NEW ULM - The New ulm City Council gave its blessing Tuesday to preparing plans and specifications for making heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements in the arenas at the New Ulm Civic Center.
"A stand-alone HVAC system is required in the north arena, and additional air ventilation systems are needed in the south arena, " Park & Recreation Director Tom Schmitz reported. Preliminary estimates peg the total cost at between $350,000 and $400,000.
Because the south arena's current AC system is powered by the north arena's ice refrigeration/compressor system being in operation, a separate AC system is needed when there is no ice in the north arena, Schmidt said.
"So, that means that when there's no ice in the north arena, there's no air conditioning in the south arena." The south arena is often the location of such events as the city's Home Show, City Manager Brian Gramentz said.
Gramentz received approval from the councilors to enter into a contract, not exceeding $25,000, with Perkins and Will Architects and Dolejs & Associates to prepare plans and specifications for the project and to solicit bids for HVAC improvements in both arenas.
In other action, the council:
Gave the green light to Schmitz to apply for a grant amounting to $20,000 to assist his department in funding some initial elements of the Kiesling Park Master Plan. Even though it's required, the plan is to probably obtain a local cash match of $2,000 to be made a portion of the application.
Authorized the submission of a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for funds to repair and reconstruct the Minnecon Park shelter.
Option 1, which is to repair the roof and upgrade the interior restroom, is estimated to cost $170,000.
Option 2, reconstruction, which would involve replacing the shelter, demolish the existing shelter, and install sanitary sewer and a small lift station, is estimated to cost between $287,600 and $387,500.
Received a report regarding the results of the 2009 Municipal Deer Control Program from Assistant City Manager Tom MacAulay.
It showed the highest number of deer sightings (732) since 1993, the second year of the program. A change in the program resulted in the taking of 54 bucks, does and fawns - the largest number taken in the 18-year history of the program. MacAulay attributed the better results to a new program called Earn-A-Buck in which two antler-less deer must be taken before the hunter can harvest a buck.
Ron Larsen can be reached at rlarsen@nujournal.com