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Faribault City Council approves street reconstruction, ice-rink solicitation and multiple ordinances
Summary
On March 10, 2026 the Faribault City Council approved a $2.176 million street reconstruction project, authorized solicitation for a roughly $715,000 refrigerated-ice building at Vio Park, adopted two ordinances (including short-term rental licensing), and updated the city fee schedule. Council also confirmed two recent police promotions.
The Faribault City Council on March 10 approved a series of infrastructure contracts and ordinances, including plans for a $2.176 million reconstruction of two downtown streets and authorization to solicit bids for a pre-engineered refrigerated-ice building at Vio Park.
City Administrator Jessica presented a set of items for second reading and contract authorization, saying the Chapter 17 amendment would remove specific late-fee language so the council can set penalties by resolution and that no substantive comments were received since the first readings. The council adopted Ordinance 2026-02 (amending Chapter 17) and Ordinance 2026-03, which establishes licensing and regulation for short-term rentals to support lodging tax collection and life-safety standards. The council also approved Resolution 2026-070 to update the fee schedule, which includes a 10% late fee applied to utility bills and accounts receivable.
Director of Engineering Mark Duchain described three construction projects the council approved to move forward with bidding. On the annual miscellaneous concrete contract (Resolution 2026-077) — used for curb/gutter, sidewalk and small repair work — Duchain said the department lists a worst-case contract estimate at about $109,000 but typically spends far less. "This is just kind of a catchall for miscellaneous concrete work," Duchain said, explaining the contract lets staff order work quickly when urgent repairs arise.
For the Vio Park refrigerated-ice sheet, staff asked for authority to advertise and solicit sealed bids for a combined design, purchase and installation contract that would also include footings and foundation work. Duchain provided an engineer's estimate of approximately $715,000 for the bundled scope; the council approved Resolution 2026-072 to advertise the project with a bid opening scheduled for April 8.
The most substantial item was approval of Resolution 2026-074 to set plans and specifications for the 2026 street reconstruction contract (202603). Duchain said the project will fully reconstruct Second Street NW (1st Ave NW to 4th Ave NW) and First Avenue NW (3rd St NW to 4th St NW), replacing pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and public utilities; First Avenue will be reconfigured to add angled parking and is expected to gain about 10 stalls. Total project funding was listed at $2.176 million, and staff proposed an April 8 bid opening, April 14 contract award, construction starting late May or early June and completion by the end of September. Council members raised material-cost concerns tied to global oil-market volatility; Duchain said much of the year's paving materials have already been purchased but that bids will reflect risk allowances.
Council also approved Contract 2026 for Parking Lot 21 (Resolution 2026-075), a project tied to a private development at Henry M. Rice Square. Duchain said the lot — in the northeast quadrant of the block bounded by Fourth Street and 1st Avenue NW — will provide about 51 public stalls and 11 private stalls; total project cost is $425,000, with a portion to be reimbursed by the developer. The council authorized bidding and award on the same April schedule as the other projects.
Chief John Sherwin opened the meeting's presentations by introducing two recently promoted officers. "It's my pleasure tonight to introduce two most recent promoted officers," Sherwin said, noting the promotions occurred Feb. 15. Captain Brandon Gleam will oversee investigations, and Matt Long was elevated to the new deputy chief position and will fill in for the chief when needed.
Procedural items completed earlier in the meeting included approval of the agenda, minutes from the February meeting and passage of the consent agenda items 6A–6N. Staff announced public engagement opportunities tied to a recently completed housing study by the Maxfield Group and a council chat at Viaduct Park the following day.
Next steps: multiple projects will be advertised with an April 8 bid opening; council work-session scheduling and final award dates were set for mid-April.
