17:49The Council dedicated a substantial portion of the meeting to addressing the immediate repair needs of the Trestle Bridge, which was closed following a failed inspection by Goodhue County. The bridge’s structural deficiencies necessitated prompt attention, with estimated repair costs ranging between $125,000 and $150,000. As the city awaited potential funding from a federal Transportation Alternatives Grant, which could cover 60% of the total costs but was projected to be available in several years, the Council focused on short-term solutions to reopen the bridge for community use. The urgency to expedite these repairs was widely acknowledged, with various contractors, such as Kuden Construction and KRA Anderson, mentioned as potential bidders. The Council emphasized the necessity of obtaining competitive quotes to inform the decision-making process.

0:01In parallel, the Council moved forward with improvements to the Fifth Street West Avenue crosswalk. After reviewing a study conducted by the city engineer, it was determined that while the intersection did not meet the thresholds for a four-way stop, a high-visibility crosswalk was recommended. The projected costs for various options included approximately $5,000 for solar crosswalk signs and $20,000 for pedestrian safety bump-outs. The Council ultimately agreed to begin with painting the crosswalk and installing a portable caution sign in the roadway’s center, with the consensus to evaluate further improvements as necessary. This decision was made to enhance pedestrian safety at a manageable cost.

17:49Another agenda item involved a proposed redevelopment project requiring tax increment assistance and the waiver of certain fees. The developer outlined a financial gap due to high construction costs and interest rates, coupled with modest market rents. They requested $1,751,591 in tax increment assistance and a waiver of SAC and WAC fees totaling $627, translating to $47,745 per unit. The Council unanimously agreed to set this hearing date, recognizing the importance of community input in the development process.

0:01The Council also addressed proposed code amendments regarding the parking of recreational vehicles, an issue under discussion for over a year. The amendments aimed to regulate the parking of campers and recreational vehicles on public roads and residential properties, modeled after similar community regulations. A public hearing was scheduled for March 20 to gather resident feedback, allowing the Council to refine the amendments based on community input.

17:49In other discussions, the Council evaluated the purchase of a new plow truck, previously postponed in favor of acquiring a street sweeper. Various quotes were considered, with a 2026 Western Star truck quoted at $295,000, including upfitting charges. The Council discussed the benefits of using brine for snow management, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and environmental advantages.

35:07Updates on local services included reports from the North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District and the financial challenges facing the local ambulance service. Rising costs and delays in revenue recovery due to a high percentage of Medicare clients were noted, with a proposed increase in the cost per capita from $17.50 to $20 by 2026. The Council explored options to mitigate expenses, including swapping the box from an old ambulance chassis to a new one, providing cost savings while maintaining service quality.