At the June 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Luke Thieke, Chatfield Fire Department, reported on a proposal recommended for approval by city staff and members of the fire department to enroll in the state Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Thieke noted that a cost analysis has been completed. One-hundred and forty-two fire departments in Minnesota rely … [Read more...]
Becky Brandt sworn in as Fillmore County Court Administrator
New Court Administrator Becky Brandt took the oath of office administrated by Judge Matt Opat on June 4. She will replace retired Court Administrator Jim Attwood who served in the position for 31 years. Brandt is no stranger to district court operations. She served the Olmsted County District Court for 21 years. She began working in the Juvenile Division in 1998, then moved … [Read more...]
Veterans Treatment Court
Judge Ross Leuning, Freeborn County, informed the county board at their June 4 meeting about the establishment of a Third Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court. Leuning explained that the Treatment Court is an intensive probationary program. It is a specialty court that provides for treatment rather than incarceration to prevent future illegal activity. A successful … [Read more...]
Police Chief Schultz to retire
The Preston City Council accepted the retirement letter submitted by Police Chief Matt Schultz at the council’s June 3 meeting. Schultz has been with the city for 19 years. His retirement will be effective August 5. Schultz plans to work up to the date of his retirement, during the next two months, to make the transition process as smooth as possible. Mayor Kurt Reicks … [Read more...]
Permit for recycling center considered
At the May 23 meeting of the Planning Commission, K. Rodney Beer presented his plans for a concrete recycling center to be located in Section 21, York Township. Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins explained the conditional use permit will be issued under regulations for a quarry. Beer plans to crush concrete on the site, but will not be doing any blasting. Duane Bakke … [Read more...]
Routine business at County Board
County Engineer Ron Gregg presented four bids for the concrete overlay project on CSAH 1 south of Ostrander and north of Ostrander to CR 39 at the board’s May 28 meeting. He added that approval has been received from the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights. The board approved the lowest bid from Croell, Inc. in the amount of $3,516,637.47. This bid was just slightly lower than the … [Read more...]
Compromise managed with a divided government
Minnesota’s regular legislative session had started on January 8; it ended May 20 with the announcement of a two year state budget agreement between Governor Tim Walz (DFL), Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (DFL), and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R). Conference committees then worked on the details. A special session was called starting Friday morning and ending … [Read more...]
Burnetts receive preservation award
At the May 28 Chatfield City Council meeting, Chris Giesen, chairman of the Heritage Preservation Commission, presented this year’s preservation award to Rocky and Melissa Burnett. May is preservation month. The commercial building at 208 Main was restored and preserved. The Burnetts recognized the building had good bones and brought new life to an old existing building. It is … [Read more...]
Preston’s 2019 street projects
Brett Grabau, Stantec engineer, presented cost estimates for four possible 2019 street project areas at the May 20 city council meeting. The estimates were requested by the council last February. Project areas include portions of Cottage Grove Ave., Park Lane, Chatfield Ave., and Washington St. The total estimate for the suggested improvements is about $467,000. This … [Read more...]
Technology upgrade and law enforcement vehicles
Approval was given for a technology upgrade for the Highway Department and two new vehicles for the sheriff’s department at the county board’s May 14 meeting. Highway Engineer Ron Gregg explained the VRS Technology upgrade will be used to gather survey data. It helps them access MnDOT’s stations and will be more accurate and faster. The upgrade was approved at a cost of … [Read more...]