Geoff Baker sworn in as newest member of Austin City Council at Monday meeting

Geoff Baker was sworn in as the newest member of the Austin City Council at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening to fill the remainder of Oballa Oballa’s term in the city’s 1st Ward.  Oballa resigned from the position in June due to his family’s move out of the 1st Ward.  Baker was appointed to the position during a special meeting on July 7th, and he will serve on the council until December 31st, 2024.

In other business at Monday evening’s meeting, the council approved a bid from Jensen Excavating and Trucking of Albert Lea of $30,372 for a culvert replacement project on 27th Avenue Northwest, and they also approved a property exchange agreement with HPW, LLC concerning the expansion of a parcel of land owned by HPW at 119 2nd Ave. NE into a parcel of land owned by the city at the corner of 2nd Ave. and 1st St. NE to accommodate an outdoor patio.  The Austin City Council also moved to set a date of Tuesday, September 6th for a public hearing for the I-90 Bridge Improvement Project Municipal Consent and Review, and the council also approved an agreement applying for funding at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.  Park and Recreation Director Dave Merrill stated to the council that the city will be seeking a grant for bridge improvements at the Nature Center totaling $300,000.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Austin City Council will be held on Monday, August 1st at the Austin City Council Chambers.