The fire department’s need for equipment replacement took center stage, with the council considering the acquisition of a new rescue vehicle. Two vendors, Pierce and Hyman, submitted bids for the project, with Pierce offering a quote of approximately $427,000, and Hyman proposing a lower option at around $200,000. Though Pierce’s proposal was initially higher, the possibility of reducing costs to approximately $350,000 by removing certain features was discussed. Ultimately, the council seemed inclined towards Hyman’s comprehensive offering, which included a fully equipped truck. The current rescue truck, dating back to 2013, will be repurposed as a brush truck, replacing an older 1998 model. The council also discussed the logistics of auctioning off the replaced vehicles, noting that delivery of the new equipment could take up to two years.

In conjunction with this, the council authorized the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) for the fire department, utilizing a cooperative agreement with Home State County to benefit from state contract pricing. This move ensures compatibility with existing equipment and ease in parts replacement, with funding confirmed through the department’s capital budget.

Another major topic of discussion was the proposed expansion of the city library. The council reviewed two layout plans, ultimately recommending a design that involves flipping the current library space to function as a community center and senior citizen area. Meanwhile, a new construction would house the library, allowing continuous library services throughout the building process and preserving green space for future projects. The motion to approve this layout was enthusiastically supported and passed unanimously.

In regulatory matters, the council received a notification from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) designating Stewartville as an MS4 community, necessitating a series of monitoring and compliance measures for stormwater management. This designation prompted a debate over the additional responsibilities for documentation and inspections of stormwater discharges from new developments. Concerns were raised about the increased scrutiny and the potential burden these new requirements would place on city resources and staff capabilities. The council discussed leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve documentation, allowing public works personnel to log inspections and maintenance activities efficiently.

One notable discussion the financial review and planning for the upcoming fiscal year. The council approved the 2025 budget and 2024 tax levy, with the proposed final budget amounting to approximately $11.8 million. The tax levy, certified earlier in the year, was discussed in the context of long-term financial commitments, including funding for the pool and fire hall projects. After brief discussions, the budget and tax levy were approved unanimously.

The council also engaged in a conversation about development fees, particularly focusing on water and sewer access charges and their impact on attracting developers to the city. While one participant emphasized the need for affordable housing and competitive fees, others pointed out the necessity of adjusting fees, which had remained unchanged for nearly two decades, to keep pace with inflation. The debate revealed differing perspectives on balancing infrastructure funding with the risk of deterring developers. A proposal to regularly review and adjust fees to align with inflation and development trends was suggested, although no concrete changes were made at this meeting.

In other financial discussions, the council reviewed the audit engagement letter for the 2024 year-end financial audit. The city received a proposal from Smith Schaer for $40,500, an increase from the previous year, which includes work necessary for achieving the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) certificate of achievement. The proposal was approved without opposition.

The city also addressed staffing for the warming house at Meal Parks in preparation for the hockey season, approving hires for the upcoming season. Polling places for the 2025 elections were designated, with the Civic Center chosen as the polling location for Stewartville residents.

The meeting concluded with public works updates, including the approval of a new mower trailer purchase and discussions about the leaf collection program. The city engineer provided updates on capital budget projects, and the library director shared the success of recent community events and a significant donation for library expansion.