NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council approved moving forward with a fixed-route bus service for Brown County.

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.

City Manager Chris Dalton said this was not about approving the specific bus route, but to approve moving forward with it to let Brown County present it to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Brown County is in the process of putting together its proposed transportation budget for 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 rider fee could help cover the 15% share. The city would also be responsible for advertising and signing the route. After the first two-year period the city would be responsible for a 20% match for a new bus purchase.

Councilor Larry Mack where the funds for the project would come from and whether the money would be set aside for the bus purchase.

Dalton said the bus route would be a 2022 project and would be included in that year’s budget. Money set aside for the bus would depend on rider usage.

Mack said he was contacted by a person excited about the bus route, but they wanted to know if it would be a cash or token-based system.

Dalton said it will likely be a cash-based fee to start but could move to token or transit pass later.

Councilor Les Schultz said he was excited about the process. Based on responses he received, most wanted the roundtrip loop to be an hour.

Schultz also asked if there was a veteran discount.

Brown County Transit Director for Heartland Express Pat LaCourse said no discount is offered in Brown County, but it was a possibility. LaCourse said there might be funding available through Veteran Services to assist with it.

LaCourse said it will take time to integrate the bus route. The first step was MnDOT approval. LaCourse said MNDOT was favorable to this project, but the city would likely not hear back on approval until June or July.

Schultz made the motion to forward the fixed-route bus service for Brown County to present to MNDOT. The motion was unanimously approved.

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The council approved 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.

“We’ve got to do it, we don’t have any real options here,” Schultz said. He did question if this roof was on the list of upcoming building maintenance issues to help with budgeting.

Building Inspector Ellwood Zabel said the maintenance list was done in 2008. This roof was 10 years old and did not need to be replaced at this time.

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 $19,600.00 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.

Zabel said insurance adjusters have reviewed the damage. Since the damage was caused by the blizzard the city could receive money back in a claim, but due to the age of the roof, the depreciation value is expected to bel ow.

Councilor Eric Warmka made the motion to accept the bid with a second from Councilor David Christian.

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The New Ulm Police Department has started the process of updated department policies. Police Chief David Borchert said this will be a long process. In 2021, several policy changes will be shared with the council for approval.

Borchert presented eight changes to the council during the Feb. 2 meeting. The eight policies covered, Law Enforcement Authority, Chief of Police, Oath of Office, Policy Manual, Organizational Structure and Responsibility, Departmental Directive and Special Orders, Training and Staffing Levels. Borchert said these policy changes were mostly changes and updates to language.

Schultz said he was willing to leave minor policy changes up to the chief’s discretion, but wanted to be informed of any major changes.

“I don’t want to know language clean up, but if there is something major in “Use of Force” or something you added or removed, as a council I would want to know that,” Schultz said.

Borchert said changes were coming to Use of Force later and there will need to be a review on that later.

City Attorney Roger Hippert said Use of Force is the most important part of the policy manual and it would be a time-consuming process.

“There are a lot of new statutes that were passed after George Floyd’s death,” Hippert said. “Some of these things are mandatory.”

Borchert said he was willing to bring the major changes to the council as needed. The plan is to bring the changes to the council in increments of eight for approval, rather than approve all policy changes at one time.

The council unanimously approved the policy providing framework and guidance for New Ulm Police officers’ response to calls for service and general personal conduct.

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The council received and noted the official summary of the closed meeting held last month regarding the performance evaluation of Dalton. The evaluation was the result of a misdemeanor DUI conviction resulting from an incident in October 2020. The council concluded a standard policy of five days of unpaid leave to be completed within 60 days. The council concluded it was otherwise satisfied with Dalton’s performance as city manager. He was encouraged to pursue additional training and education related to his duties.

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The council received a summary of the 2020 Special Archery Hunts Deer Control Program and 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.

Dalton said the council decided to continue with the current program or expand it further.

Christian said the current program is only holding the deer population at bay.

“We’re not gaining ground,” he said.

Schultz agreed the city would stay at status quo if no further steps were taken to control the deer, but suggested this might be acceptable. Schultz said he has heard fewer complaints about deer in the community.

Councilor Larry Mack wanted to continue with the program but wanted input on whether it be expanded or if there were ways to improve it.

Mack said he received calls from people who are struggling to plant new trees and this is a change in rutting season, require replantings each year.

Warmka said he spoke with hunters who participate in the program and remain supportive of it. Warmka was in favor of expanding the program. Warmka said he came close to hitting a deer in town with his vehicle recently.

Schultz made the motion to re-authorize the program for 2021 with a second from Warmka. It was unanimously approved.

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A public hearing was held 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.

City Engineer Joe Stadheim said four calls were received about this project regarding the assessment costs. He said the estimated assessment for Jefferson Street is $3,600 per residential parcel.

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 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 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 in 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.

No comments were received during the hearing. The council authorized the preparation of plans and specifications for the projects.

A second public hearing was held on the final plat of Airport Industrial Park 3rd Addition, at Jacobs Street. No comments were received. The council closed the hearing and approved the final plat for the industrial park.