At the November 27 meetings of the Chatfield City Council and the Committee of the Whole, the future construction of a new municipal swimming pool was discussed. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Burbach Aquatics, Inc. (BAI) submitted a proposal for data collection, survey and site investigation (soil borings) at the proposed site for construction of the new pool. City Clerk … [Read more...]
County moves forward on major road project
The reconstruction of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 1 has been a major road project for the county. At the November 14 county board meeting, approval was given to advertise for the concrete surfacing of CSAH 1 from north of Spring Valley city limits north to the county line. County Engineer Ron Gregg said the advertisement will include a relatively short portion in Olmsted … [Read more...]
Chatfield certifies special referendum results
The November 7 results of the special referendum, to determine if Chatfield voters would authorize the city council to issue $4,402,000 in bonds for the construction of a new swimming pool, were certified at the city council’s November 13 meeting. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. City Clerk Joel Young explained that state law requires the city council to certify election … [Read more...]
Preston approves Bunge development agreement
At the November 6 Preston City Council meeting the final language for a development agreement for the North Street Project was approved unanimously. The agreement with Andrew Bunge, Bunge Construction, Inc., requires Bunge to purchase the property owned by Jerome McCallson. There is a purchase agreement with McCallson and it can be executed with the approval of the development … [Read more...]
Jail maintenance improvements continue
Chief Deputy Kevin Beck noted multiple maintenance updates and improvements being made to the county jail at the board’s November 7 meeting. The improvements are being made to satisfy state inspection recommendations. The last inspection was in May. The jail was downgraded to a 90-day facility in February by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Food service requirements … [Read more...]
Economic impact of a veterans home in Fillmore County
The effort to have a veterans home built in Fillmore County has been ongoing for more than three years. Committees co-chaired by Don Gildner in Preston and Bill Rohe in Spring Valley know the road ahead will be a long and challenging one, but well worth the effort. A study was completed which demonstrated the need. There are about 23,000 veterans over the age of 65 within a … [Read more...]
Buffer enforcement ordinance discussed
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on October 26. A public hearing was held on the proposed county buffer enforcement ordinance. Duane Bakke explained the county changed its shoreland ordinance last year to match the state’s buffer law language. The ordinance being discussed this day details the county’s authority to enforce the buffer ordinance. The language in the … [Read more...]
County pleased with EQB decision
At the county board’s October 24 meeting, County Attorney Brett Corson reviewed the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) decision to table a request by Minnesota Sands to terminate the Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The EQB ruled in 2013 that MN Sands must complete an EIS before working multiple sand mine sites in Fillmore, Houston, and Winona Counties. Due to the … [Read more...]
Chatfield adopts Fillmore County mitigation plan
At an unusually brief meeting of the Chatfield City Council on October 23, the council adopted Fillmore County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Counselors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. Brian Burkholder explained that for about a year and a half a new revised mitigation plan has been in the development process. The hazard mitigation planning process was established under … [Read more...]
Red Ribbon Week
The Preston City Council at their October 16 meeting approved a request to hang red ribbons on light poles around the courthouse square in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, October 23-27. The request was made by Amanda Thomas and Melissa Herron from the Fillmore Central Schools. This is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention campaign. The campaign includes activities to help … [Read more...]