Good evening and welcome to the regular city council meeting for the city of Saint Peter, Minnesota. It's Monday, July 27th, 2026. We are called to order at 7:02 p.m. Would all please rise for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Everybody should have received a copy of the agenda. Are there any revisions or corrections to the agenda as distributed? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor of approval say I. I. Any opposed? Our agenda is approved. The minutes appear on pages 5 through 6 of the packet. There is one minor revision to the second paragraph, a quorum present, changed from Mayor Noel to Mayor pro tem Johnson. Are there any other revisions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the minutes as corrected? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor of approval say I. I. Any opposed? Our minutes are approved. We have time on our agenda for a public hearing this evening. The process for a public hearing appears on page 7 of the packet. Tonight we'll be discussing a public hearing on 2026 a general obligation bonds, property tax abatement, and the issuance of bonds. As a part of the public hearing, there's time for a staff presentation, applicant's presentation, and time for public comment. Tonight we will have a presentation from Shannon Sweeney. You can jump right into it. You're quite welcome. >> Uh good evening. Uh About a month ago we had a conversation about having this public hearing. We've published a notice. It It contains a bunch of parcel identification numbers and we talked about the ramifications associated with that. 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. That levy pledge is applied to mostly the Gorman Park improvements that are being proposed. And ultimately state statute requires a process where we identify properties that pay local property tax of a sufficient to cover the principal payments on the bonds for the life of the issue. 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. And so with that in your packet was a resolution that establishes a duration of 15 years for this abatement levy. That's the term on the debt. It had an amount not to exceed $2,030,000 and the amount of abatement bonds we're issuing is $1,960,000. So we fall within the parameters we established in our notice and resolution. And it's our recommendation that if you wish to pledge this levy for the repayment of the bonds that you approve the abatement resolution that'll be considered on your agenda this evening. So happy to answer your questions. >> All right. Are there any questions at this time? We will take action on this later in the meeting. As mentioned, there'll be two resolutions that are printed in the packet. All right. Hearing nothing, we will see this under our new business. Oh. Sure. Are there any members of the public who'd like to make a comment at this time? Hearing none, we will close the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Now we have time on our agenda for visitors. Is there any visitor who'd like to address the council on an agenda item? Hearing none, we also have time for general visitor comments. Is there a visitor who'd like to address the council on another matter? Hearing none, we will move on to the approval of the consent agenda. The consent agenda begins with a memo on page nine of the packet and concludes with the resolution that appears on pages Let's see, 11. Oh, it's a one-page consent agenda today. Um are there is there any discussion of any item on the consent agenda? The consent agenda The resolution approving the consent agenda uh includes the following licenses and permits: a temporary gambling license and a temporary short-term on-sale beer license, both for the St. Peter Lions Clubs. The location and dates are listed within the resolution, as well as the schedule of disbursements for July 10th through July 24th, 2026. Again, any questions or discussion? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the resolution? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Mayor Noel? >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis? >> Aye. >> Council member Rients? >> Aye. >> Council member Wisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom? >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos? >> Aye. >> Uh the resolution is approved. Um we are going to take a moment at this time in our agenda to uh welcome some visitors. We have some guests here tonight. And so um who's going first, Todd? >> LMC. >> LMC, come on up. >> Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the council. I'm Luke Fischer, executive director at the League of Minnesota Cities, and I'm joined by our president, Courtney Johnson, who is also the mayor of Carver. Um so she gets an extra council meeting this week. Yay her, right? We're all excited for her. We're here tonight to do some important recognition of you as a community for all of the work that you've done. We want to talk about your project specifically that you received an award from the league for, but I think it's important to provide some context about who this recognition is coming from. Certainly you all know us well, but the thousands of people watching at home maybe don't know who we are or why our perspective about the good work you're doing is important. So, as an organization the league represents about 842 of the state's 856 cities. You can all probably guess who our largest member is. Minneapolis, right? Very good. All right, we're doing good. >> Saint Peter. >> Do you know who our smallest member is? Any any guesses? Our smallest member is the city of Barry. Yep, thank you. Daryl, that was perfect. You are firing on all cylinders right now, my friend. Okay, so Barry's population, any guesses on Barry's population? Nine, okay. Any other guesses? 51, mayor? >> The highest without going over? >> Yeah, it's Price is Right rules, for sure. One, I like that. >> 32. >> 32, Carrie, did you eight? And you were at nine? They have 19 people, so Daryl, I think you got it. So, very well done, nice job. Oh, that's right. Yes. So, usually usually when we ask people where is Barry and people don't know, we say it's by Morris and they say where's Morris and we say by the bump on the western side of the state, right? There we go. >> [laughter] >> I absolutely love it. But as an organization we are tasked with this really important role of helping support cities like Minneapolis, Saint Peter and points in between. And that's something that we take really seriously. It's an obligation that we have to make sure we get it right and in our work we get to see cities when they're at their very best and we get to see people in some of the most challenging times possible. Um and one thing that I think we found is when there's a big challenge or a problem that people are trying to solve city officials across the state are really good at stepping up and filling in and finding a solution that works for the community that they serve. Um and I think that that's something that is particularly pronounced in St. Peter because you've been producing leaders for a long period of time. Certainly you know that Todd was the president of the league and on the insurance trust board and the chair of the trust board. That's pretty great. Carrie is joining our board this week she'll have her first board meeting. So make sure she reports back at her next council meeting, right? Um but you're also the president of the coalition this year which is fantastic. And St. Peter keeps on coming up every time we talk about a city that like we need an example of someone who's figured this out. Everybody's talked about your daycare project, we've talked about recovery after a big disaster, all these other points in between. And that's all to say that you should be really proud of who you are and what you represent and the good work that you do, that your staff does, and the trust that the communities placed in you. That's that's a pretty special thing and I know that's not something that you take lightly. Um so Courtney's going to talk a little bit about the recognition that you received um at our annual conference this year but uh before I turn it over to her I want to say thank you for the way that you've stepped up because it's been consistent. It's been forever um and we know it will continue. Courtney. >> Mayor and council, um we're here today to recognize St. Peter for winning a 2026 League of Minnesota Cities City of Excellence Award. The city is being awarded for or is being honored for its central business district accessibility enhancement grant program. Which was first recognized at the league's annual conference in Rochester last month. The City of Excellence Awards annually recognizes projects and programs that enhance city services, introduce innovative solutions, and adapt existing programs to local needs, save money while improving or maintaining results, or engage residents and staff in the decision-making process. The program truly checks all the boxes when it comes to benefiting residents, local businesses, and visitors to your historic downtown area. By fostering an environment that encourages the presence and participation of all individuals, regardless of physical limitations, St. Peter has demonstrated a commitment to inclusion that is inspirational to cities in our state. Change and enhancement typically comes with a financial cost, and city leaders have to come up with creative ways to finance those programs. The cost is not passed on to local taxpayers, but is borne instead through interest, um, by a revolving loan fund. This project speaks to the value of collaboration, as well, with elected officials and staff involved with project planning and implementation. That work is supplemented by other individuals residing in the community who continue to assist with the program promotion and grant grant distribution year to year. Historically, the city of St. Peter stands in the forefront of our state when it comes to successful local government that consistently contributes to outstanding quality of life for our residents. This latest City of Excellence Award recognizes the continuity of your leadership. Let's hear what some of your colleagues have to say about the enhancement program grant. The video that we're about to show you is available on the League's website, and then you guys can pull it from there and use it however you see fit. >> The accessibility improvement grant program was developed back >> Tony, are you able to hear me? Are you able to hear the video, Tony? >> Yeah, a little bit. I got I got you and I'm using yours and the mayor's microphones. >> Okay. >> Oh, okay. >> It's So, it is Oh. >> It was running over the um speakers previously, but it is not now. Isn't that how it works? >> The accessibility improvement grant program was developed back in 2019-2020. That was to help people with mobility impairments get better access >> Say that again, Corey. >> Really, that's just creating economic development >> We're just going to recess briefly so we can figure out the technology. 7:14 p.m. Returning from our brief recess, it is now 7:16 p.m. on Monday, July 27th. Thanks for bearing with us as we figured out the technology. >> [music] >> The accessibility improvement grant program was developed back in 2019-2020. That was to help people with mobility impairments get better access into >> [music] >> downtown businesses, the central business district. Really, that's just creating economic development and getting those people into >> [music] >> retail stores and restaurants and all the businesses in the downtown area. And we've been doing it annually for the last 6 years. >> One of those things that we call an issue of vital importance is being able to treat everybody like a neighbor. And how do you treat people like neighbors? You give them an opportunity to participate in everything that you and I get to participate in. You give businesses the opportunity to improve, learn when you can, especially in areas that are more challenging like the historic nature of our downtown. >> What the city council, I don't think we realized initially, was that this program helps more people than just those with permanent disabilities. It's the people who are recovering from injuries. It's the parents with strollers. It's veterans. It's seniors able [music] to access these businesses in ways that they weren't able to before. >> We have definitely heard from our our business owners and our property owners that they're very thankful for the program and they believe that it is it is making an impact on their facilities, on their businesses, and generating more economic development. >> it's been a huge boon for them >> [music] >> as far as making their buildings more accessible. Most of them wouldn't have done it themselves because of the because of the cash outlay that's required. >> The project is financed through interest earned from our revolving loan fund with our economic development authority. And so, we budget based on that interest earned and we use that to fund these projects. >> There's a committee that reviews that. That's not elected officials. It's just [music] folks from our community that review the applications and make recommendations to the economic development authority and to the city council. >> And every year all the applications we're receiving and being able to improve the city slowly year after year is something that I think I am really proud of that we've been able to do. >> And the thing that I love about this program is like long after the grant dollars have been distributed, these improvements are going to last for such a long time and help so many people. >> Again, congratulations to the city of Saint Peter. You are so deserving of this award. >> Thank you so much. >> [applause] >> I I just would welcome any brief remarks remarks from council members who have served on the EDA perhaps or are familiar with the program cuz it really is an outstanding program. I know you made comments in the video, but if there's anything else you'd like to add. >> Well, Carrie and I actually were on EDA in 2019 before pre-city council days when we first started discussing it. I thought it was cool actually standing up there with Carrie. Quite honestly, it's cool to get one of these awards in front of in front of all your peers. It was but I think it is something we can be really really proud of. It was great standing up there with Carrie and Todd and Ben and Corey. >> Um, receiving this award and I just think it does show what well, the creativity that went into it. Um, as far as it was I remember John Kwame speaking to the EDA back he was still on city council. He was the city council representative at that time. Um, just how impassioned he was speaking on behalf of Steven Grams. Um, it it I think it's something special we have and I it's great that we can keep it going. >> Yeah. >> I always like to give a plug for our a city member Eileen Holt who created this big study with pictures and went around to all of these businesses to show um, not just that the entrances weren't accessible, but here's easy ways that you could make it accessible. So, it was kind of community driven, but then we had this beautiful bridge between councils, retiring council members to new council members carry the work forward from the past work and it's this program has been transformational to our downtown. It's amazing to just go in any just about any building now and be able to push the button and go and if you're carrying a bunch of groceries or you know, whatever bringing in a stroller, it's it's made a huge difference and it's a product of a really strong EDA too. So very lucky um that this all came together and we we really appreciate this award and thank you to the LMC staff for who made the video. They did and all the videos they did such a great job. Thank you. Thank you. >> Well, thanks for coming to St. Peter's. Great to have you. Appreciate it. Thank you. And we're going to move on to the next award, which is a GreenStep Award. Thanks so much for being here tonight. >> Good evening mayor and council members. I don't have a fancy video to share, but this one set us up really well, I think to talk a little bit more about the GreenStep Cities program. I'm here tonight to award the step three recognition for the city of St. Peter. As a little bit of background in the GreenStep Cities program, we are a challenge, assistance, and recognition program for city sustainability efforts. And my position is with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, but we are a partnership program and the League of Minnesota Cities is one of the program partners along with other nonprofits and state agencies. A little bit of background on how you on the steps. There are five total, so reaching step three is quite a milestone in the program. Um in order to reach step three uh cities implement and report a number of actions uh with some key actions that we've identified as a program that are um essential steps for cities working on sustainability. And so you have um checked those boxes and more. Um and a little bit of a heads up uh as to what steps four and five might look like for you. Uh there are a lot of different options and flexibilities in how you move forward in the step program. Uh but in general we're looking at um analyzing outcomes and uh looking at the improvements um through data and targets and really celebrating um the implementation work that you've done and help you further prioritize actions to continue with. Um we can go to the next slide, Todd. Um so Saint Peter joined the GreenStep Cities program back in August of 2019 uh and has since made it to step three of this year. In total, you have completed 20 of the 29 best practices in the program. Uh and a total of 67 actions um out of that. You can see all the detail um and all of that reporting on the GreenStep Cities page uh as well as assessment files and um and Corey I'm sure can tell you plenty more about them, too. Um in general, our program focuses on building and lighting uh best practice actions, land use, transportation, uh environmental management, and then resilient economic and community development. And on the next slide, I wanted to just highlight a couple of the notable actions that we've really identified. Um Luke said it very well. You are um leaders in in this space in what you're doing at the city and um that, you know, example of the ADA project is should be on this list, too. Um you know, a great example of a best practice action that the city has taken a lead on um and and should be really proud of um the active transportation plan that was adopted in 2024. Um you know, uh very much in probably alignment with the ADA project, for example. Um one of the first emerald ash borer uh preparedness plans um back in 2018 um that we saw cities really looking to adopt. Um farmers market, uh you know, etc. etc. The list goes on. So, uh I'm not going to go through all of the 67 actions that you've reported. Uh and we know that there's more and so we're excited to uh recognize Saint Peter with the Step 3 Award this year and look forward to um continuing to see your your progress uh down the road. >> Well, thanks so much. It's wonderful to be recognized. I think as insiders we see all the great stuff happening um in our city uh not limited to the list of 64, I think, that you mentioned, but um also uh to have that external validation is great and just want to also recognize Corey who uh some of this work predates you, but I just see us moving along. No pressure, but I see us moving along to further steps with uh your assistance. Is there anything else anybody would like to add? >> You should give yourselves a hand. It takes a lot of work, energy, and effort, and you've made the commitment to put people in place to provide the energy that's necessary to keep these things moving forward. And so, um it impacts the community in many, many ways, many of which you all know, but it is cool, so you should give yourselves a hand for sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, thanks so much for being here tonight. >> Yeah. Thank you. Congratulations again. Um >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> All right, we're going to get moving on the agenda. That was fun stuff to go through, but we also have some business. We have no unfinished business. We're going to move right along to new business tonight. And uh the first item of new business is those general obligation bonds. And Shannon's going to come forward once again. >> Uh good evening, Mayor members of the council. Shannon Sweeney with David Drown & Associates. Uh the first action item that we have is the abatement resolution that puts the levy in place for the Gorman 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. And ultimately, we're pledging a levy for repayment of a portion of the bond issue because statute requires us to do that in order to borrow money for these for this particular project. So, happy to answer questions on the abatement resolution. >> Any questions for Shannon or anything you want to add, Todd? >> No. >> All right, hearing no questions, the resolution approving proper- property tax abatement for certain property located in the city of Saint Peter appears on pages 13 and 14 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second and a third by the sounds of it. Uh call the roll, please. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Pederson? >> Aye. >> Council member Rianth? >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom? >> Aye. >> Councilor Amundson De Boss? >> Hi. >> Mayor Noelle? >> Hi. The resolution is approved. Um, anything you'd like to add about the second resolution? >> Yes. Yes, Madam Mayor. [laughter] So, I left this on your table uh today. Uh you had said about the process for a competitive sale of bonds, meaning we prepare an offering document, we ser- secure a credit rating from Standard & Poor's, which affirmed the city's double A minus credit rating uh with a stable outlook, which we thought was a great outcome. Uh your staff participated in management call that was a little bit more brief this year, which was welcomed. Uh ultimately, we were able to address questions mostly related to the hospital. And so, uh Uh but at the end of the day, today was the day what we were receiving bids, and this is a bid tabulation that shows that 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%. Uh that was within $15,000 of total debt service than what I projected to Todd & Perry a couple weeks ago. So, it was I was a little concerned with discussions uh about inflation last week, but it did not seem to impact uh the stability in the market. So, we thought they were good bids. Uh we did resize the issue since we last spoke. Uh ultimately, we had a change order at public works that increased the amount we're intending to borrow by $500,000. Uh ultimately, we had a par amount of 6,505,000 on the issue, but we received premium of $167,000, which we used to reduce the size of the issue. So, I'll do this one more time because it's always fun. Uh the interesting part about the bond world is uh when we have premium bids, which is what basically all competitive sales are receiving these days, uh the underwriter is offering us a 4% interest rate along with some cash. And that cash is what changes that net effective rate to 3.787%. And so 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. We have that premium in hand that we can put into our construction accounts to pay for these things that we wish to pay for. And ultimately, that's the magic of receiving bond premium as we use it in this instance to reduce the bond issue and still hit our net effective rate of about 3.787%. And so uh the resolution awarding sale is for an issue of $6,320,000. It would award the sale to Piper Sandler & Company. The term is still roughly 15 years with, you know, we have multiple things that we're accomplishing here. We have an improvement bond for North Forest Street that's covering street costs. We have a utility revenue bond that's covering public works uh and various infrastructure projects that we have going including part of the North Forest Street project. We have an abatement bond that you've just authorized the levy for for Gorman Park. And we have an equipment certificate that covers 2025 and 2026 equipment needs uh of about a million 395,000. So uh thought it was a good result. We drew lots of bidding activity. Six is above average for the number of bids received. Uh Piper Sandler seems to only jump in when these issues get large enough and they did and they were a a good bidder that's purchased your bonds in the past. And so we do recommend awarding sale. Happy to answer any questions. >> Anything to add, Todd, before we jump into questions? >> No, just that the resolution will be modified to include the new numbers. >> Yeah, you'll see blanks throughout the resolution, which I think we had we had talked about previously, but uh any questions from any council members? We have discussed this previously and so um we have had a chance for discussion. Uh hearing no no further discussion, the resolution authorizing the issuance and awarding the sale of 6,505,000 general obligation bonds series 2026A pledging for the security thereof, special assessments, net revenues, and tax abatements, and levying a tax for the payment thereof begins on page 16 and concludes on page 63 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. Council member Pettis? >> Aye. >> Council member Ram? >> Aye. >> Council member Weisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom? >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos? >> Aye. >> Mayor Noe? >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Resolution is approved. All right, thanks very much. >> all your hard work on this project. >> Yes. Um moving on, our next item of new business, Safe Routes to School Closeout. >> So, Madam Mayor, I can take that. If you have any technical questions, I would defer to Jeff Damarus, your city engineer. This is a closeout for the Safe Routes to School project that was primarily completed in 2024 and into 2025. There have been a few change uh punchlist things, Jeff, that have come up, but nothing significant. Um now we are at a point where we believe that it is completed or very, very, very near substantial completion to be able to final it out. That information is included in your packet and the resolution um starts on page 46 within your packet. >> For folks who at home who maybe haven't heard of Safe Routes to School, Todd. >> You know, Safe Routes to School is a program that's funded through the state of Minnesota and through federal dollars primarily. Um we've been recipients of Safe Routes to School funding. Jeff, two times, three times? >> I think it's three. >> I think so, too. Three times. And so, you've done a great job with planning and collaborative planning with the school district and others. This is the latest version of that and includes areas along Washington. So, on North Washington, the sidewalk that is on the east side of the roadway was included in this. Areas along Jefferson, which are significant. Area around um Church Street and in that neighborhood have been significant. Some improvements on Broadway Avenue related to crossings for the middle school and many, many more locations, but this is a major project for you. And again, the local funding that you had committed to this was just slightly over $85,000. So, a wonderful buy for the community, certainly enhance safety, and that's why it's called the Safe Routes to School program cuz we're really trying to key in on or focus in on the ability and the walkability of students to school buildings. >> Thanks for that background. I think it's um a great program. I've certainly received a lot of uh questions and really positive feedback from residents who appreciate uh having more walk more walking options in town. Ben. >> And one thing I want to add is I I've had some folks reach out to me and they're like, "Well, this is like almost a million-dollar project and it was all paid for by tax dollars." Um 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. So, that's it. >> I guess I'll just add to that sentiment is it's a if you build it, they'll come kind of situation and just the traffic of kids going to school on these new sidewalks. But then also just the heavy use over the summer as well. Um like I'm thinking on Washington when people kids are going to the pool, Veterans Park. Um I use the Church Street um every day and I see many, many people using it um of all ages and so 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. >> All right. Hearing no further discussion, the resolution accepting the 2024 safe routes to school improvements as complete and authorized final payment is on page 46 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and second. Call the rolls, please. >> Council member Rand? >> Aye. >> Council member Eisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom? >> Aye. >> Council member DeVoss? >> Aye. >> Mayor Noel? >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis? >> Aye. >> Resolution is approved. Next up, Broadway-Washington intersection engineering. >> Mayor members, this information starts in your packet on page 47 is really for approximately $186,400 for Bolton & Menk to do additional work. Um this is a project that you have contemplated previously and that's a demonstrated through your approval of an ice study that occurred a few years back. So an ice study stands for Jeff, would you mind coming up? Ice study stands for intersection something and something. >> Intersection control evaluation. >> Thank you very much. And so you've done these before of course and um this is really reviewing intersections that as a part of your transportation study you reviewed as having concerns related to safety. One of the reasons we're bringing this to you tonight rather than a year or two from now which was the original plan is that as you are aware there's work likely to occur in 2028 on Minnesota Avenue essentially from Chatham or what we used to talk about Taco John's to Dairy Queen on Union Street. That detour is likely to continue to use Washington and the intersection at Broadway and Washington will be significant in this. As you know we've tried to work with our partners with DOT in relation to how that detour works and one of the potential improvements to that would be a roundabout at this location. 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. So I guess what I'm trying to say in a different way is that DOT would have spent a couple hundred thousand dollars on putting a temporary signal in there. Instead they're willing to give those dollars to you grant those dollars to you if we can make a project move forward for a roundabout at this location which is a part of your long-term plan anyway. So rather than spending those tax dollars for a temporary solution these can be put to better use in a more permanent solution, one that you've studied and one that you've contemplated previously, just moving it earlier in the schedule. So, our goal is to make sure that we can get the engineering done so that can occur, so there can potentially be a bid, um either late late in this year or early early next year, so that potential construction, if the bids come in well, um can occur in 2027 before the detour in 2028. Um the reason we do the study is there's lots of work that needs to be done. This has the potential to impact properties and maybe some parking for residential units near the intersection and in other areas, but that's why we do the work up front to try and make sure that we can address that as best as we can moving forward. Um Jeff, I don't know if you have anything to add in this, but there is a resolution included in the packet. So, Jeff, if you have anything to add, I'd turn it over to you. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um yes, uh very good job of explaining that. Um one thing I wanted to one to note, um and I don't know if it's in the I think it's in the packet there in the in the memo Pete put together, but um as we're going to propose in the um um to apply for LRIP or local road improvement program financing of 1 and 1/2 million dollars um this coming fall and uh we won't know until about to March, I think the end of March before if we're successful or not. We feel pretty good, but you just never know. I mean, I like to think we're going to get it, but I hate to say that we're going to get it and we don't. I mean, so um there's a good there's a good chance we do, um but it's possible we don't. But nonetheless, that 1 and 1/2 million dollars would mean that we wouldn't be able to begin construction until after they award um designate the recipients, and that's going to be in March. So, we wouldn't be be able to begin construction until um you know, sometime in April anyway, likely, but bidding it in the whole in the whole um rigmarole that goes with bidding. So, we might not be able to get a bid as early as we'd normally like, simply because of the fine or the LRP application and not knowing whether or not we receive that million and a half. The risk is is if we go ahead and bid it early and then we do receive that LRP funding, um well, we can't we can't accept it because we've um already bid the project um or started construction, I guess. This is one of the um the requirements. You can't start construction, but I I like to stay out of the bidding aspect of it, too, because I don't you know, I just don't know where that line is drawn, but anyway, we've done that in the past, so >> Jeff, if we don't receive those LRP dollars, um then the project does not have to go forward. It'll be ready to go in the normal timeline that you had, which was in 29, 30, 31, something like that. And so, this these dollars won't be lost. The intersection's going to look the same, the topography's going to look the same, um but we need to move forward if we want to be able to be eligible for these dollars. >> Well, right, and then the MnDOT dollars, too, I guess if if it doesn't go forward, MnDOT will have to install the a temporary signal there, and those uh $200,000 unfortunately would go away. So. >> Uh questions from any council members? Brad. >> Um so, >> part of the engineering um is going to be I'm assuming as safety, uh pedestrian safety, is that going to be part of the engineering plan for this? >> It's a good question because um it's part of the ice study that was um completed. Uh they did did analyze traffic and um patterns of pedestrians, um bicyclists, walkers, and and the whole works, so um based on that, the yeah, it the ice study did cover that, yeah. >> So, I'm not uh the reason why I asked it is I'm 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 I I've seen other there are roundabouts that do that. Because like I said, this is basically the only stop along that way to cross. Every other every other section along Broadway does not have any control out side of sunrise, which is also a roundabout. So, I that is something I want to I don't want just the standard um let them run to the island in the middle and then run across the rest of the way. I'd I want to look at other ways to enhance pedestrian safety in this. As I say, I'm not opposed to the roundabout. I just want to make sure pedestrian safety is taken into account particularly at this intersection when people are trying to get across Broadway. >> Sure. Yeah, that's a good point because that'd be something that we'd have to take a look at and look into more some in more detail there. So, yeah. >> Any other questions or comments? Dustin. >> 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. >> Yes, I remember that discussion. I remember you were mentioning that you're concerned about parking along the park road um park road apartments there I think it is I can't remember. But it um I remember you saying talking about that early on or a while back. Um and that's one thing, you know, we're still looking at a a kind of conceptual layout um you know, fine-tuning it um to see what kind of improvements can be made if there is parking constraints. Um likely if you think about it you see all the roundabouts you've been in now they're so common in Minnesota it's but um it most of them that you've been in or been through um parking's typically not allowed within the roundabout of course but outside the ped- uh pedestrian crossing areas um you start to get into a little bit of parking but it's mostly further down and mostly further or outside of the roundabout and the crossing so that'll be something we'd have to take a look at. Try to allow maximize parking especially with Washington Avenue as busy as wide as it is there. There's an uh there's an opportunity for parking as it's currently being used. Um so until we actually get in and determine the best alignment to to move traffic move pedestrians and then also in the end um try to maintain as much parking as possible. Um we won't know until we start to look at it. But I I've got that in the back of my mind right? Yep. >> So we clearly for folks watching at home we clearly already had some discussions about this. This is uh plans for a roundabout has been have been discussed about for and so um that's some of what this if we initiate engineering we will have these further discussions. >> This is how we figure it out. >> Yep. Yep absolutely. Uh any other questions or discussion? Hearing nothing further the resolution approving a 2026 Broadway and Washington Avenue intersection improvements engineering services appears on pages 49 through 50 of the the Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Weisenfeld? >> Aye. >> Council member Sharstrom? >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos? >> Aye. >> Mayor Noel? >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson? >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis? >> Aye. >> Council member Ramseth? >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. Our last item of new business tonight, thanks Jeff. Um is a city assistance request, Fight for the Boundary Waters benefit. >> Mayor and members, there's information included in your packet related to this. This is a request substantially similar to many of the requests you see for use of Minnesota Square Park for a community event or festival. It is slightly different in that the resources are not going to stay in St. Peter. They are going someplace else. Um as you know, we've understood that this is a possibility, not necessarily with this group, but in general. Um what's recommended from staff here is to provide the assistance. As you also know, we've been in the process of working through a policy related to these type of events um and how we should handle that. What do we charge them? Um how does this all fit together? This doesn't contemplate them being charged other than the reservation fee that's necessary for Minnesota Square Park. They're still required to have the insurance, meet the criteria, have review, the typical review that we see, whether it's with Ambassadors for Blues Fest, whether it's for Rock Bend Festival, um for that that event in the in September, and any other larger community festival events that go on. Um I'm happy to discuss this more if you would like. The standard criteria applies to this as applies to all of those other events. The resolution providing approval for this is included in your packet, and that starts on page 55. >> Questions for Todd. Bre- uh, Brad. >> Um, well, yeah, I I think some, uh, some more study needs to go into what we do for, essentially, what would essentially non-locally focused events. Um, 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. >> If I may respond to that, that's one of the reasons that the recommendation is put together in the way that it is. Um, and and really, frankly, the council hasn't had an opportunity to have a substantial policy discussion about how we treat these things, whether it's a benefit directly related to the community, whereas they make money, do they help pay for the splash pad, do they What else do they do? This group was is not going to do that. These dollars are going to go someplace else. So, we wanted to call that out, make sure you are aware, knowing that there will be ongoing discussion at that policy level relative to these type of activities. >> Yeah. And I just wanted to just knowing a little bit of background about the event, 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. And so, um, I think there are a lot of local dol- dollars also going into this event, uh, via business sponsorships, and um, so so, I think we're going to have a good impact locally, while also having a great impact, um, within the state, as well. So, I think it probably does require further review, but I wanted to provide a little bit of background. It truly is a local event. Any other questions or discussion? Hearing nothing further, the resolution appears on pages 55 and and 56 of the packet. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Call the roll, please. Council member Johnson or I'm sorry, Council member Sharstrom. >> Aye. >> Council member DeVos. >> Aye. >> Mayor Nowell. >> Aye. >> Council member Johnson. >> Aye. >> Council member Pettis. >> Aye. >> Council member Ramler. >> Aye. >> Council member Wisenfeld. >> Aye. >> The resolution is approved. That is our last item of uh business tonight. We will move on to reports. Uh first up, I just wanted to to provide a brief report on uh the CMGC summer conference, which was last week in New Ulm. I attended, Council members Johnson and Pettis also attended. And I just wanted to also highlight that they were both uh recognized with awards at that um event. Um Daryl for his advoc- for his advocacy on transportation. Um Council member member Johnson, um I just wanted to thank you for your service as past president of CMGC. It was you you passed the torch to the new president and just want to thank you for um representing representing small cities through your work or cities in greater Minnesota through your work, but also for representing Saint Peter. So, anything that either of you would like to add? >> I'll add just about the basic membership meeting. Um there are no increase to uh Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities dues this upcoming year. Um being very mindful of, you know, the challenges uh cities are facing with their budgets. Um able to work within the resources that they have. But, we are a member of CGMC. We spend a substantial amount for that membership, and um, we're active within that membership, uh, to get the most out of our bang out of our buck, uh, for that. But, anyway, um, really this this, uh, this conference at at the heart of it is really about, um, setting a budget, talking about what our values are as cities in greater Minnesota, uh, greater Minnesota, and what we want our, um, coalition staff to, uh, advocate for us. And, so, that's going to be, um, local government aid primarily, um, housing, economic development programs, um, EMS, uh, emergency medical services will also be, um, you know, talked about this year as well for additional support there. So, um, yeah, aside from that, I just want to share some of the comments that, uh, Daryl received when he was receiving his award by the executive director. Um, he spoke to, um, how Council Member Pettis the complexity of which he understands transportation policy is so valuable to the coalition, um, especially when we're talking about good or bad policy and and and how it might impact, um, cities and costs overall. And, so, um, they're just very grateful to have Daryl this legislative session to talk about, um, impacts that proposed transportation policy would have on cities, but all across the state really, too. And, uh, Daryl has been a long, um, has been on policy committees, uh, before with the CGMC regarding transportation and contributed a lot in that way. And, so, um, it just was it was such a highlight for me to see you receive the Excellence in Service Award. And, uh, it made me feel very proud to have a council member, a fellow council member receive an award like that. So, we're just really lucky in St. Peter to have you, Daryl. >> Thank you. Thank you. I got to meet Carrie's dad who was another fellow graduate of Gibbon High School, so >> [laughter] >> Um, interesting conference. Generally, this conference deals with deals a lot with what did the legislature do for us, do to us last year. And they really didn't have a whole lot to report on that cuz the legislature didn't do a whole lot. It was divided legislature. So, there was a lot of talk about what they did do, kind of upcoming election. We did have the opportunity for two of the mayor, excuse me, governor candidates, actual candidates were there and then one of the lieutenant governor candidates was there to kind of give their um, dog and pony show on why you should vote for them and things like that. And the one candidate was asked, first question was, what what's his thoughts on LGA, which is our issue and "What's LGA?" was the first words out of his mouth. So, that wasn't a real good way to start. So, um, back back to basics. I had some state people there. Department of Ag was there. PFA was there kind of going, "This is your state program. This is what we do. These are grants that you receive. This is kind of the state of where our state's at right now." A lot of talk on nuclear power, a lot of talk on right-sizing government, tax changes and things like that. So, a real kind of across-the-board information. Another good conference. I encourage everybody to attend it. Thank you for the nice comments on the award. That was pretty much unexpected. So, I'm glad I could go and hope to participate in the future. >> Next summer, it'll be in Owatonna. So, once again, not too far away from us. >> The fall conference is in Waite Park as well and legislative action day will be in February of next year. All right. Well, thanks so much. Uh, Moving on to reports from council members. Are there any council members who'd make like to make reports at this time? Hearing none, we'll move on to our city administrator. >> Madam Mayor and members, I have one report that I'd like to make, but I'd like to get out of the way. I'd like to ask Corey to come up. Corey, as you know, was recognized related to our green steps, um but we also received an award from the MAGC. We received a Northern Lights Award, um which is super cool. First time we've received an award from this group. >> What is the MAGC? >> You know, um I think they like to call themselves the magic group. Um it's one of my new favorite acronym groups. It used to be SMERPA, so the Minnesota Recreational Professionals Association, but magic is my new one. And so, um the brag a little bit. You guys have been very smart in hiring Corey to do much of the work, not just for sustainability, but your communications and your website. And so, this award was really about the enhancements for your website. So, Corey, brag a little bit and say a couple cool things. I'd appreciate it. >> Yeah, so um to answer your question, it's the Minnesota Association for Government Communicators. And so, there's about 300 members representing and you know, if you're in the um public sector, you can be part of this association and part of this group. Um and so, this um just a couple weeks ago, I headed up um to Brooklyn Park and they had their annual conference where they do their Northern Lights Award. Um they have a whole bunch of categories that you can submit projects and different things to. And so, um I submitted our redesign for our website, specifically looking at how we've really made sure that it's more accessible, that it's really resident focused, of thinking, "Okay, how do residents find information?" And so, we were given a silver award. So, second place, if you're competitive. Just We'll get there. Um but yes. >> [laughter] >> But it was a really great honor. It was fantastic to hear from, you know, colleagues from across the state who are really excited and happy about um the work that we've done here on our website. I know it's one of those things that's been going on for the past year that you don't really see until you click the switch to make it live. Um but, a lot of work has gone um into this across the board. Um and so, it's been really um a fun project to work on, very impactful. We're still improving constantly, so that's exciting, but um everybody should give themselves a pat on the shoulder for um helping move this forward, for sure. >> So, in addition to that, Madam Mayor, if I may, we should give Corey a hand in just a few seconds, but I think the really important part of this is that um she has done and and she's not alone. We have other people, but Corey's really 93.7% of this. She really is in making this go. And um this is so much easier for our community to use than our previous website was. And so, that's really where the benefit rests. And making the information that people want about their community more accessible, and the broad range of information that we're able to provide, and the growth within that is significant. So, um thanks to Corey and for the MAGIC Group for recognizing the great work that's been done here. So, that's my pitch. >> How about a hand for Corey? >> YEAH. >> I WILL SAY UH I'VE NOTICED THIS YEAR WE'RE GETTING QUITE a few awards now that Corey's been hired, so we're going >> [laughter] >> We're we're we're we're going to be we're we have expectations for next year. >> [laughter] >> No pressure. Okay. >> What's the chances of us getting step four and step five in the next year? >> That's going to be a question best reported. >> um that I would not cuz we have to prove year-over-year growth. And so, you might have to wait a couple years, maybe like two to get that one. So, just setting expectations for you guys. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> This is This is the shot for Tony. >> [laughter] >> Yes. >> [gasps] >> Madam Mayor, that's the last report that I have for you for this evening. That's all I have for you. >> All right. Well, one more chance just to thank our It's really we like to get get a little credit as council, but really we have amazing staff. Residents watching at home, you should feel wonderful about the dedicated, talented staff that we have at the city of of St. Peter that really make all this important work happen. So, thanks to our staff. Um we have an executive session on our agenda for tonight. >> Actually, Madam Mayor, that's been changed. We don't Some of the information did not get finalized for that, and so my anticipation is that at your next meeting we will. So, I apologize for that. Kind of a late change for us. >> All right. Then we can we can cross that off the agenda, and instead adjourn. How about that? Is there a motion to adjourn? All those in favor of adjournment say aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you.