City wary

of 2003

budget

State problems

expected to

affect city

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Anticipating problems in setting a budget for 2003, the New Ulm City Council Tuesday night set a date in late August to preview available funding and budgetary needs.

"There appears to be trouble in River City this year as far as funding is concerned," Council President Dan Beranek said. "So, I think it's appropriate that we get together to discuss preliminary numbers on the budget."

"We expect the (state) budget problem will continue into 2003 so there are some options to be considered," City Clerk-Treasurer Gary Gleisner said. A budget meeting was set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Library Conference Room.

After a public hearing, the council voted to have the city attorney draft "the proper ordinance" to annex 49.7 acres of agricultural land owned by Independent School District 88 in Eagle Subdivision.

Troy Friedman, 14 Park Lane, asked what the school district planned to do with the land when it's annexed.

Superintendent Harold Remme said the annexation was requested "to get the land near" city utilities.

"We have no future plans for development," Remme said. "Right now, 20 acres is used for soccer, and about 29 acres is rented out as farm land."

City Attorney Hugh Nierengarten said when annexed, "the property comes in as agricultural land," and it would have to be re-zoned for development.

Ordinances amending City Code in regard to liquor license applications and changing the zoning of Lot 1, Block 1, Oak Bluffs Third Addition from R-A (Agricultural Residence to R-1 (Single Family Residence) received their second readings and were approved by the council. Each will become law 30 days after being approved, signed and published.

The ordinance governing liquor license applications has been amended to conform with state law that prohibits issuance of licenses to persons who have committed "willful" violations of state and federal liquor laws.

The re-zoning of Lot 1 in Oak Bluffs Third Addition allows land-owner Parents in Partnership to build a learning and day-care center on the property.

Councilor Ruth Ann Webster voted against approving the re-zoning the Oak Bluffs Third Addition lot because "I believe it should have been B-1 (commercial) rather than zoned residential." The ordinance was approved on a 4-1 vote.

The bulky, sliding door on Hangar No. 4 at the Municipal Airport will be replaced. Schweiss Bi-Fold Doors, Inc., submitted the low base bid of $21,948.75.

The door being replaced is the original hangar door installed when the hangar was built in 1975, City Engineer Steve Koehler said. Ice and snow build-up over the years has made the door "almost impossible" to open and close.

The city now can enter into a matching grant agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society for funding two local landmark designation and National Register nomination studies.

The society will provide $5,000 each for designation of eight properties in the South Broadway Historic District and designation and nomination of six Artstone properties adjoining the district. City funding amounts to $6,500 for both projects, and $3,500 in in-kind services will complete the match.

Councilor Joel Albrecht questioned the need for the designation of a Tennessee bank as an authorized depository of city and New Ulm Public Utilities funds. Gleisner said adding the bank to the list "gives me more options in investing funds at a better rate, and it's for short-term use only." The council approved his request.