During the meeting, council members were presented with detailed drawings and plans, emphasizing the community benefits the library expansion will bring. The proposed features, such as community gathering spaces and potential outdoor activity areas, were discussed, with the council member expressing optimism about meeting the diverse needs of residents. The final preparations are underway, with a review by the planning and zoning committee scheduled for March. Once complete, the city will solicit bids for the different sub-packages of the project, with the goal of breaking ground in April. The expansion is anticipated to take ten months, followed by an additional two to three months for renovations to the existing library space.

The discussion also included plans for a kitchenette rather than a full commercial kitchen, suitable for small events or catering needs. Council members acknowledged that construction might cause temporary disruptions, but efforts will be made to minimize noise during operations.

Another topic was the approval of a contract for replacing the asphalt at Meadow Park South Hockey Rink. The council received bids from Rochester Sand and Gravel and Elcore Construction, with the former’s bid of $48,580 being the lowest. The council approved the contract with Rochester Sand and Gravel without opposition. During discussions, council members confirmed that while the parking lot had already been redone, the rink area would focus solely on the asphalt replacement, maintaining a four-inch depth for consistency. The boards used for the hockey rink will remain throughout the summer to accommodate pickleball activities.

The council also addressed a massage therapist license application from Asian Massage and Fitness located on South Main. The council approved the renewal of both the massage therapist license and business license for the 2026 licensing period, contingent upon a completed application. The city manages the application process, while the county conducts necessary checks.

Mayor Jimmie-John King’s report included expressions of sympathy for families affected by recent passings, specifically mentioning Steve Schwarz, John Malone, Nancy Bamlet, and David Hansen. He announced the operational status of the Open Hearts Food Shelf at the United Methodist Church and highlighted Morgan Manning’s achievement as the first female wrestler from Stewartville to advance to the state tournament. Ed Krueger was recognized for being named Chamber Volunteer of the Year, commended for his dedication and support.

In reports from staff, the public works director brought up a request from Geotech regarding parking areas on Second Avenue, which experience congestion due to trucks backing into their property during busy traffic times. To alleviate the issue, the director proposed establishing a no-parking zone along both sides of the street, with intentions to return with a formal resolution at the next meeting. Additionally, updates included ongoing deck repairs and culvert clearance in the Maple Brooks subdivision.

The city engineer discussed plans to propose resolutions for changes in the state aid route to optimize funding based on traffic patterns. The timeline for signal system bidding was noted, with expectations set for early summer or late spring. Meanwhile, the library director’s report highlighted increased circulation and program offerings, with a successful “story stroll” event at Central cited as a well-received initiative planned for future reuse.