City awards contract, honors high school athletes

During their meeting the evening of Aug. 18, members of the Waseca council awarded the bid for general contractor services for construction, modification, and installation of the new aeration blowers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to Winona Mechanical for just under $260,000.

 

Mayor Randy Zimmerman issued a proclamation honoring five Waseca High School track members who advanced to their state tournament: William Mansfield took the state championship in pole vault with 15-foot clearance; Tovin Grannis earned second  in the 300-meter hurdles. Sonny Mei, Brady Tlougan, Malachi Nobel and Tovin Grannis, members of the four-person 400-meter relay team, took third place. The team members and their coach, David Abel, were present for the meeting. Commented Abel, “These are the kinds of kids that do the right thing, they work hard, come to practice every day and make a difference. Not only are they leaders in the track program but also in the community. Mansfield will be gone after this year, but I got the other guys for another year so we’ll see what they can do.”

 

The council scheduled a public hearing regarding vacating an easement in the Fox Meadows subdivision for 7 p.m. the evening of Sept. 1. The hearing regards a request to increase the buildable space in lot 8 of the subdivision. 

 

Alicia Fischer, Finance/HR Director for Waseca gave a presentation on the special revenue funds budget. 

 

It was announced during the meeting that Police Chief Kris Markeson will give a presentation about e-bikes and scooters during the council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

 

Council members approved naming Rebecca Prescher to the city's Economic Development Authority for a 6-year term ending September 30, 2032.

 

As part of its MS4 Permit responsibilities, the city is required to provide at least one annual opportunity for the public to give input on the adequacy of the city stormwater pollution prevention plan. A hearing for that purpose took place during the meeting, beginning at 8:09 p.m. Councilman Jeremy Conrath stated he wants the public to know improvements are being made. Sonnenberg referred to the intersection of 8th Street and 8th Ave NE and said, “Because of the improvements made last year, we have not had to drain that crossing.”

 

Discussion after the brief hearing moved to other topics. Councilman Mark Christiansen asked why the downtown walkway is still the responsibility of the park board. City manager Carl Sonnenberg said if board members would like to defer responsibility, they can do so once the downtown walkway renovations are complete. Christiansen then said the shelter at the dog park is now complete and he will be working on painting the tires next.