As the COVID-19 struggle continues, the City of Rushford is looking at opportunities to assist local businesses. At the April 27 council meeting, temporary modifications to the city’s Economic Development Authority Flood Recovery Loan Repayment Policy were discussed.
Several businesses are receiving some category of flood loan assistance with roughly 20 loans remaining. A meeting including Benson, City Administrator Tony Chladek, City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher, and Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Jen Hengel was held to determine the possible details of a pause in loan repayments. Letters were later sent to businesses to determine if there was interest in the modification. According to Zacher seven expressed interest in assistance during this time of statewide shut-down of non-essential businesses.
It was further noted that state and federal assistance is being offered and businesses will need to determine what programs, grants, and loans would best suit their needs. Benson noted a lot of those funds are already used up and a lot of people are in line for small business (500 employees and under) assistance. Even if available, funding may not be viable for those in the Rushford area. “There’s a lot of hesitancy from small businesses thinking, ‘I’m not even sure it’s going to work for what I need,’” she added. “They’re talking in DC about Main Street funding.”
The council unanimously passed the temporary freezing of loans for three months to include May, June, and July payments. During this time, no additional interest will acrue, and the amoritization schedules will continue as agreed upon. It was noted, businesses wanting to continue with normal payments may do so.
“We’re just hitting the pause button for three months,” clarified Councilor Jim O’Donnell. “We’re not forgiving anything.” The council will review the policy again in three months.
Other recent COVID-19 updates addressed include notice of two CARES grant funded items. The city has received $5,567 from Health and Human Services for ambulance healthcare services. The amount was calculated by using Medicare reimbursements for services for 2019. Also to be received is a $20,000 grant for operational expenses for the muncipal airport.
Notice from the county to the city indicates that while property taxes remain due by May 15, the county will abate further penalty, up to July 15, because of the pandemic. “Significant hardship reductions or abatement have to go through procedures provided by Minnesota Statute,” stated city documentation. The county will reimburse the city in July and August for revenue received.
“Property owners are encouraged to pay first half property taxes on time,” stressed Zacher.
In other news, the council received an update from Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk regarding the city’s canoe launch project. Currently, the Root River launch sits west of Highway 43 and south of Highway 16. The plan is to create access to a location still north of the river, but on the east side of Highway 43, a more centrally located area to the city’s downtown. 2016 grant funding from the Department of Natural Resources State Park Road Account, in the amount of $99,200 has been approved for the project for the purpose of constructing an access road. The estimated cost to upgrade the existing maintenance road to a 24-foot wide roadway, including a transition over a portion of the city’s levee, is roughly $100,000. Additional work, including the launch itself and a parking lot, will be the city’s responsibility. To date, the accrued costs are $35,000 in engineering fees to plan and facilitate required wetland delination study, geotechnical soils analysis, and other fact finding items, as well as tree removal and site prep hours put in by Public Works.
Issues that have hampered the project include a MnDOT variance for the roadway not meeting 30 mph standards and a 408 review approval from Army Corps of Engineers. The corps is now requesting that a seepage analysis be done to determine any detrimental effects on groundwater. In addition, they’ve requested cultural research be conducted by an archaeologist for historical artifcacts in the proposed area. “These are changes we weren’t expecting initially,” said Olinger. “The best case scenario, late summer or early fall. But, but given the review, it might be a stretch for them to give all the approvals. It’s more likely spring project. They’re just kind of checking all the boxes.”
Councilors Leigh Volkman and Andrew Linder expressed concern over the launch being on what they noted as an area of the river not particularly preferred or desirable. “It’s not worth it,” said Linder. “People can get out at the launch that’s already there.”
However, Benson spoke in favor of seeing the project through. “Overall this is an important thing for our community,” noted Benson. “One of the goals of the project was to create a resource used more frequently if closer to town.”
“I’d like to see it finished. It’s been around so long,” added Councilor Sally Ryman.
“I’m in favor of proceeding,” agreed O’Donnell. “We have this grant awarded to us sitting there. I think we should proceed.” The council voted 3:2, with Volkman and Linder opposed, to approve a work order for Bolton and Menk to proceed with final design and permitting.
Also approved at the meeting was entering into agreement with MnDOT to provide payment for landscape materials through a partnership to beautify the Highway 43 corridor. The department will provide reimbursement to the city in the amount of $8,000 for the plant materials.
A public hearing will be held Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m., at city hall for the purpose of discussion related to a proposed ATV/UTV ordinance within the City of of Rushford. The draft ordinance includes details on permitting and safety regulations that would be required by the city.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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