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St. Peter council authorizes PFA loan application, AMI meters, union contract and other measures
Summary
Council approved a suite of measures March 24, including a PFA loan application for wastewater plant upgrades, a $420,000 AMI electric-meter purchase, acceptance of an $18,500 donation for Jefferson Park, a lump-sum increase for the Fire Relief Association, and authorization to execute a one-year communications technicians’ labor contract.
The St. Peter City Council on March 24 approved several administrative and financial items: authorization to apply for Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) financing for wastewater treatment improvements; a purchase of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) electric meters; acceptance of an $18,500 donation for Jefferson Park from the St. Peter Girls Fast Pitch Association; an increase in the Fire Relief Association lump-sum payment; and authorization to execute a one-year labor contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 242 for communications technicians.
On the PFA item, staff said the city had been notified of eligibility and requested a resolution to show the PFA the city is seeking funding from the Clean Water revolving fund. The council approved authorizing submission of the loan application.
The council authorized purchasing AMI electric meters to complete the electric utility rollout, with staff estimating the total electrical-meter purchase at about $420,000 and noting an additional 160 meters for new apartment complexes that were not in the original budget. Pete explained the electric meters can largely be installed from outside customers’ properties, whereas water-meter replacements typically require appointments and interior access.
The council accepted an $18,500 donation from the St. Peter Girls Fast Pitch Association for outfield-fence improvements at Jefferson Park (fields two and three); staff confirmed the donation exceeded the $10,000 threshold and had Parks Board approval. The council approved the donation by roll-call vote.
On labor relations, councilors approved a one-year 2025 contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 242 covering communications technicians that includes a 3% across-the-board wage increase. Staff noted the draft contained typographical and date errors (references to 2024 and an appendix showing 4%); those errors will be corrected before signatures. Mr. Winkler summarized the closed-session review and asked for approval; the council approved the resolution to execute the contract.
The council also approved a resolution increasing the Fire Relief Association lumpsum benefit from $3,900 to $4,500; Daryl, who said the resolution directly affects him as a firefighter, announced he would abstain from the vote. Council approved the resolution with the abstention recorded.
Other routine approvals included a new on-sale and Sunday liquor license for Marco Balanos doing business as Taquera ELR, and an updated IT manager job description to replace a retiring position (no net increase in FTEs); both measures were approved. The meeting recessed to executive session on union negotiations and real estate and returned to open session to approve the communications-technicians contract.
