"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
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Friday, May 24th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
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- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
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- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
Chatfield recognizes growth opportunities
Fri, Feb 15th, 2013
Posted in Chatfield Government
Posted in Chatfield Government
Comments
City Clerk Joel Young discussed Mayo Clinic’s vision for the future at the February 11 meeting. Mayor Don Hainlen was absent.
Mayo Clinic announced recently an ambitious plan for investment in future growth. Young suggested Chatfield make plans to take advantage of the growth opportunities Mayo Clinic’s plan could offer. Communities surrounding Rochester could share in the job opportunities, housing, entertainment of an increased number of visitors, and so on. The intention is to develop a plan for the future of Chatfield. Young maintained this could have a big impact on southeast Minnesota.
Young recommended that a committee consisting of himself, city planner Kristi Clarke, Chris Giesen, and two councilors be formed to be proactive and start studying the possibilities. The EDA and the Planning Commission can gather information toward determining what kind of community we want to be twenty years from now.
Councilor Ken Jacobson recommended that they put off until the next meeting the decision on where to begin, adding that it is very important we have a plan to take advantage of whatever we can. Councilor Russ Smith agreed it was a potential boom for southeast Minnesota.
In the Planning and Zoning Commission’s annual report presented by Kristi Clarke, the fact that the city had issued permits for four new single-family homes was highlighted, especially since there had been no new construction of single-family homes in 2011. Of the 145 total single family lots, 77 have been sold, leaving 68 lots available.
Other Business In Brief
•Tim Gossman and Jenny Bradt requested $2,000 be appropriated for the Lost Creek Hiking Trail. Bradt highlighted events over the last year. The funding is to be used for a trail register and donation stand at the Ninebark Trailhead, landowner liability insurance, additional trail signage, website maintenance, and advertising. Additional expenses will be covered by donations and memberships. A grant has been applied for through the Fillmore County SWCD for erosion control.
•Bradt expressed gratitude for the landowners who allow the trail to cross their property. Smith and councilor Robert Pederson noted the value of the trail for the community. In 2012 the trail funding consisted of $2,000 from the city of Chatfield, $1,578 from memberships and donations, and $250 from the Chatfield Firefighters Grant. There are currently 14 active members that donate time and energy to maintain the trail. The $2,000 appropriation was approved as recommended by the Park and Recreation Committee.
•Councilor Paul Novotny reported there was a discussion at the Public Works Committee about downtown tree removal. The council gave the go ahead to have the trees removed and the stumps ground down. Novotny said by May or June there could be a plan on what to put back in place of the trees.
•A resolution to support the preservation of tax exempt financing was adopted. Young explained the city finances improvements with federally tax exempt bonds. Purchasers of these bonds are not required to pay federal tax on the interest earned. At this time there are proposals at the federal level which could alter the federal tax exemption on municipal bonds. If this tax exemption were eliminated it would increase the interest rates or borrowing cost of future municipal bonds. Young estimated that the elimination of the tax exemption could increase total interest costs for the city on future bonds as much as $80,000 per year.
The resolution in opposition to the effort to eliminate or limit the federal tax exemption will be sent to Representative Tim Walz, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken.
Mayo Clinic announced recently an ambitious plan for investment in future growth. Young suggested Chatfield make plans to take advantage of the growth opportunities Mayo Clinic’s plan could offer. Communities surrounding Rochester could share in the job opportunities, housing, entertainment of an increased number of visitors, and so on. The intention is to develop a plan for the future of Chatfield. Young maintained this could have a big impact on southeast Minnesota.
Young recommended that a committee consisting of himself, city planner Kristi Clarke, Chris Giesen, and two councilors be formed to be proactive and start studying the possibilities. The EDA and the Planning Commission can gather information toward determining what kind of community we want to be twenty years from now.
Councilor Ken Jacobson recommended that they put off until the next meeting the decision on where to begin, adding that it is very important we have a plan to take advantage of whatever we can. Councilor Russ Smith agreed it was a potential boom for southeast Minnesota.
In the Planning and Zoning Commission’s annual report presented by Kristi Clarke, the fact that the city had issued permits for four new single-family homes was highlighted, especially since there had been no new construction of single-family homes in 2011. Of the 145 total single family lots, 77 have been sold, leaving 68 lots available.
Other Business In Brief
•Tim Gossman and Jenny Bradt requested $2,000 be appropriated for the Lost Creek Hiking Trail. Bradt highlighted events over the last year. The funding is to be used for a trail register and donation stand at the Ninebark Trailhead, landowner liability insurance, additional trail signage, website maintenance, and advertising. Additional expenses will be covered by donations and memberships. A grant has been applied for through the Fillmore County SWCD for erosion control.
•Bradt expressed gratitude for the landowners who allow the trail to cross their property. Smith and councilor Robert Pederson noted the value of the trail for the community. In 2012 the trail funding consisted of $2,000 from the city of Chatfield, $1,578 from memberships and donations, and $250 from the Chatfield Firefighters Grant. There are currently 14 active members that donate time and energy to maintain the trail. The $2,000 appropriation was approved as recommended by the Park and Recreation Committee.
•Councilor Paul Novotny reported there was a discussion at the Public Works Committee about downtown tree removal. The council gave the go ahead to have the trees removed and the stumps ground down. Novotny said by May or June there could be a plan on what to put back in place of the trees.
•A resolution to support the preservation of tax exempt financing was adopted. Young explained the city finances improvements with federally tax exempt bonds. Purchasers of these bonds are not required to pay federal tax on the interest earned. At this time there are proposals at the federal level which could alter the federal tax exemption on municipal bonds. If this tax exemption were eliminated it would increase the interest rates or borrowing cost of future municipal bonds. Young estimated that the elimination of the tax exemption could increase total interest costs for the city on future bonds as much as $80,000 per year.
The resolution in opposition to the effort to eliminate or limit the federal tax exemption will be sent to Representative Tim Walz, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken.