Six firms participated in Chatfield’s search process for a city engineer and city planner/zoning administrator. At their August 10 meeting, the Chatfield City Council appointed personnel from the design and consulting firm WiDSETH to fill these positions. Councilor Mike Urban said the firms they considered were all well qualified. The Personnel/Budget Committee recommended … [Read more...]
Fillmore County approves preliminary document for CARES Act funding
By Karen Reisner At its August 11 meeting, the Fillmore County Board approved a document that details categories and amounts of COVID related expenses. Commissioner Mitch Lentz was not present in-person, but participated via phone. Fillmore County received a distribution of over $2.5 million of CARES Act funding to be used on COVID related expenses. The document was … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer resigns
Heidi Jones read her resignation letter addressed to “Citizens” during the Citizens Input portion of the county board’s August 4 meeting. The following is a portion of her letter: “It has been my great honor to serve on behalf of the people of Fillmore County... However, unforeseen events have impacted my ability to perform the duties with the focus and dedication they … [Read more...]
Future housing development in Preston
The Preston EDA has recommended the purchase of option agreements for land east of Park Lane for a possible future multi-family and/or single family housing development subdivision. The city council unanimously approved the agreements and a Stantec feasibility study for necessary infrastructure improvements at the council’s August 3 meeting. Cathy Enerson, EDA, explained the … [Read more...]
COVID related matters and 2021 budgets
Fillmore County Commissioners listened to six department heads review their proposed 2021 budgets at the July 28 board meeting. COVID-19 shared the spotlight. The county’s emergency declaration was extended to September 1. COVID related issues came up during citizens input, the upcoming election discussion, letter of support for swine farmers, and drop off issues at the … [Read more...]
Chatfield moves ahead on Whalen Valley Improvement Project
Skip Langer and Angela White, Olmsted County SWCD, reviewed plans for the Whalen Valley Drainage Improvement Project at the city council’s July 27 meeting. Councilor John McBroom was absent. White explained they are proposing two projects on the 247 acre watershed. Two fully grassed storage basins (earthen retention ponds) will be built; the north one on 14 acres and the south … [Read more...]
Two CUPs to Fillmore County Board
The Fillmore County Planning Commission faced an unusually busy agenda at their July 23 meeting. Public hearings were held on two applications for conditional use permits: a Rock Quarry by Skyline Materials, Ltd. and a Meteorological Tower by Timberwolf Wind, LLC. Skyline Materials, Ltd. The application for the Eickhoff Rock Quarry was submitted by Greg Bruening, Skyline … [Read more...]
Chatfield reluctantly cancels Western Days 2020
At a special meeting of the Chatfield City Council on July 21, councilors denied the request from Western Days, Inc. to hold Western Days activities in City Park, to hold activities that require streets to be closed, and to use city services for related activities. The vote was 3-1, with John McBroom voting no and Pam Bluhm abstaining. Events like some Saddle Club events and … [Read more...]
Preston 2021 street and utility project to proceed
At the July 20 Preston City Council meeting, the council voted for a second time to adopt the resolution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans for 2021 Street and Utility Improvements. The first vote failed. This time, the project estimated to cost a little less than $4 million was ordered to proceed with a unanimous vote. A public hearing on the proposed project was … [Read more...]
Western Days controversy
Western Days, Inc. has planned a limited celebration of Chatfield Western Days due to the pandemic. Councilors struggled between caution and the desire for some normalcy while discussing at length the annual celebration at their July 13 city council meeting. Twenty-four emails were sent to the city of Chatfield from residents; most asked that the celebration not be held this … [Read more...]