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New Ulm meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Plain-English weekly recaps written from official meeting records. 7 weeks available.

Weeks

Week of 2026-08-17

New Ulm boards weigh bonds, gun club lease, library grants; minutes pending

New Ulm city boards and commissions held several meetings in the first half of August, but official minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The most consequential item on any recent agenda was a proposed $2.28 million bond sale for street, alley, and airport improvements, which the City Council was scheduled to consider on August 4.

City Council (Aug. 4)

The council’s agenda included:

Sister Cities Commission (Aug. 3)

The commission reviewed the Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program, including outbound intern Samuel Blomberg’s placements at Mühlen Sohn, Wieland, and TEVA in Ulm, and inbound intern Jan Rosenberg’s visa delay and host family assignments (Serbus for the first six weeks, Bartels for the second six weeks). The agenda also included approving the July 31, 2026 financial report (Special Fund: $7,339.75; General Fund: $1,457.97) and planning a farewell reception for Rosenberg.

Park & Recreation Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission considered recommending that the City Council approve a new lease with the Sioux Valley Gun Club for the Trap and Skeet Range at 214 21st North Street. The current lease dates to 2000 and is outdated because the gun club plans to build a new clubhouse, which it would fund and which would become city property. No rent would be charged in 2027 if the clubhouse is built; utilities and snow removal would be the gun club’s responsibility. The commission also discussed accepting donations and heard an introduction from new Recreation Coordinator Dylan Maanum.

Economic Development Authority (Aug. 11)

The EDA held a work session to discuss potential changes to the Homebuyer Assistance Loan Program, with no official action taken. At its regular meeting the same day, the EDA reviewed July 2026 reports, including the Section 8 housing voucher program (134 vouchers, HAP payments exceeded by $1,891, admin fee surplus $4,213) and public housing (Broadway Haus and Family Units fully leased, waiting lists of 67 and 23).

Library Board (Aug. 13)

The library board had five resolutions on its agenda:

Coming up

Week of 2026-08-10

New Ulm boards weigh bond sale, cybersecurity contract, zoning changes

New Ulm city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to consider a range of items, including a proposed $2.28 million bond sale, a cybersecurity subscription, and zoning revisions. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was on each agenda rather than final decisions.

City Council

The City Council’s Aug. 4 agenda included a proposal to issue $2,280,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026, for street, alley, and airport improvements. The council also considered a public hearing to approve vacation of the 11th North Street right-of-way between North Front Street and the Dakota Minnesota Eastern Railroad. Other items included first consideration of an ordinance amending R-3 residential zoning standards, setting a Sept. 1 public hearing for the 2027 MSAS Improvement Project on North Garden Street, and approving $55,750 in 2027 budget contributions to local organizations.

Public Utilities Commission

The Public Utilities Commission met July 28 and reviewed a proposal for the city’s wholesale electricity supplier after 2029. The agenda included approval of a three-year Arctic Wolf Services cybersecurity subscription from TSG Server & Storage for $89,998.15, acceptance of a quote for a wastewater treatment plant backup recirculation pump from Electric Pump, LLC for $59,693, and acceptance of a state bid from Sourcewell for a $97,157 portable generator for a sanitary sewer lift station. The commission also considered authorization for preliminary engineering for blower improvements and a backup generator at the wastewater plant, not to exceed $173,200.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a public hearing July 30 on ordinance revisions for the R-3 Zoning District. The agenda also included consideration of the Final Plat for the Oak Bluffs 11th Addition.

Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission met July 27 and discussed a request to the City Council for use of 30 parking stalls in the 2nd North Street and Broadway lot for the Welcoming Week event on Sept. 18, 2026. The commission reviewed a budget report showing $260.96 spent of a $9,000 annual budget, leaving $8,739.04 (97.1%). It also discussed dissolving the Participating Events subcommittee for 2027 and shifting responsibilities to the Executive Committee, as well as volunteer scheduling for the Brown County Fair Aug. 12–16.

Sister Cities Commission

The Sister Cities Commission met Aug. 3 and reviewed the Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program. The agenda included approving the July 31 financial report (Special Fund: $7,339.75; General Fund: $1,457.97), updates on outbound intern Samuel Blomberg’s placements at Mühlen Sohn, Wieland, and TEVA in Ulm, and inbound intern Jan Rosenberg’s arrival, visa delay, and host family assignments (Serbus for the first six weeks, Bartels for the second six weeks). A welcome reception for Rosenberg was rescheduled for Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Kegel Klub.

Coming up

Week of 2026-08-03

New Ulm City Council to vote on $2.28M bond sale; commissions review monument estimate, utility contracts

The New Ulm City Council is scheduled to vote August 4 on issuing $2,280,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026, for street, alley, and airport improvements — the largest dollar item across recent and upcoming city meetings. Minutes have not yet been published for the recent meetings below; the following reflects agenda items that were scheduled for consideration.

City Council — August 4

The council's upcoming agenda includes the $2.28 million bond issuance, a vote on vacating the 11th North Street right-of-way between North Front Street and the Dakota Minnesota Eastern Railroad, and a first consideration of Ordinance 2026 amending R-3 residential zoning standards. The council is also scheduled to set a September 1, 2026 public hearing for the 2027 MSAS Improvement Project on North Garden Street and to approve $55,750 in 2027 budget contributions to local organizations.

Heritage Preservation Commission — July 20

The agenda included a cost estimate of $11.6 million for the deconstruction and reconstruction of the Herman Monument, with a projected 10% annual cost increase. Also scheduled: adoption of a $10,000 commission budget for 2027, a design review for Golden Home Care's exterior repaint to Westchester Gray, and a design review for a New Ulm Chamber of Commerce door at 1 North Minnesota Street. A chair report mentioned a National Convention with grant-funded sessions.

City Council — July 21

Agenda items included a public hearing for a noise variance at 4 Somsen Street for August 29–30, 2026, approval of plans and bid advertisement for the Junior Pioneer Park Watermain Crossing Project, and a 10% across-the-board non-resident fee increase for Park and Recreation effective January 1, 2027. The council was also scheduled to accept $11,519.30 in donations for the Park and Recreation Department and designate the Pollinator Park and Natural Resource Area as city parkland.

City Council Work Session — July 21

An informational session to review 2027 non-profit budget requests, with no official action. Requested amounts: Brown County Historical Society $25,000; Heart of New Ulm $16,000; New Ulm Business & Retail Association $15,000; Wanda Gag House Association $2,000; River Valley BMX $3,565.

City Charter Commission — July 23

The commission was scheduled to discuss a proposed amendment to Section 235 setting the Public Utilities Commission's annual in-lieu-of-tax payment at 5.35% of utility revenues, payable monthly. Also on the agenda: discussion of raising the recall petition signature threshold from 5 registered voters to a larger number, review of sections on elected officials' terms and Board of Health composition, and note that two commission vacancies remain with no nominations made.

Human Rights Commission — July 27

Agenda included a request to the City Council for use of 30 parking stalls in the 2nd North Street and Broadway lot for Welcoming Week on September 18, 2026. A budget report showed $260.96 spent of a $9,000 annual budget, with $8,739.04 remaining. The commission was also scheduled to discuss dissolving the Participating Events subcommittee for 2027 and Brown County Fair participation August 12–16, 2026.

Public Utilities Commission — July 28

Agenda items included a post-2029 wholesale electricity supplier proposal update, a 3-year Arctic Wolf Services cybersecurity subscription from TSG Server & Storage for $89,998.15, a backup recirculation pump from Electric Pump, LLC for $59,693 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, a $97,157 portable generator from Sourcewell for a sanitary sewer lift station, and preliminary engineering for blower improvements and a backup generator at the Wastewater Treatment Plant not to exceed $173,200.

Planning Commission — July 30

A public hearing on R-3 Zoning District ordinance revisions and consideration of the Final Plat for the Oak Bluffs 11th Addition.

Coming up

Week of 2026-07-20

Herman Monument reconstruction pegged at $11.6 million; City Council weighed $2.28M bond sale

The Heritage Preservation Commission heard a $11.6 million cost estimate for deconstructing and reconstructing the Herman Monument at its July 20 meeting, with a projected 10% annual cost increase. The commission also adopted a $10,000 budget for its 2027 activities and approved a design review for Golden Home Care's exterior repaint to Westchester Gray.

City Council — July 7

The City Council was scheduled to consider approving $2.28 million in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026, and to hold public hearings on final assessments for the 2025 Surface Reconstruction Project and the 2025 Utility Street and Alley Improvement Project, each payable over 10 years at 5% interest. The agenda also included rezoning 1444, 1440, and 1438 6th North St from A-OS to R-3, noise variances for Crazy Days (July 24–25) and Spikin' in the Street (July 31–Aug 1), early retirement of 2018A GO bond payments due 2027–2028, and appointment of election judges at $11.41/hr for the 2026 primary and general elections. Minutes have not yet been published.

A separate addendum item asked the Council to authorize the New Ulm Battery to fire up to three cannon rounds at Schell's Brewery, 1860 Schell Road, on July 22, 2026, for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Conference. The action required a suspension of rules and a waiver of the city code prohibiting discharge of firearms and explosives.

Library Board — July 9

The Library Board reviewed a June 2026 financial report that included a $4,490.34 expense to Ingram for books and a $1,929.08 expense to ProQuest for the Ancestry Library Edition subscription. The board was scheduled to act on Resolution 2026-08, approving the preliminary 2027 budget, and Resolution 2026-09, accepting donations and memorials from April 1–June 30, 2026. A proposed $5,000 increase for Brown County Library Board appropriations was also on the agenda.

Park & Recreation Commission — July 13

The commission was scheduled to consider designating Pollinator Park and Natural Resource Area as city parkland and approving a Monarch Butterfly sculpture for Pollinator Park. Other items included Hermannfest 2026 requests for Hermann Heights and Harman Parks, a non-resident fee policy change, and 2027 fee schedule recommendations.

Economic Development Authority — July 14

The EDA was scheduled to review revisions to the Get It Ready Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program policy and an easement agreement for a PUC utility cabinet at 300 North Broadway. The agenda also included the June 2026 Administrative Activities Report, the 2nd Quarter report from Business Consultant Wendy Anderson, and the 2nd Quarter report for the New Ulm Business Resource and Innovation Center (NUBRIC).

Sister Cities Commission — July 6

The commission was scheduled to approve June meeting minutes and a financial report showing a Special Fund balance of $7,433.50 and a General Fund balance of $1,457.97 as of June 30, 2026. Inbound intern Jan Rosenberg was set to arrive July 13, with a consulate interview July 7. A welcome reception was moved to July 21 at Kegel Klub, and a brat stand fundraiser was planned at Cash Wise on August 11–12, 2026.

Coming up

Week of 2026-07-13

New Ulm City Council to consider $2.28M bond issue; parkland, loan program changes on deck

The New Ulm City Council's July 7 agenda includes consideration of $2.28 million in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026, the largest financial item among recent city meetings. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings held in the past two weeks, so outcomes cannot be confirmed. All items below reflect what was scheduled on agendas, not what was ultimately decided.

City Council — July 7

The council's regular agenda included public hearings on final assessments for the 2025 Surface Reconstruction Project and the 2025 Utility Street and Alley Improvement Project, each payable over 10 years at 5% interest. A separate public hearing was listed for $5.2 million in claims.

Other scheduled items: rezoning of 1444, 1440, and 1438 6th North St from A-OS to R-3; noise variances for Crazy Days (July 24–25) and Spikin' in the Street (July 31–Aug 1); early retirement of 2018A GO bond payments due 2027–2028; and appointment of election judges at $11.41/hr for the 2026 primary and general elections.

A council addendum scheduled a vote on authorizing the New Ulm Battery to fire up to three cannon rounds at Schell's Brewery, 1860 Schell Road, on July 22, 2026, for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Conference. The action would require a suspension of rules and a waiver of city code prohibiting discharge of firearms and explosives.

Library Board — July 9

The board's agenda included Resolution 2026-08, approving a preliminary 2027 budget, and Resolution 2026-09, accepting donations and memorials from April 1–June 30, 2026. Listed expenses were $4,490.34 to Ingram for books and $1,929.08 to ProQuest for an Ancestry Library Edition subscription. A proposed $5,000 increase in Brown County Library Board appropriations was also on the agenda.

Sister Cities Commission — July 6

The commission was scheduled to approve June 1 meeting minutes and a financial report ending June 30, 2026 (Special Fund $7,433.50, General Fund $1,457.97). Inbound intern Jan Rosenberg was set to arrive July 13, with a consulate interview July 7. A welcome reception was moved to July 21 at Kegel Klub, and a brat stand fundraiser at Cash Wise was scheduled for August 11–12, 2026.

Tree Advisory Commission — July 2

Agenda items included approval of May 7 meeting minutes, discussion of a 2026 Walkabout Program involving commissioner-led educational tree tours, a city reimbursement programs and budget update, an Emerald Ash Borer update, and Big Tree Contest submissions.

Human Rights Commission Events Subcommittee — July 1

The subcommittee was scheduled to plan coverage for National Night Out, the Bavarian Blast Parade, and the Brown County Fair, prepare a sign-up schedule, and review supply inventory.

Coming up

Week of 2026-07-06

New Ulm commissions weigh wastewater repairs, land splits, and event plans; City Council set to take up $2.28M bond July 7

Across the past two weeks, New Ulm's advisory and utility bodies met on agendas covering wastewater plant repairs, a proposed housing-lot split, and a slate of community events. All five recent meetings were agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published — so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

Public Utilities Commission — June 23

The PUC agenda listed several utility-related purchases and authorizations totaling roughly $106,700:

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved.

Planning Commission — June 25

The Planning Commission was scheduled to vote on a preliminary plat for Oak Bluffs 11th Addition, covering 1444, 1440, and 1438 6th North Street. The proposal would split one lot into two for a twin home. Associated fees listed on the agenda: a $290 platting fee, a $1,050 parkland dedication fee, and $6,000 in utility connection fees.

The agenda also included a review of R-3 Medium Density Residence District zoning standards for possible amendments, discussion of a New Ulm Park and Rec Pollinator Park expansion, and approval of the May 28, 2026 minutes.

Human Rights Commission — June 22 and July 1

The full commission on June 22 coordinated logistics for several upcoming events, including a request for 30 parking stalls at 2nd North Street and Broadway for Welcoming Week on Sept. 18, a Brown County Fair presence from Aug. 12–16, and an education subcommittee series titled "Living Without Limits" on mental illness and developmental disabilities. The commission also reviewed a $9,000 budget request for 2027.

A July 1 Events Subcommittee meeting focused on coverage plans for National Night Out, the Bavarian Blast Parade, and the Brown County Fair, plus a sign-up schedule and supply inventory.

Tree Advisory Commission — July 2

The Tree Advisory Commission agenda included approval of May 7, 2026 minutes, discussion of a proposed 2026 Walkabout Program in which commissioners would lead educational tree tours, a city reimbursement programs and budget update, an Emerald Ash Borer update, and Big Tree Contest submissions.

Coming up

Week of 2026-06-29

City Council to consider $2.28M bond issue; commissions plan events, repairs

City boards used recent meetings to advance plans for community celebrations, infrastructure repairs and educational programs, while the City Council is poised to take up a $2.28 million bond authorization at its next meeting.

Infrastructure and utilities

The Public Utilities Commission’s June 23 agenda called for votes on three significant expenditures: a $9,665 Eos Arrow Series Gold Plus RTK GNSS Receiver Kit, a $19,500 mussel survey tied to wastewater treatment plant outfall repairs, and a $77,538 change order for SCADA system improvements at the treatment plant. The commission was also scheduled to receive the annual financial report for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, and to approve an updated reimbursement rate schedule for telecom installations.

Housing and zoning

The Planning Commission on June 25 was set to decide on a preliminary plat for Oak Bluffs 11th Addition, which would split one lot at 1444-1438 6th North St. into two twin-home lots. The proposal carried a $290 platting fee, a $1,050 parkland dedication fee and $6,000 in utility connection fees. Commissioners also planned to review potential amendments to R-3 Medium Density Residence District zoning standards and discuss an expansion of the Park and Rec Pollinator Park.

Community events

The Human Rights Commission is coordinating logistics for several gatherings. Members are seeking City Council approval for 30 parking stalls at 2nd North Street and Broadway for a Welcoming Week event on Sept. 18. The commission is also preparing a presence at the Brown County Fair (Aug. 12–16), updating plaques for the Human Rights Award Ceremony and developing an education series titled “Living Without Limits” on mental illness and developmental disabilities. Separately, the commission’s events subcommittee met July 1 to schedule coverage for National Night Out, the Bavarian Blast Parade and the county fair.

The Tree Advisory Commission on July 2 discussed a proposed 2026 Walkabout Program, in which commissioners would lead educational tree tours. The panel also received updates on emerald ash borer, city reimbursement programs and the Big Tree Contest.

Sister Cities update

The Sister Cities Commission meets July 6. Inbound intern Jan Rosenberg is scheduled to arrive July 13, with a consulate interview set for July 7. A welcome reception for Rosenberg has been moved to July 21 at Kegel Klub. The commission will also finalize plans for a brat stand fundraiser at Cash Wise on Aug. 11–12 and review a draft marketing plan. Financial reports show a Special Fund balance of $7,433.50 and a General Fund balance of $1,457.97 as of June 30.

City Council to weigh bonds, zoning

The City Council on July 7 will hold public hearings on final assessments for the 2025 Surface Reconstruction Project and the 2025 Utility Street and Alley Improvement Project, both with 10-year payback periods at 5% interest. The council is expected to vote on a $2.28 million General Obligation Bond, Series 2026. Other items include rezoning 6th North Street properties from A-OS to R-3, noise variances for Crazy Days (July 24–25) and Spikin’ in the Street (July 31–Aug. 1), early retirement of 2018A GO bond payments due in 2027–2028, and the appointment of election judges at $11.41 per hour for the 2026 primary and general elections.

Coming up

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.