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MINUTES Mankato City Council Regular Meeting April 27, 2026 - 6 p.m. IGC - Council Chambers |
1.
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Members Present: Kevin Mettler, Mike Laven, Dennis Dieken, Michael McLaughlin, Jenn Melby-Kelley, Jessica Hatanpa, and Mayor Najwa Massad.
Staff Present: City Manager Susan Arntz, Administrative Services Director Parker Skophammer, Construction/Facilities Services Director Jim Tatge, Community Development Director Mark Konz, City Engineer Cory Bienfang, and City Clerk Renae Kopischke.
Staff Present: City Manager Susan Arntz, Administrative Services Director Parker Skophammer, Construction/Facilities Services Director Jim Tatge, Community Development Director Mark Konz, City Engineer Cory Bienfang, and City Clerk Renae Kopischke.
Pledge of Allegiance
2.
Approval of Agenda
It was recommended that item 7.B. be removed due to new information being received and that item 6.N. be added for the renewal of the liquor license for Blue Bricks. Ms. Hatanpa moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
3.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Dieken moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 13, 2026, as written. The motion carried unanimously.
4.
Appearances, Recognition, and Proclamations
Recognition of 2026 Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners
5.
Public Open Forum (15 Minutes)
Garrett, asked that the Council consider allowing chickens and provided several reasons why he felt it would be a beneficial to the community.
6.
Consent Calendar
NOTE: All items listed under the Consent Calendar will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If a Council Member wishes to discuss any of these items, they may ask that the item be removed from the Consent Calendar. Removed item(s) will be discussed and acted upon by separate motion.
Mr. McLaughlin pulled item 6.I. Mr. McLaughlin moved and Mr. Dieken seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended (item 6.N. added during approval of the agenda). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
A.
Motion approving On-sale Intoxicating, Sunday, and Non-enclosed Premise (patio) Liquor License renewals for Weggy's on Campus, LLC DBA Weggy's on Campus effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
B.
Motion approving On-sale Intoxicating Liquor License (Class New) for Fusion Five, LLC DBA Fusion Five, 20 Civic Center Plaza.
C.
Motion approving Off-sale Intoxicating Liquor License to Shiv Shambu LLC DBA Rush Smokes & Liquor (new ownership), 2112 Hoffman Road.
D.
Motion approving the donation of two punch passes for Tourtellotte Pool to Jefferson Elementary School.
E.
Resolution approving the annexation of 14.47 acres described as part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 11, Township 108 North Range 26 West (excluding Freyberg Subdivision); by request of MetCon.
F.
Resolution considering bids on Capital Improvement Project 11193; 2026 Resurfacing.
G.
Resolution considering bids on Capital Improvement Project 11217; 2026 Wear Course Paving.
H.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an amendment to the operating agreement with the Mankato Family YMCA, expanding the use of Tourtellotte Pool for community programming.
I.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Lease Agreement with Bethany Lutheran College for use of Thomas Park Field 1 and adjacent facilities.
Mr. McLaughlin inquired about the fees and associated costs within the agreement. Mr. Skophammer replied that the city does survey other entities on what they charge, and added that labor costs were the main driver of the fees.
Mr. McLaughlin moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Lease Agreement with Bethany Lutheran College for use of Thomas Park Field 1 and adjacent facilities. The motion carried unanimously.
J.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with Bethany Lutheran College for use of ISG Field at Franklin Rogers Park.
K.
Resolution considering quotations for the supply of Quicklime for Water Treatment.
L.
Resolution authorizing submission for the 2026 CenterPoint Energy Community Safety Grant.
M.
Motion to authorize the release of Request for Proposals for the Bus Stop Improvement Construction Project.
N.
Motion approving On-sale Intoxicating, Sunday, and Non-enclosed Premise (patio) Liquor License renewals for Blue Bricks, Inc DBA Blue Bricks Bar & Eatery effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
7.
Licenses
A.
Ms. Kopischke reported that the Minnesota Department of Revenue has requested that the City of Mankato revoke the On-sale Intoxicating (including Sunday) Liquor Licenses for Los Dos Primos Corp DBA Los Dos Primos due to delinquent state taxes in compliance with State Statute 270C.72, Subd. 1 (b).
Ms. Kopischke indicated that the license holder was notified via certified mail, with the receipt received today, and by email that the city would be taking action at tonight’s meeting. If the Council affirms the revocation, the licensee must immediately cease selling alcohol at the premises as of April 28, 2026, until the city receives a clearance certificate from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Ms. Kopischke noted that recently (April 13), the Council approved the liquor license renewal for Los Dos Primos from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, contingent upon the payment of license fees, property taxes, utility bills, and other financial claims; in addition to liquor liability insurance and all documentation required under the Mankato City Code and barring that no further strikes be issued before May 1, 2026, at midnight. She stated that to date, the renewal has not been issued.
Ms. Kopischke added that if the Council revokes the liquor licenses and clearance is received, the item will be brought back for Council review.
Brief discussion on strikes and the fact that this could be considered a fourth strike with the license being revoked without further review.
Ms. Hatanpa felt that it was a fourth strike; thus, the license should permanently be revoked without the option of further review if clearance was received.
B.
8.
Council Business
A.
Mr. Bienfang stated that the city has received interest in evaluating and implementing Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) within the City of Mankato. He indicated that LPIs are an acknowledged pedestrian safety improvement supported by transportation safety professionals and have been recommended through multiple local and area traffic studies, particularly at intersections and corridors identified with a high number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes.
Mr. Bienfang noted that the city acknowledges that advancing this initiative aligns with the city’s Complete Streets policy and the city’s broader commitment to improving safety and accessibility for all roadway users. He added that staff have reviewed and recommend moving forward with a two-phase strategy to ensure LPI implementation is data-driven, operationally appropriate, and responsive to community input. He summarized the phases and mentioned that it was anticipated that completion of the two phases would be by Fall of 2027, at which time the city will be positioned to determine whether and how LPIs should be evaluated and expanded more broadly across the city signal system.
Brief discussion on the potential locations of the LPIs and the timeline.
9.
Reports and Miscellaneous Business
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Regular Council Meeting, May 11, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting, May 26, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with Work Session to follow)
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Hatanpa seconded a motion to recess the Council Meeting for a Closed Session in the Minnesota River Room, pursuant to Minnesota State Statute 13D.65, Subd. 3, for City Manager's Performance Evaluation . The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Hatanpa seconded a motion to resume the Council Meeting following the Closed Session . The motion carried unanimously.
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Regular Council Meeting, May 11, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting, May 26, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with Work Session to follow)
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Hatanpa seconded a motion to recess the Council Meeting for a Closed Session in the Minnesota River Room, pursuant to Minnesota State Statute 13D.65, Subd. 3, for City Manager's Performance Evaluation . The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Hatanpa seconded a motion to resume the Council Meeting following the Closed Session . The motion carried unanimously.
10.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Ms. Hatanpa moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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Minutes Approved.
_________________________ Mayor Massad |
ATTEST:
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk