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The Austin City Council will be holding a public hearing for proposed sidewalk construction on Fourth Avenue Northwest during its next regular meeting.

The project, which will involve construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Fourth Avenue Northwest between 12th Street and 14th Street Northwest, is estimated to cost $65,000, which will be assessed to Austin Public Schools upon completion.

The council will also vote on a proposed dental amalgam ordinance during the meeting, The ordinance was on the agenda for the April 20 meeting; however, the vote was delayed after concern over some of the language caused it to be amended.

The council will continue its discussion about Fourth of July fireworks during its work session following the meeting. Because of the COVID-19 situation, events at the Bandshell have been cancelled. City Clerk Ann Kasel provided some fireworks options to the council during the April 20 work session; several council members asked her to look into the option of holding the fireworks at a different location, in this case Cook Farm, on July 4. The stipulation was that individuals would park nearby and watch from inside their vehicles for social distancing purposes.

In a memorandum to the council, Kasel said she reached out to major Northwest businesses and that Walmart, Hy-Vee, Runnings, Ashley HomeStore and Holiday Inn said they would allow people to use their parking lots to watch the fireworks display as long as the city provided a police presence and parking lot clean up.

Austin Utilities General Manager Mark Nibaur will talk to the council about an update to the Power Sales Contract with the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency during the work session. Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Nelson will also continue his discussion about the Austin Municipal Pool.

The council’s next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4, in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The work session will be held immediately following the regular meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin City Hall is currently closed to the general public. The meeting will be broadcasted beginning 5:30 p.m. on Charter Channel 180. Anyone who wishes to address the council must first call City Clerk Ann Kasel at 507-437-9943.

For a complete agenda, visit www.ci.austin.mn.us/city-council.