St. Peter City Council — Transcript
Monday, October 12, 2026
Consent Agenda Items Review and Approval
Co-North Development Phase 1 Engineering Services
Establishment of Full-time Paid Fire Chief Position
Tree Worker License Approval
Operational Updates and Request for Closed Session
Votes (5)
Approval of Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [7:07 p.m.] · Seconded by Council Member [7:07 p.m.]
Council Member Brad Ramp inquired about the new pump purchase for the main lift station, clarifying if it was part of the larger 2027-2029 wastewater treatment facility update or a separate requirement. It was confirmed to be for a lift station, distinct from the main plant improvements.
Co-North Development Phase 1 Engineering Services Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [7:11 p.m.] · Seconded by Council Member [7:11 p.m.]
Pete presented the Co-North Development project, emphasizing its focus on affordable housing. Phase 1 involves approximately 20 homes, a recreational area, and significant infrastructure work including street realignment and re-platting along Klein Street. The approval moves the project towards bidding by February 2027.
Establishment of Full-Time Paid Fire Chief Position
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [7:14 p.m.] · Seconded by Council Member [7:14 p.m.]
The proposed full-time Fire Chief position combines fire chief duties (3/5) with city inspections and emergency management (2/5). There was a specific discussion clarifying that hazmat operations, initially considered, were deemed 'overkill' after regional consultations and were not included in the final job description due to existing statewide and regional response systems.
Tree Worker License for Woodchuck's Tree Service
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [7:16 p.m.] · Seconded by Council Member [7:16 p.m.]
The council reviewed and approved a tree worker license for Josh Martin, operating as Woodchuck's Tree Service, after confirming that all necessary background checks were completed without issues. A council member humorously praised the distinctive business name.
Request for Closed Session on Union Negotiations
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [7:17 p.m.] · Seconded by Council Member [7:17 p.m.]
The City Administrator requested a closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D to discuss union negotiations with the police officers union LELS. It was clarified that no further action beyond adjournment would be taken upon reconvening into open session.
Notable Quotes (7)
I'm just asking this because in case case members of the public wonder, we're planning a large essentially update to our wastewater treatment facility. And it says we have pumps scheduled for 2027-2029. Are those still going to be required?
Yes, they are. Yep, this will be for the lift station.
The goal with our design and how this project is laid out is to do this in three phases. The first phase would be about 20 homes more or less would include also the recreational area or rec center as they call it. Um and would be streets, water, sewer, storm water drainage that would tie in with Klein Street and be part of our overall plan for improvements in that area.
This position is really made up of approximately 3/5 of fire chief work, and the other 2/5 would be both currently ongoing inspections and potential new inspections within the city of Saint Peter. Some of those inspections are things that frankly we should have been doing and just haven't been doing because we didn't have the horsepower to do it. In addition, this position would take on the emergency management role.
The advice that I received from those folks really related to that that's probably an overkill in this area. And although it wouldn't be a bad thing to do with the other levels of training that are expected as a part of this with the combination with inspections and housing inspections, it probably is something that we don't need to have at this point because it's some of the fire training provides recognition and ability and who to call and duty officer at MPCA and those type of things.
You'll note we're maintaining the tradition of very fascinating names for tree services. This background check has been conducted, all those things have been done, and there's nothing that we see that would prohibit um Josh Martin um of Woodchuck's Tree Service from having a tree worker license within the city of Saint Peter.
Madam Mayor, that's the last of the reports that I have for you for tonight other than a request for a closed session related to Minnesota statute 13D and discussion of union negotiations with the police officers union LELS.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Official action to approve various routine items presented as a consent agenda
Approval for engineering services for a new affordable housing development
Details for the new full-time paid fire chief position, including duties and qualifications
Official action to create and define the new full-time paid fire chief role
License for Josh Martin of Woodchuck's Tree Service to operate within the city
Official action to grant the tree worker license
Legal basis for calling a closed session for union negotiations
Official action to move into a closed session for discussion