Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
After nearly two years prohibiting the public usage of the community center, the Rushford Village Council has voted unanimously to lift rental restrictions. Initially, the council prohibited rentals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an inability to clean to safe standards after every usage.
“We have a service that’s doing the cleaning now. They already started and they’re doing a great job. The question is, do we want to lift restrictions,” asked Councilor Dennis Overland, opening discussion.
“We need to lift it,” said Councilor Roger Knutson.
“I 100% agree. It’s time to lift it. It’s time to start getting back to normal,” echoed Councilor Mike Ebner.
Beginning April 1, the center will again be open for rental. Rates for rental were raised last month to $50 for a half day, morning or afternoon, or $100 for all day, plus $100 damage deposit for both. Use of video equipment is an additional $15 and an additional $25 deposit. City Treasurer Judy Graham noted that the rate would not be raised for those that have been waiting for rental. “We have a list of people to notify,” she added.
Further discussion centered around whether or not to continue free rentals for local non-profit organizations, such as Boy Scouts and 4-H clubs, as well as for political parties. Knutson questioned how often these rentals occur so the council could calculate the cleaning costs associated.
“If a group or something wants to use it weekly, we need to come up with a rate,” suggested Ebner. It was clarified that these instances are typically single events, not recurring ones.
In other news, the council is largely leaning away from remote access water meters. Having considered the option, it’s clear that it’s a big expense for the city, particularly given its size. The meters would allow data to be delivered right to Village Hall for billing, but the company offering them provides little service with the proposed 10-year contract, as noted by Ebner.
“One of the concerns with the water meters we looked at was it was a 10-year contract. The closest contact person was in Denver,” he cautioned. “The plan itself didn’t look bad, but there were a lot of upfront costs. All they do is provide us with the meter and the Verizon plan for 10 years. Maintenance and everything is on us. They support the network is all they do.”
“I think we need to keep shopping. I think it’s a good idea, but too expensive. If we can spend some COVID money on that I think it’s a good thing to do,” he continued. After some digging into what other towns are using, he noted it appears most small towns are using a handheld meter and system. “Mabel can read the whole town in 10 minutes. One thing to look at, we may have to upgrade our billing system.” City Clerk Mary Miner is going to do some further checking.
“There are drive-by water meters, too, that are cheaper. For how small we are, the drive-by is probably a better way to go,” suggested Public Works Supervisor Treten Chiglo. “We can read a block at a time.”
The city is also advertising rock bids for 2022. Roads receiving significant rock last year included Airport Drive, Benson Lane, Crimson Lane, Deep River Road, Desoto Road, Ekern Road, Gilbertson Road, Oian Road, and Rush Creek Roe. Benson Lane, Himlie Drive, and Pine Lane also each received several tons. A list of roads due to receive rock this year is still being formulated.
There are typically three vendors: Bruening Rock, Decorah, Iowa, Milestone Materials, Onalaska, Wis., and Kruckow, in Caledonia. The last few years, however, the city has only received bids from Bruening. Bids for 2022 will be opened April 5.
Community Economic Development Associates’ Community and Business Development Specialist representative Rebecca Charles was present to remind the council of the first of three input sessions for trail development study in the Rushford Peterson Valley. The first meeting will be held at the Village Hall March 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Similar meetings will also be held at Peterson City Hall March 28 and at the Rushford Fire Hall March 31. All meetings are open and are to seek input from the public about potential trail development.
“The class from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse will be here setting up stations. There’s a three-minute powerpoint to show what they’re doing,” said Charles. “It’s really easy and quick. I will be attending all of them and recording so we can see what’s been happening the entire process.”
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, April 5, at 6:45 p.m., at the Village Hall. Please note the time change for this meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.
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