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Residents press council on Page Avenue assessments, meter replacements and city communications; staff responds
Summary
During public comment at the April 6 council meeting, residents raised multiple concerns — including confusion about Page Avenue assessments, reduced services for mobile-home meter replacement, and an allegation the city signed an NDA and "lied about a data center." City staff answered questions and outlined next steps and announcements.
Several residents used the public comment portion of the April 6 North Mankato City Council meeting to press staff on assessments, infrastructure and city communications.
Arlene Glaser of Page Avenue asked for clarification of the assessment process for Page Avenue, said she was concerned about the location and construction of a handicap crossing and asked whether residents could make smaller payments to the County to pay off assessments. City Engineer Sarff replied that dirt had settled in the area and the construction company will add dirt; he said the pedestrian ramp is under review and final changes have not been determined. Administrative Services Manager-City Clerk Van Genderen noted notices about assessments and prepayment windows were mailed to affected residents in advance and that prepayment deadlines and interest rate information were included (the interest rate was set at 2 percent above the bond sale). Van Genderen also said the County can accept a one-time additional payment but cannot accept monthly installment payments for the assessments.
An attendee who asked that the Active Transportation Plan's executive summary be posted also provided a proposed ordinance change to create a Climate Action Plan Commission; the proposal was offered during public comment and council took no immediate action.
Danielle Bollman of 515 Page Avenue said her taxes had increased by "approximately $1,200 dollars a year," and raised several allegations and complaints, including that the city had signed a nondisclosure agreement and "lied about a data center," that a contracted plumber would not replace meters in the mobile-home park, and that she received incorrect information related to a tree replacement pilot program.
Finance Director Ryan responded on the meter-replacement question, saying the contracted plumber does replace meters for mobile homes but sometimes is unable to complete work for specific buildings and, in those instances, property owners must hire their own plumber. City Administrator McCann addressed information and outreach items, saying the city will use a graphic to explain actions in its Climate Action Plan, that water-main flushing is underway through April 24, 2026, that Spring Clean-Up Drop-Off will run April 16–19 at the Public Works site, and that the North Mankato Police Department will step up distracted-driving enforcement during April.
Why it matters
Resident concerns about special assessments, meter service and accuracy of city communications affect household budgets and confidence in municipal processes. The city provided procedural clarifications (timing for prepayment, contractor responsibilities) but did not resolve the public allegation about an NDA or the claim involving a data center during the meeting; those items would require follow-up or a direct staff response.
What comes next
Council directed staff to pursue standard follow-ups (engineering review of the Page Avenue ramp and contractor remedial work). The allegation about the NDA/data center was raised in public comment and was not specifically addressed or resolved at the meeting.
