At the March 5 meeting of the Preston City Council, City Attorney Dwight Luhmann was instructed to send the signed and updated option/purchase agreement to Robert Doherty for his signature. The city has held an option on the approximately 15 acres of Doherty land for about four years. This agreement will purchase an extension of that option agreement at a cost of $15,000 for … [Read more...]
Failure to recycle cardboard costs county
Commissioners discussed fines imposed by Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill for cardboard contaminated loads at their March 6 meeting. Andrew Hatzenbihler, solid waste administrator, reported the county has been charged $150 per ton (normally $68 per ton) on a trailer load delivered to the landfill on February 13 because of cardboard contamination. Hatzenbihler said … [Read more...]
County thanks employees for their service
At the February 27 meeting of the County Board, Fillmore County employees were recognized for their contribution to the county. Each year employees that have been with the county for 5, 10 15, 20, 25, or 30 years are given a certificate of appreciation for their service. This year 27 employees were recognized. Todd Kokinos, maintenance specialist, III, Highway De partment, … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s 2017 annual activity reports
Chatfield councilors listened to annual reports for 2017 from Planning and Zoning, Heritage Preservation, and the Economic Development Authority at their February 26 meeting. Kristi Clarke, consultant/city planner, reported that the city gained 19 new single family residences in 2017. New residential construction and remodels added over $5 million of value. The city is left … [Read more...]
Preston to convert to LED street lights
At the February 20 meeting of the Preston City Council, a motion to convert the city’s 422 street lights to LEDs was approved unanimously. The city will take advantage of rebates offered by the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA). Jim Bakken, Public Works, explained the street lights are operated by the city’s public utility, but the city pays the utility for the … [Read more...]
Walz staff listens to community concerns and ideas
A large number of community members participated in Walz’s “Southern Minnesota Way of Life Tour” at the F & M Bank community room on February 8. This mix of employers, people associated with business, farmers, local government officials, and educators were asked for their ideas and given the opportunity to express their concerns as they relate to transportation, … [Read more...]
Charter Commission recommends adding city manager position
Curt Sorenson, Charter Commission chair, reported at the February 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council that the commission has discussed at length what sort of government structure to recommend for the city. Councilor Pam Bluhm was absent. According to Sorenson, city hall doesn’t operate exactly in the way the current Charter describes. He added this is not a bad thing. … [Read more...]
County moves forward with office building remodel
At the February 13 meeting of the county board, plans for a remodel of the Fillmore County office building were approved. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman explained a remodel has been a topic of discussion for almost two years. A plan to have one front desk for both social services and public health has been put off because of the significant cost. Jessica Erickson, … [Read more...]
County reports its legislative priorities
Rep. Greg Davids and Senator Jeremy Miller were at the February 6 county board meeting to hear the county’s legislative priorities for the 2018 legislative session. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman thanked legislators for 2017 legislation that stabilized and added funding for county program aid. Fillmore County’s CPA increased by $90,000. The county noted its opposition … [Read more...]
Preston purchase agreement with Dairy & Farm
Preston City Attorney Dwight Luhmann discussed proposed updates to a purchase agreement for the Dairy & Farm property at the February 5 meeting. Originally, the proposed purchase price was $100,000. Dairy & Farm now wants $115,000 for the property; the additional funds requested are to help pay for the remediation, clean-up of the property. The city wants Dairy & … [Read more...]