Council adopts Belgrade Avenue assessments, accepts lift station and turf bids and approves active transportation plan

The North Mankato City Council on April 20 adopted several infrastructure resolutions, including assessments for the Belgrade Avenue Reconstruction, acceptance of low construction bids for the Marie Lane Lift Station, approval of a synthetic turf installation at Caswell North, and adoption of the Active Transportation Action Plan.

Belgrade Avenue Improvement Project (Project No. 25-05 DEF): City Engineer Sarff described a full reconstruction that reduces traffic lanes from four to three with a center turn lane, widens sidewalks, installs bump-outs and decorative LED lighting, upgrades storm sewer and provides event power infrastructure. The City’s total estimated cost was reported at approximately $3.07 million, with $1.97 million attributed to Belgrade Avenue improvements and $1.1 million the City’s share of the Highway 169 interchange work. Assessments were proposed per City policy with a capped rate of $135 per linear foot; estimated assessment examples ranged from about $3,375 (25-foot lot) to $21,600 (160-foot lot). Property owners may prepay assessments by Nov. 15, 2026, or pay over 15 years at 6 percent interest. Council adopted Res. No. 49-26 to adopt the assessments; Council Member Steiner moved, Council Member Whitlock seconded; motion carried with Council Member Oachs recorded as abstaining.

Marie Lane Lift Station (Project No. 25-07 A): Bids opened April 16 produced four bidders. GM Contracting, Inc. was the low bidder at $925,005.84 — about 6 percent below the engineer’s estimate and within the project budget (estimated total project cost $1.3 million within a $1.6 million budget). Council adopted Res. No. 50-26 accepting the bid; vote was unanimous.

Caswell North Soccer Synthetic Turf Project (City Project No. 26-03): Two contractors bid; staff recommended accepting the base bid and a reduced Alternate No. 2 limited to safety netting for roughly $40,000 plus an estimated $27,000 for topsoil replacement. AstroTurf Great Lakes was the preferred turf supplier; staff recommended an upgraded turf option providing an extended 10-year warranty at approximately $30,310 and declined additional grooming equipment. The total estimated cost to the City for the turf project was reported at about $1.5 million (with $34,000 to be funded by the school district). Staff noted the local sales tax fund will face an approximate $70,000 shortfall after accounting for this and other planned projects, though ongoing revenues and interest were expected to offset some of that gap. Todd Wolf of AstroTurf Great Lakes testified that their product does not introduce PFAS and that the material is recyclable; the council adopted Res. No. 51-26 accepting the turf bid; vote was unanimous.

Active Transportation Action Plan: City Planner Lassonde reminded the council the plan had been previously reviewed; it identifies priorities to guide future investments, will assist in updating the Streets Plan and includes a demonstration project proposed for Haughton Avenue. Council adopted Res. No. 52-26 unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with contract award and project scheduling per adopted resolutions and with implementation steps described in staff reports. Residents opposed to the Public Works bond and some capital spending reiterated concerns during the public comment period.