The Whalan City Council met on the blustery morning of January 18, 2020, to tackle the first agenda of the new year and also introduced Karla Merchlewitz, the new City of Whalan clerk/treasurer. Present at the meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Kim Berekvam, Tonya Cook, Everett Johnson and City Clerk/Treasurer Merchlewitz. Owen Lewis was absent. Minutes … [Read more...]
Rushford approves partnership with Edward Lowe Foundation
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) recommended the Rushford City Council approve a contract with System for Integrated Growth - Edward Lowe Foundation at the January 13 meeting. The recommendation came following EDA discussion on the matter earlier in the month. The contract will allow the EDA to sponsor businesses to work with the foundation to provide best practices and … [Read more...]
Citizens air their opinions
At the January 14 Fillmore County Board meeting 10, citizens came forward to speak on three different subjects. Refugee resettlement Seven citizens encouraged the board to consent to refugee resettlement. President Trump signed executive order 13888 (Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement) in September 2019. The order stipulates that refugees are to … [Read more...]
Harmony council begins search for new city administrator
The Harmony City Council reviewed a contract with Joel Dhein for the interim city administrator position. Dhein proposed starting on February 5, which would allow for some overlap time before current city administrator Jerome Illg’s resignation goes into effect on February 14. Several of the council members questioned whether that would be enough time for him to learn the … [Read more...]
A second option for Preston landfill material
Tony Severson, S & S Sanitation, expressed concern about an increase in the tipping fee at the Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center at the January 13 Preston City Council meeting. The city has a five-year contract with S & S Sanitation which requires landfill material to be taken to the Resource Recovery Center. However, the county board recently approved a 25% … [Read more...]
Chatfield upgrades WWTP computer system
At the January 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a proposed upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s (WWTP) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system was approved. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Due to the fact that Microsoft is ending its support of Windows 7, an upgrade for security purposes is necessary. The original SCADA system, which … [Read more...]
Farm Service Agency and Extension launch 2018 Farm Bill Crops Education
The Farm Service Agency and University of Minnesota Extension are holding a series of free education meetings to help crop producers understand decisions regarding the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization of ARC and PLC programs. The seminars are offered all across the state – locally being held at 10 a.m. at the Mabel Community Center on January 27 – and will be led by Extension … [Read more...]
County conducts new year annual business
County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman called the first county board meeting of 2020 to order on January 7. Marc Prestby was elected board chair and Randy Dahl was elected vice-chair. Vickerman announced a Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) staffing change. Marty Walsh came forward with his replacement, Chris Hahn. Hahn who has been with CEDA for about six … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council revisits Westview Drive issues
At the January 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council continued its discussion on the possibility of having Westview Drive declared a city street. The city has been maintaining the road for some years now and due to a drainage issue, may need to do some work on it. All of the landowners on that road have signed a petition allowing the change except for David Landro, who … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Prosperity Initiative
OWATONNA, MN, January 6, 2020 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with Region Nine Development Commission and Faribault Diversity Coalition, is recruiting minority-owned business owners for a new cohort of its Prosperity Initiative. SMIF is seeking 15 businesses to participate in a 2020 Prosperity Initiative cohort. Past Prosperity Initiative … [Read more...]