Council approves land-use code changes, utility projects and several contracts; sale of industrial lot authorized

The Cottage Grove City Council on July 29 approved a series of ordinances, contracts, personnel appointments and other items in unanimous votes, including revisions to Title 14 of the municipal code, a zoning/map amendment for a North Nineteenth Street parcel, the award of a water/sewer extension contract, purchase of a replacement backhoe, new labor contracts and authorization to sell Industrial Park Lot 1.

The actions were taken mostly by roll call or unanimous voice vote after public hearings and staff presentations. Together the votes advance pending building and infrastructure work, finalize negotiated labor contracts and clear a previously declared surplus parcel for transfer to a private buyer.

Key votes and outcomes

- Ordinance No. 3194: Amendments to various sections of Title 14 (land-use code). Adopted unanimously. Staff recommended the changes to bring local procedures into alignment with state rules; the planning commission had recommended approval after a June 18 public hearing.

- Ordinance No. 3195: Comprehensive plan and zoning map amendment for 710 N. 19th St. (map/tax lot 20-03-27-20-02001). Adopted unanimously. The ordinance redesignates 0.28 acres from CT (commercial tourist) to C (community commercial) and the zoning from CT to RC (residential commercial) to allow a residence to be rebuilt if destroyed.

- Consent agenda: Approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

- Appointments: Jim Colton appointed to the Planning Commission (term ending 12/31/2025) and Matthew Hewlett appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission (term ending 12/31/2027). Motions carried unanimously.

- Contract award: South Sixth Street water and wastewater extension project awarded to H and J Construction, Inc., low responsive bidder, for $114,290.50. Council directed the city manager to sign the contract. Motion passed unanimously.

- Equipment purchase via cooperative procurement: Authorized purchase of a 2025 Caterpillar 420 backhoe loader from Peterson Machinery using the Sourcewell cooperative contract (Sourcewell account 999315, Peterson contract 011723-CAT) for $160,936.94. Council approved the agreement and directed the city manager to sign. Motion passed unanimously.

- Collective bargaining agreements: Council approved tentative agreements with Laborers International Union Local 737 for both the Public Works laborers unit and the general unit (city hall staff). The unions ratified the agreements; city staff recommended adoption and the council approved unanimously. The agreements take effect July 1.

- Sale of Cottage Grove Industrial Park Lot 1: Council authorized execution of a purchase-and-sale agreement to sell Lot 1 of the Industrial Park to SafePark Storage LLC for $140,000 and directed the city manager to sign the documents. Motion passed unanimously.

What council acted on but deferred or handled as process notes

- Staff noted technical edits and minor grammatical corrections in draft ordinances that had been made before hearing and recommended adoption.

- Council directed staff to proceed with execution of contracts and agreements where recommended by staff and supported by the bid/selection process.

Ending

The council carried all listed items by unanimous vote. Several items (Title 14 changes, the map amendment and the lot sale) followed public hearings and planning commission review. Staff will return any further transaction documents to council as required by policy for final execution and recordation.