Council OKs child‑care zoning change and approves multiple construction bids

The Faribault City Council on April 14 adopted a zoning text amendment (Ordinance 2026‑07) to add child‑care centers as a permitted use in PI (public institutional) zoning districts. Planning Manager Harry Davis said the change would simplify siting of child care on campuses such as schools, colleges and other institutional properties and that the Planning Commission unanimously supported the amendment.

On capital projects, Engineering Director Mark Duchain presented three bid actions and staff recommendations. The low bid for the annual miscellaneous concrete contract was Create Construction LLC at $91,248; staff noted the city's typical annual spend is about one‑third of the contract total and recommended awarding the contract (Resolution 2026‑108). For street and parking projects (Contracts 2603/2606), the low bid was from Holtmire Construction; Duchain recommended awarding the work with a small contingency and returning with a budget amendment when final contract numbers are settled (Resolution 2026‑109). For Viaduct Park Phase 2, the council authorized award of the ice‑shelter construction to Metcon Construction for a bid just under $650,000; staff said the Butler structure was the most economical option and the bid fits within the project's $3.6 million phase‑two allocation (Resolution 2026‑110).

Councilors voted in favor of the child‑care zoning amendment and each of the bid‑award resolutions during the meeting.