A letter authored by Steven Rowland, Western Days, Inc. co-chairman, was addressed to the city council. It was the basis for a relatively long discussion concerning “street vendors” at the August 26 Chatfield City Council meeting. Rowland maintains the number of street vendors is a growing problem, as they take away business from established permanent businesses in … [Read more...]
Bid grudgingly accepted for 2019 Street and Utility improvements
City Engineer Brett Grabau reviewed the only bid submitted for Preston’s 2019 Street and Utility Improvements at the city council’s August 23 meeting. The bid submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel was about $100,000 higher than the engineer’s estimate. Their bid is $443,376.65, of which, $418,873 represents the assessable portion of the project. The total project cost to do … [Read more...]
Finance Department policy and procedures approved
Policies and procedures were approved and put into place for the recently created Finance Department at the August 13 county board meeting. Statutory issues which have been analyzed in detail concerning legalities over the creation of the department were resolved. The board sought verification that they would be within statutory requirements with the creation of the finance … [Read more...]
Chatfield sets hearing for bond issuance
At the August 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a resolution was approved calling for a public hearing on September 9, concerning the proposal for the issuance of healthcare facility revenue bonds for the Chosen Valley Care Center project. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. City Clerk Joel Young said the care center has been working with the city for a couple of … [Read more...]
County jail future discussed
The annual Jail Inspection Report was reviewed at the county board’s August 6 meeting. The report is issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The Fillmore County Jail, which is the second oldest in the state, was limited to a 90-day facility in February 2017. Sheriff John DeGeorge and Jail Administrator James Fenske felt there was nothing in the report that was … [Read more...]
Chief of Police Blaise Sass sworn in
Blaise Sass was sworn in as the new Chief of Police at the August 5 Preston City Council meeting. Sass has most recently served as a sergeant under retiring Chief Matt Schultz. August 5 was Schultz’s last day in office. After the city council meeting Schultz radioed in his official final sign off, bringing a long career in law enforcement to an end. Schultz made a farewell … [Read more...]
Floodplain District amendments Public hearing set for August 6
Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins reviewed proposed revisions to the county’s 610. Floodplain District ordinance at the July 25 planning commission meeting. After waiting for the revised maps for several years the updated FEMA maps are to be finalized effective August 15. As part of the process, the county is required to amend its ordinance, referencing the updated maps. … [Read more...]
Chatfield interim wastewater operator
At the July 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Brian Burkholder recommended that Steve Bushman, certified Class A Operator (WHKS), be hired on an interim basis. At a special meeting of the city council on July 15 the resignation of Chris Daniels, wastewater treatment plant operator, was accepted effective July 26. The council then authorized staff to advertise for a … [Read more...]
Preston becomes a Purple Heart City
Members of the Lloyd-Swenson Chapter 7110 of the Minnesota Military Order of the Purple Hearts and many local veterans were in attendance during the city council’s July 15 meeting. The council adopted a resolution proclaiming Preston a Purple Heart City. Duane Hodge, a Vietnam veteran, is the commander of the Lloyd-Swenson Chapter 7110. Harry Kerr, the chapter’s adjutant, … [Read more...]
County reverses course
At the July 9 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, the Land Records Department established earlier this year was quashed. The board voted unanimously to change back from the Land Records Director position to the County Assessor position. Human Resources Officer Kristina Kohn explained the department headed by a Land Records Director was not functioning as the board … [Read more...]