St. James public meetings in 2025

Economic Development Authority

The St. James Economic Development Authority will meet on December 9, 2025. The board will review a financial report and staff updates, which require no action. They will discuss land rent and sign rent for the Highway District, set goals and priorities for 2026, consider Mayberry Hills incentives, and address board terms and meeting dates for 2026.

• Land Rent for Highway District
• Sign Rent for Highway District
• Goals/Priorities for 2026
• 2026 Mayberry Hills Incentives
• 2026 Board Terms

The board approved the minutes from the November 12, 2025 meeting and the financial report, each by a 5‑0 vote. The board approved the Mayberry Hills development incentives for 2026, also by a 5‑0 vote. The board approved the 2026 board composition, naming Travis Elg as a member, Steven Jeppson as chair and Paul Harris as vice‑chair, with a 5‑0 vote. The board approved the regular meeting schedule for 2026 (second Tuesday of each month at noon) and adjourned the meeting, both by 5‑0 votes.

• Approved minutes of Nov 12, 2025 meeting (5‑0)
• Approved financial report (5‑0)
• Approved Mayberry Hills incentives for 2026 (5‑0)
• Approved 2026 board terms, adding Travis Elg and confirming Jeppson as Chair, Harris as Vice‑Chair (5‑0)
• Approved 2026 meeting dates and times (second Tuesday each month at 12 pm) (5‑0)
• Adjourned meeting at 12:49 PM (5‑0)

Planning Commission

The St. James Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on November 24, 2025 at City Hall. Commissioners will hold public hearings on preliminary and final plats for the Jorgensen Subdivision, consider rezoning of that subdivision, and review a zoning designation for an annexation area. The commission will discuss and may decide on these planning matters.

• Public hearing – preliminary plat for Jorgensen Subdivision
• Public hearing – final plat for Jorgensen Subdivision
• Public hearing – rezoning of Jorgensen Subdivision
• Public hearing – zoning designation of annexation area

The commission approved the minutes from the October 20 meeting. It recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat for the Jorgensen Subdivision. It also recommended rezoning the subdivision from R-1 residential to commercial highway business use with limited multi‑family housing. Finally, it recommended designating an annexation area as R-1 residential, subject to adjustments for existing structures.

• Approved October 20 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Recommended approval of Jorgensen Subdivision plat (5-0)
• Recommended rezoning Jorgensen Subdivision to commercial (5-0)
• Recommended R-1 zoning for annexation area, with adjustments (5-0)
• Closed regular meeting, opened public hearing for plat review (5-0)
• Closed public hearing, opened regular meeting for plat (5-0)
• Closed regular meeting, opened public hearing for rezoning request (5-0)
• Closed public hearing, opened regular meeting for annexation zoning (5-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority will discuss housing initiatives and property transfers. The body is reviewing proposals for a construction loan for a new apartment building and the purchase of a property from Sorensen.

• Approval of property purchase: Mayberry Hills Lot 1, Block 1
• Proposal of construction loan for new apartment building
• Proposal of property purchase: Sorensen
• Proposal of property sale: Industrial Park
• Lake Lane Apartment update

The board approved the September 9, 2025 meeting minutes and the financial report. It approved a $2,152 tree‑line planting project and the purchase of Lot 1, Block 1, Mayberry Hills Sixth Addition, retaining $1,000 earnest money and returning $3,000. The meeting was then adjourned at 1:21 PM.

• Approved minutes of September 9, 2025 meeting (2-0)
• Approved financial report (4-0)
• Approved tree line proposal by Ahrens Arbor Care, $2,152, work to begin in spring (4-0)
• Approved purchase of Lot 1, Block 1, Mayberry Hills Sixth Addition; EDA retains $1,000 earnest money and returns $3,000 (4-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 1:21 PM (4-0)

Planning Commission

The St. James Planning Commission will meet to approve minutes from September 29 and hold a public hearing regarding a lot division at 1000 County Road 104.

• Approval of September 29 meeting minutes
• Public hearing for lot division at 1000 Co Rd 104
• Lot division agenda item at 1000 Co Rd 104

The commission approved the September 29 minutes (5‑0). It opened a public hearing on the lot division request, then closed the hearing and resumed the regular meeting (both 5‑0). The lot division at 1000 Co Rd 104 was approved with the condition that a parking plan be provided before the restaurant opens (5‑0). The meeting was adjourned (5‑0).

• Approved September 29 minutes (5-0)
• Opened public hearing for lot division at 1000 Co Rd 104 (5-0)
• Closed public hearing and resumed regular meeting (5-0)
• Approved lot division at 1000 Co Rd 104 with parking‑plan condition (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Economic Development Authority

The St. James Economic Development Authority will meet to approve September minutes and discuss updates on the Lake Lane Apartment project, a property transfer, and housing initiatives. The meeting includes a review of a staff report and a discussion on an assistant job description.

• Approval of September 9, 2025 minutes
• Lake Lane Apartment Update
• Transfer of Property discussion
• Update on Housing Initiatives
• EDA Assistant Job Description discussion

Planning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public hearings and vote on two lot divisions. The body will also consider a sign permit and select a commission chair.

• Public hearing and lot division at 401 1st Ave S
• Public hearing and lot division at 1000 Co Rd 104
• Sign permit for 1101 Moulton and Parsons Dr
• Selection of Planning Commission Chair

The commission appointed Bob Rinne as chair and Jim Paulson as vice‑chair, each unanimously (6‑0). It approved the lot‑division request for 401 1st Ave S, creating three new tracts, also by a 6‑0 vote. A sign permit for 1102 Moulton and Parsons Dr. was approved unanimously. The public hearing for the 1000 Co Rd 104 lot‑division request was rescheduled to Oct. 20 at 5:15 p.m.

• Appointed Bob Rinne as chair of the Planning Commission (6‑0)
• Appointed Jim Paulson as vice‑chair of the Planning Commission (6‑0)
• Approved lot division of 401 1st Ave S into three tracts (6‑0)
• Approved sign permit for 1102 Moulton and Parsons Dr. (6‑0)
• Rescheduled public hearing for 1000 Co Rd 104 to Oct. 20, 5:15 p.m. (6‑0)
• Approved minutes of July 28, 2025 meeting (5‑0, 1 abstain)

Airport Commission

The St. James Municipal Airport Joint Airport Zoning Board will review and consider the public hearing report and the draft airport zoning ordinance. Members will decide whether to accept the hearing report and approve the draft ordinance. The meeting will also include approval of the September 16, 2025 hearing minutes and discussion of next steps before adjourning.

• Approve minutes from the September 16, 2025 public hearing
• Review the Public Hearing Report and Draft Airport Zoning Ordinance
• Consider acceptance of the Public Hearing Report
• Consider approval of the Draft Airport Zoning Ordinance
• Discuss next steps for the ordinance adoption

Park and Recreation Board

The Park and Recreation Board will review current and preliminary budgets for the park system, campground, and swimming pool. Members will also discuss updates regarding the Artwalk and Splash Pad. The board is scheduled to discuss priorities for park projects.

• 2025 and 2026 preliminary budget reviews for parks, campground, and swimming pool
• Artwalk update
• Splash Pad update
• Park project priority discussion

The board approved the minutes from the July 21 meeting. It adopted a regular meeting schedule of the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM. Staff were directed to prepare a request for proposals to replace the Depot Museum windows.

• Approved July 21 minutes (motion by Craig, seconded by Stresemann)
• Adopted regular meeting schedule: second Wednesday at 5:00 PM (motion by Romsdahl, seconded by Showalter)
• Directed staff to draft RFP for Depot Museum window replacement

Airport Commission

The Joint Airport Zoning Board will review and potentially approve the minutes from the July 22, 2025 meeting. It will discuss the Draft Airport Zoning Ordinance and schedule public hearings for it. The board will also set the date for its next meeting.

• Approve minutes from the 07.22.2025 JAZB meeting
• Consider the Draft Airport Zoning Ordinance
• Schedule public hearings for the ordinance
• Set date for the next meeting

Economic Development Authority

The St. James Economic Development Authority will review its preliminary 2026 administrative and housing budgets, consider a proposed apartment rental increase, receive an update on the highway district expansion, and discuss the transfer to close out a four‑plex project. No formal actions are listed; all items are for discussion only.

• 2026 preliminary EDA administrative budget (discussion)
• 2026 preliminary EDA housing budget (discussion)
• 2026 EDA apartment rental increase (discussion)
• Highway district expansion update (discussion)
• Transfer to close out 4‑plex project (discussion)

The St. James Economic Development Authority approved the meeting minutes and the financial report. It voted to raise rental rates for its apartments by $50, setting two‑bedroom units at $850 and three‑bedroom units at $900 for 2026. The board also recommended the name “Jorgensen Subdivision” for the highway district expansion plat and authorized a $112,162.04 transfer from the Housing Fund to close out the Lake Lane 4‑plex project.

• Approved August 19 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved the financial report (5-0)
• Increased apartment rental rates by $50, to $850 (2‑bed) and $900 (3‑bed) for 2026 (5-0)
• Recommended “Jorgensen Subdivision” as the plat name for the highway district expansion (5-0)
• Transferred $112,162.04 from the Housing Fund to the 4‑plex project fund (5-0)

Economic Development Authority

The board approved the minutes from the July 8, 2025 meeting (5‑0 vote, with two members abstaining). The financial report was approved unanimously (7‑0). The dock and lakeshore addendum to the EDA apartment lease was approved unanimously (7‑0). The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 PM by a 7‑0 vote.

• Approved July 8, 2025 meeting minutes (5‑0, 2 abstentions)
• Approved financial report (7‑0)
• Approved dock and lakeshore addendum to EDA apartment lease (7‑0)
• Adjourned meeting at 12:45 PM (7‑0)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the June 30 meeting minutes (3‑0, 2 abstentions) and opened a public hearing on a sign‑material ordinance amendment. It approved a recommendation to adopt the amendment, which limits sign materials to painted wood, steel, aluminum, high‑density glass, plastic, synthetic materials, or fabricated panels, and then tabled a specific sign permit request until MnDOT approves the right‑of‑way permit. The meeting was adjourned at 5:31 pm.

• Approved June 30 minutes (3-0, 2 abstain)
• Closed regular meeting and opened public hearing on sign‑material amendment (5-0)
• Closed public hearing and reopened regular meeting (5-0)
• Approved recommendation of sign‑material amendment to city council (5-0)
• Tabled Sturm Funeral Home sign permit request pending MnDOT right‑of‑way approval (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Park and Recreation Board

The board voted to accept the minutes of the May 21, June 5, and June 24, 2025 meetings. A motion to adjourn the July 21 meeting was also passed. No other actions or decisions were taken.

• Approved May 21, 2025 minutes (motion passed)
• Approved June 5, 2025 minutes (motion passed)
• Approved June 24, 2025 minutes (motion passed)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:25 P.M. (motion passed)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority approved the minutes from the June 10 meeting (5‑0). It also approved the financial report, a fence estimate for three privacy fences (7‑0), and a $20,000 loan to Bruce’s Plumbing and Heating at 2.5% interest over five years (7‑0). The meeting was adjourned (7‑0).

• Approved June 10, 2025 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved the financial report (7-0)
• Approved estimate for three privacy fences at Lake Lane Apartments and tabled perimeter fencing (7-0)
• Approved commercial revitalization loan to Bruce’s Plumbing and Heating for $20,000 at 2.5% over 5 years (7-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (7-0)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the minutes from the April 28 meeting and authorized a 6‑foot front‑yard fence variance for 310 3rd St N. It recommended that the City Council approve a special‑use permit for a residential rental on the main level of 600 1st Ave S. The board also approved a sign permit for two splash‑pad signs at 207 Tiell Dr and voted to hold a public hearing to amend the sign‑material ordinance.

• Approved April 28 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Approved 6‑foot front‑yard fence variance for 310 3rd St N (3-1)
• Recommended approval of special‑use permit for residential rental at 600 1st Ave S to City Council (4-0)
• Approved sign permit for two splash‑pad signs at 207 Tiell Dr (4-0)
• Approved motion to call public hearing to amend sign‑material ordinance (4-0)

Park and Recreation Board

The St. James Park and Recreation Board toured four parks and recorded no actions. No proposals were approved, denied, or tabled. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M. Attendance was noted.

Economic Development Authority

The board approved the meeting minutes and the financial report, each by a 5‑0 vote. It also approved payment of land rent to Tom Mayberry, a driveway change order adding curbs on both sides, the purchase of a Hewitt dock for $7,765.98, and a mailbox quote for $472, all with 5‑0 votes. The board denied participation in the Blue Earth Rev Partnership and adjourned the meeting at 12:54 pm.

• Approved minutes of May 13 meeting (5-0)
• Approved financial report (5-0)
• Approved payment of land rent to Tom Mayberry (5-0)
• Approved driveway change order adding curbs on both sides (5-0)
• Approved dock purchase from Fairmont Boat House for Hewitt Dock $7,765.98 (5-0)
• Approved mailbox quote by Jason Monnens for $472 (5-0)
• Denied participation in Blue Earth Rev Partnership for MBFFA contract (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Park and Recreation Board

The board voted to approve the Uniting Cultures request to install permanent lighting at La Plaza Park's globe sculpture. The lighting will use a light pole from the St. James Light Department and cost $740.60, funded by Uniting Cultures. Future changes to the lighting will be the city's responsibility.

• Approved permanent lighting for La Plaza Park globe sculpture (motion passed)
• Adjourned meeting at 5:04 p.m. (motion passed)

Park and Recreation Board

The board approved the minutes from the April 16 meeting. It then approved the proposed tree planting of sycamore, Northern Pecan, Juneberry, and Bald Cypress at Meadowlark Prairies. The board voted to table the lighting‑globe project at La Plaza Park for further discussion at the next meeting. No other actions were taken.

• Approved April 16 meeting minutes (motion passed)
• Approved tree planting at Meadowlark Prairies (motion passed)
• Tabled decision on La Plaza Park globe lighting project (motion passed)

Economic Development Authority

The St. James Economic Development Authority approved the meeting minutes and the financial report. It also approved amended purchase agreements for two parcels (PID 200242700 and PID 203600010) and authorized several project-related actions, including a partnership with MBFFA‑Blue Earth, a driveway turnaround, dock steps, and a service‑animal policy for EDA apartments.

• Approved minutes of April 8, 2024 meeting (4‑0, Dean Olsen abstained)
• Approved the financial report (5‑0)
• Approved amended Purchase Agreement for PID 200242700 (5‑0)
• Approved amended Purchase Agreement for PID 203600010 (5‑0)
• Approved participation with MBFFA‑Blue Earth REV partnership, with event‑selection condition (5‑0)
• Approved driveway turnaround change order ($13,241) (5‑0)
• Approved shoreland steps to proposed dock change order ($8,151) (5‑0)
• Approved the service animal policy for EDA apartments (5‑0)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the minutes of the March 24 meeting with a 5‑0 vote, abstaining Bob Rinne. It approved sign permits for Building Resilience Counseling LLC at 117 1st Ave South and Variedades Mi Guate at 606 1st Ave South, each by a 6‑0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m. with a 6‑0 vote.

• Approved March 24 minutes (5-0, Bob Rinne abstain)
• Approved sign permit for Building Resilience Counseling LLC, 117 1st Ave South (6-0)
• Approved sign permit for Variedades Mi Guate, 606 1st Ave South (6-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 5:38 p.m. (6-0)

Park and Recreation Board

The board adopted the minutes from the March 25, March 19, and April 2 meetings. It lifted the trespass order for Meadowlark Prairies immediately. It also approved the creation of a nine‑person Meadowlark Board of Directors to oversee land use, habitat restoration, education, and community engagement.

• Approved minutes from March 25, March 19, and April 2 meetings
• Lifted Meadowlark Prairies trespass order (effective immediately)
• Approved creation of Meadowlark Board of Directors

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority approved the minutes from March 11 and March 25, approved the financial report, and authorized two land purchases totaling 23.28 acres for $266,700. The board also approved submitting a Tier II Housing Aid Grant proposal for new homes in Mayberry Hills. Additionally, the board recommended renaming a street to Lake Lane and suggested a 350‑foot buffer for cannabis businesses near schools and other sensitive sites.

• Approved minutes of March 11 meeting (3-0)
• Approved minutes of March 25 meeting (5-0)
• Approved financial report (5-0)
• Approved purchase agreement PID 20.024.2700 for 21.68 acres at $250,000 (5-0)
• Approved purchase agreement PID 20.360.0010 for 1.6 acres at $16,700 (5-0)
• Approved submission of Tier II Housing Aid Grant proposal (5-0)
• Recommended renaming the street to Lake Lane
• Recommended a 350‑foot buffer for cannabis businesses from schools and 500 feet from daycares and parks

Park and Recreation Board

The board recommended that the City Attorney send a cease‑and‑desist letter regarding the recent removal of 50‑100 trees in Meadowlark Prairie. It was determined the community pool will be open for the 2025 season, though operations may differ from previous years. A motion to adjourn the meeting was passed.

• Recommended City Attorney send cease‑and‑desist letter on tree removal (no vote recorded)
• Determined pool will open for 2025 season despite lifeguard shortage (no vote recorded)
• Motion to adjourn passed

Planning Commission

The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the February 24, 2025 meeting and then approved a 40-foot variance allowing a splash pad at 207 Tiell Dr to be set back from St. James Lake. It also recommended that the City Council approve a special-use permit for residential conversion of a building at 309 Armstrong Blvd N. The commission adopted draft zoning regulations for cannabis businesses, including low-potency hemp retail in industrial districts, and approved an amendment to limit impervious surface coverage to 35% in R-1 districts and 45% in R-2 districts. Additionally, a sign permit for the Railroad Depot Museum was approved.

• Approved minutes of Feb 24, 2025 meeting (5‑0)
• Approved 40‑foot variance for splash pad at 207 Tiell Dr (5‑0)
• Recommended City Council approve special‑use permit for 309 Armstrong Blvd N (3‑2)
• Adopted draft cannabis business zoning ordinance with low‑potency hemp amendment (5‑0)
• Approved amendment to impervious surface limits: 35% max in R‑1, 45% max in R‑2 (5‑0)
• Approved sign permit for Railroad Depot Museum monument sign (5‑0)
• Opened public hearing for special‑use permit at 309 Armstrong Blvd N (5‑0)
• Adjourned meeting (5‑0)

Economic Development Authority

The Authority voted to recommend approval of Tax Increment Financing for Bramer and Michelle Powers, dba Crystal Clean Car Wash, LLC, covering 90% of the tax increment for nine years. The recommendation passed with a 6‑1 vote, with Mark Collier opposing. The board also voted to adjourn the meeting at 12:27 pm, which passed unanimously (6‑0).

• Recommend approval of TIF for Crystal Clean Car Wash (90% over 9 years) – vote 6-1
• Adjourn meeting at 12:27 pm – vote 6-0

Park and Recreation Board

The Park and Recreation Board discussed the Community Project Request Form submitted by the St. James Depot Museum group. The board approved the form and the recommended rectangular sign wording, and agreed the city will pay for the concrete slab. The motion was declared passed. The board then adjourned the meeting.

• Approved community project request form supporting Railroad Depot Museum sign (motion passed)
• Adjourned meeting (motion passed)