The council’s approval of the rezoning ordinance allows a property at 11253 Street Southwest to transition from residential to general business use. The Planning and Development Director outlined the current zoning for one or two-family residences and detailed the proposal to rezone it for commercial purposes. This change, recommended by the Planning Commission, was deemed consistent with the neighborhood’s predominantly business-oriented zoning. The council discussed the differing setback requirements that would apply, with general business zoning necessitating 10 feet in the front and 25 feet in the rear, compared to residential zoning’s 30 feet in the front and 10 feet on the sides. Ultimately, the council unanimously approved the rezoning motion, meeting the requirement of six affirmative votes.

In parallel, the meeting highlighted persistent water management issues in the Benson Avenue area. The Public Works Department reported on investigations into significant water backups affecting local properties. A sump pump was discovered to be discharging water into what was thought to be an abandoned sewer line. Concerns about potential road damage and the safety of Benson Avenue for public use prompted plans for sidewalk removal and underlying condition assessments. The issue of historical soil conditions in Willmar, which impedes effective drainage due to the city’s flat topography and past land use, was also discussed. The council expressed a desire to explore old downtown plans and assess the types of pipes originally installed, questioning the role of any abandoned lines in the current drainage challenges.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Doug Green from Baker Tilly on the sale of General Obligation bonds totaling $10,610,000, with an awarded amount of approximately $10,080,000 due to a premium bid. The bonds, issued amidst a challenging interest rate environment, received five bids, with the winning bid carrying a true interest cost of 3.86 percent over 15 years. Green emphasized the importance of understanding the city’s total debt portfolio and its implications for infrastructure projects, including the 13th Street project. The average annual net levy for debt service was projected at around $337,000, with the sanitary sewer portion estimated at $130,000 annually. The city’s credit rating was affirmed at A3, reflecting strong financial health despite elevated debt levels compared to other municipalities.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the city’s stormwater management efforts, with a representative detailing public education initiatives and pollution prevention measures. The city provided educational materials in multiple languages and hosted events like “Healthy Earth Healthy Kids” to engage the community. The ongoing sale of rain barrels, illicit discharge detection and elimination, and construction site runoff control were discussed. The representative highlighted the importance of street sweeping as a cost-effective measure to reduce sediment and phosphorus in stormwater, noting the successful operation of two mechanical broom sweepers.

The council also addressed the 2018 airport master plan project, which remains pending FAA approval due to factors beyond local control. The city was urged to conduct an RFQ for Consulting Engineers, resulting in the selection of Bolton and Mink for management and engineering services. The council authorized city staff to negotiate a contract with Bolton and Mink, emphasizing the importance of qualifications over cost in the consultant selection process.

Additionally, the council approved new policies for the classification and compensation plan, integrating various union groups into the city’s base pay schedule. Efforts to update these policies were discussed, and inconsistencies in documentation were addressed. The council also voted to approve a Professional Services agreement with Bolton and Mink for outdoor rink pavilion design, aimed at developing schematics and construction plans for the project.