As the Whalan City Council met on Monday, August 13, 2018, not only was the agenda full, but also the room, as there were several visitors. All council members were present, including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Kim Berekvam, Everett Johnson, Owen Lewis, Johnny Halvorson and City Clerk Lolly Melander. First on the agenda was a meet and greet with John DeGeorge, who is running for … [Read more...]
Wykoff holds hearing on parking
A crowd filled the council meeting room during the Wykoff City Council meeting on August 13. A public hearing was held regarding the city’s plans to restrict parking on “green spaces.” All council members were in attendance: Rocky Vreeman, Mary Tjepkes, Mayor Al Williams, City Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett and Richard Gleason. During the public hearing, several … [Read more...]
Harmony resident asks city to pay her back for bills
At the August 14 city council meeting, Harmony resident Cindy Berge asked the city to cover her bills that have accumulated due to the sewer backing up into her basement. She said that when the road and utility project was done on her street, the wrong size of pipe was installed to connect her sewer system with the city’s and as a result, it has needed to be augered out … [Read more...]
Spring Valley fence concerns aired
The Spring Valley City Council held a regular council meeting on August 13. Members present were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent. The council heard from a citizen, Risa, who described her frustration with a home near hers that uses “snow fence” to help control leaves. She suggested the city … [Read more...]
Rushford Village moves forward with road project
After months of discussion on how to address issues on Benson Lane, the Rushford Village Council took formal action on it at the Tuesday, August 8 meeting. Mayor Gordon Johnson and Public Works Supervisor Travis Scheck took opportunity to meet with Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently. The purpose was to discuss options for water retention or slowing prior to … [Read more...]
County makes first payment per Chatfield abatement agreement
Chris Gastner, CEDA, and Mike Bubany, David Drown and Associates, reviewed the agreement made in 2008 at the county board’s August 14 meeting. Fillmore County granted a property tax abatement to help finance road infrastructure improvements and a booster station to serve a subdivision (Hilltop Estates) and the new elementary school in Chatfield. Chatfield installed $2.8 million … [Read more...]
Donations requested for the Preston Veterans Home
The Preston Veterans Home will be a skilled nursing care facility with up to 72-beds (depending on the amount of donations) and will be the first and only in Southeastern Minnesota. The cost of the facility will be $30+ million. The independent demand study shows if built today, 224 veterans would reside in the veterans home if one was built, by 2040 that need will continue … [Read more...]
Spotted: Contender in Canton
Fillmore County Sheriff candidate John DeGeorge paid a special visit to the Canton City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting held on August 8. DeGeorge stated his primary purpose as introducing himself, of which he has been doing a great deal of to area city councils, fire and police departments, and other civic groups, as well as to provide a brief account of his … [Read more...]
Tim Penny receives “Friend of the CGMC” award
ST. PAUL — Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) President Tim Penny received the “Friend of the CGMC” Award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 26 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Mankato. The Friend of the CGMC Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have helped advance the interests of Greater Minnesota. As … [Read more...]
Ostrander discusses conflict of interest
A potential conflict of interest was the main topic during the Ostrander City Council meeting on August 7. All members of the council were in attendance (Vernon Thompson, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, City Clerk Wendy Brincks, Heidi Jones and DJ Start), as was City Attorney Jennifer Gumbel. Besides department heads, approximately 15 citizens were in the audience during the … [Read more...]