The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on June 18. Members present were Mark Weidemann, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Principal Michelle Weidemann, Board Chair Cristal Adkins, high school secretary Lynette Donald, Diane Wilder, Traci Livingood, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, and Business Manager Aimee Lake. No student representative was in attendance. The … [Read more...]
County budgeting process begins
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman presented a timeline for the 2020 budget discussion at the board’s June 18 meeting. Departments will begin to prepare their budgets and submit them to Vickerman by July 29. During August and early September the board will consider preliminary departmental budgets. Vickerman said she hopes all budgets will be before the board by the end of … [Read more...]
Wykoff holds hearing on Line Street change
The Wykoff City Council held a regular meeting on June 10. All council members were in attendance (Lyle Morey, Mary Tjepkes, Mayor Al Williams, City Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett and Richard Gleason). Immediately prior to the regular council meeting, a public hearing was held at 7 p.m. regarding the County 5 Improvement project. The hearing was required due to a … [Read more...]
Peterson approves ordinance updates; preps for zoning
The Peterson City Council meeting Wednesday, June 12 largely covered a number of long-standing discussion items. First up, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Floodplain Ordinance. As the agency is in the process of updating flood mapping, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the ordinance is a required piece for municipalities, particularly … [Read more...]
Canton hit hard on tax refund
The acknowledgement of a $17,000 loss on their June tax settlement served as the primary topic of discussion at the recent Canton City Council meeting held on June 12. With Canton being the hardest hit entity within Fillmore County, all council members expressed confusion, believing that some mistake had to have been made. The issue was first made evident via a recent … [Read more...]
Mabel to fill deputy clerk vacancy
On June 12, the Mabel City Council held two public hearings, followed by a regular city council meeting. Members in attendance included Gary Morken, Mayor Jim Westby, City Clerk Karen Larson, Kirsten Wyffels, and Terry Torkelson. Adam Wilder was absent. The first public hearing was regarding a variance request at 109 Prairie Street. Public Works Director Jeff Rein said, … [Read more...]
Spring Valley easement proposal declined
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session on June 10, with all members in attendance (Mayor Tony Archer, Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, John Dols, Mike Hadland and city administrator Deb Zimmer. No visitors had signed up to address the council. The council heard from Bryan Owens regarding the city’s proposed “trade” of decreasing his assessment to 66 feet, in … [Read more...]
Chatfield Fire Department to enroll in PERA
At the June 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Luke Thieke, Chatfield Fire Department, reported on a proposal recommended for approval by city staff and members of the fire department to enroll in the state Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Thieke noted that a cost analysis has been completed. One-hundred and forty-two fire departments in Minnesota rely … [Read more...]
Harmony Council reminds residents of city ordinances
At the June 11 Harmony City Council meeting, Councilmember Lynn Mensink noted that she has witnessed residents mowing their grass into the street. Along with being unsightly and a danger to bicycle and motorcycle riders, the grass ends up being washed into the city sewers which can clog them up. Reminders about the city’s ordinance regarding grass clippings are currently sent … [Read more...]
Becky Brandt sworn in as Fillmore County Court Administrator
New Court Administrator Becky Brandt took the oath of office administrated by Judge Matt Opat on June 4. She will replace retired Court Administrator Jim Attwood who served in the position for 31 years. Brandt is no stranger to district court operations. She served the Olmsted County District Court for 21 years. She began working in the Juvenile Division in 1998, then moved … [Read more...]