Preston city attorney, Dwight Luhmann led a discussion on a draft of the proposed Special Use Vehicle Ordinance at the city council’s April 1 meeting. The ordinance will be designed to regulate the use of UTVs (utility terrain vehicles), ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), golf carts, and mini trucks on city streets (not federal highways). A permit will be needed and will be … [Read more...]

At the April 2 meeting of the county board the annual nursing consultation services agreement with Fillmore County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) was approved. Jessica Erickson, public health director, explained the agreement allows the county nursing consultant who is also an employee of Fillmore County Public Health to be available to consult on anything as needed … [Read more...]

The city council approved dates for the citywide cleanup at their March 25 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. The citywide cleanup will begin on May 6. Appliances, televisions, large electronics, mattresses and box springs can be picked up beginning on May 9. A resolution was adopted authorizing the transfer of funds in the amount of … [Read more...]

Yoder’s Masonry Restoration had started tuckpointing work on the library/city hall building in early March. At the March 18 meeting the city council approved payment in the amount of $2,860 for work on additional areas found to be in need of tuckpointing. This amount will add to previously approved quotes. It will allow Yoder’s Masonry to complete the tuckpointing process on … [Read more...]

Jason Boynton, Smith Schafer, reviewed the 2023 financial summary at the city council’s March 11 meeting. The city received an unmodified “clean” opinion, a reasonable assurance that the financials are free of misstatement. There were no exceptions to Minnesota statute compliance. Taxable tax capacity had increased from 2022. Local Government Aid (LGA) represented 15.8% of … [Read more...]

At the March 12 meeting of the board, County Engineer Ron Gregg reviewed projects to be constructed in 2024. This information was provided for the commissioners prior to the annual meeting of the townships later this day. Gregg detailed 11 projects: 1) concrete overlay of CSAH 1 from CSAH 39 to the west city limits of Spring Valley, 2) full depth reclamation and bituminous … [Read more...]

At the March 5 meeting of the county board, social services manager Wanda Berg explained the request for a shortfall payment submitted by Nexis Family Healing.   The Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC) has been operated by Nexis Family Healing for the last three years. It is located in Rochester and is available 24/7 for mental health crisis intervention. Nexis … [Read more...]

The Preston City Council appointed a new Tourism/Chamber director at the March 5 meeting.   City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported there had been 10 applicants. Three were interviewed and the position was offered to Kristina LiBretto. She is a relatively recent resident of the city, having moved from New York. LiBretto will begin at her new job on March … [Read more...]

Sheriff John DeGeorge, Emergency Management director Don Kullot, and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) manager Jon Whitney addressed the county board at their February 27 meeting. They requested approval to purchase the Vesta Next Generation 911 phone system to make the county Next Generation 911 compliant. The one-time cost for system setup in the amount of $40,283.61 … [Read more...]

At the February 26 meeting of the Chatfield city council, Steve Schlichter, WWTF superintendent, explained the current UV disinfection system is 18 years old and parts are no longer available and/or difficult to find. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Schlichter recommended the lower of two quotes submitted by Great Northern Environmental in the amount of $145,000 for … [Read more...]