St. Peter City Council — Transcript
Monday, July 27, 2026
2026 General Obligation Bonds and Property Tax Abatement
Central Business District Accessibility Enhancement Grant Program
GreenStep Cities Program Step 3 Recognition
Safe Routes to School Improvements Closeout
Broadway and Washington Avenue Intersection Engineering
City Assistance Request: Fight for the Boundary Waters Benefit
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) Summer Conference Report
Minnesota Association for Government Communicators (MAGC) Northern Lights Award
Votes (6)
Public Hearing on 2026 General Obligation Bonds, Property Tax Abatement, and Issuance of Bonds
Shannon Sweeney provided an overview of the proposed bond issuance and property tax abatement, explaining that it authorizes a 15-year tax levy pledge for Gorman Park improvements. The levy, for $1,960,000 in abatement bonds, would be spread across the entire city tax base and not solely affect identified parcels, clarifying a common concern about specific property owners bearing the cost.
Resolution Approving Property Tax Abatement for Certain Property Located in the City of Saint Peter
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [7:30 p.m.] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [7:30 p.m.]
Following the public hearing, the council considered the abatement resolution. Shannon Sweeney reiterated that the resolution formalizes a 15-year tax levy pledge for Gorman Park improvements, supporting bonds up to $2,030,000 in principal, with $1,960,000 actually being issued.
Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Awarding the Sale of 6,505,000 General Obligation Bonds Series 2026A
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [7:34 p.m.] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [7:34 p.m.]
Shannon Sweeney presented the results of the competitive bond sale. The city achieved a 'double A minus' credit rating with a stable outlook. Six bids were received, with Piper Sandler & Company offering the lowest net interest rate of 3.787%. The initial bond amount of $6,505,000 was reduced to $6,320,000 due to a $167,000 premium received, which will be used for construction. The bonds cover various projects including North Forest Street improvements, utility infrastructure, Gorman Park abatement, and equipment needs.
Resolution Accepting the 2024 Safe Routes to School Improvements as Complete and Authorized Final Payment
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [7:39 p.m.] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [7:39 p.m.]
City Administrator Todd provided details on the closeout of the Safe Routes to School project, emphasizing its success in leveraging federal and state grants (with a local share of just over $85,000) for significant pedestrian safety improvements. Projects included new sidewalks and crossings on North Washington, Jefferson, Church Street, and Broadway Avenue. Council members praised the project for enhancing walkability, increasing safety, and being a proactive, well-planned investment for the community.
Resolution Approving a 2026 Broadway and Washington Avenue Intersection Improvements Engineering Services
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [7:46 p.m.] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [7:46 p.m.]
The council approved a contract for $186,400 with Bolton & Menk for engineering services for a roundabout at the Broadway-Washington intersection. The project is being expedited to take advantage of $200,000 in MnDOT funding, which would otherwise be used for a temporary traffic signal during the 2028 Minnesota Avenue detour. City Engineer Jeff Damarus also mentioned an application for $1.5 million in LRIP financing. Council members raised concerns about pedestrian safety, suggesting features like flashing lights, and potential impacts on parking for nearby residential units, requesting these issues be addressed during the engineering phase.
Resolution Providing Approval for a City Assistance Request (Fight for the Boundary Waters Benefit)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [7:50 p.m.] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [7:50 p.m.]
The council approved the use of Minnesota Square Park for a 'Fight for the Boundary Waters' benefit. City Administrator Todd noted that unlike typical requests, the funds would not directly benefit St. Peter. Council member Brad Pettis highlighted the potential for local economic benefit from visitors. Mayor Noel provided context, explaining that the event's organizer is local, and it is expected to draw significant local participation and business sponsorships, making it a locally-driven event supporting a state-wide cause. The discussion also prompted consideration for developing a formal policy for city assistance to non-locally focused events.
Notable Quotes (13)
Being that ultimately what we're doing is we're authorizing a tax levy pledge for the bonds that we're going to be considering issuing this evening.
To be clear, as we've said before, this does not impact those taxpayers in any other way that it impacts all taxpayers of the community and that their property tax levy will be spread over the entire tax base of the city when this levy is made for these park improvements.
As mentioned during the public hearing, it's a 15-year pledge of tax levy not to exceed 2,030,000 in principal amount that it supports. The bonds were actually resized, so that's 1,960,000.
we received six bids for the purchase of the city's bonds uh with the low bid submitted by Piper Sandler & Company uh with a net interest rate of 3.787%.
the par amount of the bonds is is been reduced and it's been reduced to $6,320,000 from the $6,505 that we went to market with because we're taking that cash, we're resizing the issue to make it smaller.
The local piece was just over $85,000 and the rest of it was federal grants and state grants, which come from tax dollars, but if we don't get these grants and we don't get approved for these, those dollars are spent elsewhere. So, it's a it's a huge plus when we're able to bring those federal dollars and those state dollars back into the community.
safety sometimes comes at a cost and let's let's be proactive in that cost and not um reactive because something happened. You know, I think it's this I I want to thank the foresight with city staff and the um previous councils for determining these spots for the safe routes to school. It was intentional and it was a good decision and I'm glad that we were able to get it done and receive the grant dollars.
DOT has told us very clearly that they are willing to provide us additional funding funding that is substantially equal to the amount of a temporary signal that they would put in that place to help for a permanent infrastructure enhancement.
I'm not opposed to the roundabout itself, but I am concerned about we're taking an intersection that has a four-way stop. So, all the cars do have to stop for the pedestrians right now and it turning it into a situation where, you know, they might not necessarily be as attentive going through. And I would like as we as we move with this project to look at alternative options such as as pedestrian uh like flashing lights for pedestrians that can be initiated at this intersection as well.
I as well have expressed concerns about pedestrians and park pedestrian crossing there and parking as it is impacted. I look forward to seeing how that space is reimagined with the silly shaped park that we currently have there or grassy area where that roundabout would be situated and how we can make it be safe for all.
It is slightly different in that the resources are not going to stay in St. Peter. They are going someplace else.
the one positive is, I mean, it is bringing people into Saint Peter, and these are people who might hit our co-op, might hit Soda Scoops, hit our, you know, stop at our gas stations in and out of town, and hit it hopefully hit some of our other retail or dining establishments while they're here, so.
the organizer is local to Saint Peter, um, and it will have a pretty large local following, um, in this community of Saint Peter. There are boundary avid Boundary Waters trippers, um, and uh, and so, it really is it sounds like it's a one-time event, um, meant to support, you know, an area of the state that many of us love and cherish, and that is really struggling right now.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Distributed prior to the meeting for review and approval.
Record of a previous meeting, distributed for review and approval.
General term for formal approvals during the meeting.
Specific resolution for the property tax abatement for general obligation bonds.
Prepared for the competitive sale of bonds.
Document summarizing bids received for the bond sale.
Adopted in 2024, highlighted as a notable action for GreenStep Cities recognition.
Developed in 2018, highlighted as a notable action for GreenStep Cities recognition.
Intersection Control Evaluation study for the Broadway-Washington intersection, previously approved.
Local Road Improvement Program financing application for the Broadway-Washington intersection project.