At the county board’s April 5 meeting, a pre-design contract with BKV Group, for the county jail, was unanimously approved. After some clarifications and a few changes, the board took another step forward. Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, had met with engineers and some county staff last week to take a critical look at the existing jail building. They determined it can definitely … [Read more...]
Chatfield Charter Commission recommendation for city administrator fails
At the March 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, councilors voted on the second consideration of two ordinances recommended by the Charter Commission. In order for the recommended amendments to become part of the city’s charter, there must be a unanimous vote on the second consideration. Ordinance 458-Elimination of the position of Health Officer was approved with a … [Read more...]
Fillmore County proclaims April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
At the March 22 Fillmore County Board meeting, Sarah Monroe, DFO Victim Services; Laura Nauman, Women’s Shelter; and Andrea White, Regional Safe Harbor Navigator, asked the board to consider proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Monroe noted Sexual Assault Awareness Month was first observed nationally in 2001. It is an effort to bring further awareness of … [Read more...]
Preston appoints Charles Sparks as mayor pro-tem
The first order of business at the March 21 Preston City Council meeting was to appoint a mayor pro-tem. Councilman David Collett, who had been serving as mayor pro-tem, passed away on March 14. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Sparks then presided over the meeting. As mayor pro-tem, Sparks was approved to sign checks for the city at F & M Community Bank for checking/savings … [Read more...]
Rural legislative districts grow geographically
The first federal count, or U. S. Census, was taken in 1790 and has been taken every 10 years since then, as mandated by the United States Constitution. The fundamental purpose of the census is to ensure congressional districts are drawn in proportion among the states in accordance with population distribution. Minnesota has eight congressional districts. Congressional … [Read more...]
Chatfield to hold public hearing for TIF District
Chris Giesen, EDA director, discussed a proposal to construct an athletic club on the south side of Chatfield along Highway 52 at the city council’s March 14 meeting. In order to make the project financially feasible, tax increment financing (TIF) has been requested. Jill Harstad and Lindsay Eide are looking at a vacant property on which to build a new athletic club. They plan … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to contract for predesign services for jail
The architect firm BKV Group walked the Fillmore County Board through the planning process and presented a preliminary concept for an upgraded jail at the board’s March 8 meeting. Henry Pittner, senior jail planner, and Bruce Schwartzman, partner most involved in correctional work, presented a preliminary plan for the county’s jail. The full-service firm has been in operation … [Read more...]
Preston orders feasibility report for paving projects
At the March 7 meeting of the Preston City Council, possible paving projects for this year were discussed. Councilman David Collett was absent. In late 2021 the city council approved paving projects for the fire hall parking lot, city shop, and the veterans home bike trail (from the Branding Iron up toward the State Veterans Home). City Engineer Brett Grabau expects to be … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Telecommuting Policy
A discussion continued at the Fillmore County Board’s March 1 meeting on a Work Remote Policy. The county already has a Telecommuting Policy. Last week the discussion began with the original rough draft of the policy for working remote; it has since been trimmed down and made more concise. Today the question was whether another policy was even needed; the policy for … [Read more...]
Chatfield City Charter amendment recommendations
At the February 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, two public hearings were held to gain public input on two amendments recommended by the Charter Commission. Curt Sorenson, chair of the Charter Commission, said both recommendations had been unanimously approved by the Charter Commission. The first recommendation was the elimination of the position of Health Officer. … [Read more...]