At the March 23 Chatfield City Council meeting, a proclamation declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 health pandemic was approved. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. The declaration “will invoke the city’s disaster plan and authorize other appropriate community containment and mitigation strategies.” City Clerk Joel Young explained the … [Read more...]
County declares State of Emergency-COVID-19
Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency on March 13. Fillmore County Board Chairman Marc Prestby declared a State of Emergency-COVID-19 effective March 20 and the commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the declaration of a State of Emergency at their March 24 meeting. Doors to county offices are closed to the public with an appointment … [Read more...]
Preston’s 2021 street project
City Engineer Brett Grabau listed streets that may be included in the 2021 Street and Utility Improvement Project at the city council’s March 16 meeting. Grabau noted that he met with city staff in early February to discuss needed surface and subsurface improvements. Multiple areas were identified totaling about 2.35 miles of streets. The proposed streets include portions of … [Read more...]
Chatfield prepares for COVID-19
Chatfield City Council members and department heads held a special meeting on March 16 to discuss how to keep city services operating in the event the coronavirus affects city staff. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Mayor Russ Smith explained we have to look at what we will need to do if key staff are sick or quarantined for two weeks. Who will take over for essential … [Read more...]
Chatfield supports Rochester Airport bonding request
Chatfield City Council sped through a short agenda at their March 9 meeting. Rochester International Airport has requested bonding money to be used for maintenance and improvements (reconstruction of Runway 2/20) of the regional airport. The airport is an economic cornerstone supporting southeastern Minnesota. The Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities membership … [Read more...]
Coronavirus update
At the March 10 Fillmore County Board meeting, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, reported on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus. Erickson reported that there were two cases in Minnesota, one in Ramsey County and one in Carver County. Later this day there was a third case reported in Anoka County. It takes two to 14 days after exposure for a person to show … [Read more...]
County road and bridge construction for 2020
County Engineer Ron Gregg detailed construction projects planned for 2020 at the County Board’s March 3 meeting. The board approved the lower bid of two bids in the amount of $208,322.07 submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel for the replacement of the county office building parking lots. The bid was very close to the engineer’s estimate for this project. Work will start on … [Read more...]
Future ownership of Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery Association members updated the Preston City Council on cemetery financial issues at the council’s March 2 meeting. Kevin Ostern recalled that they had first approached the city council in July of 2017 about the dwindling financial resources and the possibility of the city taking over ownership and maintenance of the cemetery. City Administrator Joe … [Read more...]
Community Health Improvement Plan
At the February 25 Fillmore County Board meeting, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, led a discussion on the Fillmore-Houston Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The plan is developed every five years and covers the entire area of both counties. Public health issues have been identified and prioritized. Individuals, the public, and organizations were involved with … [Read more...]
Arendahl Township solar farm approved
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on February 20 to continue a public hearing on a conditional use permit application for a solar farm submitted by Fillinona Solar LLC. The proposal is to build a solar farm on about 20 acres of land owned by HAZ-BROY Prop, LLC, section 30 in Arendahl Township. Fillinona Solar will work with MiEnergy to establish the solar farm near … [Read more...]