Waseca begins process for $3.5 million bond

During their meeting on April 21, members of the Waseca City Council approved a request from city finance director Alicia Fischer to begin the process of issuing about $3.5 million in bonds; in other words, incurring that level of debt in order to continue with a number of City initiatives including work on the Clearwater Preserve subdivision and purchasing a new ladder truck for the fire department. 

 

The first step entails notifying lending institutions of the city’s intent and receiving bids regarding what interest rates and terms each company is willing to arrange. Bids will be opened on May 19 and council members will receive a summary at that evening’s council meeting.

 

Anticipated repayment on the bond is expected to last through 2042, with annual payments of nearly $200,000 each.

 

A brief public hearing was held before city council members approved requests from property owners in Fox Meadows Second Addition that city easements be removed at the side lines between two pairs of lots, so that each pair could be consolidated into a single lot. New easements suitable to the new property lines were also established. 

 

Councilman Christiansen spoke regarding ongoing improvements at the city skate park, located in Oak Park on Sixth Avenue Southeast. Christiansen stated work should be undertaken to improve the facility since “People are using it. Skateboards and bmx bikes are using it, scooters and pickleball and rollerblades. We wanted to know what types of ramps are wanted or anything else. There are things like on the cement that are not safe and need to be fixed, but people like it.” 

 

More lifeguards have applied at the waterpark, so the opening is proceeding on schedule. The spring workload for the parks is ongoing; the restrooms should be open within the week. Christiansen said, “The mowing in the parks will be getting going soon as well.” He also wanted to inform everyone, “Monday, May 4, is the Waseca brush cleanup day, limit is one truck per property.”

 

It was mentioned that the county has discontinued issuing burn permits, Mayor Randy Zimmerman summarized, “According to the sheriff, if you intend to have a significant fire or controlled burn, you must call into dispatch and they will either approve or disapprove your request. And always check your weather apps before you burn.”

 

The consent agenda was approved. It included minutes for the regular city council meeting for April 7, 2026, and Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. Payroll and expenditures. Report bids and award contract for the Second Avenue SW, sidewalk, and storm sewer improvements. Report bids and award contract for the 2026 concrete street repairs project. Set date for public hearing for text amendments to city code. Approve plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bids for the 2026 crack seal and seal coat project. Approve municipal advisory agreement  Northland Securities. Liquor license premises extension request for outdoor event at Katie O’Leary’s. Minnesota public facility authority application for lead water service line replacement funding.