NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners will consider a resolution to approve the sale of Marktplatz Mall parcels on Tuesday, April 28.

Commissioners are asked to accept the sale of mall parcels that were forfeited in August 2019 for a sale price of $190,188.66 plus applicable fees, due to the blighted conditions of the property. The resolution would authorize the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer and Brown County Attorney to sign the agreement.

On Jan. 21 2020, commissioners met in closed session to discuss the potential sale of mall properties forfeited to the State of Minnesota in August 2019. It was agreed upon that the sale price would be based on back taxes due, including the amount that would have been calculated for 2020.

All applicable fees to apply for a state deed would be imposed. Those fees are $6,404.28 and will be paid to the title company two days prior to closing.

Minnesota Statute 282.01 allows for the acquisition of tax forfeited lands by a governmental subdivision at a reduced price due to blighted conditions.

In addition to the resolution, an escrow and purchase agreement submitted by the City of New Ulm will be considered.

Commissioners will also consider:

* Proposed (property tax) abatement policy revisions and acknowledge hardships that may have occurred due to the current health crisis facing the country. Changes would allow for a 60-day abatement of penalty to July 15 for a principal wage earner laid off or a business shut down due to an executive order by the governor.

This is not to be construed as a blanket 60-day abatement. Applications need to be completed and on file to quality. Verification of unemployment benefits or documentation regarding the business closure could be required if the board desires.

* Purchasing glass guards in six public access openings in the courthouse: assessor, recorder (2), planning & zoning, auditor/treasurer, courtroom and public health and seven Plexiglas mounts for the license bureau with two workstation partitions and four Plexiglas mounts for other purposes like the A/T office.

The project may be up to 75% reimbursable from FEMA. The glass guards may not be installed as soon as county buildings open, but should be installed within a month of approval.

* A COVID-19 update from Brown County Public Health including a situational update, protective recommendations, community mitigation, public health’s role and current activities.

* The board meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday Aprill 28. It will be held in the Law Enforcement Center Training Room until further notice. Webex access is available by contacting Brown County Administration at 507-233-6600.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).