Doug Lind, Fillmore County Fair Board, discussed plans to hold a music concert at the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 12. Councilman David Collett was absent at this March 20 meeting. City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported that he met with Lind, Mayor Kurt Reicks, and Police Chief Matt Schultz last week to discuss the planned concert and the city’s ordinance that regulates … [Read more...]
Variance requests approved
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met for the first time since July 2016. Public hearings were held for two separate variance requests to build a new dwelling on land with a crop equivalency rating (CER) greater than 65 or a variance from Section 604.05 (9) of the county’s zoning ordinance. Since this was the first meeting in 2017, officers were elected. Brad Erickson … [Read more...]
County supports CPA modification bills
The county board, at their March 14 meeting, approved a resolution of support for Senate bill 0479 and companion House bill 609, which would modify County Program Aid from the state should they become law. Senator Jeremy Miller is chief author of the Senate bill and a resolution of support was approved by the board. A county employee will be present to testify in support of … [Read more...]
Chatfield Fire Department modifications
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...]