Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The New Ulm City Council will make a final decision on a conditional use permit for a community unit project at 6th North Street. The project will include the construction of three fourplexes.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm City councilors will take the oath of office at the start of Tuesday’s council meeting.

Councilor-at-large Andrea Boettger, First Ward Councilor David Christian and Third Ward Councilor Les Schultz will start new terms on the council. Christian and Schultz were re-elected to their council seats in November. Boettger was newly elected to the council and is the first woman to serve as New Ulm City Council President.

The council will also need to approve appointments to city committees, commissions, boards and other organizations.

Appointments to the Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, Park and Recreation Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission and Cable Communication Advisory Board are expected.

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The council will consider a permit from M & D Properties to allow the development of a community unit project as part of Oak Bluffs Eighth Addition.

The project would be located at 1406-1446 North 6th Street and would involve the construction of three fourplexes on the property. City staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit as the project complies with the permit requirements. The property is already zoned to allow fourplexes. Also, a housing study conducted in 2017 indicated this type of housing project was needed in New Ulm.

During the Planning Commission meeting discussing this project, some neighboring residents raised concerns about screening between the fourplex building and the single-family residences to the north.

Dale Bushard of M & D Properties confirmed trees will be planted along the north property line. A landscape plan will be required by the developer as part of the project review project.

Neighbors also had concerns about traffic volumes along North Highland Avenue between North Street and State Highway 14. The proposed development would add around 24 additional vehicles to North Highland. If this property were to be developed into single-family homes, up to 12 homes and generate the same amount of vehicle traffic.

The staff has discussed with the City Engineer Joe Stadheim the impact of 24 new vehicles on North Highland. Stadheim and other staff members believe this number of additional vehicles would have an insignificant impact.

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The owner of Skyline Terrace Apartments is planning to sell the property to M & D Properties. The council is considering approving the transfer of ownership as the property is a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.

The apartment is located at 2107 North Highland Avenue and has 43 units. The city established a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to assist with the project in September 2013. Using the TIF revenues, the city agreed to compensate the owner $550,000 plus 6% interest. The term for the TIF district is 25 years or $760,467 is paid to the owner. The outstanding balance is $501,761.50.

The sale of this property is dependent on city approval. The council will need to determine if M & D Properties have the qualifications to take ownership and will agree to undertake all owner’s duties and obligations of the TIF district.

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The council will consider authorizing a commitment to submit payment to the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC). The city and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) split the cost and contributed to this fund over the last four years. The payment cost is $3,411 with each paying $1,705.50.

This payment is a voluntary assessment to fund a proactive environmental program. The program helps the CGMC participate in rulemaking and legal challenges to unscientific, unnecessary, or inappropriately applied regulations.

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Midwest Precision Tooling and Manufacturing is seeking $50,000 from the city’s Revolving Loan Fund. The business is looking to make a capital investment in rehabbing the building machinery and equipment at 1510 S. Minnesota Street.

The loan would help remodel interior infrastructure and purchase equipment for the business to become operational. The loan would before 10 years at a 1% interest rate. The business anticipates the creation of two jobs within two years of occupancy.