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Cottage Grove council unanimously approves land‑use changes, infrastructure contracts, labor deals and property sale
Summary
At its July 14 meeting, the Cottage Grove City Council approved two land‑use ordinances, awarded a $114,290.50 water/wastewater contract, authorized purchase of a $160,936.94 backhoe, approved two union contracts and authorized sale of Industrial Park Lot 1 for $140,000; all measures passed unanimously.
Cottage Grove’s City Council on July 14 adopted a package of ordinances and business actions in a unanimous vote that included land‑use changes, infrastructure contracts, equipment purchases, labor agreements and the sale of a city industrial lot.
Council members first voted to adopt ordinance No. 3194, which amends multiple chapters of the Cottage Grove Municipal Code (Title 14) to align local procedures with state land‑use law. Associate Planner Crowe told the council the planning commission had recommended approval following a June 18 hearing, and Councilor Evan moved adoption; the roll call vote was unanimous.
The council then approved ordinance No. 3195, a map amendment and rezoning for 0.28 acres at 710 North 19th (MCPA 1‑25), changing the comprehensive‑plan designation from CT commercial tourist to C community commercial and zoning from CT to RC residential commercial. Associate Planner Crowe noted the planning commission recommended approval; Councilor Urban moved the ordinance and the council voted unanimously to adopt it.
On infrastructure, Public Works Director Faye Stewart reported six sealed bids were opened for the South 6th Street water and wastewater extension. Branch Engineering recommended the low responsive bid from H & J Construction for $114,290.50; Councilor Wilson moved to award the contract and the motion carried unanimously, directing the city manager to sign the contract and related documents.
Councilors also approved purchase of a 2025 Caterpillar 420 backhoe loader from Peterson Machinery through the Sourcewell cooperative contract. Stewart said the city budgeted for a replacement and that buying through Sourcewell saved about $47,637.20 off dealer list pricing; Councilor Urban moved approval of the $160,936.94 purchase and directed the city manager to sign the agreement.
Two collective bargaining agreements with Laborers International Union of North America, Local 737 — for public works and the general unit — were also adopted. City Manager Mike Sauerwein said the unions had ratified tentative agreements and staff recommended adoption, effective July 1. Councilor Evan moved approval; the motion passed unanimously.
Finally, after discussion in executive session and a public follow‑up, the council authorized staff to complete and sign a purchase‑and‑sale agreement to sell Lot 1 of the Cottage Grove Industrial Park to Safe Park Storage/State Park Storage LLC for $140,000; City staff explained the new offer was substantially higher than an earlier advertised figure. Council voted in favor.
The council approved appointments to the Planning Commission (Jim Colton, term to 12/31/2025) and the Historic Preservation Commission (Matthew Hewlett, term to 12/31/2027) as part of routine business.
Most votes were procedural and noncontroversial; when staff recommended action, councilors moved and seconded motions and approved them by voice or roll call. Where councilors asked questions — for example about tax impacts of rezoning or how bid reimbursement would be handled for annexation applicants — staff provided clarifications. The city manager and department heads said staff will follow up with contract documents and implementation steps as required.
