An amount of $500,000 of the county’s CARES Act funding will be available to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. At the August 25 meeting, the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners gave its approval to release the business grant application form for Economic Development relief grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses. The grants are to be used for costs … [Read more...]
Chatfield upgrades telephone system and police radios
Upgrades to some of the city’s communication systems were on the August 24 agenda of the Chatfield City Council. Police Chief Shane Fox noted that the 10-year-old 800 MHz portable radios that officers are using are outdated. Motorola quit manufacturing the current radios in 2017 and ended support for them in 2018. Fox proposed the purchase of five Motorola APX 6000 portables … [Read more...]
Preston prioritizes use of CARES Act Funding
At the August 17 meeting of the Preston City Council, a list of possible uses were discussed for the city’s $100,127 distribution of CARES Act funds. The funds must be expended by November 15. The total amount of possible uses for COVID related expenses exceeded the amount of available funding. City staff compiled a list of possible uses. Ambulance equipment upgrades, … [Read more...]
Chatfield appoints city engineer and planner
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...]