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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
2.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 03/02/2026
Agenda Item:
2026 Legislative Priorities
Recommendation/Action(s):
Provide feedback on draft priorities.
Summary:
With the recent commencement of the 2026 State of Minnesota session, we updated the draft of the City of Mankato’s legislative priorities for the 2026 session. We will take feedback and bring the finalized plan with consideration of adoption at the March 9, 2026, Council Meeting.
Within the plan, we have updated the language relative to the bonding request. As the Council is aware, we previously had a request for funding for the Southeast Water Quality Project. The project is an important project for the City as it was originally proposed to improve drainage in the southeast portion of the City, including a large agricultural area outside of City limits that drains to Rosewood Pond.
The project has continued to receive significant community interest, and the City has explored several funding opportunities to help move needed improvements forward. This project was added to the City’s list of projects to submit to the State for bonding funding in 2026. However, recently, the City engaged a real estate professional to re-initiate negotiations with the owners of the needed properties. Despite strong efforts, the property owners are not currently willing to sell the property proposed for the project.
As a result, in December 2025, the City applied for a grant from the MPCA to reevaluate the Southeast Wetland Restoration Project and to explore alternative improvements and approaches to achieve the same drainage results. We expect the MPCA to award successful applicants in early spring. If awarded, this study would be completed by the end of 2026. In the meantime, the city is commissioning a review of Rosewood Pond this winter to identify potential improvements to address flooding concerns on Rosewood Pond. We would bring recommended improvements that could be considered in 2026 as this plan is completed.
Considering the ongoing uncertainty regarding the practical feasibility of the Southeast Wetland Restoration Project as it is currently proposed, Staff is recommending that it be removed from this year’s request to the State for bonding and continue to develop this project and address some improvements in the near term.
Within the plan, we have updated the language relative to the bonding request. As the Council is aware, we previously had a request for funding for the Southeast Water Quality Project. The project is an important project for the City as it was originally proposed to improve drainage in the southeast portion of the City, including a large agricultural area outside of City limits that drains to Rosewood Pond.
The project has continued to receive significant community interest, and the City has explored several funding opportunities to help move needed improvements forward. This project was added to the City’s list of projects to submit to the State for bonding funding in 2026. However, recently, the City engaged a real estate professional to re-initiate negotiations with the owners of the needed properties. Despite strong efforts, the property owners are not currently willing to sell the property proposed for the project.
As a result, in December 2025, the City applied for a grant from the MPCA to reevaluate the Southeast Wetland Restoration Project and to explore alternative improvements and approaches to achieve the same drainage results. We expect the MPCA to award successful applicants in early spring. If awarded, this study would be completed by the end of 2026. In the meantime, the city is commissioning a review of Rosewood Pond this winter to identify potential improvements to address flooding concerns on Rosewood Pond. We would bring recommended improvements that could be considered in 2026 as this plan is completed.
Considering the ongoing uncertainty regarding the practical feasibility of the Southeast Wetland Restoration Project as it is currently proposed, Staff is recommending that it be removed from this year’s request to the State for bonding and continue to develop this project and address some improvements in the near term.