Cold Spring public meetings in 2025
9 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The City Council approved a rezoning and special use permit for a market-rate apartment building at 14th Avenue South and River Links Drive. The council also updated water and sewer utility rates and approved several land plats.
- Rezoning of northeast corner of 14th Avenue South and River Links Drive from C-3 Highway Commercial to R-3 High Density Residential for up to 68 units
- Approval of Ordinance No. 431 amending water and sewer utility rates
- Approval of four change orders for the new fire station totaling a net increase of $549.00
- Decertification of Tax Increment Financing District Number 4 (Granite Ledge Townhomes Project) effective December 31, 2025
- Payment of accounts payable totaling $190,138.48
Meeting
The City Council approved Resolution No. 2025-21, adopting the final 2026 tax levy covering the general fund, water, sewer, EDA, storm water, and pre‑treatment facility budgets. It also passed Ordinance No. 430 to amend the city fee schedule and approved a non‑union labor agreement for municipal employees from January 1 2026 through December 31 2028. Additional actions included authorizing the purchase of 50 tons of salt for $5,394.00 and the replacement of the VFD at Well #7 for $7,879.00.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2025-21, final 2026 tax levy for general fund, water, sewer, EDA, storm water, and pre‑treatment facility budgets
- Ordinance No. 430 amending the city fee schedule
- Approved non‑union labor contract for city employees (Jan 1 2026‑Dec 31 2028)
- Authorized purchase of 50 tons of salt from Cargill for $5,394.00
- Approved replacement of VFD at Well #7 for $7,879.00
Meeting
The council accepted the schematic design for the City Hall and Police Department remodel with an estimated construction cost of $4,273,817. It also approved the replacement of right‑field bleachers at the baseball park for $72,887, and adopted a new labor contract for the police department. Additionally, the council appointed members to the Park Board and Planning Commission and tabled the River Links 7 plat pending further discussion.
- Approved construction of new right‑field bleachers at the baseball park at a cost of $72,887, funded half by the gambling fund and half by Cold Spring Area Baseball Inc.
- Accepted schematic design for the City Hall/Police Department remodel with an estimated construction cost of $4,273,817.
- Approved the labor agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services Inc. (Local #264) for Jan 1 2026 – Dec 31 2028.
- Appointed Chip Jordan to the Park Board for a four‑year term starting Jan 1 2026.
- Appointed Derek Hoium to the Planning Commission for a four‑year term starting Jan 1 2026.
Meeting
The council held a public hearing on the City Hall/Police Department remodel, considered the schematic design with a $4,273,817 estimated construction budget, and after a tied vote the motion to proceed was rejected, leading to a motion to table further discussion. The council also approved a paid family medical leave policy and related resolution, a $21,999 wellhead protection plan, a contract with Flip Cleaning, and purchases of a squad camera ($8,220) and equipment ($7,658.36).
- Public hearing on City Hall/Police Department remodel; motion to accept schematic design with $4,273,817 budget failed 2‑2
- Approved paid family medical leave policy; Resolution 2025-17 splits $712 monthly premium between city and employees
- Approved Part 2 Wellhead Protection Plan contract with Stantec for $21,999
- Approved purchase of Motorola M500 in‑car camera for $8,220, paid over five years from gambling fund
- Approved contract with Flip Cleaning for police department cleaning services
Meeting
The council voted to raise salaries for fire department officers, increasing the fire chief's pay to $6,000 per year and adjusting other officer salaries. It also approved a pay increase for city council members, passing the ordinance 4‑1. Additional actions included approving four change orders for the new fire station with a net $731 decrease, purchasing a sewer camera for $11,390, and contracting a $20,470 soil‑boring and geotechnical report for the wastewater treatment plant expansion.
- Approved fire department officer salary increases (Chief $5,000→$6,000 per year, etc.)
- Approved ordinance raising city council members' pay (vote 4‑1)
- Approved four change orders for the new fire station, net decrease of $731
- Approved purchase of a sewer camera and locator for $11,390
- Approved contract for soil borings and geotechnical report for wastewater plant expansion, $20,470
Meeting
The council approved the meeting agenda and consent items, including the September 24, 2025 minutes and a raffle application for Cold Spring Area Baseball Inc. They accepted payment of city accounts payable totaling $327,129.25 and $420,849.76. Reports were given on public works, engineering projects, fire and police activities, and a draft ordinance to raise salaries for boards, commissions, and council members. The council also discussed a potential temporary library location with Great River Regional Library.
- Approve payment of accounts payable: $327,129.25 and $420,849.76
- Approve September 24, 2025 meeting minutes (consent agenda)
- Approve raffle application for Cold Spring Area Baseball Inc. on Jan 5, 2026 at Side Bar & Grill, 15 Red River Ave N
- Draft ordinances to increase salaries for boards, commissions, and council members
- Discuss potential temporary library space with Great River Regional Library
Meeting
The City Council approved a one‑year extension of the special‑use permit for McDonald’s USA to operate a drive‑through, extending it to September 25, 2026. Council also adopted the preliminary 2026 tax levy (Resolution 2025‑16), which raises the levy rate by 3.32% and will be collectible in 2026. Additional actions included approving payment of $382,754.51 in accounts payable (plus $49,616.95 supplemental) and authorizing the Nicholas P. Koenig HERO Foundation raffle to be held on October 17, 2025 at The Great Blue Heron, 305 5th Ave S.
- One‑year extension of McDonald’s USA special‑use permit for drive‑through to Sep 25, 2026.
- Adoption of preliminary 2026 tax levy (Resolution 2025‑16) – 3.32% levy rate increase.
- Approval of accounts payable payment totaling $382,754.51 and supplemental $49,616.95.
- Authorization of Nicholas P. Koenig HERO Foundation raffle on Oct 17, 2025 at The Great Blue Heron, 305 5th Ave S.
- Planned flushing of water hydrants on Oct 13‑14, 2025 (public works report).
Meeting
The City Council voted to reduce the 2026 levy by $200,000 and use remaining Fire Hall Construction funds to pay down debt. The council also reviewed architectural designs for a City Hall and Police remodel but did not reach a decision on the layout. Several change orders for the new fire station and water treatment plant were approved.
- Reduction of 2026 levy by $200,000 (passed 3-2)
- Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank paving change order: $6,000.00
- Variable Frequency Drive installation in Well #4: $3,600
- New Fire Station change orders: $3,243.00 for audio/video and $1,418.00 for landscaping
- Approval of accounts payable totaling $267,088.11 and supplemental list of $672,316.65
Meeting
The City Council approved several infrastructure and equipment expenditures, including a new police interceptor and fire station adjustments. The body also discussed updating fire department contracts to include per-call service fees to help fund the new station.
- Purchase of a 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle for $43,861
- Five change orders for the new Fire Station totaling a net increase of $15,828.00
- Change Order No. 1 for 2025 Main Street Surface Improvements for $31,589.00
- Approval of up to $16,000 for sandblasting two snow plow trucks
- Street closure of 5th Avenue North on August 28, 2025, for cooling tower relocation