At the May 18 meeting of the city council a six-month contract was approved for Interim Administrator Michelle Marotzke. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Marotzke has recently been serving as the Preston/Lanesboro EDA director. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and has EDA municipal utility experience. Deputy Clerk Sheila Marzolf and the office manager, Marilyn … [Read more...]
Chatfield Shady Oak Redevelopment Proposal Tabled Indefinitely
A development proposal for two single family residential lots along Hawley St. (Shady Oak Park) failed to get enough support at the May 11 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. The proposal had been recommended by the Planning Commission. Councilor Josh Broadwater who favored the proposal was against the suggested request for proposals language which made the developer … [Read more...]
Fillmore County EDA Grant Application
At the May 12 meeting of the county board, Economic Development Authority Director Allison Whalen asked the board for approval to submit a full grant application through its Small Communities Grant Program to the Blandin Foundation. The grant request is for $100,000 to be used to perform a countywide comprehensive planning process, a county level housing study, and a community … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Hears Plans for Gopher to Badger Link Project
At the May 5 county board meeting, information was presented on plans for extending a new transmission line from Marion, Minn., to the Mississippi River (105 miles). The plan is to replace a 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line with a new 765/161 kV double-circuit transmission line (Maribell Transmission Line). The double-circuit lines are to be on a steel lattice … [Read more...]
Preston Transfers Duties of LBAE to Fillmore County
A public hearing was held at the May 4 meeting of the Preston City Council to consider transferring the city’s duties and powers of the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization to the county. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted that the city rarely has changed anything for citizens that have come with an appeal at the LBAE meeting. For example, at the LBAE meeting held this year on April 20 … [Read more...]
Online Safety Program in Fillmore County
At the April 28 meeting of the county board, Assistant Fillmore County Attorney Marla Stanton and Captain Dan Dornink reported on a social media safety program which they continue to present at local schools. Stanton explained the first of these programs began in 2017. The content has changed over the years. Nine years ago, it was “scared straight” and now students are … [Read more...]
Shady Oak Redevelopment Proposal
Several citizens attended the April 27 meeting of the Chatfield City Council due to a proposal for Shady Oak redevelopment. The proposal is to subdivide a portion of Shady Oak Park (near Hawley Street) into two buildable lots. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval, after a public hearing at its April 6 meeting. The proposal is to provide for two … [Read more...]
Preston Protein Products Curb Request Approved
At the April 20 meeting of the Preston City Council, a request to install a roll curb and gutter was approved. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained the company wants to take out a section of standard curb and install a roll curb and gutter. City Code limits driveway widths to a maximum of 25 feet on a one-way and 30 feet on a two-way. … [Read more...]
A New Police Chief in Chatfield
Scott Keigley has been sworn in as Chatfield’s new police chief. Keigley explained he has always had an interest in law enforcement. He was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. He grew up in a law enforcement family as his father was a police officer. After high school life took him on another path for a time. He explained that while growing up he didn’t have a lot so he … [Read more...]
Scott Keigley Back in Chatfield
At the April 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council the new police chief was sworn in. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. Mayor John McBroom administered the oath of office to Chatfield’s new police chief, Scott Keigley. His mother Virginia pinned the badge on his chest. Prior to the city council meeting there was an open house to welcome the new police chief. Keigley was … [Read more...]