Council

approves

capital

improvements

Plan totals $2.9 million

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm City Council approved a 2003 capital improvement plan totaling $2.9 million and agreed to be fiscal agent for the Save George's Ballroom Committee Tuesday night.

The capital improvement projects proposed by City Engineer Steve Koehler calls for estimated bonding amounting to $1,969,504. The additional $938,400 in funding would come from various sources.

Biggest part of the bonding proposal is the 2003 utility, street and alley improvements-group 1 which will cost an estimated $2,057,904. With projected funding subtracted, the bonding need totals $1,646,504.

The other two segments of the 2003 C.I.P is related to funding phase 1 and phase 2a of the New Ulm Recreational Trail project.

Included among the project's anticipated funding sources is a $271,400 contribution from the Public Utilities Commission for water main related expenses and $140,000 from the Street Department's Other Contractual Services account.funds for construction of the first phase of the New Ulm Recreational Trail.

The committee has obtained grants from the New Ulm Area Foundation for $1,000, the State Historic Preservation Office for $6,000 and private donations totaling $4,000.

However, NUAF and SHPO both have stipulated that the city has to act as fiscal agent for the grant money in order for the committee to obtain the funding.

A consultant would be retained to be principal investigator for the study, working with a reuse study team including an architect and other specialists. The study is expected to be completed by June 30, with a preliminary building condition assessment and cost estimate being presented to the council on April 1.

City Manager Brian Gramentz said although the city's period for determining a use for the building winds up in April, "the county has said the earliest the building might be put up for sale would be August or September giving this committee time to do their reuse study."

After a public hearing, the council voted to go forward with street and other improvements on Hoffman Road, Stoneridge Drive and Boulder Drive in Hoffman's Third Addition. Koehler said these projects are included in this year's capital improvement projects.

The council also approved a revision of the City Code regarding the construction of fences. The change allows the city to charge a fee that would range between $15 and $25.

First readings were given to two ordinances. One approved the annexation of property owned by Ron and Susan Smith into the city. Their property is across U.S. Highway 14 from the airport. The other establishes a moratorium on the permitting and erection of advertising signs within the city.