NEW ULM– The City Council will consider establishing handicapped parking and extending parking duration in a city-owned parking lot across from City Hall at its Tuesday meeting.

Business owners in the building at 26 N. Broadway St. and 19 N. Minnesota St. have expressed a need for signed handicapped parking stalls at the city owned lot adjacent to 1st North Street. In addition, the business owners have asked for a longer parking duration in this lot. It currently allows for one-hour parking. The request is to extend parking to three hours.

Many of the customers using this lot are going to hair or dental appointments. Extended parking in this lot would aid the customers.

—

The city is seeking consulting services for the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan. The New Ulm Planning Commission previously reviewed three firms and ranked Short Elliot Hendrickson as top choice for the comp plan. Of the firms interview, SEH came in at the lowest cost with a bid of $98,395.

As part of the planning process, the consulting group will prepare for area plans for city’s downtown, Upper Cottonwood, the airport industrial part and airport area development.

–

The council will also consider an airport engineering service contract for $14,754 with Mead and Hunt. The contract is necessary to update the airport storm water pollution prevention plan. New Ulm would be refunded 70% of the expenses associated with the update. The city would be responsible for the remaining 30% or $4,426.