At the October 16 meeting of the Preston City Council, the clean-up of the Preston Oil (POP) site was again addressed. Over several years, steps have been taken to improve the site. In 2018 the property went into tax forfeiture. In 2019 the city had the underground tanks removed. The following year the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began monitoring the site. A … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves CUP for Apartments Over Jac’s Bar and Grill
An application for a conditional use permit submitted by Jamie and Robin Arthur was considered at the Chatfield City Council’s October 9 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. A public hearing was held concerning this application at the October 2 Planning and Zoning meeting. The Planning Commision recommended that the CUP be approved to convert the space above the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Supports Outdoor School Legislation
Colleen Foehrenbacher, executive director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, requested a letter of support for outdoor schools for all Minnesota students at the board’s October 10 meeting. Foehrenbacher explained they are hoping to get a bill through during the next legislative session to establish a statewide grant program to support accredited overnight outdoor … [Read more...]
Use of Veterans Home Trail Discussed
At the October 2 meeting of the Preston, Minn., City Council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained the trail is getting close to completion, but it is not expected to be open until next spring. The debate, in which several citizens participated, is whether the trail should be considered a recreational use trail only (motorized conveyance prohibited) or should … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Advertise for 2024 Road Projects
Highway Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to advertise six 2024 scheduled road projects at the board’s October 3 meeting. Gregg said the projects are ready to advertise. Projects include a concrete overlay on CSAH 1 between CSAH 39 and the west city limits of Spring Valley, improvements to CSAH 4 from intersection of CSAH 38 to CSAH 5, a culvert replacement on CSAH 12 in … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies Levy for Taxes Payable in 2024
The 2024 preliminary budget and tax levy was adopted in the amount of $2,588,325 at the Chatfield, Minn., city council’s September 25 meeting. Councilors David Frank and Paul Novotny were absent. The preliminary levy for 2024 represents a 5.873% increase over 2023. The final levy to be adopted in December can be lower but not higher than preliminary numbers. The Truth in … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Hires Land Use Director
At the September 26 meeting of the county board, Blake Lea was hired to fill the newly created position of Land Use Director, effective September 29. In August the board voted to restructure the Zoning Department, which was supported by the current Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins. This day, the new job classification for Assistant Land Use Director was approved. Approval … [Read more...]
Preston Approves Paving Projects
At the September 18 meeting, the Preston, Minn., City Council approved two small paving projects that can be completed along with a third utility project. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said there could be savings by doing the projects together. The trail extension to the veterans home will be a city-only cost totaling $9,736.33. Griffin … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves Property Tax Abatement
At the September 12 county board meeting, a resolution was adopted approving the property tax abatement related to Lamon Housing Project (developers Richard and Cheryl Lamon) in the city of Lanesboro. A public hearing was held during which there was no comment from the public. Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., presented the basics of the plan. This project has a … [Read more...]
West Chatfield Drainage Project Nears Completion
Craig Britton, Widseth, reported on the progress of both the Drainage Project and the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s September 11 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. Work began on the West Chatfield Drainage Project in July, and it was substantially completed by the middle of August. Pearson Backhoe Service, Inc. still has … [Read more...]