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Votes at a glance: New Ulm City Council actions, March 4, 2025
Summary
Summary of motions and recorded votes taken at the March 4 New Ulm City Council meeting, including collective-bargaining approval, zoning ordinance second consideration, year-end transfers and several administrative items.
At its March 4 meeting, the New Ulm City Council took the following formal actions (summary):
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: Approved by voice vote (motion and second; recorded as carried). Outcome: approved.
- Close public hearing on sale of property to Land Haven Development LLC (Item 2.1): Motion carried (public hearing closed). Outcome: approved. (See separate article for details; no sale approved at meeting.)
- Interim use permit (1121 South Minnesota Street): Council moved to approve the interim use permit with five planning-commission conditions; staff required recordation with the Brown County Recorder if approved. Outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; recordation and conditions noted in the minutes).
- Comprehensive-plan amendment (901 North Highland Avenue): Approved by unanimous roll call. Outcome: approved (Councilor Christian — yes; Councilor Warmka — yes; Councilor Schmitz — yes; Councilor Mack — yes; President Becker — yes).
- Year-end transfers and encumbrances for 2024 (Item 4.1): Resolution approving interfund transfers and carry-forwards; required four-fifths vote; motion carried. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance No. 2025-TBD, second consideration amending zoning code for cannabis-related uses: Motion to conduct second consideration and adopt the ordinance as drafted; staff reported no public comment since first reading. Outcome: adopted by voice vote (motion recorded as carried). Summary to be published in the New Ulm Journal.
- Collective bargaining agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Local 150 (Item 5.1): Council approved a three-year contract covering 2025–2027 that includes general wage increases, market adjustments in 2026–2027, updates to leave and grievance articles, incorporation of memoranda of understanding for the SRO and healthcare-savings plan, and removal of a residency requirement. Outcome: approved by roll call.
- Memorandum of agreement (performance pay) with LELS (Item 5.2): Council approved a two-year performance-pay MOA for 2026–2027 providing a 0.75% lump-sum payment for officers receiving an "meets and exceeds" rating as part of settlement terms. Outcome: approved by roll call.
- Memorandum of understanding with LELS regarding emergency sick and safe time (ESST) (Item 5.3): Union agreed to waive ESST use for public emergencies or weather-related events as part of settlement; council approved the MOU. Outcome: approved.
- Professional-services award for Bridge No. 08520 slope and scour stabilization (Item 5.4): Awarded to Winseth Incorporated for $45,696. Outcome: approved.
- Receive petition and set public hearing for street vacation (Sixteenth North Street, Blocks 205–206): Petition from GMG Rentals, Inc. received and public hearing set for April 1, 2025. Outcome: petition received and hearing date set (motion carried).
- Authorization for New Ulm Battery to fire ceremonial cannon shots at listed events (Memorial Day Parade Sunrise Salute; Thunder in the Valley; Veterans Day; funeral memorials; training/demonstrations): Council authorized the schedule and noted multiple shots at Thunder in the Valley. Outcome: approved.
- Acceptance of fire-department donations: Council accepted donations totaling $1,947 (sum of listed donations). Outcome: approved.
- Report of claims paid: Council accepted the list of claims paid in the amount of $1,988,826. Outcome: approved.
- Addendum — emergency equipment repair (2011 Case loader): Council approved repair of the loader for $24,618.20 to keep the vehicle in service for snow removal. Outcome: approved.
- Move into closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §13D.05, subd. 3(c), to consider offers for purchase of real property west and east of the airport: Motion to close the meeting carried and council moved into closed session.
Notes: Where the roll-call vote was specifically read into the record, vote tallies are included. Several routine items (consent agenda, voice votes) were recorded as carried; staff will publish ordinance summaries and file required documents as noted in the minutes.
