Saint Peter City Council Meeting Continued From Page One

types of trucks by different manufacturers. As per the City’s purchasing policy a request for formal written proposals was issued. Six formal written proposals were received; although two (2) did not meet specifications. Staff recommended accepting the lowest cost proposal received from Jensen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in New Ulm. Funding for this purchase is in the 2023 Stormwater utility budget. Motion was approved.

The city council discussed a motion to approve an ordinance modifying the City’s weeds/ tall grass regulations. The City Council has had extensive discussion on the possibility of modifying the weed/tall grass regulations contained in the City Code. As provided for during this discussion, notice of the Council’s proposed changes have been developed into a draft ordinance and, as required by State regulations, the draft ordinance has been duly posted on the public notices page of the City’s website. A motion was made to table the discussion for further workshop. That motion passed.

The council also discussed approval of the award of the bid for “Furnishing An

Electric Power Transformer” to Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Inc. of Canonsburg, PA in the amount of $989,398 including freight and delivery.

The Electric Utility Master Plan was completed in March, 2021.

The master plan determined that the City’s electric system will serve the City well with modest infrastructure upgrades.

One upgrade identified is the replacement of a transformer at the Front Street Substation. The Front Street Substation contains two large 10,500 kVA transformers that are responsible for providing power throughout the community. One transformer was replaced in 2010 after it failed, but the second transformer is more than 60 years old and in need of replacement. This transformer provides power for approximately 33 percent of the City’s electrical load. As required by the City’s purchasing policy and State Statute, formal sealed bids were solicited with two bids received. The bids have been evaluated based on total purchase price and total owning cost. Total owning cost considers not only the initial transformer cost, but also the cost to operate and maintain the transformer over its life.

The bids, and the evaluated prices are shown below. The transformer has a guaranteed delivery date of 74-78 weeks after receipt of order. The motion passed.

The council also discussed awarding the bid for the 2023 Seal Coat Project to Allied Blacktopping, Inc. of Maple Grove in the amount of $3.61 per gallon for a total of $184,351.87.

Public Works is responsible for maintaining City roadways and annual maintenance work which includes an annual seal coat project using emulsifying oil and chipped rock to “seal” the roadway. Seal coating helps extend the life of the roadway by creating a physical barrier from traffic, UV rays, and weather and helping to prevent moisture from penetrating through the pavement, which leads to premature degradation of the roadway. This work is done on an annual basis through Issuance of a formal bid. The contracted portion of the project includes the contractor supplying the asphalt emulsion (CRS-2), equipment, oil distributor, rock distributor, rollers to set the stone into the emulsion, and trucks to deliver the stone to the application site. As we have in past years, the City will supply the rock and be responsible for loading the contractor’s trucks at Public Works. In addition, City staff will prepare all manholes and water valves in the street prior to the oil and rock being placed along with the cleanup of the areas after the work is completed. City staff will also sweep and collect the stone after it’s compacted, which is usually a few days later. This approach makes the contractor responsible for the finished product yet minimizes the City’s cash outlay for the work. Funding for this project is allocated in the 2023 General Fund as part of the Streets budget. The council also discussed establishing a 2023 Day Care Task Force to identify and gather valuable information related to daycare in Saint Peter. Adequate day care opportunities are very important factors in overall health and well-being for communities. As indicated at previous workshops, the City Council would like to gather more information related to day care in St. Peter and Councilmembers indicated a Task Force could be a great way to do that. The early planning for the Task Force would be to meet 2-3 times. or as needed, to discuss and identify the current day care situation in St. Peter as well as what if any struggles and opportunities the City could assist with or serve as a connection to resources for those in the day care business. The intention is to have wellrounded representation that is familiar with the current day care situation in St. Peter. With that In mind, contact was made with numerous individuals associated with day care centers, private in-home daycares, community members, the School District, and Nicollet County representatives to determine their interest in appointment to a task force.

Below is a list of individuals that indicated they would like to serve on a Task Force.

Brad DeVos, Saint Peter City Council

Joey Schugel, Saint Peter Recreation and Leisure Services

Stephanie Noble, School District #508

Calane Bruender, Family Childcare Licensor in Nicollet

County

Sadi Laidlaw, Saint Peter Community Child Care Center

Heidi ScheurerHey Diddle

Diddle Daycare

Amy Holst, Kid’s Corner

Cassie Frey, Kid’s Corner

Shannon Zachman, Family Daycare Provider

Pamela Carpenter, Family Daycare Provider

Melissa Howe, Family Daycare Provider

Hector Aguilar, Community Member.

The goals of this group are proposed to look something like this:

• Identify challenges to access and provision of daycare services

• Identify additional stakeholders in this area that could provide additional assistance to users and providers

• Provide recommendations related to mitigating identified challenges for both users and providers

• Provide a report to the City Council that can be shared with others related to the above mentioned goals. The motion passed. A closed session followed the regular meeting.

AsK A TrooPer conTinueD

tion purpose.

License plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. They cannot be displayed in the front windshield or rear window. The plates must be securely mounted and displayed horizontally with the identifying numbers and letters visible. License plates issued to vehicles must also display the month of expiration in the lower left corner of each plate and the year of expiration in the lower right corner of each plate.

The plate must be unobstructed and free from grease, dust or other blurring material (dirt, mud, snow, etc.) so the lettering is visible at all times. It is unlawful to cover assigned letters and numbers or the name of the state of origin with any material, including any clear or colorless material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity. This also includes license plate brackets that block the state of issuance and tabs.

Why do we have two license plates?

First and foremost, it is the law in Minnesota M.S.S. 169.79. From a law enforcement perspective it is safer to have two plates. For instance…

If an officer needs to run vehicle information they can get the plate information from the front or rear of the vehicle.

It makes a suspect vehicle easier to identify if it is encountered from the front or the rear.

If a suspect vehicle is backed into a parking spot it is more easily identified. Identifying a suspect in a crime (from surveillance images) is easier with front and back plates.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. (Or reach him at, Troy. Christianson@state.mn.us)