The Nicollet City Council approved the rezoning of parcels on the northeast side of Nicollet, Monday.

The rezoned properties are a mixed use of industrial and commercial. The parcels rezoned were the northern half of four parcels. All the parcels are located north of 2nd Street, south of 3rd Street, and east of Elm Street. The rezone will amend the zoning district of these four parcels from industrial to commercial to be consistent with the southern end of all parcels currently zoned commercial.

The council approved this with an ordinance that amends the Nicollet city zoning map, and an ordinance re-designating the zoning classification of the property to commercial.

The council also approved a request from HMM Sheds to combine six separate parcels into three parcels. The goal of combining the parcels is keep buildings close to each other on the same parcel.

Street Maintenance Quotes

Two quotes were received for crack filling that needs to be done before chip sealing on a number of streets in the city. Bargen Inc. submitted a quote for $28,690, and M.R. Paving & Excavating, Inc., for $32,900. A motion was made and approved to hire Bargen Inc. for crack filling.

Two quotes were received for chip sealing. WW Blacktopping, Inc., submitted a quote for $83,481.84 and M.R. Paving and Excavating, Inc., $76,782.68. A motion was made and approved to hire M.R. Paving and Excavating for their quote which includes our city maintenance crew using our street sweeper to clean up rock a couple of weeks after sealing is completed.

Other maintenance issues include the shallow storm sewer crossing at the intersection of Ash Street and 2nd Street, fixing the alley behind the city shop, curb and street settling on Heideman Avenue, and adjusting the manhole on 9th Street by Dollar General. It was agreed on by the council to ask Joe Duncan, city engineer, to review these issues and to get his recommendation for what should be done. The council will take a city tour May 19 to look for any other maintenance issues.

In other news

City Clerk Vanessa Drill said she had a request from a property owner regarding dust control on the 200 block of Elm Street. It is one of the two streets in Nicollet that is not tarred. The council agreed that Drill should get two bids for the cost of dust control for the 200 block of Elm Street. The council plans to make a decision at the May council meeting regarding the cost.

Council member Keven Ostermann said discussion surrounding the purchase of a new fire truck is ongoing.

“I attended another meeting with the joint powers board regarding the purchase of a new fire truck,” he said. “After much discussion, nothing was decided and more meetings will be held.”

The Nicollet Lions donated $1,700 to help pay for costs related to trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer in Nicollet.

Council member Phil Radel said, “there will be four trees removed, including their stumps, in the Green Space area and one near the city’s office. Five trees in Green Space will be treated for the disease.”

The council approved an ordinance granting a ten-year franchise to Fort Randall Cable to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system in the city.

A public hearing will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 regarding closing a portion of 9th Street. The next regular council meeting will be 6 p.m. Monday, May 12. A city wide tour for the council is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 19.