3.1 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes March 6, 2023 Page 5 of 7 -------------------------- Mr. Houle reminded the Council that they approved a study back in 2021 and then asked him to hold off until more was done in Trailside Park and with the splashpad. He said last month the project was mentioned in the overall capital improvement project discussion. He explained it is at the study stage and there are utilities that would need to be replaced. He said they would be providing base map and then will get public input with open houses. He said they will put a cost estimate together and hopefully have it ready in time of budget process. Mayor Gardner stated that it will change how the downtown looks and he is ready for the study. COUNCIL MEMBER CLEMENT MOVED TO APPROVE $11,600 FOR WIDSETH TO COMPLETE A STUDY OF MAIN AND FRONT STREET. COUNCIL MEMBER SEILS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 9.5. Funding Assistance Opportunities Mr. Houle stated the Department of Employment and Economic Development - Small Cities Development Program is a state deadline item. He said it has been favorably approved by the state and notified the City after the Council packet went out. He listed the rough cost for the Council and the total cost is $600,000. Mr. Houle explained the components of the lift station and said they did incorporate some growth into the wastewater system which added a third pond. He said the application is a very competitive program with not match to the $600,000 grant. He said there is a proposal of $4,000 in the packet. Discussion ensued about the project being done in phases and the total estimated cost of $3.6 million. Mr. Houle said a public hearing is required by May 1, 2023 so it would need to be either a special meeting or at the April Council meeting. He is recommending holding the public hearing at 5:30 p.m. before the regular Council meeting. Tim Houle said the second funding program is through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, the PFA's intended use plan, or IUP and is a Clean Water Revolving Fund and is a loan program mainly but some years they provide loan forgiveness loans. He said the interest rates on their loans are currently around 1.3-1.6%. He said it is pretty competitive bit being favorable approved for the DEED loan the PFA is saying the project is on the intended us plan and the project potentially will move into the fundable range. He stated a proposal is in the packet for $3,200 to put together an application for the public facilities authority. He said they need a resolution to approve submitting this application which is attached. He said the application is due before March 31 It. Mr. Houle said the third funding program is USDA — Rural Development. He said they combined the facility plan with MPCA and the RD preliminary engineering reports and tried to meet all of RD's requirements. He stated Rural development is having them go back through and answer some questions on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency who already gave the city preliminary approval. He stated Rural development has a loan program and a grant program. Mr. Houle