Local business owners hope to bring brewpub/microbrewery, St. James Brewery to the old Scherr-Tumico building
St. James Plaindealer
Owners of the old Scherr-Tumico building Tina Herdegen and Bill Martin are planning to take approximately 10,000 square feet in the back of the S-T Industries building, and transform it into a brewery/taproom.
The owners are currently working with the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation in Mankato to get through state licensing for a brewpub/microbrewery, which could take months.
At the January 19 St. James City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance regulating brewer taprooms, small brewer off-sale, and brew-pub off-sale licensing.
St. James City Council passes pair of motions for wastewater projects
St. James Plaindealer
At Tuesday s St. James City Council meeting, the council passed a motion for a bid and design for a wastewater pre-treatment improvement project. The major components we are looking to replace are the main lift pumps at the lift station and the bar screen, said John Grapman with Bolton & Menk. Both of those are original to 1988 and were not replaced in 2010 like some of the other equipment.
Both the pumps and screen are well past the recommended 20-year life span. The pumps are one of the most critical components we have because they re what makes every drop of wastewater in the city get pumped and they keep your basements dry, said Graupman.
Council unanimously approves Rushing, hears street and community building project updates
St. James Plaindealer
In a short St. James City Council meeting on Tuesday night, the council passed a pair of resolutions and a request to begin obtaining quotes for re-roofing of the St. James Community Building.
Before attending to any other business, Gary Sturm swore-in Hannah Rushing to the vacant council seat, and the council unanimously appointed Rushing.
The council then heard from Adam Jacobs with an update on approving plans and ordering advertisements for bids for the scheduled street project.
The preliminary deadline for bids was set for March 4, but Jacobs anticipated that the deadline would be moved back due to miscommunication with the railroad.
Chief Operating Officer Daniel Keever told the board 45 staff have tested positive for COVID since the summer as well as eight students who were in buildings and two who were learning remotely.
St. James City Council puts a plan in place for Mayberry Hills, Sturm addresses community
St. James Plaindealer
At the last St. James City Council meeting approved resolutions for setting the 2021 budget and property tax levy. At the conclusion of the meeting, St. James Mayor Gary Sturm provided a community address.
The budget for next year is $15,900,771.72 and the property tax will be a .3% decrease from 2020 at $1.292,284.91.
The council also established an incentive program for the Mayberry Hills neighborhood. There are currently still 12 lots left available in the neighborhood.
The new resolution states that small lots will be marketed at a price of $10,000 and buyers will be given 18 months to complete their home. Spec homes may also be built on the smaller lots in blocks one and two with contractor paying $10,000 for the lot at the time of the spec home.