The Tracy City Council on Monday green-lighted the replacement of the City’s most important memorial.
On a unanimous vote, the council approved commissioning Sunburst Memorials out of St. Cloud to recreate the tornado memorial at a cost of $19,990. Sunburst’s bid was actually the higher of two bids. The other bid, from Borth Memorials of Sleepy Eye, was $17,457.
The City’s purchasing policy requires at least two quotes for expenditures over $5,000.
The council agreed to the Sunburst quote because that is the company that created the original monument that was damaged when a car struck it in 2025.
Because a number of Tracy residents donated money for the monument, councilmember Jeri Schons said it was only appropriate that the City replace it with an identical version.
“We know the quality of it … we know it’s going to be the same as was there before the accident,” said Schons, who made the motion to accept the bid from Sunburst. “That’s why I recommend that we go with the same company.”
Councilmember Jan Arvizu concurred and added that there are people who have reached out to her as far as fundraising to make up the difference between the two quotes.
“Some are associated with the initial committee that made this happen the first time,” said Arvizu. “They are confident in the company that originally did the work.”
Tracy Public Works Director Shane Daniels said there is some other work that needs to be done at the memorial site.
“The plan was to remove everything there and start over,” Daniels said. “There are some options there if we don’t want to do a granite base.”
One alternative for the base is stamped/ colored concrete base.
The Park Board has reported that the three bronze butterfly ornaments from the original installation are being stored safely and appear to be in reusable condition, potentially reducing replacement costs.
Carpenter said three civic groups have indicated that they will donate money to the new memorial, but he will hold off on any solicitation until the project is completed.
“I want to wait until the end, figure out what time our crew has into it and put everything back the way it was before,” he said. “Then we can decide how much money we need to get from the civic groups that have already talked to us.”
In other business Monday …
• The council heard the auditor’s report; Sara Oberloh of Oberloh & Oberloh Certified Public Accountants said the City is sitting at a strong financial position. “You’ve got positive cash balances … you’re kind of right to that sweet point of not too much money, but just enough money to meet the day-to-day,” Oberloh said.
• Filing for city council seats opens on July 14 and will close July 28. There are a total of four, four-year seats that will be open — three council positions and the mayor’s seat. Council terms will be up for Dave Tiegs, Schons and Arvizu. The filing cost is $2.
• The council approved a $300 donation from the Tracy Kiwanis Club for soccer goals in Central Park.
• It was noted that the Phase E infrastructure project will more than likely begin in August. Residents in the Phase E area will receive notice of details of the project soon.
• The workshop for the pool fence art project was a success, with many creative designs submitted by local youth. The final designs have been selected, and work on the project is expected to begin soon.
• Movies in the Park will take place on June 26 in partnership with Community Development and will feature a showing of “The Wild Robot.”
• Licensing revenue was about $300 lower this year compared with May of last year. In the first five months of 2026, the City made about the same from transactions as last year. The City’s utilities funds received about $400 less in revenue in May compared with 2025. Overall, the city has received about $16,000 more this year.
