Willmar council approves sewer ordinance changes, rail study, final pay and a civic academy; tables charter amendment
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Summary
Council amended the sanitary sewer ordinance, authorized a rail corridor study (budget not to exceed $300,000 split among city/county/BNSF), approved final payment for Technology Drive ($447,533.59), approved the Wilmar Government Academy pilot and granted an Elks Lodge Sunday liquor license; the charter amendment hearing was continued to March 2 and the meeting entered closed session on a property matter.
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Willmar City Council approved several routine and project items across public works, planning and civic engagement.
Sanitary sewer ordinance: Environment specialist Sarah Seitzma presented a minor amendment to Chapter 16 to remove a prescriptive list of unacceptable private sewer lateral materials and to allow staff to accept CCTV video after repair or replacement in lieu of open‑trench inspection. Seitzma said most property owners now use cured‑in‑place pipe lining or slip‑lining, and after‑the‑fact CCTV enables staff to verify compliance. One council member offered a positive example of a property sale where the process worked smoothly. The council adopted the ordinance amendment and voted to publish the ordinance by summary.
Rail corridor study: Operations instructor Kyle Box recommended SRF to perform a rail corridor planning and engineering study to analyze at‑grade crossings, grade separation alternatives, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and potential alternative uses for the BNSF spur line. The study is structured in phases with an optional grant development phase; the total budget is not to exceed $300,000 with the city, county and BNSF each contributing $100,000. The council adopted the resolution to proceed.
Technology Drive final payment: City engineering staff recommended acceptance of the Technology Drive Street improvement project as complete and a final pay application of $447,533.59. The council approved final payment and closed the project.
Willmar Government Academy: Staff proposed a seven‑week civic engagement program (March 31–May 12) to give residents a behind‑the‑scenes look at city operations. The program caps participation at 15, includes light meals and carries a not‑to‑exceed budget of about $3,000 for food; the council approved the pilot with recognition planned at a May council meeting.
Other actions: the council approved a Sunday liquor license for the Elks Lodge of Willmar (Lodge No. 952). The council opened a public hearing on proposed charter amendments to align petition format requirements with Secretary of State guidance but continued that hearing until the March 2 meeting because a full council vote is required for charter changes.
Announcements and closed session: The council noted community events, including a Ramadan welcome meal hosted by Community Connections. The meeting moved into closed session under Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(c) to discuss real property (Parcel ID 95‑976‑2302 in Kandiyohi County).
Quotation: “These after‑the‑fact CCTV videos allow us to ensure that the work was done and that we are finding it to our acceptable standards,” Seitzma said.
Next steps: staff will return with any necessary follow‑up on the charter amendment at the March 2 council meeting and with the bond sale resolution for the tax‑abatement financing schedule.