At the March 13 Chatfield City Council meeting, Fire Chief Ryan Priebe detailed recommended minimum benefit requirements, along with a proposal for an annual benefit increase. The Public Service committee recommended minimum requirements for firefighters to qualify for annual service credits. Members must at a minimum attend 18 meetings/trainings and 25% of annual calls. … [Read more...]
County Office Building interior remodel
At the county board’s March 7 meeting, County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman described proposed interior improvements to the Fillmore County Office Building to better provide client privacy and to improve security. Commissioner Duane Bakke was absent. Vickerman proposed that the Public Health/Social Services desk be a shared station for people seeking assistance. She said the … [Read more...]
Hilltop Estates agreement amended
At the February 27 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, councilors approved a resolution amending the 2008 agreement with Hilltop Estates LLC. City Clerk Joel Young explained the target for the number of lots to be sold by 2023 by the developer will very likely be missed due to the effects of the Great Recession. The developer had agreed to have 155 lots sold by 2023 or … [Read more...]
County approves rezoning requests
Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins reported on two rezoning requests for properties located near Chatfield in Chatfield Township at the county board’s February 28 meeting. A public hearing on each request was held at the February 22 Planning Commission. Terence Yust requested the rezoning of a portion of his property (in Section 6) from Agricultural to RA (Residential … [Read more...]
Preston allows USDA Wildlife hunt
At the February 21 meeting, John Hart, district supervisor USDA Wildlife, requested permission from the Preston City Council to use firearms to hunt deer on the Pine Tree Apple Orchard. The authority was requested from the city council because the Jacobson orchard property is located within the city limits in the northeast part of the city. Other property owners in that area … [Read more...]
County to develop BodyCam policy
Sheriff Tom Kaase described functions of a multi-function BodyCam at the county board’s February 14 meeting. Some of the functions include a cell phone, body camera, and a digital recorder. Kaase explained state statute mandates the development and approval by the county board of a written policy. Why now? Kaase said the department has an opportunity to demo one. The … [Read more...]
Citizen input on future of Chatfield swimming pool
City Clerk Joel Young reported at the city council’s February 13 meeting that the Swimming Pool Committee has requested authorization to survey the community regarding the future of the swimming pool. The survey was authorized by the council and is to be conducted by Community Perceptions, a division of School Perceptions LLC. The Pool Committee wants to learn the importance … [Read more...]
Preston discusses options to finance potential development projects
At the February 6 city council meeting funding options for a State Veterans Home and the Riverside Center projects were discussed. Both projects have been in early planning stages for some time. Councilman Robert Maust suggested that each project could cost an estimated $500,000. City Administrator Joe Hoffman asked the council to consider hiring David Drown and Associates … [Read more...]
Icy winter requires additional salt
County Engineer Ron Gregg reported at the February 7 county board meeting that more road salt has been ordered at the state price. The county is low on salt and sand due to icy conditions this season. However, it is not uncommon to run low on salt requiring a February purchase. The 500 ton order will cost $37,000. Gregg said all of the county shops have been depleted. Funds … [Read more...]
A plea for health insurance premium relief
Last October, Governor Mark Dayton admitted that the projected significant jump in premiums for 2017 is making the Affordable Care Act “no longer affordable.” He proposed one fix for the estimated 123,000 Minnesotans faced with surging premiums of 55% or more. By providing a 25% premium rebate to those who purchase health insurance on the individual market, who are not eligible … [Read more...]