Council

orders

study for

berm site

Resolution

addresses

costs, site

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It seems it's the supposedly simple things that can cause the most testy discussion at city council meetings, and Tuesday night's meeting was no exception.

Take the request by the city's Emergency Response committee, chaired by Street Commissioner Tom Patterson, for council approval to prepare a new site along Valley Street for future, temporary flood control berms.

Patterson, in making the proposal, had made the case that placement of the 2001 berm directly on top of the alley east of Valley Street from 18th South to 16th South streets had created problems, including making access to garages and back yards impossible, possibly causing harm to power poles and creating an urgent need for its removal when flooding receded. The solution offered, subject to property owner approval, was to prepare an area 50 feet east of the alley for any future berms.

In presenting the ERC proposal, City Manager Brian Gramentz said the council had two options. One was to not build a flood control berm at all, or to go with a berm. If the council went with a berm, he said, then the ERC proposal is the best way.

Councilor Clark Tuttle first wanted to know how much the 2001 berm cost in real dollars.

"We had a $250,000 price tag on the berm that we put in," Patterson answered.

But did that include city resources and manpower? Tuttle persisted.

"No, it did not," Patterson responded.

"This recommendation is as much a question as it is a recommendation," Patterson continued. "The berm may not be the best solution. The committee agreed we're looking to the council for direction. We need to do some planning for the future."

"This is not the real cost of the berm; we need to know what the real cost is," Tuttle said.

"We also need to know the ramifications since we are moving into the flood plain," Gramentz added.

Councilor Joel Albrecht, President pro tem at this meeting, wanted to know what the time frame is "if we decide to do so. Have we time to do it?"

"Yes, we have plenty time," Patterson responded.

"We've had discussions about what if people want to sell out," Councilor Ruth Webster stated. "Do we know who would be interested in selling?"

"We haven't had those discussions," Patterson said.

Gramentz said the city had been holding back on talking to homeowners until a plan is developed.

Tuttle then offered a motion requesting essentially a study of the situation, including the real cost of building a berm, what houses might need to be moved out if the council doesn't want the berm and how the berm would be paid for if it is built. It was approved by unanimous vote.

Lot division nixed

A request for a simple lot division of Lot 2, Block 2, Oak Bluffs First Addition was brought back for reconsideration after it had failed to be considered for lack of a second at the council's last meeting.

Builder Don Jorgenson had asked for reconsideration of the proposal which basically reduced three lots to two. There to support the proposal were the owners of the lot in question, Erv and Sharon Weinkauf.

Webster immediately opposed the proposal because "it will take three buildable lots out of the sub division and turn them into two. I think it's important to maintain three buildable lots."

Tuttle joined Webster in opposing the measure which went down to defeat on a tie vote.

Having gotten the simple matters out of the way, the council moved quickly through the remainder of the agenda, approving:

* A $27,500 Economic Development Revolving loan to fund start-up costs for a new tax increment financing district (ED-13) to fund Canyon Outback's building project.

* Placement of yellow ribbons on city light poles on Broadway to commemorate National Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 16-22 by the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.

* A resolution of support and condolence for the citizens of New York City including a $1,400 contribution, as a result of last week's terrorist attacks. A letter from New Ulm Mayor Arnold Koelpin to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will accompany the resolution.

* Redemption of $250,000 in General Obligation Improvement Bonds.

* Extension of 2-hour parking limitation from Monday through Friday to Monday through Saturday in front of the New Ulm Furniture Company. The firm's request was approved by the Safety Council even though Police Chief Howard Zins said that since the parking enforcement officer doesn't work on Saturdays, enforcement would be spotty.

The council received the city's plans for a website, beginning Oct. 1, which at the beginning will carry council minutes and agenda and other department information. The address is www.ci.new-ulm.mn.us.

* The city also was notified by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning that it will receive $557,044 in 2002 for public library services operating purposes. City Treasurer Gary Gleisner said this is about $6,000 less than in 2001.

* Finally, the council received the Historic Properties Survey Report for New Ulm's south side, prepared by Daniel J. Hoisington of Hoisington Preservation Consultants.