Council accepts bids for 2025 reclamation projects; orders assessment hearing for March 17

Minnetrista City Council on Feb. 18 accepted bids for the city2025 Street Improvement Project and ordered preparation of proposed special assessments, scheduling a public hearing for March 17.

The projects cover three reclamation areas: Windridge Trail (rural residential off County Road 110), Pine Circle (off County Road 44) and the Trillium area (between County Road 44 and Loyas). City staff told council the work is full-depth reclamation (grinding existing pavement and blending it with underlying gravel to form a new base) and will keep existing street widths and grades in most places. Utility work will be limited to spot sanitary repairs, valve replacement in Trillium and an aggregate shoulder on Windridge.

Why it matters: the council must decide how much of the cost to shift to property owners. Under Minnesota Statutes chapter 429 and the city's special assessment policy, staff proposed assessing 50% of street costs to benefiting properties; sewer and water work would be paid from the respective utility funds. For Windridge Trail the council previously capped assessments at $10,000 per unit; applying the low-bid prices produced higher preliminary unit assessments for…