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Austin council approves employee training, MnDOT construction agreement, airport grant and other measures in unanimous votes
Summary
The Austin City Council approved a package of resolutions unanimously, including employee engagement training, an agreement with MnDOT to advance construction funding, a partial grant for an airport spill-prevention plan, a liquor-license expansion for Dusty’s Bar & Lounge, donations for the bike club and authority for junk-vehicle removal.
The Austin City Council unanimously approved several resolutions at its meeting, advancing staff recommendations on training, transportation funding, airport planning and local business licensing.
Council members voted 7-0 to approve employee engagement training recommended by staff, authorizing the city to contract with trainers Dave Unmock and Laura Kirschner. The motion to approve was moved and seconded during discussion of item 6.
City staff described and the council approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to act as fiscal agent for multiple federal grants on the Oakland Avenue/First Avenue project. Staff noted the contract term matches the project’s five-year schedule and that federal grants are expected to cover up to 80% of eligible costs; council approved the resolution 7-0.
The council also approved a grant agreement to fund 70% of a required spill-prevention plan tied to an airport fuel-system replacement. Staff said the grant would cover $4,970 of an estimated $7,100 plan cost; the measure passed 7-0.
Separately, the council authorized an expansion of Dusty’s Bar & Lounge’s liquor license to include an alley/patio area east of the building. Bree, speaking for the applicant, said the business had completed city requirements; the fire chief inspected required gates and found them compliant. Council approved the expansion 7-0.
Council accepted two $1,000 donations to the bike club and granted the planning and zoning department authority to contract for removal of junk and legally stored vehicles at specified addresses; both measures passed by unanimous voice vote.
Votes at a glance
- Item 6: Employee engagement training — approved 7-0. - Item 7: MnDOT advanced construction agreement (Oakland/1st Ave project) — approved 7-0. Staff noted a five-year term and federal grants covering up to 80% of eligible costs. - Item 8: Airport fuel-system spill-prevention plan grant — approved 7-0; grant covers 70% ($4,970 of $7,100) of plan cost. - Item 9: Dusty’s Bar & Lounge liquor-license expansion to alley/patio — approved 7-0; gates to remain open when not in use per city condition. - Item 10: Donations accepted ($1,000 from Thad and Wendy Cusick; $1,000 from Belida Schindler) — approved 7-0. - Item 11: Planning & Zoning contract authority for junk/vehicle removal at specified addresses — approved (motions carried).
What’s next
Most of the approvals formalize staff-recommended contracts and grant acceptance; the MnDOT fiscal-agent arrangement enables federal funds to be advanced into the city’s construction schedule. The council did not debate amendments to these measures during the meeting; the projects and contracts will proceed according to staff timelines.
