Kirsten Zoellner

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...]

At the May 8 meeting, the Peterson council, led by Mayor Chris Stenzel, discussed the results of the annual walkabout. Each councilor reviewed properties within city limits to determine non-compliance with the Junk Ordinance. The ordinance was enacted in 2022 to curb the accumulation of visible junk or clutter on properties after years of dealing with no response from several … [Read more...]

At the May 1 meeting, the Fountain Council unanimously approved the purchase of electronics to effectively set up office for Public Works Director John Hanson at the wastewater treatment plant. Having recently earned his Class B wastewater operator certification, Hanson will now fully take over management of the plant. “Since John is taking over all the test reports that he … [Read more...]

At the Monday, April 22 meeting, the Rushford Council discussed at length a request from the Department of Natural Resources to sign off on survey results they conducted. The land, now held privately, is being sold to a land conservancy which will transfer the ownership and management of the land to the State of Minnesota/DNR. The land abuts the Rushford Municipal … [Read more...]

At the April 16 meeting, the Rushford Village Council the council heard from Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit about a change in the push to modify the animal control ordinance. After a complaint of dogs running at large, including one deemed potentially dangerous by the state, the council had urged adding running at large to the ordinance to give substance to enforcement options … [Read more...]

At the April 10 meeting, the Peterson Council discussed the proposed purchase of new light pole banners. The current 10 banners are worn and several have been taken down already. Councilor Gail Boyum suggested the city replace the banners with two new sets – one for late spring through fall and the other in the winter. “We’re seeming to become the gnome capital of … [Read more...]

The April 8 Rushford Council meeting presented a thin agenda, but an abundance of notices and report updates. First up, Rushford’s event series Roots & Rhythm continues to gain momentum. The event is a partnership between the public library, the Rushford Area Historical Society, and the Rushford Area Society for the Arts. A Legacy Community Collaboration grant will fund … [Read more...]

For two years, the city of Fountain has known issues exist with its water tower. However, until this year, there weren’t funds available for the work. At the April 3 meeting, the Fountain Council unanimously approved two bids for the planned reconditioning. Mayor Pro Tem David Gudmundson filled in for Mayor Tammy Danielson, who was absent from the meeting. The city … [Read more...]

At the April 2 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard an impassioned plea for help from a family seeking assistance with an animal control issue. Jared and Steffanie Iverson and Joyce Iverson, who served on several community organizations, including the zoning board, spoke regarding their concerns. According to the family, dogs in the North Money Creek Road area have … [Read more...]