NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council will hold a public hearing and first reading for proposed changes to the New Ulm City Charter, Tuesday.

The city’s Charter Commission met April 24 through August 22 to consider amendments to the New Ulm Home Rule Charter.

Changes proposed include updates to the language concerning city council elections. The Human Rights Commission was added to the list of commissions in the city.

The language on ordinance procedures was also updated. Proposed ordinances must appear on the city website 10 days before the final vote.

The appointment of fire department chief will be done by the city manager and subject to city council approval instead of being elected by the fire department. The fire department will also be given the authority to enforce all ordinances relating to fire prevention and have the right to enter and examine any building.

The most significant addition is the council’s ability to establish ordinances to identify public nuisances and blight. The council would be allowed to put in place procedures to abate the nuisance, including placing assessments on the property, if the city needs to cover the costs of repair cleanup.

The council will also consider replacement of the outdoor performing arts center amphitheater in German Park. The council is being asked to authorize drafting a professional design service request for proposals (RFP) to solicit for creation of construction documents and cost estimates for the amphitheater replacement.

This project has been discussed for a decade. The earthen and grass seating terraces have slumped and degraded making them unusable for lawn chairs. In addition, the terraces are inaccessible to the mobility impaired. The amphitheater hosts numerous concerts annually.

Private donors of $25,000 cash from 2015 and a $100,000 pledge from 2016 are disappointed funding is not complete. If the project is not constructed in 2019, the donor and pledger are planning to request funds be returned and pledges rescinded.

The professional services contract for the Hermann Heights Park RENU project is expected to be awarded. RENU stands for Reinvest in New Ulm, an effort to fund projects with a local sales tax. In October the RENU Oversight Committee recommended awarding the design, bidding, construction staking and observation phases for Hermann Heights Park to Bolton and Menk, Inc., for up to $69,785. The project includes the creation of a new Hermann Heights Park entrance and parking area.

The council is expected to appoint David Borchert to the position of Police Chief. The Police Commission recommended Borchert’s appointment. If approved, the appointment will become effective Nov. 7 along with a three-month probationary period and compensation of $101,441.60.

The final plat of the Itinger Addition will receive a public hearing. The plat is located at 1301-1323 S. Minnesota St. The plat would divide each of the six existing lots into two smaller lots. Five of the lots would be used to accommodate twin homes. The end lot would accommodate two separate single family dwelling units.

The council will consider a motion approving a request for a variance to construct a parking lot with a zero foot front yard setback area on property zoned Service Business located at the 500 block of South Valley Street. The Planning Commission recommend approval Oct. 25.

The city council meeting starts at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.