St. Peter council approves election canvass, park donations, trail permit and vehicle‑noise signage

The St. Peter City Council on Monday approved a slate of resolutions including canvassing the 2025 municipal election, authorizing staff to pursue a limited‑use permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a planned trail on Trunk Highway 99 West, accepting two park and police donations, updating tree lists and installing vehicle noise enforcement signage.

Todd, speaking for city staff, told the council the canvass resolution covers city and school board returns because the city administered the school election in cooperation with the school district and Nicollet County. "The data will be the same," he said, and asked the council to adopt the canvass as included on page 28 of the packet. The council approved the canvass resolution by roll call.

Pete, the city staff member leading public‑works items, briefed the council on several capital and maintenance matters. He said a grant would fund a non‑motorized trail in the bottom of the north ditch of Trunk Highway 99 West from Trunk Highway 169 to Nicollet Avenue and that the city needs a limited‑use permit from MnDOT "to construct, maintain, and operate that trail." The council authorized the mayor and city administrator to sign an agreement to pursue the permit.

On parks business the council accepted a $25,000 donation from Barb Grams designated for Gorman Park and a $40,000 gift from the Redmond Club, $30,000 of which will go to Gorman Park and $10,000 to police equipment for the new city hall. Todd said the parks board will review the donations per city policy.

Council members also approved two tree‑planting lists (rights‑of‑way and parks/green spaces), a resolution listing trails and sidewalks that will not receive winter maintenance, and two sets of assessment resolutions: one declaring unpaid miscellaneous charges (lawn mowing, snow removal) and calling a public hearing, and another preparing an assessment roll and calling a hearing on delinquent utility accounts.

On vehicle noise, Pete described resident complaints about heavy trucks and the use of engine brakes on several approaches into town and asked the council to approve two enforcement signs (one on the county road approach and one near the middle school). He cited Minnesota Statutes sections 169.69 and 169.693 on mufflers and motor vehicle noise limits and said local law enforcement had been consulted. The council approved the signage resolution.

All resolutions presented on the agenda were approved during the meeting. Council members also thanked volunteers and donors at a recent Gorman Park ribbon cutting before adjourning. The council set public hearings where noted (assessment hearings) for the next regular meeting.