NICOLLET — The Nicollet City Council met on Monday and approved a variety of upcoming activities for the Nicollet community and the closing of specific streets for their events.

Lance Severin of Cruisin’ on Pine and 99, the car and bike roll-in event, requested the closing of Pine Street for two nights when their events will have a band on a trailer on Pine Street from 5 to 8 p.m. The dates for the band are June 20, the kick-off to Nicollet’s Friendship Days, and Aug. 1.

The roll-in event starts May 9 and is held every other Thursday through Sept. 12

Dave Holcomb requested an alley and street closing on behalf of the American Legion who plan to celebrate their 100th birthday on May 18.

“We plan to have a band in the bank parking lot with live music from about 5 to 9 p.m. The back doors to the Legion will be open and the music will move inside if we need to because of weather. But, if we can hold the event outside, we would like to close off the alley from the Legion property on to Pine Street. This would leave the alley open so people could go through to the post office driveway,” said Holcomb.

Holcomb was also attending as a representative from the Nicollet Chamber of Commerce. He explained how they are planning a BBQ cook-off fundraiser called Ribs ‘R Rockin’ for Saturday, July 27. They are planning for it to be for “amateurs only” and there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and People’s Choice. They are planning for cookers to be along 5th Street down to Pine, then down Pine and possibly closing off 4th and Pine too, depending on how many participants there are for the event.

“If interested, watch the Chamber website as there will be a place to register for the event soon,” said Holcomb. Plans are to have a DJ in the Lion’s Park.

Saturday, May 4, is the City Wide Clean Up day. Council approved to provide a city tractor, and employee Mark Drill, to assist with the cleanup.

Fire Department

Jeremy Sieberg, Nicollet’s Fire Department Chief, presented a list of items that the department would like the council to consider purchasing with the money from the aid for cities for public safety purposes.

His suggestions were: putting some money into a truck fund because if they need to purchase a truck without grant money the city’s share could be about $56,000; a gas monitor for about $3,500 that could be used by the department and the city with the maintenance to be done by the fire department; and gate valves for hydrants for about $2,750. He also requested about 100 feet of curb be painted red or yellow on 6th Street near the water tower so vehicles are not parked there when they need to get water from the tower during a fire.

“I think we need a sign there too,” said Mayor Fred Froehlich.

The Insurance Services Office, ISO, is an insurance advisory organization that provides statistical and actuarial information to businesses.

“They do an audit about every five years and determine a rating. I feel that it went good for us, but we haven’t received the results yet, as that could take four months. Insurance companies are to look at the ISO rating for cost of insurance,” said Sieberg.

Public Works

Darin Drill, Maintenance Supervisor, explained the Department of Health’s requirement for inspecting sewer lines for possible lead in homes built before 1985. Bolton and Menk will go through the files to see which lines need to be inspected, schedule a time to do the inspection with homeowners, and will provide reports. The city of Nicollet needs to pay Bolton and Menk about $1,247 to handle this; however, a grant should reimburse this cost to the city.

Drill questioned the council about what to do about the invasive honey suckle bushes at the Mara Tonka development.

“The bushes were planted for a visual barrier to Highway 99 and a sound barrier to the old Highway 14. Both of those purposes are no longer required,” said Mayor Froehlich.

Council recommended to have the bushes removed and grass seeded in the area.

Drill questioned the council on how the money from the aid for cities should be used for city needs.

Council members, Phil Radel and Kevin Ostermann, supported motions to purchase a gas monitor for $3,500-$4,000 that could also be used by the Fire Department, and 30 cones for approximately $600. The motion passed.

Council member Matt Anthony made a motion to use the $10,000 that is budgeted for purchasing tools, and not to use the aid money for new or replacement tools. This motion passed.

Spencer Drill was hired as the seasonal mowing employee at $16 per hour. He was the only applicant.

Flashing Lights

Discussion continued from last month’s request from Trinity Lutheran School for a flashing light at the crosswalk on 6th Street and Highway 111. Froehlich and Ostermann, committee members for this project, explained that requests for funding probably cannot happen until Fall.

The estimated cost of a flashing light would be about $25,000.

“Maybe we should bring this to the Greater Nicollet Area Community Foundation,” said Council member Mary Wels.

Mayor Froehlich also suggested a flashing light for the crosswalk at 3rd Street and Highway 111.

Consensus of the council was to go ahead with having Bolton and Menk provide an engineering plan for lights at 3rd Street and Highway 111 and the 6th Street and Highway 111 crosswalks. And, to look for grant money as it becomes available.