. So, um I think that's exciting. I think it's really great that we're doing it this week because this week at the League of Minnesota City, St. Peter's going to get recognized for this program. I think the
timeliness of these grants and just it it shows that how unique we are and how special a program this is. So, >> All right. Hearing no further discussion, the resolution approving the 2026 accessibility improvement grants for commercial properties and
businesses, that resolution appears on pages 67 through 68 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Sharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos. >> Aye.
>> Mayor Nowell. >> I I I >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis. >> Aye. >> Council member Ramp. >> Aye. >> Council member Wizenfeld. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Next up, Central Business District Renovation {slash} Accessibility Enhancement Loans.
Wait, we just No, this is a different >> This is a different [laughter] program. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. It's a different program. So, Madam Mayor and members, this information starts on page 69 within your packet. And so, this is a different program and this is really
um to help multiple storefronts from 222 to 224 South Minnesota Avenue. So, that feels a little bit weird, but um it'll work out just fine and and this is what some some in St. Peter um call um,
that that corner piece on on Nassau there. And so, you can see the loan request and the total amount of money that's being provided and how funding sources are being put into place. The loan program has been in place for a long time, and so there are an appropriate level of eligible expenses for this. This loan, based on the
programmatic rules related to it, is for $25,000. It's amortized at 10 years at 0% interest. Um, the payment is a little bit over $208 for this. Um, according to the loan guidelines, if payments are made as due when due, um, 5,000 of this
is forgiven towards the end of the amortization process when we get to that 5,000. This has been recommended by, um, the EDA. This the improvements are reviewed by the HPC cuz they happen to be in the historic preservation district, and they've signed off and
said the improvements meet the criteria for the historic preservation district. So, overall, this is a go if the council takes action on the resolution that starts on page 72. Again, $25,000 for the location listed, 0% interest over 10 years, and loan forgiveness according to
the program rules. There is a personal guarantee provided, and, uh, and mortgage is assigned to this. Happy to answer questions as best I can on this program. >> Questions for Todd. Brad. >> So, uh, Todd, I know you're trying to, uh, channel your inner Ross Geller with the as due when due, but you you missed
the in the amount due. >> In the amount due. I appreciate that. That's very fair. >> 208.33. >> [laughter] >> Carrie. Well, I get very excited about this program, and let me tell you why. Because, um,
it it is just another incentive to take care of the exteriors of these buildings, um, that are historic and are downtown. And we have had a lot of work being done downtown with River Rock and
um, this corner and then also with the thrift store facade and then um I know a couple other businesses capitalized on the Main Street revitalization grant program. So we've just seen a lot of investment in our historic downtown
in maintaining those business that are pretty special and precious to us in our community. And so I really really get excited when people access this type of program that we have through our EDA and whenever they come to talk about their project, I always thank them for
taking care of the buildings because they own the building but it like feels like it belongs to our community that history. So I think it's a great program and very excited to see the work move forward. >> Totally agree Carrie and and our our
recent community survey revealed that our community there's there's strong appreciation for our historic downtown. People really want to see it preserved and so I'm grateful to all the business owners and uh property owners downtown who do their
best to take care of those beautiful historic buildings. All right, I'm not hearing any further discussion. The resolution approving a central business district renovation and enhancement loan in the amount of 20 $5,000 to Cornerstone LLC to partially
finance improvements at 222 and 224 South Minnesota Avenue Urban and Gerbert's / Reflections Salon building is on page 72 through 73 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. Council member DeVos? >> Aye. >> Mayor Noel? >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis? >> Aye. >> Council member Ram? >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Armstrong? >> Aye. >> Resolution is approved. Last item of new
business tonight, a revolving loan request approval. >> Members, this starts in your packet on page 74. This is for the building that we often refer to as the River Rock Coffee building, but it's really owned by Azure Sky LLC. There's some great
information included in your packet, and as you know, that building was under had a substantial amount of maintenance for a number of months located at the corner of Nassau and Highway 169. This too is one of those historic buildings, and so the EDA has worked very diligently to ensure
that funding can be made available for those buildings that meet the criteria of the program. This would be a $129,000 loan at 4.75% amortized over 20 years. And so the EDA and the EDA um
finance committee reviewed this very carefully and is recommending that it move forward to the city council. So that's the recommendation for you. I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have, but this was a very extensive project over $600,000 in total project. And um Carrie might have said
this differently, but when these programs were originally developed, they were really developed with the thought that an historic downtown is a community asset, and if we really believe it's a community asset, we've got to help provide some of the resources to maintain that asset.
Um councils and economic development authorities over the past years have been able to do that through utilization, wise utilization of the funding that you've received um within these programs, and this is another example of that. Um so again, this is recommended by the economic development authority for approval, and the
resolution is included in your packet on page 78. >> All right. Any discussion, questions? Hearing none, the resolution approving a revolving loan in the amount of $129,000
for improvements to the building at 301 South Minnesota Avenue. River Rock Coffee and Tea is on pages 78 through 79. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion. Second. Call the roll, please. >> Mayor Noel. >> Aye.
>> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis. >> Aye. >> Council member Ramp. >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld. >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos. >> Aye. >> The motion is approved and thank you to our EDA. They're They do a lot of good work for our
community as evidenced by our packet tonight. Uh there is no more new business. We will move on to reports and I do have one report this evening. Um Let's see.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the shooting of one of our St. Peter police officers last Thursday. I also want to share some reflections and offer thanks. First and foremost, my thoughts remain with the officer and his family as he recovers and I wish him strength and
healing in the days of head ahead. My prayers are with you. To the other members of our police department, you have my sincere thanks. Incidents like this are a reminder that the responsibility of public safety is
carried out every day by individuals who willingly accept risks in service to our community. I hope each member of our department knows that this community stands behind them. To the families of our officers,
you have my deepest appreciation. While the badge is worn by only one person, the sacrifices of public service are shared by an entire family. Moments like this remind us of the burdens you carry and the support you
provide. My thoughts and thanks are with you as well. To all of the first responders, dispatchers, medical personnel, and assisting agencies, you have my gratitude. Your professionalism, coordination, and dedication helped our community through
a very difficult situation. Finally, to the Saint Peter community, my neighbors. Over the past several days, I've seen our community respond with concern, compassion, and support. That spirit of caring is for one another is one of
Saint Peter's greatest strengths. On behalf of myself and the Saint Peter City Council, I hope I speak on behalf of you, um I extend my gratitude to everyone who responded. Our continued support to our police department and our very best wishes to
the injured officer, his family, and those affected by this incident. Uh that is my only report item tonight. If there are council members who'd like to to make reports, Carrie. >> Yeah. >> I just to just to add to that and and you encompass this in in what what you
said, but I just wanted to just acknowledge to the Washington Terrace neighborhood that after the news cycle, after the incident happens, there still is that level of heightened anxiety and that that sense of safety takes a while to redevelop. And so, as I've thought
about uh the law enforcement officer, everyone impacted, I've really been thinking about that community, that neighborhood um that is still feeling um is feeling a lot still after that. And and I want to acknowledge that that it doesn't just go away after the incident.
Any other council member reports at this time? Hearing none, we will move on to our city administrator. >> Council members, I have two things that I want to mention to you. The first of all, of course, is you should all be aware by now that um the community center, the building that we're located
in, sustained a lightning strike not that long ago, a pretty serious lightning strike, which blew out the fire suppression systems and alarms. And so, we're working through a protocol now, and repairs were underway last week, and today starting at 6:00. Hopefully, by towards the end of this
week, everything will be back in shape. Um this is covered by insurance, um but it's caused some other weird kind of things to happen. So, as an example, um with the gates or the doors in front of the recreation office or the community center office, they're not functioning right now, either, because they're a
part of that system, because they close down when the fire suppression system would be set off. And so, hang tight. Um we still have full operation of the building other than those things. Um that will all be corrected. Um you'll see people walking around the building with clipboards. We're going through a
protocol of checking every room on a regular basis to ensure that people are safe, there's no fire, there's no anything like that to make sure that we can maintain operations. So, as soon as we have that fully operational, we'll continue to update the community. But if you had a room rented here before, um
still come on down. If there's a program here through the summer recreation program, it is still going on. You might have to go to the side door to talk with someone. Knock on the door, and they'll come. But uh we'll be there to help you and make it go. Um just one of those unfortunate things. So, um the crew's continuing to work on that, and you have
a good contractor working on it. So, we feel good about that. Um the next one that I have relates to um both new city hall located at Civic Way and the old city hall located on Front Street. So, moving started today, a couple hours late, but we're starting to move. So, the police department and
transit are really the first things to move this week. So, um equipment, um desks, computers, phones, all those things, filing cabinets, all that stuff is starting to move. Um as we move forward, we'll continue to keep the community updated as to when um everything else is moving. It'll be
about a 3-week process, give or take just a a bit. There's no sense in everyone moving at the same time and stumbling over each other. And uh so, we'll do that in an organized way. Of course, there'll be a glitch or two because that's how moving works. Uh but, we will continue to move forward. A couple of things, again, keep
checking in on our website or on Facebook for updates as to how that works. And if you have a meeting that's scheduled at City Hall and you're not sure which City Hall or whether the move is actually taking place, don't be afraid to call down. Or if we're up, call up and we'll answer and tell you where you can or you can meet us. And
so, um just thanks for everybody for their patience. It uh moving's hard. And so, it'll take a little bit and we'll continue to move forward, but uh we're really excited about that. We think it provides great opportunity for the community. Certainly provides the space for the Police Department and meets the
criteria that we need to meet um for some of the regulatory agencies. And so, we're excited to continue to move that forward. Um Madam Mayor, that's all I have for you for tonight. >> So, follow us on Facebook. >> Or check out our website. >> Sign up for the hot sheet. Those are great sources of information about this
important move and all the other important stuff happening in your city. So, >> For sure. >> All right. No further business before us. We are adjourned. Thanks, everybody. Oh, how about a motion to adjourn? I I I mean, I technically could adjourn us, but
we'll make it official. Is [snorts] there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? We are adjourned.