Two public hearings were held during the June 23 city council meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent.
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., spoke during the combined public hearing regarding tax abatement and the 2025-2029 street reconstruction plan. The purpose of the hearings was to secure statutory authority for issuing debt. The tax abatement portion identifies parcels that will benefit from the retaining wall, Mill Creek parking lot, and trail improvement projects. However, Bubany called this just a paper exercise, as financing the costs for these projects will be spread across the entire city like any other levy. There were no public comments on tax abatement.
A five-year reconstruction plan describes the streets to be reconstructed and estimated costs along with the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed approximately $6,100,000. With the adoption of the five-year plan there is a contingency for a 30-day period allowing for a petition, signed by 5% of votes cast in last election, requesting a referendum on the issuance of bonds.
The street project that had been planned for 2026 is to occur this year. A large 2029 project is included in the five-year plan, so this process won’t need to be repeated for that project. City Administrator Michelle Peterson asked Bubany if bids come back lower than anticipated, could streets be added to the project. Bubany said other roadways can be added or changed as long as the dollar amount bonded for the five-year plan is not exceeded.
Gary Ruskell asked if a bond payment that is being paid off during this period will offset this new bond payment. Peterson responded, “we will be working to ensure the public does not see large, uneven increases in taxes.” No other comments came from the public on the street reconstruction plan.
A resolution authorizing a tax abatement on property within the city of Chatfield for the 2025 retaining wall and the Mill Creek parking lot and trail improvement project was approved. A resolution adopting the street reconstruction plan and approving the issuance of general obligation street reconstruction bonds was approved.
A resolution approving plans for this year’s street project, approving plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids was approved. This year’s mill and overlay project includes the construction of retaining walls on Avenue B and the resurfacing of portions of 22 streets.
Other Business in Brief
• Brian Burkholder detailed several purchases recommended by the Public Works Committee. SANCO Equipment, Stewartville, had the low bid on all four pieces of equipment: Bobcat UW56/ with turf tires after trade of 2022 Toolcat for $10,500; snowblower with trade of 2015 snowblower for $2,248; 68-inch angle broom with trade of 2019 angle broom for $2,193; and 78-inch landplane with trade of angle blade for $2,377. The purchases were approved as recommended.
• Burkholder asked the council to consider the installation of 223 feet of new sidewalk on the north side of Enterprise Drive from John & Mary Drive to Vindmoll Drive. Approval was granted as recommended by the Public Works Committee at an estimated cost of $8,881 plus rock.
• Burkholder explained the Grand St. waterway (between Grand St. and Winona St.) keeps getting washed out. It was recommended to prepare for a six-foot wide by 166-foot swale including four inches of rock and six inches by 166 feet of concrete. The project could be paid for using the street storm reserve fund. The council approved a quote from Griffin Construction Co. in the amount of $3,657 for grading and seeding. A quote from Dan Ramaker Concrete in the amount of $13,500 was approved for the concrete work.
• Steve Schlichter, wasterwater treatment facility, explained they have two proposals for engineering services related to a plan to update the 20-year-old facility. Councilor Paul Novotny asked for the proposals to be sent back to the Public Works Committee for further discussion before the council makes a decision. Approval was granted to send the proposals back to the committee.
• A motion was approved to transfer CCTV operations as of August 1 from the city to Chatfield Public Schools. Contracts for technical coordinator, programming coordinator, liaison, and city/school meetings are canceled, effective July 31.
• A lease agreement with E & J Underground ($500 per month) for a period of July 1 through December 31, 2025, was approved as recommended by the Personnel Budget Committee.
• Updated Public Works job descriptions were approved.
• A purchase offer for Enterprise Drive, Lot 7, Block 2 submitted by Jeffrey and Trista O’Connor was accepted.
• The Southeast Minnesota Transit Management Organization (TMO) Feasibility Study report (final draft) was recognized. The very detailed report is nearly 300 pages long and was discussed during the Committee of the Whole. The proposed street project and the WWTF proposals were also discussed at the Committee of the Whole.
• The hire of Brady Nelson as an EMT was approved.
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