[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6122384,"mediaKeyId","2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e","parentId",2694984,"title","New Ulm council orders 2025 surface-reconstruction project after public hearing; residents press assessment concern","audioSeconds",918,"startMs",575000,"endMs",1493000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e&start=575&end=1493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e/thumbnail_575000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122384/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/New-Ulm-council-orders-2025-surface-reconstruction-project-after-public-hearing-residents-press-assessment-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122384-f25b18fd143f48764926a92cc3cfa944/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=MzluvdXa0WtVUZ9JlGAyPUEZB1vinYNc6SfU5y9i6jGsBWtp3z61qxB-xbXSFKtlC3vG7uQsYGBR94HiIutLC5lxeXhqB16iZ~QMvT1KbeXx3ZqMhJl-ENqS1OdBl7FgQQd-7hdctU-Q9QaSNNaCcRIpPmqWaPukJuqpSob82-pF5cblDKPriFTXHmQgnwMyKafkOQN2WlZuzX0tRSU~nxiJtr-4DW0O3ZFw9DZGErzdjx0RigHQecajNX6YobLPTKHZyKH9zyoXW9cgvQG017hkNIYeGxRSQcThR26jeFSoETqpE-nfHaqclhBQpqDs2rYHfn0wWicbFqe1NHMdYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of New Ulm, MN","date","2025-03-19T11:10:26Z","article","The City Council of New Ulm voted March 18 to order the 2025 surface reconstruction project and authorized the Street Department to construct five planned street segments after a public hearing that drew several residents who said heavy truck traffic accelerated pavement damage.

The hearing covered five segments included in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan engineering report the council adopted Nov. 19, 2024. The engineering report recommends assessing property owners at 45% of the full reconstruction rate; staff said that equates to $2,140 per adjacent single-family parcel. Assessments are proposed to be payable over 10 years; staff said bonds for the work have not yet been sold and the interest rate is not known. Council members voted to order the improvements by roll call.

Why it matters: The projects are part of the city's multi-year pavement program and will change street sections, sidewalks and parking configurations on multiple blocks. Residents facing assessments pressed the council for exemptions or reductions, citing unusual wear from heavy truck traffic during nearby construction projects.

Residents urged relief for 20 Third North. Rick Trollick, who gave his address as 729 20 Third North, said the street ‘‘had excessive truck traffic’’ tied to construction and a nearby gravel pit and that the resulting dust and wear made it unfair to pay the full assessment. Christopher Reese, 713 20 Third North, described trucks traveling ‘‘every 35 to 45 seconds’’ during past work and asked whether the street had been designed for truck loading and unloading.

City staff told the council the 20 Third North segment was constructed with 5 inches of bituminous material and that the proposed work would rebuild it with a typical residential section of 4 inches, because the segment is now signed as ‘‘no trucks’’ following completion of a nearby connector. Staff also explained the assessment practice: the engineering report recommends a special assessment at 45% of the full reconstruction rate with incremental adjustments for multifamily and nonresidential parcels. When asked about multifamily charges, staff said the Ridgeway assisted-living property would be assigned two equivalent units and that its assessment for the frontage on the project would total $4,280 under the proposed formula.

City staff and councilors repeatedly noted that past city practice has been to levy assessments per parcel regardless of perceived usage; staff recommended continuing that approach rather than creating parcel-by-parcel exceptions for roads that experienced temporary heavy use.

Process and timing: The council opened and closed the public hearing at the March 18 meeting and approved a resolution ordering the projects and authorizing construction. Staff said the formal adoption of individual assessment amounts would occur at a later public hearing, most likely in fall 2026. Staff also noted the segments were included in the capital plan and that the council must meet a four-fifths legal threshold to order improvements; the roll-call vote on March 18 was recorded in favor, satisfying that threshold.

Project list: the five segments listed by staff were:
- 20 Third North: North Broadway to Terrace Drive (subject of most public comments)
- Eleventh South Street: Payne Street to Jefferson Street
- Fifth North Street: Broadway to German Street
- Fifteenth South Street: State Street to Washington Street
- Summit Avenue: State Park Road to Gulf Drive

Council action: The council adopted the resolution ordering the 2025 surface reconstruction project and authorizing the Street Department to construct the work. Staff will return with assessment details and financing terms for later council action.

What comes next: Staff said design and scheduling will proceed; assessments will be formally calculated and presented at a future hearing before any tax levies or bonds are issued.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 18, 2025 New Ulm City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council of New Ulm voted March 18 to order the 2025 surface reconstruction project and authorized the Street Department to construct five planned street segments after a public hearing that drew residents who said heavy truck traffic accelerated pavement damage.","taxTitle","New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota","taxId",72831,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122375,"Votes at a glance: New Ulm council approves multiple grants, contracts and ordinances on March 18",4331,1500000,5831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e&start=1500&end=5831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e/thumbnail_1500000.jpg","/articles/6122375/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-New-Ulm-council-approves-multiple-grants-contracts-and-ordinances-on-March-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122375-f26184d5981876f94bee279111b59f47/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=PoZBRyao1lEbt6c2PtX~A7jrow0bsKJ2WFfetQ7AxQsTYBROXa4NY0NkmS9J4~BjaqgFbox5i321buNnxdlYO9y9d59zdcrU8J8bmo-CsS3snUfzNoQQIKwitI79OiM~olIcDF0riPAwdf5EV-7zPMfq2t8Pb65whv7CUcp8xo520FaxCDuKQ2BF4EeKkKzo2fPaHEU1wqDdA-IWFStb5gfxA~0T4uXv~~5k3OcnJwXKLzoti14tE0-Yt57GpMIYiPh-2kdkjvwhM1kr9c~63dEB2S7tGLd5FQl5O~ZJ25tsU0BgjBTZ9JEHkdpvMinu5naSq2MeaW~sHLYBbgrsgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of New Ulm took action on several administrative, contract and grant items during its March 18 meeting. Key votes and outcomes are summarized below; items that drew substantive public discussion (street reconstruction and North Garden Street layout) are covered in separate reports.

Votes at a glance (actions taken March 18):

- Taxi license: The council approved issuance of a taxi license to MilliCare Transport LLC (owner listed as Elmer Redig, address given in the application) for one vehicle for the period 03/19/2025–06/30/2025, subject to compliance with city and state requirements. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- Columbarium at City Cemetery: The council approved purchase and installation of a 168‑niche, 7‑foot‑high octagonal columbarium with a 5‑foot sidewalk at the City Cemetery. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council grant: The council accepted a $6,000 Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council arts and cultural heritage grant to support the summer concert series in Jermer Park; funds will pay performers and free park activities. (Motion carried; roll call recorded as yes.)

- Park and Recreation Master Plan consultant: The council awarded consulting services for the Park and Recreation Master Plan to ISG in the amount of $89,600 with possible additional services up to $15,500; the city attorney will finalize the contract and staff will be authorized to execute it. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- Exempt-level grade changes (personnel): The council approved proposed grade changes for exempt-level positions based on a 2024 compensation and classification study, effective 06/22/2025; staff said the adjustments were budgeted and intended to address qualifications, duties and salary compression. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- First consideration, cannabis and hemp retail/business and temporary cannabis events (ordinance 25‑TBD): The council conducted first consideration (first reading) of an ordinance to regulate cannabis and hemp retail businesses and temporary cannabis events in the city. Council guidance recorded during first consideration included: limit initial retail registrations to two, a recommended registration fee of $350 and annual renewal fee of $700, retail hours discussion (state default is 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday; council indicated they would consider leaving the weekday start at 8 a.m. for now), and a leaning against allowing on-site consumption at temporary cannabis events. The motion to conduct first consideration passed. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- Pre-disaster mitigation grant agreement (Minnesota Department of Public Safety / FEMA funds): The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager and finance director to execute the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant agreement for federally funded flood mitigation work the city had been awarded as part of congressionally directed spending. Staff said FEMA/HSEM paperwork had taken nearly a year to arrive and that project design and possible construction will proceed once the agreement is executed. (Motion carried by roll call.)

Notes on procedure and next steps: Most of the administrative and contracting items were approved by motion and voice vote; where required, city staff will finalize contracts and return signed documents to funders or vendors. The cannabis ordinance was advanced at first consideration; staff indicated further review and public notice will occur before second consideration. The pre-disaster mitigation grant agreement requires execution and subsequent project design steps tied to federal grant conditions.

","The City Council on March 18 approved a package of administrative, grant and contract items including a taxi license, cemetery columbarium purchase, arts grant acceptance, a parks consultant contract and first consideration of a cannabis ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122380,"Council backs center-median layout for North Garden Street project, despite plowing and access concerns",2259,1941000,4200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e&start=1941&end=4200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694984-270e4c565f424f735cc87422983ffc4e/thumbnail_1941000.jpg","/articles/6122380/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/Council-backs-center-median-layout-for-North-Garden-Street-project-despite-plowing-and-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122380-4884eaf488913135aa62b910c3e3e6bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=SQGEaovrFYwyBe-E7ujE-KHNqHoQAU6DdzECwAi9htpyz2cIpQMTsHpL2o9rQwRRNbGNj7Pv-Z1M2tc92dtOJxs59WYEc8KvRjvHnG1BelbMu5FC3YFpIQrtuxZtQmXY0M~axtc60F~Q0Wtm9S5vgIqMYOPT4WUy9ukSzP-NSE3OyIWa65~q4MpQIGJXCvVXEozUhAEGH3sRN4UO3u3QFZNxIlaB6wFVP5R3Hx1iiHoytkitvIeSP4usMlif49xGSTsWSeZC19ch~8HQQLVK-K9hbq817j2TXFgB0uYxYWCW4h5txXgjUIzKV3btMhnMscToLmVwyoqsjHV0krrcXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on March 18 directed staff to proceed with layout option 2 (a narrowed roadway with a center median and three mid-block refuges) for the North Garden Street reconstruction between Second North and Fifth North, with the motion passing on a 4–1 roll call.

Why it matters: The corridor connects schools, Harmon Park and the recreation center and is used by pedestrians, cyclists, emergency vehicles and through traffic. Council members said the median would calm speeds, provide pedestrian refuge and improve the corridor’s ‘‘gateway’’ appearance; public safety and multimodal access were central to the debate.

Staff and commission recommendations: The city’s Safety Commission had unanimously recommended layout option 1 (no center median) after raising concerns about driveway access and snow plowing; city engineering staff and some council members favored the median (option 2) for safety and livability. The consultant for the project is SEH; staff said both layout options come in under the city’s project budget but that the center-median option adds about $250,000 because of additional curb/gutter work.

Design elements and funding: Option 2 narrows the existing 60-foot pavement to a 44-foot cross section (12-foot travel lanes, 10-foot parking lanes, 6-foot sidewalks), adds bump-outs near Harmon Park and would include a mini roundabout at Fifth North. Staff said the project is programmed for 2027 and that the city has roughly $3.5 million in federal STP (small-urban) funding committed to the reconstruction; remaining costs and long-term maintenance implications remain part of the discussion.

Public comment and operational concerns: Resident David Snowbrook (312 North Garden Street) urged the median, citing pedestrian safety, noise reduction and neighborhood livability. Jeff Huffman, Public Works Superintendent, warned that a 14-foot driving lane would be tight for the city’s front plows (front plows are 13 feet wide without wings) and recommended designating the corridor a winter no-parking/snow-emergency route if medians are installed. Several councilors echoed that any median option should include winter parking restrictions; staff said alleys exist on both sides of the corridor and could be used for off-street parking when necessary.

Council action: A motion directing staff to proceed with layout option 2 for the North Garden Street project (Second North to Fifth North) passed on roll call with councilors Christian, Warmka, Schmitz and Mack voting yes and Council President Becker voting no. Council members asked staff to pursue low-maintenance planting options for medians, to firm up maintenance responsibilities (park or public works) and to return with detailed plans and cost estimates during design.

Next steps: Staff will direct the consultant to proceed with option 2 design work, continue environmental and permitting steps needed for federal funding, refine planting/maintenance plans and bring final construction documents and budget to council in future meetings ahead of the 2027 construction season.

","After months of study and an open house, the City Council directed staff to proceed with layout option 2 — a narrowed street with a center median and three mid-block refuges — for North Garden Street between Second North and Fifth North, a project programmed for 2027 and largely funded by federal STP small-urban grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Ulm council orders 2025 surface-reconstruction project after public hearing; residents press assessment concern

Votes at a glance: New Ulm council approves multiple grants, contracts and ordinances on March 18

Council backs center-median layout for North Garden Street project, despite plowing and access concerns