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City to consider new bus service, rec center roof

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The council will consider a $109,700 bid for the New Ulm Recreation Center re-roofing project. Gag Sheet Metal is the low bidder and they are also the contractor on site for a new addition.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council will discuss moving forward with a fixed route bus service for Brown County, Tuesday.

The city is looking at a fixed-route bus service for residents, employees, visitors and students. The city has partnered with Brown County Heartland Express, the transit service provider that operates demand-response service within New Ulm and all of Brown County.

The fixed-route bus service would run on a set schedule with stops located at major local destinations along a set route through the community.

Brown County is in the process of putting together its proposed transportation budget for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). As part of the budget, they would like to present MnDOT with a new fixed-route bus service.

Draft routes have been created, but the final route is to be determined with help from Heartland Express. The proposed roundtrip loop would be no more than 90-minutes. If approved by MnDOT, the City would be responsible for 15% of the route cost and have a two-year commitment.

The council will discuss whether to present the proposal to MnDOT.

The council will consider a $109,700 bid for the New Ulm Recreation Center re-roofing project.

Staff looked at the roof of the old pool section on December 8 and noticed that the rubber was pulling away in a few locations. Staff received a call from the roofing contractor on site for the new addition that there were some issues with the old pool roof.

Staff looked at the roof and one of the seams on the rubber was torn open and insulation had shifted in numerous locations on the roof. It is believed that the winds from the blizzard in late December caused the issues.

The roof was replaced in November 1998 and carried a 10-year warranty. The roof is 23 years old and has reached its expected life span.

The City received two bids for roof replacement. Gag Sheet Metal is the low bidder. There is also the possibility of a deduction on the bid of $19,600 for the vapor barrier on the deck. If the vapor barrier is found to be in good shape, a new one will not have to be installed.

The council will receive a summary of the 2020 Special Archery Hunts Deer Control Program and is expected to re-authorize the special hunt for 2021.

The city has conducted the hunt every year since 1992 to curb deer depredation problems within the city. In 2020, a total of 81 deer were harvested, the most in the program’s history.

The council will hold a public hearing on the 2021 Utility, Street and Alley Improvements. There are nine improvement projects on the list.

The first project is Jefferson Street from 7th North Street to 12th North Street. The city will reconstruct the water main, sanitary sewer main, sewer and water end services and reconstruction of the road, storm sewer extension, concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks.

The second project is Washington Street from 4th North Street to 5th North Street and will include underground reconstruction, road and sidewalk improvements.

The third project is State Street from 16th South Street to 17th South Street. This project consists of the extension of the water main and sanitary sewer main.

The fourth project is Maplewood Drive from Red Bud Road to Ryan Road. This project consists of underground reconstruction, road and sidewalk improvements.

The fifth project is 20th North Street tree clearing. Trees will be removed in anticipated construction limits for the 2022 20th North Street construction project.

The sixth project is alley repair North of Center Street, alley from 7th North Street to 8th North Street between Garden Street and Payne Street. This project consists of reconstruction of the existing alley pavement section including grading, aggregate base, bituminous surfacing, seven inch concrete alley approach pavement, underdrain, miscellaneous removals and restoration.

The seventh project is alley improvements north of Center Street, alley from 9th North Street to 10th North Street between Garden Street and Payne Street. This project consists of the reconstruction of the existing alley pavement section including grading, aggregate base, bituminous surfacing, seven inch (7″) concrete alley approach pavement, underdrain, miscellaneous removals and restoration.

The eighth project is the Cottonwood River Outfall O-C-23 Repair. The project consists of repairing a damaged storm sewer outfall and stabilizing the riverbank at the outfall.

The last project is a concrete sidewalk and ADA Improvements. This project consists of ADA pedestrian ramp improvements to complement improvements scheduled within the 2021 Surface Reconstruction Project to meet the current ADA requirements as per New Ulm’s adopted ADA Transition Plan.

Residents will be allowed to provide public comments on these projects during the hearing.

The council will hold a second public hearing on the final plat of Airport Industrial Park 3rd Addition, at Jacobs Street.

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