At the November 22 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, three bids were considered for construction of a highway department storage building at the Chatfield location. The lowest bid submitted by Swartzentruber Construction LLC in the amount of $562,725.31 was accepted as recommended by county engineer Ron Gregg. This amount is still higher than the $500,000 now set aside for … [Read more...]
Chatfield leaders speak to legislators
Representatives of the City of Chatfield and Chatfield schools pointed out both needs and wants to state legislators to be considered in the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Representative Greg Davids and Senator Carla Nelson shared their comments on a variety of issues at the November 22 meeting. Mayor Russ Smith opened the meeting. Soon-to-be mayor John McBroom along with … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall repairs in progress
At the November 17 meeting of the city council, the last two quotes from contractors to complete needed waterproofing and repairs of Preston City Hall were approved. Mayor Kurt Reicks and councilman Dean Aug were absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported the final two quotes had been received and some work had already been done. The deconstruction and removal of … [Read more...]
Permit for auctions in Ag District considered
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on November 17 to consider an application for a conditional use permit for auctions in the Agricultural District. Chairman Trinity Johnson opened the public hearing for an application submitted by Enos and Emma Hershberger, section 18 of Canton Township. This conditional use permit application is considered under Section 604.03(13) … [Read more...]
Harmony awarded over $1 million Small City Block Grant
At the November 15 city council meeting, Mayor Steve Donney noted that Harmony had received a Small City Block Grant for over $1 million, which is one of the largest ones granted in the area. More details on the grant will be coming out later. Sarah Scheffert from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, or SMIF, addressed the council. She thanked them for their past … [Read more...]
Chatfield certifies city election results
At the November 14 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the results of the city election were reported and certified. City Clerk Joel Young said the election went smoothly due to the capable leadership of Deputy City Clerk Beth Carlson working together with 16 judges. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Eighteen hundred fifty-three citizens were registered to vote the morning … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Community Corrections
At the November 8 Fillmore County Board meeting, the scheduled fourth quarter payment to Olmsted County Community Services in the amount of $119,851.50 was discussed. Fillmore County Community Corrections director Tom Jensen said they will have no authority until January 1, 2023. Until then, Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections is still bound by contract to … [Read more...]
Preston adopts assessment rolls for Maple St. and Circle Heights Dr. improvements
City Engineer Brett Grabau began the assessment hearings with a description of the projects at the city council’s November 7 meeting. The improvements included the resurfacing of Maple St. from the intersection of Ridge Rd. to the western dead end. Improvements also included the reconstruction of portions of Circle Heights Dr. along with the entrance to the Branding Iron; this … [Read more...]
Fillmore County joins Operation Green Light
At the county board’s November 1 meeting, the board accepted an invitation to join Operation Green Light for Veterans. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invited counties, parishes and boroughs throughout the nation to join and demonstrate their support and appreciation for our veterans by lighting buildings … [Read more...]
Purchase agreement for People’s Energy Cooperative site approved
At the October 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, an agreement for the city to purchase the current People’s Energy Cooperative site along Twiford St., between First and Second Streets, was approved as recommended by the Public Works committee. EDA Director Chris Giesen noted the property includes several buildings, office and furniture, fenced-in outdoor storage, and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail project update
Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, reviewed design development plans, including site and floor plans, cost estimates, and a future schedule for the county jail addition and remodel at the county board’s October 25 meeting. The podular jail design provides staffing efficiencies. Schwartzman said the Department of Corrections is on board with the … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall water issues
At the October 17 Preston City council meeting, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reviewed quotes which had been submitted to resolve water issues and fix damages in city hall. With a spring snow melt or heavy rains water has leaked into the council chambers along the north and east foundation walls. It appears to leak in where the foundation and basement floor meets. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County 2021 audit reviewed
Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, detailed items related to Fillmore County’s 2021 audit at the county board’s October 11 meeting. Wendlandt reported that the county’s financial statements were issued on September 27 prior to the Minnesota statutory deadline. CliftonLarsonAllen completes audits for about 20 Minnesota counties. There were no disagreements with … [Read more...]
Chatfield amends its City Charter
At the October 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, members unanimously approved the second consideration of Ordinance 461, which makes amendments to the city’s Charter. Councilors must vote unanimously on the second consideration to amend the city’s Charter. The publication of Ordinance 461 was then approved. The amendments to the Charter take place 90 days after … [Read more...]
Zoning enforcement in Fillmore County
Board Chairman Mitch Lentz initiated a discussion related to Zoning enforcement during the Fillmore County Board’s October 4 meeting. Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins, County Attorney Brett Corson, and Highway Engineer Ron Gregg contributed to the discussion. Adkins said if a zoning ordinance is in place you have to enforce it. People need to call her with complaints. … [Read more...]