NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council thanked Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz Tuesday for his 18 years of service to New Ulm.

The Tuesday city council meeting was Schmitz’s last meeting as director. He is retiring on April 28.

“New Ulm is definitely better off because you were in that position,” Councilor Les Schultz said.

Schmitz said he was “extremely thankful and grateful to have been part of the wonderful City of New Ulm staff team for nearly 18 years.”

He gave thanks to present and past parks commissioners as well as the mayor, city councilors volunteers and donors.

Asked about his favorite memory from his time as director, Schmitz said it was the Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) projects that came out of the local option sales tax referendum.

He said it was great to be part of the process, including receiving 70% voter support on the referendum.

Schmitz said in 10 years, the city will need to start thinking about the next round of RENU because in 15 years the city will need to reenact the local option sales tax.

“Lots of great stuff in the past, lots of great stuff in the future,” Schmitz said.

Earlier in the meeting, the city formally accepted $18,105.11 in donations for the Park and Recreation Department.

The donations included $5,000 for the Trap & Skeet Range from the Izaak Walton League; $5,000 for Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center from Izaak Walton League; $2,876.40 for Johnson Park Furniture from the New Ulm Baseball Association; $1,500 for Hermann Heights Park Grill from John Heymann and Lori Walser; $1,500 for the Puppet Wagon from healthy Communities/Healthy Youth; $1,000 for park programs from the Optimist Club; $1,000 for the Pollinator Park from the Izaak Walton League and $228.71 from Doyle Miller for the German Park amphitheater.

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The final plat of the Oak Bluffs 10th Addition was approved by the council following a public meeting.

The plat is located at 1406-1446 North 6th Street.

The plat applicant came from Dale Bushard on behalf of M & D Properties. This plat is 3.77 acres and will convert one lot into five lots. Each lot can accommodate a single-family dwelling. The property is located in a medium-density residential district. The property was originally platted for the construction of three fourplexes. The single-family dwellings are permitted in medium-density districts.

No comments were received during the public hearing. The council unanimously passed the resolution approving the final plat.

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Black Frost Distilling was authorized to extend its liquor licenses to the adjacent parking lot at 201 North 1st Street for events held from 2 p.m. -10 p.m. Saturday, May 6 and Saturday, August 26.

The two events will both feature outdoor music between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. Black Frost Distilling has made security arrangements for the events.

Currently, Black Frost is approved for liquor served on the patio and deck. This extension would temporarily extend the license to the parking on the west side of the distillery.