At the May 28 Chatfield City Council meeting, Chris Giesen, chairman of the Heritage Preservation Commission, presented this year’s preservation award to Rocky and Melissa Burnett. May is preservation month.
The commercial building at 208 Main was restored and preserved. The Burnetts recognized the building had good bones and brought new life to an old existing building. It is now the home of their business Big Girl Stickers and Stems.
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Alissa Oeltjenbruns, SMIF, thanked the council for their past support. SMIF has invested $5 million annually in the 20 counties of south central and southeastern Minnesota. Chatfield received a grant to its arts group from the small town grant program.
SMIF acts as the fiscal host for 80 funds. It works with the Chosen Valley Community Foundation. SMIF focuses on early childhood education.
Oeltjenbruns maintained there is a shortage of child care in the region and we need to fill the gap, in part, by helping home-based child care providers. Eight thousand kids don’t have a place to go for child care.
City Clerk Joel Young said SMIF has been a solid presence for a long time. The city could increase its contribution for next year. Last year’s contribution was $1,500.
Other business in brief
•Chris Giesen, EDA, reported that Joshua Broadwater, LLC has made an offer to purchase a lot on Enterprise Dr. (1596 Enterprise Dr. SE). Contingent on financing, Broadwater would pay the full listing price of $73,434. The Public Works committee had recommended the offer be sent to the council for its consideration.
The council voted to authorize the purchase agreement. Councilor Josh Broadwater abstained.
•The restrooms in City Park are not compliant with the American with Disabilities code. It was proposed and approved to install a concrete slab on the Fourth St. side of the park costing $1,400; this would be the location for a portable toilet which is ADA compliant.
Brian Burkholder explained there is water leakage every year in Shady Oak Park. The water line to the camper site has been in bad condition. It is a thin, black plastic line. A quote has been received from Rowland Well to install three frost free hydrants and 90 foot of one inch plastic water line. Each hydrant could supply water to two sites. The estimate from Rowland Well in the amount of $2,900 was approved.