Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I have decided to begin a regular editorial because there are many positive things happening in the City of Big Lake, including more than $65M in new valuation added to the tax base in 2025 (50% increase over 2024). I look forward to sharing updates and engaging with you through the Patriot. Future editorials will focus more closely on the significant private economic development activity occurring in our community amongst many other things!

My focus, today, is on our new City Council meeting schedule as well as the Big Lake Public Safety Facility Project.

The Big Lake City Council has recently adjusted its meeting schedule, moving from two meetings per month to one. We are hopeful this change will create greater efficiencies for city staff and allow for more productive and focused City Council meetings. As of January 1, 2026, the City Council will meet on the third Wednesday of each month, starting with a Workshop session from 5:00–6:30 p.m., followed immediately by the regular City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m.

All City Council agendas and meeting packets are published on the city’s website at www.biglakemn.org. Workshop sessions are audio recorded, and City Council meetings are both video and audio recorded; all recordings are also available on the city website. I encourage you to stay engaged by reading, listening, and watching to keep up with city happenings.

If you haven’t yet heard, the City Council’s Public Building Planning Committee has been working on a city facility project for the past several years. This effort was prompted by the Big Lake Economic Development Authority’s (BLEDA) successful planning and acquisition of the building connected to City Hall. The BLEDA has been formally planning for redevelopment of the City Hall site since 2018. Currently, this site generates no tax revenue and sits on what is arguably one of the most visible and marketable pieces of real estate in the city.

In addition to acquiring the building connected to City Hall, the BLEDA also purchased five acres of land to be held for a potential new city facility. This step was taken to ensure the city had viable relocation options should the outcome, after fully vetting all alternatives, result in new construction.

After two years of planning and conducting a comprehensive space needs analysis, the Public Building Planning Committee formally recommended construction of a new Public Safety Facility to house City Hall, the Big Lake Police Department, and the Public Library. This recommendation was presented during the September 24, 2025, City Council Workshop, and the City Council reached a majority consensus to move forward. Additional details can be found in the September 24, 2025, Workshop packet available on the city’s website.

This recommendation reflects the pressing need to relocate City Hall to unlock redevelopment opportunities. At present, both City Hall and the Big Lake Police Department are operating in buildings that are overcrowded and outdated, with significant limitations in safety and technology. Moving forward will not only address these challenges but also better position our city to serve residents efficiently and safely.

Following a thorough evaluation of financing options, the Committee and city staff determined that Lease-Revenue Bonds are the most appropriate funding mechanism for the Public Safety Facility Project. This approach allows the city to move forward efficiently, minimizes the risk of cost escalation due to market conditions, and provides greater control over overall project costs. Lease-Revenue Bonds have been successfully used in the past to fund major city projects, including the current City Hall, Lake Liquors, Public Works facility improvements, and the Big Lake Fire Station. The bonds will be issued with a not-to-exceed amount of $33M, with the goal of delivering the project at a lower total cost.

The Committee also conducted a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal process to select a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). Bradbury Stamm was chosen to provide comprehensive construction management services. Bradbury Stamm has assembled a design and engineering team that includes GLTArchitects, BKV Group, True North, and Bolton & Menk.

If you are interested in following this project more closely, please consider adding the following dates to your calendar:

5:30 p.m., January 12, 2026 – BLEDA Meeting

Public Hearing on the Establishment of an Economic Development District

(State law requires this district to be established for BLEDA to issue Lease-Revenue Bonds.)

6:00 p.m., January 21, 2026 – Special BLEDA Meeting

Consideration of the Bond Purchase Contract and authorization of lease documents

6:30 p.m., January 21, 2026 – City Council Meeting

Consideration and approval of the Lease-Revenue Bonds and City/BLEDA Lease Agreement

Consideration and approval of the CMAR Contract

Consideration and approval of a resolution requesting Great River Regional Public Library to begin work on its assessed needs

I encourage you to attend meetings, review materials, ask questions, and share your perspective. Your input matters, and it helps ensure that the choices we make reflect the needs and values of our residents. As always, I welcome your feedback and any questions you may have. Please feel free to call me at 612-817-6758 or email me at pknier@biglakemn.org.