Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Kathleen Backer became New Ulm’s first female mayor of New Ulm after taking the oath of office Tuesday. Councilors Eric Warmka and Larry Mack also took the oath of office, marking the start of new terms on the council.

NEW ULM — Kathleen Backer took the oath of office Tuesday, becoming the first the female Mayor of New Ulm.

Backer took the oath of office during the first council meeting of the year, alongside Second Ward Councilor Eric Warmka and Fourth Ward Councilor Larry Mack.

This is the start of Warmka’s first full term. He was appointed as Second Ward councilor in November 2020 to complete Lisa Fischer’s term. Mack starts his third term on the council. He was first elected to the council in 2014.

The meeting included the approval of board and committee appointments made by departing Mayor Terry Sveine.

Dr. Greig Glover was appointed to the Board of Health as a health officer.

The New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) has three new members, Michelle Markgraf, Char Kalk and Lindsay Henn.

Energy Awareness Commission saw the re-appointment of Tom Henderson and the appointment of Deb Egeland and Theresa Keaveny.

Park & Recreation Commission will see the appointment of Kurt Johnson and the reappointment of Bev Luneburg and Carisa Buegler.

Mignon Fraizer and Yvonne Weber will be appointed to the Library Board.

Ron Brutlag will be appointed to the Heritage Preservation Commission.

Kim Williams will join the Public Utilities Commission. Seth Vissier is re-appointed to the committee.

Gigi Rysdahl will fill a vacancy on the Safety Commission.

Ron Wendinger was appointed to the Sister Cities Commission. Dick Seeboth and Brian Filzen were re-appointed to the commission.

Human Rights Commission saw the re-appointment of Katie Dorschner and the appointment of Obehioye Okojie.

Anne Earl was re-appointed to the Planning Commission.

Greg Diers and Paul Egeland were re-appointed to the Tree Commission.

The city is still seeking to fill vacant appointments to the Cable Communication Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Police Commission, Sister Cities Commission and Safety Commission. The Safety Commission currently has three vacancies. Staff is considering reducing the number of commission members on the Safety Commission as it is difficult to maintain a quorum.

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A variance request was approved that will allow a commercial kennel to operate at the former Heymann Construction at 210 S. 3rd Street.

Jon Hansen made the variance request to allow his dog daycare, boarding and training business to this location. He currently operates Minnesota Canine Club at 520 N. 20th Street.

City code requires a 1,000-foot setback for commercial kennels from residential districts. A kennel at this property would only be 240 feet from the nearest residential dwellings.

The Planning Commission previously recommended approval of the variance with conditions dogs not be allowed outside generally between 10 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays.

Other conditions include the outdoor area be maintain to not create smells offensive to the general public and no noise shall be generated from the site as to constitute a public nuisance.

Community Development Director David Schnobrich said potential noise was the top concern of granting this variance. It was noted there were some unique circumstances for the former Heymann Construction site. This property was currently 1,200 feet from the city dog park. This dog park was located across the street from residential homes. Council Larry Mack commented the city did not receive noise complaints related to the dog park, which is closer to residential dwellings than this proposed kennel.

This site was also near the railroad tracks, which likely produced greater noise than the dogs.

Hansen said on overage he has 15 dogs at the kennel and 35 around the holidays. In addition, if a dog is continually barking while outside, Hansen would bring the animal back inside the building. The layout of the former Heymann building would allow Hansen to board the animals in the back. He said the most barking occurs during drop-offs and pickups when the dogs see a person approaching the building. However, if the animals are boarded in the rear of the building, they may not notice new arrivals and reduced the amount of barking.

Warmka made the motion to approve the variance with a second from Mack. It was unanimously approved by the council.

Schnobrich added that staff tried to find a location for the kennel in New Ulm that would meet the 1,000-foot setback, but found few appropriate sites that met the code. Schnobrich said the city may need to review the 1,000-foot setback.

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The council held the first consideration to amend the zoning ordinance to allow warehousing as a permitted use in the Community Business (B-3) zoning district.

The Planning Commission recommended this change. City staff also recommended the change to allow greater flexibility for commercial building use. Applicants seeking a permit for warehousing in the B-3 district could consider a request for a Conditional Use Permit or Interim Use Permit.

This amendment was brought to the city’s attention after Eric Bode express interest in purchasing the former Target property for use as warehouse space. This property is zoned B-3 and would require a change to zoning to permitting its use for warehouse space.

This amendment would not be limited to the former Target property. It would allow all B-3 districts in New Ulm to apply for a warehouse permit. Any permit application would need to come before the Planning Commission before it could be approved by the city.

Councilor David Christian said this first consideration would only amend the ordinance to allow businesses to apply for the permit. Each permit request would be reviewed by the city.

Christian made the motion to approve the first consideration of the amendment with a second from Warmka. It was unanimously approved by the council.