New Ulm council approves noise variance, multiple permits and airport task order; restricts Herman Monument access

The New Ulm City Council approved a series of routine permits and funding actions on April 21 and authorized an airport engineering task order contingent on federal funding while receiving a safety assessment that will restrict public access to the Herman Monument.

Council Vice President Warmka opened a public hearing and the council approved a noise-variance resolution allowing amplified sound for 209 Pub and Grill on Minnesota Street on Aug. 22, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The council also granted a lawful gambling permit to the New Ulm Youth Wrestling Association for raffles at the New Ulm Country Club on July 20, 2026, and approved a temporary on-sale liquor permit for Seifert Bianchi, American Legion Post 132, to sell alcohol at Riverside Park on July 15, 2026, for a Music in the Park event.

The council authorized an extension of Malins Bar’s liquor license to allow alcohol to be served at several Chamber-sponsored downtown events this year, including Crazy Days, car and bike roll-ins, Spiking in the Street, Oktoberfest and the Parade of Lights, with the specified street closures and dates included in the approved resolution.

In a substantive financing item, the council approved task order 2025-03 to add construction-administration services for Turf Runway 927 to the Mead & Hunt professional services contract. Engineer Stoudheim, presenting the scope, said, “This scope of work exceeds the FAA $100,000 threshold for a fee evaluation review.” He told the council the Mead & Hunt fee proposal was within 1% of the price from Kirk and Michael Inc., meeting FAA competitive thresholds, and that funding for the consultant fees would be covered by a future FAA Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant (95%), 2.5% by the state, and 2.5% (about $6,100) by the city. The task order carries a proposed fee of $245,448 and was approved contingent on the city receiving the FAA CDS grant.

The council received the Herman Monument Use Assessment and voted to restrict unfettered public access after the structural engineer, Mr. Krone, recommended limiting access during the upcoming season. A staff presenter said the city would permit private entries only under conditions: a competent person must inspect the monument immediately prior to entry, a competent individual must lead and supervise approved visitors, and a liability waiver approved by the city attorney must be signed before entry. Temporary signage directing visitors to the city website for more information was also planned.

The council accepted a $3,865 flexible support grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council to support the German Park summer concert series, including artist compensation and promotional expenses, and accepted library donations and memorials totaling $1,769.40 for the New Ulm Public Library for the January–March 2026 period. Council also approved park-and-rec donations totaling $400 to fund German Park paver stones honoring local families.

On capital planning, staff presented a proposed list of 2027 equipment replacements with an estimated total of $623,218; the council authorized the city manager to prepare specifications and secure bids or use state contracts to acquire the listed equipment. The council also set the 2027 budget calendar and scheduled two budget work sessions for July 21 and Aug. 18, 2026.

All motions taken during the meeting were approved by the council during roll call or by voice vote. With no further business, the presiding officer adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Noise variance for 209 Pub and Grill (Aug. 22, 2026, 7–10 p.m.): approved (motion carried). - Lawful gambling permit — New Ulm Youth Wrestling Association (raffles at New Ulm Country Club, July 20, 2026): approved. - Temporary on-sale liquor permit — Seifert Bianchi/American Legion Post 132 (Riverside Park, July 15, 2026): approved. - Malins Bar liquor license extension for Chamber-sponsored 2026 downtown events: approved by roll call. - Task order 2025-03 (Mead & Hunt) — construction administration for Turf Runway 927, $245,448, contingent on FAA CDS grant: approved. - Herman Monument Use Assessment — receive and restrict public access, with conditions for supervised private entries: approved. - Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council flexible support grant — $3,865: accepted. - Equipment replacements (estimated) — $623,218 (2027): authorized specifications and bidding. - Library donations and memorials (Jan.–Mar. 2026) — $1,769.40: accepted. - Park and rec donations — $400: accepted.

(Each motion was presented on the council agenda and carried as announced during the meeting.)