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...]
Compromise moves land acquisition forward
Mike Tenney, DNR, and Robert McGillvray, The Trust for Public Land, faced commissioners at their January 23 meeting to ask them for a third time to consider a land acquisition of 337 acres from the Larson Family Trust. The land is to be added to the Choice Wildlife Management Area. It straddles Norway and Preble Townships. Tenney said we now propose to single out about 42 … [Read more...]
Chatfield purchases capital financial planning service
Mike Bubany, David Drown and Associates (DDA), presented information about their capital financial planning service at the January 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. He explained that he has been discussing the benefits of the service with city staff for a couple of months. Information can easily be plugged in to show on a spread sheet the effect a particular project … [Read more...]
Preston seeks more details about proposed veterans home site
An option to purchase about 15 acres from Robert Doherty, the proposed site for a veterans home, was discussed at length at the January 16 Preston City Council meeting. The city has an option to purchase the property until later in February. Mayor Kurt Reicks reported that during a recent phone call with Doherty he learned that Doherty was not interested in extending the … [Read more...]
Semcac reports to commissioners
Wayne Stenberg, Semcac executive director, and Cindy Vitse, housing coordinator, updated the county board on Semcac programs at the January 9 meeting. Commissioner Gary Peterson was absent. Semcac has been in existence for 51 years and serves a 12 county area. Stenberg said their mission statement has changed to “Empower and advocate for people to enhance their … [Read more...]
Mayor reports Chatfield is in good shape
Chatfield’s first city council meeting of 2018 was held on January 8. Mayor Russ Smith said he was happy with the 2018 budget, which is less than originally anticipated. The city as a whole is in “good shape.” Smith praised and thanked the city staff; they always do a good job. The Industrial Drive project will be finished this year. The mayor hopes to see development start … [Read more...]
Preston requests more information concerning possible takeover of Crown Hill Cemetery
Kevin Ostern, representing the Crown Hill Cemetery board, renewed the board’s plea at the city council’s January 2 meeting that the city take over the cemetery. Ostern maintained we can’t afford to keep operating and haven’t been able to do any improvements. Ostern said they have $7,500 in checking, but it takes more than that to keep the cemetery mowed for one season. Last … [Read more...]