At the county board’s May 23 meeting, the public had an opportunity to be heard on the proposed ordinance regulating the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The Minnesota legislature has approved a measure to legalize adult use of hemp-derived cannabinoid products for recreational use. The state has had a medical cannabis program since 2014. As this measure for … [Read more...]
Fillmore County goes forward with jail bonding process
At the May 9 county board meeting Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., made final recommendations prior to sale of general obligation bonds for financing the renovation and expansion of the Fillmore County Jail. He recommends a rated, standard competitive public sale of bonds. The jail bonds are eligible for credit enhancement via the State’s Public Facility Authority, … [Read more...]
Chatfield presents 2023 Heritage Preservation Award
At the May 8 city council meeting Chris Giesen, Heritage Preservation Commission chairman, presented the 2023 Heritage Preservation Award to Mike and Julie Sogla. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The commission exists to assist in the preservation of unique/architecturally significant and historic buildings and other projects in Chatfield. This year’s award presented to … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to replace radio tower microwave equipment
Sheriff John DeGeorge explained the radio microwave equipment, which is part of the ARMER 800 mhz radio communication system, is not working on two of the three towers near Preston. The equipment is on a tower near the office, on a tower uphill near POET, and on the Amherst tower. DeGeorge recommended replacing the equipment on all three towers. The Amherst tower equipment is … [Read more...]
Preston seeks Tourism/Chamber/EDA director
Gabby Kinneberg, current Tourism/Chamber/EDA director, has submitted her resignation, effective May 22. At the May 1 Preston City Council meeting City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton provided four options for her replacement. The options included advertising for the position as it now, to include all three areas. Other options included contracting out EDA services or hiring … [Read more...]
Chatfield to amend parking requirements for multiple dwellings
The Chatfield city council met on April 24. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the adopted language to amend the zoning ordinance regarding parking requirements for multiple dwellings at an early April meeting. The recommended changes include one space for a one-bedroom apartment, one and a half spaces for a … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Cannabinoid/THC Ordinance public hearing set for May 23
County Attorney Brett Corson asked the county board if there were any concerns regarding the draft ordinance before them on Cannabinoid/THC at the board’s April 25 meeting. A committee was formed to work on a draft ordinance on February 28. The draft ordinance the committee produced is intended to regulate the sale of hemp derived products in Fillmore County to protect public … [Read more...]
Park Lane development option agreements transferred
Developer Andy Bunge requested the Park Lane agreements with Winslow and Sackett for future Park Lane development be assigned to him at the Preston City Council’s April 17 meeting. The EDA recommended approval. The development agreement was originally signed in 2020, and since, has been extended through August 2023. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said the reassignment … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail Project moves forward
Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, reviewed funding options for the renovation and expansion of the Fillmore County jail at the county board’s April 11 meeting. At the last board meeting, a motion to move forward with the project along with the EOC/Training room was tabled. Only four commissioners had been present at that meeting, as chairman Larry Hindt was absent. … [Read more...]
Chatfield seeks bids for 2023 Street Improvement Project
At the April 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Vanessa Hines, Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates, Inc., presented plans and specifications for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The 2023 project includes the reconstruction of Grand St. SE from Seventh St. SE to Prospect St. SE, Hawley St. SE from Grand St. SE to the cul-de-sac, and … [Read more...]
Jail renovation and expansion bids presented
Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, addressed the Fillmore County Board at their April 4 meeting. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent due to a medical issue. Schwartzman explained that the jail project went out for bids in February; the bids came in on March 23. There was good bid coverage with 25 bid categories and 57 bids total. Two categories … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall window replacement update
At the April 3 meeting of the Preston City Council, a quote for replacing windows on the west side of the building (city hall/library) was discussed. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. In October 2022, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton sought quotes to replace the windows. A quote from Bowmans in the amount of $14,140 was accepted by the city council. A down payment in the … [Read more...]
Chatfield searching for city administrator
The Chatfield City Council, at their March 27 meeting, acknowledged the receipt of a notice of retirement from City Administrator Joel Young and approved the recommendation to retain DDA Human Resources, Inc. to search for his replacement. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Young intends for the retirement to be effective sometime between mid-July and mid-September 2023. He has … [Read more...]
Fillmore County PSAP manager
The Fillmore County Board held a relatively brief meeting on March 28. Commissioner Randy Dahl was absent. Sheriff John DeGeorge requested approval of a proposal from Northland Business Systems to replace the server for the PSAP (public safety answering point) logger, which is in need of replacement. The new server will be paid for out of 911 grant funds. With trade-in credit … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Planning Commission approves rezoning application
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on March 23 to consider an application submitted by Andrew Miller Jr. to rezone his property northeast of the city of Spring Valley from A (Agricultural) to I-1 (General Industrial) for the purpose of opening a lumberyard. The property in Spring Valley Township lies within one-half mile of the city limits of Spring Valley, making … [Read more...]