23:58The council meeting’s primary focus was the discussion on the Third Street reconstruction project. Detailed by Morgan Dolly from WSB, the project involves a full utility reconstruction from Broadway to 14th Avenue, including the installation of a path on the east side and various pedestrian improvements. The council considered two resolutions, important to the project’s progress. The first was a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, covering a portion of the funding required for construction. The second resolution involved entering into a construction contract with Gisinger and Sons, identified as the lowest bidder among five, with a bid of approximately $6.9 million.

The project funding was thoroughly examined, revealing a base bid of $6.9 million with an additional $249,000 allocated for alternate three, bringing the total construction cost to around $7.1 million. The state provided a $7 million grant, complemented by an additional $1.3 million from the state aid account, totaling approximately $8.3 million in available funds. The council discussed the importance of maximizing the grant dollars while strategically utilizing state aid as needed. It was noted that $1.3 million had already been allocated for engineering, with expectations of coming in under budget, potentially allowing for additional funds to be transferred to the construction budget.

Concerns about inflation affecting the project timeline and costs were raised, but it was explained that a fuel escalation clause had been omitted from the contract to mitigate such risks. Additionally, the project’s timeline should remain unaffected by inflationary pressures.

33:13The council swiftly acted on the resolutions, first approving the grant agreement terms and conditions with a unanimous vote. This was followed by the acceptance of the bid and contract terms with Gisinger and Sons, including the designated alternate for a concrete trail, which offers lower long-term maintenance costs compared to asphalt. The motion to accept these terms also passed unanimously.

16:07While the street improvement project dominated the agenda, other matters were addressed. The swearing-in ceremony for new police officers was a ceremonial highlight, as Officers Amber KDson, Carlo Janis, Angela Nelson, and Seratizes took their oaths. To celebrate, a social gathering with cake was organized.

22:08The consent agenda was another key topic, featuring discussions on special event permits for upcoming community events. These included the American Legion Riders Aces and Eights poker run and Higher Ground Wrestling, both scheduled for June 7th, as well as the St. Paul Park Food Truck Fight on June 8th. The council highlighted the food truck event as a fundraiser for Heritage Days, deciding to waive associated charges to support the cause and encouraging community participation.

34:52As the meeting concluded, council members provided updates on various commissions. The public works commissioner announced a need for new members and scheduled their next meeting for June 3rd. The public safety commissioner highlighted a change in meeting time, moving it to June 5th at 6:00 PM, while the planning commission representative reported on the Geneva Bluffs development project’s progress. The parks and recreation representative shared updates on Riverside Park projects, including a scout project featuring a pollinator garden and bench installation, as well as plans for outdoor movie events.