NEW ULM–The City Council will make annual appointments to the various city commissions, Tuesday.

During the first meeting of the year, the council appoints community members to the boards and commission as well as appoints council members as representatives to certain commissions.

Appointments will include positions on the Board of Health, Cable Communication Advisory Board, Energy Awareness Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Human Rights Commission, Library Board, Monuments & Cemetery Commission, Park & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Public Utilities Commission, Safety Commission, Sister Cities Commission and Tree Commission.

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The adoption and renewal terms for the collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1204 will be reviewed by the council.

The renewal is for calendar years 2020 and 2021. Members will receive a 3% wage adjustment both years.

Approval the renewal was delayed last month due to a state requirement that President’s Day is given as a holiday. A change to the agreement would give members the day after Thanksgiving and Presidents Day as holidays, but Good Friday would be removed.

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The council will consider a $2,031 payment to the Coalition of Greater MN Cities (CGMC) for the Environmental Action fund. The fund is used by members to confront regulatory issues to ensure environmental regulations are science-based and not arbitrary.

The city and PUC contributed to this fund over the last three years. New Ulm’s full payment is $4,062 but is split between the city and PUC.

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Two planning commission recommendations will come before the council. The first is a variance request from Donald Sanderson to allow a detached storage building to be located three feet from the side property line. The council will also review the preliminary plat for Milford Heights Third Addition 630-654 Waraju Drive.

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An agreement Minnesota Department of Transportation agreement will come before the council for the installation of a new railroad flashing light signals at the Boundary Street crossing. The work is scheduled for the summer of 2020. The state is estimating $234,282.13 for the project. The city is responsible for 10% of the final cost.