Kirsten Zoellner

The city of Fountain has worked to address ordinance non-compliance in recent years and is making a push for citizens to be more aware. While the ordinances are listed on the city website (fountainmn.org), many issues are still falling by the wayside. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes notified the council at the September 4 meeting that the ordinances will put the reminder on … [Read more...]

At the September 3 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned that the current budget is sitting surprisingly well. However, having unexpected expenses crop up the last few years, there’s some palpable uncertainty. City Clerk Mary Miner presented an updated 2025 budget for the council to review. It includes health insurance costs, $24,000 for the follow-up of the … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting, the Rushford Council learned that local business El Barco Mexican Restaurant would hold a Latina festival over Labor Day weekend. Celebrating culture, music, and food, the two-day festival will be held outside the restaurant on August 31 and September 1. The city has approved the closure of Elm Street near the restaurant, which sits at the … [Read more...]

At the August 14 meeting, the Peterson Council learned of the upcoming dedication of the Peterson Station Museum’s memorial garden. Friends of Peterson, who is leading the work, officially named it the John T. Erickson Veterans Memorial Garden. Erickson was the longtime, volunteer curator at the museum. He passed away in May of last year. “We would like that to be very … [Read more...]

At a rapid meeting on Wednesday, August 7, the Fountain Council approved just one item of business, in addition to the consent agenda items of last month’s minutes and financials. It was to approve legal gambling for the Fountain Fire Department’s gun raffle fundraiser. The event is scheduled for October 12 at the community center. Other items that were discussed included an … [Read more...]

As the Rushford Village Council begins pondering the 2025 budget and levy, service costs are increasing, some at unexpected rates. City Clerk Mary Miner presented a new Rushford Ambulance Service contract to the council at the August 6 meeting. The annual service was $4,100 last time, according to Miner. The new rate is $7,900. While the increase may have come with some … [Read more...]

A fire destroyed one of the two hangars at the Rushford Airport in October 2019. Now, almost five years, one pandemic, and many hoops to jump through later, the estimated $1.3 million replacement hangar is nearly completed. The project was funded by a payout from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for the fire, the Airport Improvement Project - an Airport Rescue … [Read more...]

At the July 2 Rushford Village meeting, the council learned the extent of the flooding from three days of flooding that began June 21. “There’s definitely been plenty of excitement there,” said Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo. Issues began with the lift station where one float was non-functioning and the station saw high water over the weekend. As of the meeting, … [Read more...]

With the onslaught of seasonal work to be done and just one employee in the Rushford Village Public Works Department, the village council has unanimously approved the hiring of Cory Baker as general contractor to complete several items of work on the Public Works maintenance shed update. Underway for some time now, the council has moved forward with work in stages. While it’s … [Read more...]

At the June 13 meeting, the Peterson Council again discussed properties out of compliance with the 2022 Junk Ordinance. Citizens in attendance included Desirae Halvorson, Heidi Halvorson, Mike Halvorson, Pete Erickson, and Zoning Board member Loren Rue. Council members conducted their annual walkabout individually, identifying properties violating city ordinances. Those … [Read more...]

With Public Works Director John Hanson now completely licensed, the city of Fountain has ended its longtime contract with MMS Environmental. At the June 5 meeting, City Clerk Mary Tjepkes detailed the final bill. “It’s a mess,” she said. According to Tjepkes, Mayor Tammy Danielson sent MMS an email stating terminating the contract on May 2. On May 7, the city received a bill … [Read more...]

While a city of less than 800 people may not seem like an obvious target for a cybersecurity strike, with these types of attacks hitting entities with more frequency, League of Minnesota Cities’ Chief Information Officer, Technology Services, Melissa Reeder, urges small cities to put protective measures in place. Spurred by league warnings, the Rushford Village Council … [Read more...]

At the May 28 meeting, the Rushford council approved the official resolutions of two lot sales in the Himlie Business Park and dispensing with a review of the sale by the Planning Commission. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted this step is typically done prior, but caused no effects having it done after council approval of the sale and she stressed the importance of it in the … [Read more...]

At the May 21 meeting, the Rushford Village Council was led by Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Ebner in the absence of Mayor Dennis Overland. Also attending were James Woxland, John Linder and Andrew Linder. According to Ebner, part-time Public Works employee Jeff Michel submitted his resignation to City Clerk Mary Miner, effective May 23. The council accepted the … [Read more...]

At the May 13 meeting, the Rushford Council received and approved the comprehensive annual financial report. Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer & Associates presented the report. There were no surprises or issues with the audit. General property tax revenue stability has continued with minimal upticks over the last few years. The 2023 levy of $1,082,255 was up about $65,000 from … [Read more...]