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Council to consider site for Vets Memorial

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The North 3rd Street section of German Park will be considered as the new location for Veterans Square when the New Ulm City Council meets today.

NEW ULM — Modifications to the German Park Veterans Square will come before the New Ulm City Council, Tuesday.

Last August, the council authorized the area in German Park near the flagpole to be designated as Veterans Square and accepted the placement of two Vietnam War granite monument panels. One of the panels would be singled-sided and the other double-sided. The two panels would be 56 inches tall.

In December, the New Ulm Cemetery and Monument Commission received a request to modify the aspects of the design. The first change moved Veterans Square from the flagpole area to the 3rd North Street tree area. The second change, made both panels double-sided. The third modification changed the height of the panels is 72 inches instead of 56 inches.

The reason given for the location change was the sloped topography of the flagpole area. Placing Veterans Square at this location would create an additional expense. Existing perimeter sidewalks and installation of multiple concrete sidewalk ramps and landings would be needed.

The 3rd North Street tree area does not have the topographical challenges, or concrete sidewalk expenses. This location also offers additional space for future veteran’s monument panels.

Modifying both panels to be double-sided allows for additional interpretive space. The height increase to 72 inches matches veteran monuments in other cities. The extra height makes viewing and reading the graphics easier.

The Cemetery and Monument Commission approved the changes, with a single dissenting vote.

Modifications were approved by the Park and Recreation Commission.

The city has established an account to accept donations and pay costs. Bruce Lambrecht donated $25,000 to cover the cost of the panel.

The new zoning ordinance will come for the city council. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance following a public hearing on Dec. 30, 2021.

The council received the proposed new zoning ordinance Jan. 4, 2022. The council directed staff to prepare a report will identifying changes between the existing and new ordinance and presented it to the council Jan. 18.

The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the adoption of a new zoning map Jan. 27. Following its approval, the new zoning map will become part of the new zoning ordinance.

The city will consider awarding an Ash tree removal contract for $66,150. The base bid for the contract is $210 per tree.

The project consists of removing ash trees from city boulevard areas as specified by the New Ulm Tree Commission and city staff and approved by the city council. The work consists of cutting down ash as listed in the bid documents (315 trees), transporting all tree trunks, limbs, or other associated tree debris to the City compost site.

The city received a single bid from Tree Story for this contract.

Following the city council meeting, the council will hold a work session for a downtown holiday garland update.

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