BLUE EARTH CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR MONDAY AUGUST 6, 2018@ 5:00 P.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1. Call To Order by the Mayor.

1.1 Roll Call.

1.2 Determination of a Quorum.

1.3 Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Meeting opened to the Public. 2.1

3. Approval of the Minutes. 3.1 Minutes from the Council Meeting of Monday July 16, 2018.

4. Licenses and Permits. 4.1 Rick Laurence Parking Permit

5. Correspondence. 5.1 SBA Update 5.2 Sen. Rosen – Legislator of Distinction Letter 6. Public Hearings.

7. Reports from Staff Members. 7.1 City Attorney, Frundt & Johnson, Ltd. (Frundt & Johnson). a. Ordinance 18-08 Alley Transfer 7.2 City Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc. (Brown). a. Project updates. b. Seal Coating Bids 7.3 Police Department July 2018 a. Police Department Incident Analysis b. Licensed Roofing Contractors c. Dog Running at Large 8. Reports from Boards and Commissions. (See attachment in Committee report section). 8.1 Library Board Liaison (Cole). No meeting in August 8.2 Economic Development Authority Liaison (Scholtes & J. Huisman). Meeting 8-9-18 8.3 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Liaison (Scholtes). Meeting 8-13-18 8.4 Senior Center Board Liaison (Cassem). No meeting in August

8.5 Faribault County Fitness Center Board Liaison (Erichsrud). TBD 8.6 Board of Public Works Liaison (Warner).

8.7 Other Boards and Commissions. a. Joint Fire Service Advisory Board (Erichsrud). b. Planning Commission (Scholtes) Minutes 4-17-18 c. Charter Commission (Mayor Scholtes). d. Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals (City Council). e. Board of Building Appeals (Vice Mayor Glenn Gaylord). f. Joint Airport Zoning Board (Glenn Gaylord). g. Blue Earth Airport Advisory Commission (Warner/Gaylord). Minutes 7-19-17 h. Board of Review (City Council).

9. Reports from Standing Committees of the Council. 9.1. Parks & Recreation Subcommittee (Gaylord-Chair). 9.2. Street Improvement Subcommittee (Erichsrud).

10. Consent Agenda. 11. Old Business. 11.1 Planning Commission Recommendations a. Thompson Variance b. Huntley Conditional Use Permit c. Nicole Meyer Sidewalk Removal

12. New Business. 12.1 Recycling Costs Increased (Chris Cyphers, B&B Sanitation) 12.2 Childcare Issues and Information Next Work Session Agenda Items PWD Budget Review and Pool Fundraiser Presentation

13. Transfer of Funds and Other Budgetary Matters. 13.1 Investment Schedule 14. Payment of Claims and Approval of Claims and Appropriations. 14.1. Consideration of payment of the bills

15. City Administrator's Report. 15.1 Payroll summaries

15.2 Administrator Report a. Electric Vehicle Information 16. Adjournment.

By Order of the Blue Earth City Council Timothy Ibisch, City Administrator Post @ City Hall-Friday, Friday, August 3, 2018 through Monday, August 6, 2018. Distribute to Mayor & Councilmembers-Media & file

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CITY OF BLUE EARTH 1 MINUTES 2

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3 Monday, July 16, 2018 5:00 P.M. 4

5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Mayor Scholtes called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. 7 8 ROLL CALL 9 Councilmembers Huisman Gaylord, Erichsrud, Cassem, Cole, Warner 10 and Mayor Scholtes were present. 11 12 Staff members present: City Administrator Timothy Ibisch, City 13 Attorney David Frundt. City Engineer Wes Brown was Absent. 14 15 DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM 16 Quorum present. 17 18 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 19 Mayor Scholtes led the pledge of allegiance. 20 21 MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 22 Public Present: Chuck Hunt, Norm Hall, Ann Hanna, Laura Buechner 23 of Clifton Larson Allen, Echo Roggenkamp City Clerk, Police Chief 24 Tom Fletcher, Police officer Tharen Haugh. 25 26 Mayor Scholtes addressed Police officer Tharen Haugh, Haugh noted 27 that National Night out is Tuesday, August 7th. This year’s night 28 out will consist of a Medallion Hunt for the children and neighbor 29 of the year award. The event will also include video coverage by 30 the police department. Any Council member interest should contact 31 Haugh directly if they have an interest in hosting a neighborhood 32 party. 33 34 Annual Audit: Laura Buechner of Clifton Larson Allen for the 2017 35 Annual Audit presentation. Buechner presented the Required 36 Communications, Audit Results and Financial Results and findings. 37 Accounting Policies with early adopted GASB Statement No. 89 will 38 not need to capitalize interest on construction projects going 39 forward. Restatement of the General Fund with vacation liability, 40 some of the 2016 revenue was recorded in 2017. The Audit results 41 include Financial statements noting that the fire relief pension 42 assets were not recorded, otherwise clean opinion. The Fire Relief 43 Board will be advised that the state requirements have changed. 44 This was the one finding in the Minnesota legal compliance. 45 46

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Buechner noted that financial management remained very strong and 1 also the overall fund balance in the general fund was up. This was 2 due to prudent conservation of the resources provided by the 3 taxpayers. The other funds showed small changes, however the sewer 4 fund will not show the capitalizing of this year’s project until 5 next audit. 6 7 Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to accept the 2017 audit 8 results. The motion was approved unanimously. 9 10 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 11 Motion by Gaylord, second by Erichsrud to approve the minutes from 12 the Work Session and Council Meeting of Monday, July 2,2018. The 13 motion was approved unanimously. 14 15 LICENSES AND PERMITS 16 N/A 17 18 CORRESPONDENCE 19 Green Giant Museum Updated Schedule 20 Senior Center Newsletter July 2018 21 22 PUBLIC HEARINGS 23 N/A 24 25 REPORTS FROM STAFF 26 27 City Attorney Frundt: Frundt brought forth the item of the second 28 reading of Ordinance 18-08 Vacation of Alley way through block 95. 29 The alley way is between the 3 sisters and the Senior Center. The 30 Alley Way being 16 ft runs through that block going North and 31 South, the vacation would be the whole alley which some has been 32 already vacated. As part of the discussion noting that keeping the 33 utility easements in that alley way. Ibisch indicated that there 34 is at this time fiberoptic going in. Frundt mentioned preserving 35 the utility and in some point in the future the need will be to 36 vacate the utilities as well. Frundt add that there is an 37 additional draft request for additional footage of property for 38 additional parking. Gaylord questioned if this would make more 39 sense to vote on this after the transfer of the property. 40 41 Frundt mentioned that the concept is to get this to a point where 42 we authorize the sale and it has gone through the ordinance phase 43 and the 30-day period that is required by our charter to be in the 44 position to move forward with the authorization of the deed in 45 order for it to close and meeting the timeline. Scholtes inquired 46 how many additional feet. Ibisch suggested that they are looking 47

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for an additional 18 feet being 15 feet for the elevator and 3 1 feet for parking. Cassem inquired if this would affect the Sr. 2 Center parking. Frundt address the vacation will being giving an 3 additional 8 ft on the East end of the alley. Scholtes indicated 4 it should not have any effect. Warner questioned if the Rural 5 Renaissance were to have a restaurant in the location, what would 6 be the plan for deliveries. Ibisch mentioned that at this time 7 that this has not been discussed but does know in between the 8 building there is a location for a loading dock, which would be 9 the recommendation for the group or whoever gets the buildings to 10 consider. Frundt addressed that tonight what was up for voting is 11 the ordinance for the vacation of the alley way. 12 13 Motion by Warner, second by Gaylord to approve the ordinance 18-08 14 the second reading for the Vacation of the Alley way through block 15 95. 16 17 Roll Call: 18 Councilmember Gaylord Aye 19 Councilmember Huisman Aye 20 Councilmember Erichsrud Aye 21 Councilmember Warner Aye 22 Councilmember Cassem Aye 23 Councilmember Cole Aye 24 Mayor Scholtes Aye 25 26 The motion was approved unanimously passing Ordinance 18-08. 27 28 City Engineer Wes Brown: Absent. Ibisch present the Engineering 29 report. Noted the plan for seal coating. The Street Committee 30 discussed this in detail and the thought being trying to do 31 preservation of more recent street projects, putting some of the 32 older streets on the reconstruction plan with them not being in 33 good enough shape to consider seal coating them any longer. 34 35 North East Housing Development, Bruns continue to work on the 36 sewer, water installation and site grading. Discussion of the 37 impaction from the wet weather this past spring and negotiations 38 are being thought for a reasonable contract extension. 39 40 13th, Moore and Galbraith the utility work and patching is done, 41 Working on clean up and restoration over the next couple of weeks. 42 Center Point is working on gas relocations on the 13th and Moore 43 Streets, Holtmeier’s crew at this time is not on site until 44 CenterPoint finishes and we’re expecting to resume work in about 2 45 weeks. The project is on schedule. 46 47

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Green Giant Welcome Center had a project meeting. Ibisch indicated 1 that they too have had some issues with water and needing to do 2 pumping in that area. The project is coming along quickly. Roofing 3 should commence at the end of the month. 4 5 Ibisch addressed the Public Works Garage update, as of last week 6 they were staking with some soil remediation with the cost around 7 $10,000.00 in changes to the project. Ankeny will be starting the 8 excavating. 9 10 SRE Building at the Airport work has been completed and working on 11 the final project closeout at this time. Discussion will continue 12 with the 10-year plan. 13 14 Inflow and Infiltration issues with the Waste Water Treatment 15 Plant sending off for a response letter to the PCA. We will update 16 if there are any further things that come up with that issue. 17 18 Monthly Liquor Store Report 19 Ibisch mentioned the daily Liquor Store Report. Ibisch addressed 20 that the June sales where down. Huisman inquired the business 21 hours. Ibisch mentioned that historically the reason for opening 22 at 8 am is that Craig opens and does reports and receives in the 23 morning and feels if he is there doing reports the store might as 24 well be open. 25 26 REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION 27 28 Library Board Minutes 5-14-18 29 Economic Development Authority Minutes 6-14-18 30 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes 6-11-18 31 Senior Center Board Minutes 6-12-18 32 Planning Commission Meeting 7-23-18 33 AirPort Advisory Meeting 7-17-18 34 35 Ibisch mentioned that the HRA focus at this time is new Housing and 36 the discussion with the South West Minnesota Housing Partnership 37 will mean looking at proposals in the next couple of weeks. 38 39 Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to approve the Reports from 40 the Board and Commissions. The motion was approved unanimously. 41 42 OLD BUSINESS 43 Scholtes brought forth the tax abatement for the Green Giant 44 Welcome Center. Ibisch mentioned the discussion from the last 45 meeting, direction is needed from the Council to see what the 46 feeling is doing the tax abatement for the Welcome Center. 47

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Scholtes mentioned that this might be the best option to be able 1 to use the increase in the property taxes to help pay for the 2 building during the time they pay it back. Ibisch explained the 3 process of the tax abatement to the Council. The tax abatement 4 only at this time involves the city not the County nor the school 5 district, Lyon does plan on going to the County to speak with them 6 about also abating it. If the Council is comfortable with this, we 7 will prepare a resolution to setup the process starting with the 8 year 2020 taxes with the taxable market value of $550,000.00. 9 10 Gaylord inquired asking the County and School to do the same 11 thing. Scholtes indicated that she will be asking the County at 12 this time but unsure if this will be brought forth to the school. 13 Ibisch indicated that we could but it would be unlikely that the 14 school districts will participate. Gaylord mentioned that they 15 should at least be asked. Huisman affirmed that to do the 16 abatement show that we will continue to support the project. 17 Scholtes indicated that a 10-year abatement would be a good place 18 to start and if at the end of it we need to make some changes. 19 Ibisch commented that at the end of the 10 years the people 20 renting the building would buy out the cities portion and the EDA 21 could fund that and by that time the cities involvement would be 22 done and be privately owned, this being a goal and not saying it 23 would happen this way but it’s a goal. The council gave direction 24 on the preparation of the resolution. 25 26 NEW BUSINESS 27 Scholtes addressed Resolution 18-13. Ibisch indicated that the 28 resolution addresses a TIF District number 8. Establishing the 29 downtown as a Redevelopment District. Primary related to 30 recapturing revenues out of the 3 Sisters corridor. In discussions 31 prior the reason we pass a resolution is because this starts the 32 process that we must provide notification to the other taxing 33 authorities in the counties and schools. This is notification we 34 are doing this hearing, so they have input to us and they can 35 prove it at that time. The plan is to have the meeting on Tuesday, 36 September 4th. This would create a TIF district up to 25 years for 37 that area of downtown. Erichsrud inquired what percentage would be 38 TIF. Ibisch indicated that the County Assessor felt it would be 39 around 50%. Based on what we have seen it should qualify. 40 41 Motion by Gaylord, second by Erichsrud to approve the Resolution 42 18-13. The motion was approved unanimously. 43 44 Ibisch addressed the Potentially Dangerous Dog. This is a trickier 45 situation and wanted to bring it to Councils attention and how the 46 Council would like to proceed, we had a situation where a jogger 47

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was running past the Oaks Apartments and a dog approached barking 1 and startling the jogger and he fell to the ground breaking his 2 teeth and getting hurt. 3 4 The resident was found and cited for the dog not being on a leash 5 and the pet not being registered with the city being $100.00 in 6 fines. The situation in part does meet a certain criterion which 7 allows the Council to decide if you choose to you could deem this 8 a potentially dangerous dog. From the information given this dog 9 did not go over the sidewalk but to the edge of the grass. Looking 10 for direction from the Council in which direction you would like 11 us to take. Cassem questioned if the dog had attacked the jogger. 12 13 The Police report noted that the jogger was startled but had not 14 been bitten. Warner pointed out that the citation was the correct 15 way to have dealt with the owner and what the police department 16 was right and did not see a reason to proceed any further with the 17 situation. Ibisch mentioned that the fines have been paid and the 18 dog has been registered. Gaylord mentioned that the feeling here 19 was it should be deemed as dangerous for the matter it made the 20 jogger feel threatened. 21 22 Motion by Gaylord to deem as potentially dangerous failed for lack 23 of a second. 24 25 Next Work session 26 2019 Budget Review 27 28 Huisman brought forth for the future is bring some electric 29 vehicle plug in to our community. The thought would be to have 30 some set up at a motel. Tesla install them and all that would be 31 needed is a security light and its added to an app to their maps 32 and would be available to people traveling I90. Ibisch indicated 33 that there will be one available at the new museum project it will 34 have a charger station for this type of vehicle to utilize and 35 will be Light and Water’s responsibility. 36 37 Gaylord brought forth the issue of feral cats, mentioning that he 38 has had phone call complaining about people housing and feeding 39 the cats. There are just so many loose and running around. What 40 are the legal ramifications. What is the right process in dealing 41 with this issue. 42 43 Erichsrud mentioned that there have been additional complaints 44 with deer. Requesting bring the DNR return and see what we can do. 45 Gaylord added that the DNR need to increase the permits. Huisman 46 mentioned that this would not be a realistic request as they have 47

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said prior this year that they are not able to do that. Ibisch 1 mentioned that it would be put on the agenda. 2 3 Transfer of Funds and Other Budgetary Matters. 4 2nd Qtr. 2018 Donations 5 6 Motion by Gaylord, second by Cole to approve the 2nd Quarter 7 donations. The motion was approved unanimously. 8 9 BILLS AND INVESTMENTS 10 Motion by Warner, second by Cole to pay the bills and the receipt 11 of the financials. The motion was approved unanimously. 12 13 REPORT OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR 14 Payroll Report 15 Fire Department Payroll Summary 1st half 16

17 Governor and Local Officials Visit: State Senator Julie Rosen (R-18 Vernon Center), Gov. Mark Dayton, and United States Congressman 19 Tim Walz visited Blue Earth and nearby areas. They were joined by 20 Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave 21 Frederickson, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director 22 Joe Kelly, and other local emergency management personnel. 23 24 Giant Day Celebration: Went extremely well, Weather cooperated and 25 seen a lot of people out enjoying the weekend. Gaylord mentioned 26 Hall’s for the job well done with the Giant Day run event along 27 with the great volunteers. 28 29 Scholtes addressed the Gary Agren Proclamation, Gary Agren has 30 served the citizens of Blue Earth and Faribault County for many 31 years in various capacities and; he has shown strong leadership by 32 serving as a member of many committees for the City, School, 33 American Legion and; Mr. Agren has been an active voice for our 34 residents with fifteen years of service on the Charter Commission. 35 This award will be presented to him on July 30th at the Legion 36 farewell event. 37 38 Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to approve the proclamation of 39 Gary Agren Day. The motion was approved unanimously. 40 41 ADJOURNMENT 42 Motion by Erichsrud, second by Warner to adjourn the meeting. 43 Mayor Scholtes adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 6:30 44 P.M. 45

ORDINANCE NO. 18-08 CITY OF BLUE EARTH

AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY

OWNED BY THE CITY OF BLUE EARTH

The City Council of the City of Blue Earth do ordain as follows:

SECTION I

That the City of Blue Earth owns certain real property located in the City of Blue Earth, County of Faribault and legally described as follows:

The South 23 2/3rds feet of the West Half of the vacated alleyway in the South portion of Block 95 of the original plat of the City of Blue Earth along with the easement rights reserved in Blue Earth City Ordinance 18-_08_ dated ___________, filed ______________and recorded as document number _____________.

SECTION II

Rural Renaissance Project, a Minnesota Non-Profit Corporation is desirous of purchasing

property in Section I above and the City of Blue Earth is desirous of selling such property for a sale price of $1.00 and other good and valuable consideration.

SECTION III

Pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes §412.211, the City of Blue Earth is hereby authorized to sell and the Mayor and City Administrator are hereby authorized to convey the property described in Section I of this ordinance to the purchaser upon payment of the purchase price.

SECTION IV This Ordinance shall not be effective until thirty (30) days after its passage and publication. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLUE EARTH ON THIS ____ DAY OF _____________, 2018 BY: ATTEST: _______________________________ ________________________ Richard Scholtes, Mayor Timothy Ibisch, City Administrator Seal

 

 

050

100150200250300350400450500

January February March April May June July AugustSeptemb

erOctober

November

December

2018 310 268 285 281 308 339 332

2017 372 294 305 308 432 354 378 343 306 307 293 289

2016 381 344 400 399 464 402 461 367 331 369 352 326

TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE

20180102030405060708090

100

2018

2017

2016

TRAFFIC STOPS

 

 

7

98

23

1716

1819

12

8

12

14

2

17

13

67

21

7

11

4

20

1112

17

1415

18

20

8

13

ANIMAL COMPLAINTS

2018 2017 2016

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

MOROR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

2018

2017

2016

 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

THEFTS

2018 2017 2016

Company Name Contact Name Pnone Number Permit

Aspen Exteriors Scott Owens 507‐525‐8429 Y

Capital Construction LLC Andy Oaks 952‐222‐4004 Y

Green Guard Construction Trent Athmann 320‐444‐7711 Y

Heyn Brothers Cory Smith 507‐388‐4396 Y

Fmt Roofing David Johnston 507‐236‐6199 Y

Pro 1 Donald Johnson 612‐309‐5554 Y

Hoyer Construction Randy Hoyer 507‐358‐9673 Y

Repair King Michael Holms 612‐354‐7677 Y

Armor Construction Scott Kennedy 763‐862‐7299 Y

AllStar Construction Jason Grimm 952‐698‐3200 Y

Renner Roofing Toney Renner 612‐770‐1094 Y

MN Roof Contrators  Jerry Anderson 612‐532‐3300 Y

Anderson Construction INC Edward Kaprall 612‐840‐6776/ 612‐840‐2727 Y

OC Exteriors Jim Ovoton 507‐923‐3181 Y

Priority Riley Rainy 515‐835‐3090 Y

Core  Dan Young 612‐207‐3256 Y

American Eagle  Kyle Baker 763‐420‐3107 Y

New Life Contracting Kyle Dove 608‐397‐4934 Y

Rhino Roofing Ryan Lamusca 651‐333‐.250 Y

Stinson Services David Brechon 952‐933‐4510 y

CITY OF BLUE EARTH PLANNING COMMISSION

MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018 @ 4:30 PM

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS at CITY HALL

Call to Order. Chairman Kim Shaffer called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M. Roll Call. Commissioners Kim Shaffer, Rick Scholtes, Greg Scheid, Paul Smith and Bill Olson were present. Commissioners present at Kara Drake 4:33 and Kitty Fletcher present at 4:35 Staff present: City Administrator Tim Ibisch. Others present: City Attorney David Frundt Consideration of the Minutes. Motion by Commissioner Scheid, second by Commissioner Olson to approve the minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of February 15, 2018. The motion passed unanimously. Old Business Chairman Shaffer brought forth the consideration of changes for Highway Business/Light Industrial zoning revisions, City Attorney David Frundt referred to the draft ordinance with the second draft that picks up some of the additional blocks. During the last meeting the discussion of how to break up the corridor in the way that it will account for some of the residential property in between Hwy 169 and the railroad tracks. After the discussion of with staff we couldn’t come up with a logical way to proceed with it without it looking like spot zoning. The draft would basically keep the area the same, with the draft to read it is now a small business and Industry district with it including the 7th street corrido with ½ block on each side to the central business district. The second draft includes blocks south of 7th Street on the west side of the tracks as well as designates areas south of 8th Street following the rail road tracks east of Hwy 169 making a combined zone as discussed. Residence that exist in this area are under a partial zone as they are at this time, not restricting them with single family dwellings in the area, it does mean there is potential need for fencing, at this time the language doesn’t exist but will be needed for future development. Olson inquired what the difference would be for setbacks. Frundt indicated that the central business district has no setbacks what so ever of the nature of building in the area. The central business/ light industrial codes states that a 5ft setback exist but was never designated. Ibisch inquired what type of restrictions the Planning Commission would like to set forth if being the most restrictive language or the least restrictive and what would be the better standard. Schaffer mentioned another possibility would be rather than merge the 2 districts would be to modify the terms of the existing 169 corridor district and have that be somewhat different then the downtown district, having run into some problems with setback prohibiting people from expanding with this issue needing to be addressed. Ibisch indicated that this was brought forth to let everyone know where we are at and update the committee.

New Business Dahlberg variance request. Ibisch indicated that the variance request is the construction of a new home on Highland Drive. The variance is for 10 feet on both side yards of the property, the current side setback is 15 feet in the R2 housing area. The lot has been closed on and they are looking to continue with the plans with Nordaas Homes, they could yet be required to change the design of the home to fit that area. The city did provide notice to the neighbors and contacted by phone to see if there where any feeling on the variance request, at this time they were fine with the request. Drake mentioned that the plan is to put a house in that fits the area. Shaffer noted that this request did not fit the general reasons for giving variances and that we should ensure drainage runs to the rear of the property. The other Commissioners agreed with that assessment. Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Scholtes to recommend approval of the variance request of the Dahlbergs to the City Council. Roll call vote was taken: Kim Shaffer Nay Rick Scholtes Aye Greg Scheid Aye Bill Olson Aye Kitty Fletcher Aye Paul Smith Aye Kara Drake Aye

Motion passed 6 to 1. Shaffer addressed the Gieser variance request for a privacy fence between the property and the property to the North with the fence being 60ft long and 6ft in height with the main purpose of privacy. Ibisch indicated that the request is for a 3ft variance and have it placed on the property line. There where no objections from the surrounding neighbors. Gieser indicated he had concerns over whether the neighboring property would have a responsibly new owner. Motion by Commissioners Scholtes, Second by Fletcher to recommend approval of the Gieser variance request to the City Council. Roll call vote was taken: Kim Shaffer Aye Rick Scholtes Aye Greg Scheid Aye Bill Olson Aye Kitty Fletcher Aye Paul Smith Aye

Motion passed unanimously Motion by Scheid, second by Scholtes to adjourn the meeting. Chair Kim Shaffer adjourned the meeting at 4:59 P.M.

CITY OF BLUE EARTH MINUTES AIRPORT BOARD MEETING

CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017

Call to order Chair Allen Aukes called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M. Roll Call: Allen Aukes, Glenn Gaylord, Chuck Frundt, Dan Warner Elwood Bentley, Roger Nimz, and Tim Steier were present with Scott Kramer and Jim Ekse Absent. Staff Present: Ron Roetzel, Timothy Ibisch, Wes Brown. Others present: Luke Steier and Doug Nimz Old Business: Allen Aukes mentioned if everyone had the chance to review the Meeting minutes from October 19, 2016. Motion to approve meeting minutes.

Motion by Gaylord, second by Bentley approving the minutes from the Airport Committee Meeting of 10-19-16. The motion passed unanimously. Old Business Ron Roetzel mentioned SRE Building grant funding, mentioning that bids came in from Ankeny Builders, United Builders and Larson Construction all with very good bids. Untied Builders came in with $323,500 with the city council accepted that bid. Submitted the that bid with the state and federal grants in May. The pre-construction meeting set up for Tuesday, July 25th 2pm. New Business: Roetzel inquired about the needs of the airport in the next 10 years. 2016-17 funding SRE building funding including the SRE tractor funding and having the equipment available in the next 5 years. CIP is set up for a run way extension, not knowing if the extension is eligible. Operation study show that 2019 per the FFA that the city will need to do this themselves, reimbursement

in the environmental assessment. FFA wants the city to do an operation study to show the need for a runway extension. At this time, the runway is 3400ft and the extension would increase that to 4600 ft. ALP doesn’t show any interim steps which would be advisable based on the operations in the past several years. With the expansion of the runway the cost being at $250,000 depending how much the FFA is requesting the increase of the runway and the update of the master plan. Further discussions with the FFA is needed to determine when the time comes for the upgrade of the plans. Roetzel inquired if the plans should be made to show the 4200ft increase and make the 4600ft a long-term goal and being able to justify the increase with use of the increase of the 4200 ft. Ibisch mentioned that the schedule of events is a promising idea and prudent to the study and seems to line up, but not knowing what will happen in a couple of years from now can’t be controlled. Ibisch inquired if there were any questions on the 10-year plan. Roetzel mentioned 2021 that there is an environment assessment 4600ft and recommended that it be modified to 2200ft and shift the 4600ft another 10 years from now and put it back to the VIP. Aukes mentioned adding another hanger. Roetzel mentioned the Terminal Fund in 2024 would be to build the access road and pad and in 2025 to build heated storage hanger, year 2026 would be to build a 6-unit T hanger which would replace the existing. Gaylord mentioned that taking down and replacing a building would not resolve storage problems, adding a building would be more beneficial to resolving the storage issue. Aukes inquired about the consideration of moving replacement of hanger 1 up to 2020 after the operational study for runway extension or the possibility of doing it in 2019.

Gaylord mentioned if it waited until 2020 the existing loan would be paid off. Ibisch responded that you could borrow from somewhere else but eventually that too would need to be repaid. Gaylord mentioned it’s nice to get the projects done but continuing with borrowing ahead may not make sense. Waiting until prior loan funding is paid back in 2020 would be best and then use our own funding to build the hangers. Motion by Gaylord second Frundt by approving the construction of the replacement of the # 1 hanger and add the construction of a new T hanger to 2019. Aukes mentioned the contract renewal and negotiations. Ibisch mentioned that prior conversation with Steier’s as the contract is due to expire at the end of 2017 as it was a 3-year contract. Steier’s had mentioned that Luke Steier has interest in taking over. Luke Steier mentioned that in reviewing the current manager contract he would like to see some changes, if the City would be interested hire him as the City of Blue Earth airport manager. Steier mentioned 2 changes he would like made to the manager contract 1 being the manager overseeing the annual NPDES storm management permit for the MPCA Municipal Airport. Steier mentioned another item is to separate out the mowing and trimming to possibly have it contracted out on the public side of the fence. Ibisch mentioned the cost of paying for the separate mowing contract. Steier’s inquired if it could come out of the airport budget. Ibisch mentioned that it could be subsidized. Ibisch mentioned the contract and manager position is something that could be looked at and brought back for further review. Motion by Gaylord second Frundt to put the airport management contract position out for RFP. The motion passed unanimously.

Ibisch mention another item for discussion, board member Roger Nimz retirement and new coming of Doug Nimz and John Lindsey to the board. Motion by Bentley, second by Nimz, to accept the retirement of Roger Nimz.and to accept the additions of Doug Nimz and John Lindsey for recommendations to city council to accept new board member’s. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gaylord, second by Frundt to adjourn meeting at 5:02 P.M. The motion passed unanimously.  

Recyclers face crisis after China cuts imports

By Dan Linehan Special to The Free Press July 25, 2018

A West Central Sanitation truck picks up a recycling container along North Sixth Street in Mankato. Recent

events, including China rejecting some U.S. materials, have led to an unprecedented decline in the number of

profitable markets for paper, metal, glass and other recyclables. Photo by Pat Christman

MANKATO — Recycling companies call it the “end market,” and it’s where all your paper,

metal, glass and other recyclables end up to be turned into new products. When demand for

these products is strong, recycling can coast along on this free-market logic.

When it’s not, the recycling system begins to break down — or at least become more expensive.

“Recycling isn’t magic,” says Taylor Williamson, office manager for Willmar-based West

Central Sanitation, which picks up waste and recycling in Mankato and North Mankato. “You

can’t just take something with no value and find a use for it.”

The industry has long been cyclical, but recent events have led to an unprecedented decline in

the number of profitable markets for paper, metal, glass and other recyclables.

China, long willing to buy even our most contaminated recycling, has rejected some types of

plastic and paper and is reducing its acceptable contamination levels for other material to half a

percent.

“This is very difficult to achieve,” said Julie Ketchum, who works in public affairs for Waste

Management. This is because residents and businesses regularly mix recycling with non-

recyclable material and food waste.

China’s moves led to a glut in recyclables, flooding the market and lowering prices. Some

products, like mixed paper, have even gone into negative territory, Ketchum said. This means

Waste Management has to pay to recycle them.

In some Western states that relied on Chinese importers most heavily, some recyclers have

resorted to landfills, the New York Times reported. Some haulers will refuse to collect certain

types of recycling, including glass and some types of plastic and paper.

The impact of these two inter-related issues — China’s higher standards for recycling and high

levels of contamination — have created a crisis. Its ripple effects may eventually raise prices for

everyone. For decades, the public has been told to recycle as much as possible. For now, at least,

that message is changing. Though some materials are still profitable, like rigid plastics, clean

cardboard and most metals, the trash is becoming a more acceptable alternative. “If you’re not

sure, do what (waste disposal company) Republic (Services) said: 'When in doubt, throw it out,'”

Williamson said.

Paying more?

Rate changes haven’t been discussed in Mankato and North Mankato, said West Central’s

Williamson. But there’s reason to think they may be coming.

When recycling companies have to pay more to get rid of recyclables, these costs will

eventually trickle down to consumers. Recycling is a utility, meaning its operations are

supported by fees, as in drinking water and sewer systems.

As Ketchum said, “We’re at a tipping point with recycling, and we have to figure out ways to

make it sustainable in the long term. That will likely mean we’ll all have to partner together

and it will likely mean that we’ll all be paying more for a recycling system.”

Though they both use West Central Sanitation, Mankato and North Mankato send their

recycling to different places.

In Mankato, virtually all recycling is taken to the Blue Earth County Recycling Center. It’s

operated by Waste Management under contract with Blue Earth County, which pays about

$185,000 a year for a location to accept any recycling from the county, said its environmental

services director, Scott Fichtner.

From there, Waste Management takes the recyclables to a Twin Cities area facility where

they’re sorted and prepared for recycling.

In North Mankato, recycling is taken to the Riverbend Recycling Center, where it’s prepared

for shipping to Dem-Con, a Shakopee company. Dem-Con then bills the city of North Mankato.

Though North Mankato is more directly exposed to changes because it’s billed directly by an

end user, residents of both cities may ultimately end up paying more.

What can you do?

It might be hard to see why it's in the interest of a regular person to help a recycling company

preserve its bottom line. But keeping recycling free of contamination also will help keep costs

low for everyone, the companies say.

“Recycling is only as valuable as the resources we’re looking to recycle,” Williamson said. “If

what we’re putting in is making it difficult for the end processor, they charge the hauler more

and the hauler charges the city more.”

On its “Recycle Often. Recycle Right.” website, Waste Management lists three simple rules:

Recycle all empty plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard; keep food and liquid out of the

recycling; and empty recyclables directly into the cart, without a plastic bag.

Recyclables don’t need to be perfectly clean, just enough to avoid contaminating other

materials. For example, pizza boxes with too much grease can contaminate an entire load of

recycling, said Ketchum of Waste Management. The company recommends using a spatula to

scrape cans and jars or using a little water to shake loose most food residue.

Unfortunately, there are complications. Just because plastic has a recycling symbol — three

arrows looping in a clockwise direction, called a Mobius loop — doesn’t mean it can be turned

into a new product.

Plastic numbered 1, 2 and 5 can be recycled in the bin. No. 4 plastic, such as grocery bags, can

often be returned to the store they were taken from. Plastic with another number — 3, 6, or 7

— can go in the trash.

Long-term wake-up call

As a falling tide reveals weaknesses that were there along, China’s recycling cutbacks have laid

bare the problems with American recycling.

Despite the short-term shakeup, officials from Waste Management and West Central expressed

hope that China’s actions will eventually create a more vibrant end market here.

Williamson said, “It’s always good to reuse your valuable resources, and if this gets us to refocus

on what our valuable resources are, that’s a good thing.”

Still, there will be a lag time before new uses for recyclables develop. It takes years to get

regulatory approval and build recycling facilities, Ketchum said.

“We are in a crisis mode now and the need for stronger end markets is immediate.”

Southern Minnesota Child Care

Potential Need Analysis Summary

Why is Child Care Important to the Region?

As part of our work with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

(SMIF), First Children’s Finance completed a Potential Need Analysis of

child care for the 20 county region. In conducting this analysis, we lev-

eraged US Census Information, MN DHS Child Care Licensing Records,

MN DEED, and other internal research tools including First Children’s

Finance data. The results of our research found that the SMIF region

has a potential need of 8,616 licensed child care slots. This analysis

was critical as it is the basis of understanding for the scope of the prob-

lem and development of right-sized solutions.

The First Children’s Finance Potential

Need Analysis is available in different

formats and layouts on request.

For more information contact:

Jeff Andrews Business Development Manager

612-279-6526 jeff@firstchildrensfinance.org

More Information

There were 139 licensed child care centers and 1607 li-censed family child care providers included in the potential need analysis

71 current programs with overall capacity of 2,469 were excluded from this report due to operations that didn’t offer full-time care or year-round care

Zip Codes in Austin, Mankato, and Rochester have the high-est potential need in the SMIF region

Potential Need Overview

Child care is an economic driver for communities in greater Minnesota, and

child care shortages have a dramatic impact on families and the local econ-

omy. In the last 12 months, 87% of Minnesotan’s, aged 20-44, have partic-

ipated in the workforce. With these high participation rates, access to high

quality child care is of critical importance to working families. When fami-

lies can’t find child care, they are unable to fully participate in the work-

force and may eventually leave the area in pursuit of other opportunities.

Southern Minnesota Child Care

Potential Need Analysis Summary

Potential Need by County

Blue Earth -906 Mower -1105

Brown -86 Nicollet -247

Dodge -187 Olmsted -1060

Faribault -247 Rice -865

Fillmore -218 Sibley -272

Freeborn -567 Steele +27

Goodhue -837 Wabasha -376

Houston -102 Waseca -489

Le Sueur -263 Watonwan -337

Martin -172 Winona -308

Zip Codes With Highest Potential Need

Austin (55912) -847 Faribault (55021) -242

Mankato (56001) -727 Northfield (55057) -204

Rochester (55904) -552 Red Wing (56066) -184

Waseca (56093) -370 Rochester (55906) -184

Albert Lea (56007) -315 Lonsdale (55046) -174

First Children's Finance

• Potential Need Analysis

• Financial Modeling for New and Existing Child Care Businesses

• Business Strategy & Plan Development

• General Business Training

• Rural Child Care Innovation Program

Families First of MN/ Child Care Aware

Southern

• High quality learning environments

• Start-up grants

• Regional Grants to support existing providers

• Parent Aware

• Professional Development

• Consulting on start up, licensing, staffing, quality for family and center providers

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

• Quality Child Care Program

• $300 free Curriculum for joining Parent Aware

• 2hr approved training

• Host free trainings

• Early Childhood Conference

• Grant opportunities for communities

• Loans for family child care

Jeff Andrews

Business Development

Manager

jeff@firstchildrensfinance.org

612.279.6526

Grants (Start-Up & Current Providers)

Dawn Eckhoff dawne@familiesfirstmn.org

507.287.2020 ext 1525

Rae Jean Hansen

VP of Early Childhood

raejeanh@smifoundation.org

507.214.7012

Parent Aware Amber English

ambere@familiesfirstmn.org 507.287.2020 ext 1404 Jim Dickinson

Loan & Financing Needs

jim@firstchildrensfinance.org

612.279.6507

Consulting Shannon Wolters (family providers)

shannonw@familiesfirstmn.org 507.287.2020 ext 1501

Elizabeth Mangan (centers) elizabethm@familiesfirstmn.org

507.287.2020 ext 1515

Teri Steckelberg

Early Childhood Director

teris@smifoundation.org

507.214.7015 Professional Development Rhonda Olson

rhondao@familiesfirstmn.org 507.287.2020 ext 1585 Marcia Haley

SBA Lending Director

marciah@smifoundation.org

507.214.7021

INVESTMENT SCHEDULECITY OF BLUE EARTH

AUGUST 6, 2018

INSTRUMENT INTEREST MATURITY CURRENT

GENERAL CHECKING ACCT#415017300 2.33% 8/1/2018 10,021,971

INSTRUMENT INTEREST MATURITY CURRENT

1 NORTHLAND SECURITIES MUNICIPAL BONDS GENERAL INVESTMENT 2/1/2020 55,000$ 2 NORTHLAND SECURITIES FEDERAL SECURITY GENERAL INVESTMENT 5/24/2024 175,000$ 3 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT GENERAL INVESTMENT 6/15/2020 100,000$ 4 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT GENERAL INVESTMENT 9/9/2019 100,000$ 5 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT GENERAL INVESTMENT 9/9/2020 100,000$ 6 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT STREET FUND RESERVE 9/9/2024 200,000$ 7 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT GENERAL INVESTMENT 1/11/2021 200,000$ 8 MORGAN STANLEY CERT. OF DEPOSIT GENERAL INVESTMENT 8/21/2018 200,000$

TOTAL 1,130,000$

LONG TERM INVESTMENTS DETAILS1 Lakeville MN Str. Reconstruction Series A Build America Bonds. 4.65% interest paid semi annual on Feb.& Aug. Maturity 2/01/2020.2 Federal Home Loan Banks fixed interest rate of 2.18% paid semi annual on 5/24 and 11/24. Call date 5/24/2017 and maturity date 5/24/2024.3 Certificate of Deposit. Comenity Bank. 1.90% interest paid monthly. Maturity date 6/15/2020.4 Certificate of Deposit. Goldman Sachs New York. 2% interest rate paid semi annual on March 9th and September 9th. Maturity 9/9/2019.5 Certificate of Deposit. Goldman Sachs New York. 2.25% interest rate paid semi annual on March 9th and September 9th. Maturity 9/9/2020.6 Certificate of Deposit. HSCB Bank USA NA MC Lean VA FID. 2% interest paid semi annual on March 9th and September 9th each year. Next call 9/9/2017. Maturity date 9/9/27 Certificate of Deposit. Capital One Bank Glen Allen VA. 2.05% interest paid semi annual on January and July 11th each year. 8 Certificate of Deposit. MS Bank Salt Lake City, UT. 1.900% interest paid at maturity date of 8/21/2018

FIRST BANK OF BE

INSTITUTION

LONG TERM INVESTMENTS

CURRENT INVESTMENTS

INSTITUTION

Name Gross Pay Net Pay

ANDERSON, STEVE 2,813.60 2,027.57

ANKENY, BONNIE L. 1,671.46 924.87

BADGE, CARL G. 296.40 247.29

BELASKI, AMBER M. 231.60 193.88

BELL, BODEY G. 1,500.80 1,050.04

BELL, WESLEY H. 2,125.61 1,333.62

BERGEMANN, BRANDON A. 335.80 259.15

BONIN, CHAD R. 2,390.69 1,544.61

BROOKS, LESTER J. 992.20 826.62

BROWN, JARED M. 1,374.89 963.81

CHILDS, DAVID R. 1,471.89 1,034.84

CROFTON, JOSHUA A. 2,024.80 1,343.43

CROOM, JANICE L. 594.72 487.85

CULHANE, MICHAEL D. 503.70 406.92

DAVIS, TAMMY 1,815.91 1,310.55

DAVIS, TERRY L. 1,239.71 848.82

DUTTON, MCKENNA M. 88.30 81.54

ECKHARDT, CORINNE A. 470.84 378.88

FELION, MELISSA K. 2,264.40 1,363.99

FENSKE, KIMBERLY J. 28.95 26.73

FERING, GUNNAR J. 332.65 275.22

FLETCHER, THOMAS W. 3,000.80 1,754.51

FRANTA, MARY P. 31.20 8.82

FROMMIE, ALEX S. 772.00 608.24

FRUNDT, JOHN H. 94.24 87.03

GAYDON, EVA C. 2,461.16 1,531.65

GAYDON, JUSTINA F. 311.70 259.08

GAYDON, MADALYN T. 408.81 358.34

GAYLORD, JANET 316.10 251.37

GORG, ADAM J. 8.20 7.57

HAASE, MARK D. 114.84 106.05

HALL, MICHELLE J. 2,562.65 1,477.15

HALVORSON, BRYAN W. 167.04 123.40

HAUGH, THAREN R. 2,064.65 1,328.23

HEARN, STACY L. FUCHS 391.30 361.37

HEENAN, MARK W. 2,005.91 1,452.99

HOLLAND, JAMISON R. 3,421.01 2,226.57

HOLLAND, LIAM 208.80 179.83

HUSE, JORDAN B. 521.14 420.09

IBISCH, TIMOTHY 3,632.00 1,719.25

JAHNKE, LINDA J. 1,420.95 1,075.55

JOHNSON, HANNAH L. 380.21 336.33

KENNEDY, JARED T. 116.41 106.11

KITTLESON, LISA F. 279.85 240.25

KRIEGER, RYLAN D. 602.40 556.32

LEGRED, KARSON W. 376.35 308.86

LELAND, GRACE A. 670.32 619.04

LEYVA, CARLA E. 599.66 478.97

LINDSEY, THOMAS N. 520.30 480.50

NAUMANN, OWEN B. 457.31 419.78

NORMAN, ALISSA J. 331.82 274.57

NORMAN, LINDSEY J. 408.70 333.76

O'BRIEN, KEEGAN W. 154.40 137.95

OLSON, DAVID L. 1,234.40 903.69

PASSER, CHRISTINE 39.78 36.73

RIPLEY, ALYSSA P. 360.29 332.73

ROGGENKAMP, ECHO M. 1,693.73 1,192.00

SANDERS, CHRISTOPHER J. 602.40 481.05

SANDERS, CRYSTAL J. 177.48 132.37

SKAARE, KEVIN 1,971.25 1,093.00

SONNICKSEN, STEVE D. 1,689.04 1,242.30

SPENCER, HUNTER C. 200.80 173.68

STEVERMER, CALLIE J. 172.73 159.52

STEVERMER, MACIE N. 225.90 193.00

WELLS, CRAIG 2,378.11 1,714.37

WIRTH, SERINA E 135.41 125.05

TOTAL 64,262.47 44,339.25

Name Gross Pay Net Pay

ANDERSON, STEVE 3,040.24 2,160.57

ANKENY, BONNIE L. 1,671.47 924.86

BADGE, CARL G. 296.40 247.29

BELASKI, AMBER M. 241.25 202.79

BELL, BODEY G. 1,557.08 1,088.33

BELL, WESLEY H. 2,127.66 1,334.81

BERGEMANN, BRANDON A. 873.08 637.14

BONIN, CHAD R. 2,306.30 1,506.53

BROOKS, LESTER J. 717.20 614.87

BROWN, JARED M. 1,624.87 1,133.89

CASSEM, MARLYN W. 250.00 230.87

CHILDS, DAVID R. 1,553.16 1,091.41

COLE, WENDY L. 250.00 211.56

CROFTON, JOSHUA A. 2,024.80 1,343.43

CROOM, JANICE L. 607.11 496.71

DAVIS, TAMMY 1,753.38 1,267.01

DAVIS, TERRY L. 1,239.71 848.82

DUTTON, MCKENNA M. 137.99 127.43

ECKHARDT, CORINNE A. 588.82 463.63

ERICHSRUD, RUSSELL W. 250.00 230.87

FELION, MELISSA K. 2,131.20 1,280.64

FENSKE, KIMBERLY J. 48.25 44.56

FERING, GUNNAR J. 477.56 386.79

FLETCHER, THOMAS W. 3,225.86 1,893.69

FRANTA, MARY P. 78.00 12.03

FROMMIE, ALEX S. 386.00 316.28

FRUNDT, JOHN H. 64.48 59.55

GAYDON, EVA C. 2,456.55 1,528.93

GAYDON, JUSTINA F. 290.43 242.70

GAYDON, MADALYN T. 106.80 98.63

GAYLORD, GLENN 250.00 219.33

GAYLORD, JANET 440.80 354.59

HAASE, MARK D. 88.74 81.95

HALL, MICHELLE J. 2,595.99 1,499.82

HALVORSON, BRYAN W. 334.08 266.81

HAUGH, THAREN R. 2,068.47 1,393.97

HEARN, STACY L. FUCHS 450.95 416.45

HEENAN, MARK W. 1,855.05 1,349.31

HOLLAND, JAMISON R. 3,028.00 1,959.16

HOLLAND, LIAM 835.20 655.64

HUISMAN, JOHN 250.00 230.87

HUSE, JORDAN B. 355.76 292.99

IBISCH, TIMOTHY 3,632.00 1,719.25

JAHNKE, LINDA J. 1,473.76 1,112.33

JOHNSON, HANNAH L. 269.72 248.03

KENNEDY, JARED T. 177.48 155.73

KITTLESON, LISA F. 270.20 231.97

KRIEGER, RYLAN D. 602.40 556.32

LELAND, GRACE A. 537.87 496.72

LEYVA, CARLA E. 365.55 300.55

LINDSEY, THOMAS N. 122.02 112.69

NAUMANN, OWEN B. 516.34 465.65

NORMAN, ALISSA J. 332.32 274.96

NORMAN, LINDSEY J. 280.24 234.85

O'BRIEN, KEEGAN W. 130.28 118.18

OLSON, DAVID L. 1,280.69 936.80

PASSER, CHRISTINE 66.30 61.23

RIPLEY, ALYSSA P. 308.02 284.45

ROGGENKAMP, ECHO M. 1,669.20 1,175.31

SANDERS, CHRISTOPHER J. 401.60 328.30

SANDERS, CRYSTAL J. 93.96 60.66

SCHOLTES, RICHARD A. 400.00 369.40

SKAARE, KEVIN 1,971.25 1,093.00

SONNICKSEN, STEVE D. 1,630.12 1,201.28

SPENCER, HUNTER C. 753.00 593.98

STEVERMER, CALLIE J. 144.75 133.68

STEVERMER, MACIE N. 229.92 196.10

WARNER, DANIEL P. 250.00 230.87

WELLS, CRAIG 2,378.11 1,714.37

WIRTH, SERINA E 353.65 315.87

Total 65,569.44 45,470.04

To: City Council Date: 8/6/18 Agenda Heading: City Administrator’s Report

“"August depresses me a little. I don't even feel like eating.

And when I don't eat, that's a sure sign of stagnation.” - Willard Scott.

LGA Numbers Released. The overall local government aid appropriation is frozen at 2018 levels, but Blue Earth is seeing a slight increase due to the overall age of housing in town. The Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) released the annual local government aid (LGA) certification notices to cities on July 30. The overall LGA distribution for 2019 was frozen at the 2018 level of $534.4 million. The LGA appropriation has been increased by the Legislature over the past several years. However, in 2018, it did not propose an increase for 2019 or beyond. Although the 2018 omnibus tax bill was vetoed, it did not include any additional appropriation for LGA in 2019 or beyond. Overall, we are schedule to receive $1,879,970.00 next year.

CVB Meeting. The CVB met to discuss the progress of the new Welcome Center and tour the building. Things are moving fast, and I am pleased to see it come together. We hope to have a grand opening in November of 2018. Additionally, the Mayor was able to attend, and the Board thanked him for the support the Council is showing by abating the taxes for 10 years. Thanks for these community members volunteerism, its one thing that makes our community a great place to live and work. Next up is forming the advertising strategy for 2019.

Planning Commission. At the planning meeting last week, the Commission review a conditional use permit for a commercial building and variance. These items are in your packets. After reviewing, the Commission recommended approval for both, with the condition of 6 required parking spots for the now residential building. Additionally, the group reviewed a request for sidewalk removal. After a discussion of the location and use of the sidewalk, the Commission is recommending the resident be allowed to remove the sidewalk. They felt that it was not likely to be connected into the arterial system in the future.

SBA Updates. Last Thursday was the annual SBA Seminar in Mankato. The morning was filled with a presentation, which included speakers from the Small Business Development Center, Better Business Bureau, 504 Corporation, Region Nine Development Commission, Southern MN Initiative Foundation, and USDA Rural Development. Included in your packet is some of the info that was provided: the SBDC has some new statics including assisting in 32 new business starts in 9-county region, 1,200 hours of student engagement,

40 training events and clinics, 407 one-on-one consulting clients. The SBA 504 Corporation has a $2,000 incentive towards closing costs, new 25-year long term fixed financing available in addition to 10 and 20-year marks with a 50/40/10 split. (50% injection from the bank, 40% from 504, 10% from business. Region 9 discussed various revolving loan programs available for the 9-county region. (Nine County Loan Fund, Six County Loan Fund, Tornado Loan Fund, Microenterprise Loan Fund) Finally, USDA Rural Development noted their Loan Guarantee Programs, one of which I found particularly notable, there is a loan guarantee program for senior housing. One project that would likely qualify for this is if St. Luke’s decides to reopen one of their wings as assisted living. This is a project I hope to see the EDA work on this fall.

SMIF Solutions to Addressing the Child Care Crisis. In partnership with First Children's Finance and Families First of Minnesota, Child Care Aware, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation invited local communities to bring a team from our town to learn more about addressing the child care crisis. On a regular basis they are hearing about the need for child care in the region, especially infant & toddler care. This issue is becoming an economic development issue in many communities - creating family stress and placing burden on business and industry as they work to fill available job positions. Included in your packet is information on this important topic. I also shared it with the school district as they were unable to attend.

2020 Census. Preparations for the 2020 Census are ramping up in Minnesota and around the

country. The State Demographer is encouraging all cities to form a Complete Count Committee. Communities usually form these committees in partnership with other local governments, nonprofits, faith groups, local businesses, and others. For the first time, there is also a statewide CCC to support efforts around Minnesota. The key roles of a CCC are to educate the public about the importance of the census, raise awareness of important census dates, and identify hard-to-count groups. Getting a complete census count is critically important because billions of dollars are distributed using official population counts. State funding, including local government aid, relies on census data as well. In addition, census counts also determine congressional representation. Let me know if you are interested in being apart of this effort.

Nation Night Out Locations. Blue Earth will host National Night Out on Tuesday, August

7th. Most parties start at 6 pm. The following are Night Out locations in Blue Earth:

Dan & Audrey Brod 1001 S Ramsey St Blue Ridge Apartments 528 N. Grant Street; Russ and Mary Erichsrud 529 S. Nicollet Street Charles and Corrine Prescher 922 Upper Valley Drive Polo and Melinda Sifuentes 1006 E. Fourth Street Rick and Sue Scholtes 216 E. First Street Brandon and Amanda Schafer 319 E. 10th Street Blue Earth Police Department is also hosting one at Putnam Park

Reminder: Lawn Signs must remain outside of the Right-of-Way or they will be moved!

Meetings and Events Attended

July 5 CEDA staffing meeting REV survey review-Les Pearson July 6 Green Giant Construction Meeting TIF District discussion (Springsted) July 9 HRA Library Board American Legion Meeting July 10 Kiwanis Audit Review (CLA) Senior Board Eagles Club July 11 CEDA City Attorney FC Loan Review Committee (Cedar Inn) July 12 EDA REV July 13 Midwest IT City Engineer First Bank/BevComm Customer Appreciation 3 Sisters/Connect the Grey Open House July 14 Giant Days Celebration July 16 Worksession-Sewer Plant Regular Council Meeting July 17 Kiwanis Faribault County EDA Bruce Hanson Retirement Party Airport Board Meeting July 18 City Attorney City Engineer CVB CEDA TIF Conference Call July 19 St. Luke’s Facility Tour July 20 Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament July 23 CEDA Planning Commission July 24 Kiwanis Eagles Club July 245 City Attorney Sewer Plant Status meeting July 26 SBA Seminar July 27 County Fair July 30 FEMA Meeting HRA Eviction Hearing Gary Agren Going Away Party

July 31 SMIF: Childcare Crisis Election Judge Training August 1 Chris Cyphers, B&B Sanitation City Attorney Active Living Coalition August 4 American Legion Chicken Feed August 6 Worksession Regular Council Community Pool Party