The Austin City Council prioritized nine Hormel Foundation grant applications for 2019 during its work session Monday evening.

The council scored each application from 1-9, with 1 being lowest priority and 9 being highest priority. The scores were then tallied, with the highest scores considered top priority.

City Administrative Services Director Tom Dankert said the Hormel Foundation evaluates how the council ranks the applications.

Eleven applications were initially submitted for Hormel Foundation grant money, a total of $718,500 in requested funds; however, applications for $36,500 for quality of life and $20,000 for Riverside Arena ice system commissioning were withdrawn from the council’s rankings.

The council ranked the requests as follows (from top to bottom priority):

Targeted Area Redevelopment ($300,000) – 59 points

The funds are requested for a project to redevelop areas through the voluntary acquisition of blighted properties. The targeted areas are Eighth Avenue Northeast (the north side of Eighth Avenue from Eighth Street Northeast to the railroad right of way) and the Post Office area (area east of Post Office bordered by First Street on the west, Oakland Avenue on the north, Fourth Street on the east and Third Avenue on the south).

Pickleball Courts ($115,000) – 49 points

The funds would be used to add six pickleball courts in Rotary Park. Pickleball players currently use tennis courts at Neveln Elementary to play.

Over one dozen pickleball enthusiasts attended Monday evening’s city council meeting to show support for the creation of t he pickleball courts.

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Education Programs ($40,000) – 47 points

The funds would provide financial support for Mower County students, non-profit and public, to attend the Nature Center’s environmental education and outdoor education programs. The funds would account for nine percent of the Nature Center’s 2019 budget.

Poured-in-Place Surface for an Existing Playground ($45,000) – 42 points

The funds would be used to replace the wood fiber surface of a playground at Todd Park with a poured in place material. The current surface shifts and material must be added annually.

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Master Plan for Regional Significance ($45,000) – 41 points

The funds would be used in developing the Nature Center’s master plan to achieve regional significance classification from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trail Commission. The classification would allow the city to annually apply for facility, trail and habitat maintenance/improvement project funding from the Minnesota Clean Water and Land Legacy Amendment funds.

Library Hotspot Data Plans ($45,000) – 40 points

The funds would be used to expand the Austin Public Library’s internet hotspot program, which allows library patrons to check out hotspots for internet access beyond the hours and location of the library.

Riverside Arena Boiler Replacement ($50,000) – 32 points

Funds would be used to replace the Riverside Arena boiler, which is original to the building’s construction in 1972.

Fire Prevention and Education ($5,000) – 26 points

The funds would be used to provide free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and batteries to Austin home owners as well as teaching fire safety awareness and home prevention education to first and fourth grade students.

Councilwomen Laura Helle, Janet Anderson and Judy Enright stated they rated this application low because they believed the city should already be providing funds for this program.

Electric Vehicle Promotion and Fleet Addition ($17,000) – 24 points

The funds would be used to pay the cost differential between a standard vehicle and an electric vehicle of the same type that will be added to Austin Utilities’ fleet.

Dankert said a year two grant award of $120,000 for Riverside Arena upgrades will be included in the total awards.