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

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.