After months of closed session meetings, offers, and counteroffers, the City of Rushford has made its final offer on a key piece of property in the heart of downtown.
The site is owned by Farmers Win Coop. It had housed the former Farmers Coop Elevator. Farmers Win took control of the site in 2019 after a March 2018 merger with Farmers Elevator. The decision to stop utilizing the downtown Rushford site was made and services moved to the South Fork site, just south of the Root River in Rushford Village. Equipment was sold in an online auction on August 6 of that year and in early 2020, the community saw the dismantling of the large, metal grain bins and elevator building that have long dominated the city’s skyline.
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) first discussed the possibility of purchasing the site, which also sits along the Root River State Trail, last fall recommending the city begin negotiations. The city previously discussed various options regarding stages of demolition, costs, unknown issues, potential uses for the site, and community planning needed for appropriate future use. The council authorized City Administrator Tony Chladek to begin negotiations for the purchase.
The city’s original offer, still unknown due to closed meeting privacy statutes, specified the purchase price, conditions of demolition to be completed, and the requirement of a clean site provided. In June a counter-offer was received from Farmer’s Win. The council opted to view the site again and wait for a few months before making a decision. At the July 12 meeting, the council was informed that Farmer’s Win was rescinding their counter-offer to the City and had received another offer. The council was advised to move up their decision on the site as the company had requested a July 28 decision regarding all offers.
At the July 26 meeting, the council once again took up the discussion in a closed session. The EDA discussed the issues at their July 14 meeting and members Don Paulson and Derek Colbenson attended the council meeting to provide EDA perspective.
A summary statement from City Clerk Kathy Zacher, following the closed session, stated, “Considerable discussion was held regarding past actions and potential future courses of action or taking no action at this time.” In the end, the council voted 4:1, in roll call vote, to remain with their original offer. It was specified that the amount, terms, and conditions remained the same as outlined in the agreement and that this is the city’s final offer. The result will be known at the next council meeting.
The council also took action on other items, including the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBOAE). Because of Covid-19, the city opted in 2020 and 2021 to have the Fillmore County Assessor’s Office handle the meetings (called ‘open book process’). The city needed to inform the county, in writing, to have the county continue to handle the process or have the council take the state training and resume holding the LBOAE sessions at city hall.
Following discussion, it was noted that the county ultimately makes appeal decisions and the process of holding it locally may be redundant. “When they get that notification in the mail, it says talk to the county first, then come to the board of review. Many don’t do that, but come here and discuss the issue and then we say, ‘We’ll let the county review it,’” noted Zacher.
“We aren’t privy to that information,” added Councilor Jim O’Donnell.
“It just felt like we were rubber-stamping things,” said Councilor Sally Ryman. “It doesn’t seem like a very good process since we have to send them back to the county anyway.”
The council approved keeping the LBOAE at the county, but stressed it would be good, no cost training for the council members regardless, to help understand the process. There is the option for the city to take over the process again, with a three-year window, should it opt to.
The council also approved the sale of Lot 2 Block 2, 1105 Miller Circle, in the Himlie Business Park to Horihan Properties, LLC. The site is adjacent to a lot previously purchased by the company. The terms for this sale are the same as those from the previous sale. The total offer was $50,910 and the buyer requested closing by December 31, 2021.
“This way they know where they sit and can plan for the rest of the year,” added Zacher.
The Rushford Music Series kicks off next month every Thursday, from 6-8 pm. August 5, James Travis and Jason Edward will perform their “roots rock,” at Shawnees Bar & Grill. August 12, Jake and Sid Olson will provide a summer variety at Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar. August 19, Lou Shields will play vintage American songs at Shawnees Bar & Grill and the last performance will be August 26 with The Bus Boys at the same location.
Saturday, August 21, the community will host Root River Jams at the Norsquare parking lot on West Jessie Street/Highway 43. Headliners are the Dave Rogers Blues Band and Greg Hall & The Wrecking Ball. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.
Earlier that day, The Bluff Land Tri will take center stage in the city. The triathlon is in its eighth year and more popular than ever. Registrations hit their max and closed on July 19. There are 100 entries, including teams of multiple people, with only 18 being local area residents. “We’re excited about how many people we’re bringing into town,” enthused Ryman.
Organizers opted to keep registration limits the same as in 2020 to maintain COVID-19 safety protocols. “We’re not sure if we can handle more,” she added. “We weren’t there yet this year.” A COVID-19 safety plan has been submitted to the city, which is providing insurance for the event.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, August 9, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. It is open to the public.
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