Mabel Fire Chief Orel Tollefson addressed the Mabel City Council at its October meeting, asking for a pay increase for his firefighters. Currently the fire department gets $10 per hour and Tollefson is asking for $20 an hour. “We don’t expect to get the $20. Our guys don’t do it for the money, but we’re asking to negotiate an increase to show that we are valued.” According to … [Read more...]
Whalan to have all new LED streetlight bulbs
The Whalan City Council held its scheduled public hearing on October 9, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss with city residents whether to replace streetlight bulbs new with LED bulbs. All council members were present for the public hearing, including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Owen Lewis, Everett Johnson, Wyatt Berekvam, and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk Lolly Melander arrived before the … [Read more...]
Houston School Board interview replacement candidates
The Houston School Board met for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017, in the library of Houston Public High School. In attendance were Superintendent Abraham and Board members Norlien, Carlson, Bonner, Wilson and Evenson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda for the evening and opened the meeting to public comment, of which … [Read more...]
Rushford finds surprise in planning for levy
City of Rushford staff recently discovered a neglected notation in the schedule for the 2016 Project that provides a surprising reduction in the city’s proposed levy for 2017. The new find will allow for a reduction in required debt service levy and will amend the levy increase needed from 8.19% to 5.3%. The total savings is $31,000. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher and City … [Read more...]
County asked to approve land acquisitions
Mike Tenney, area DNR Wildlife Supervisor, and Robert McGillivray, Trust for Public Land (a non-profit conservation organization), answered questions concerning two separate requests for board approval of land acquisitions for wildlife management areas at the October 3 meeting of the county board. The first request was for the acquisition of 379 acres that straddle Preble and … [Read more...]
Preston discusses options for lowering health insurance costs
The city of Preston faces a 15% increase in health insurance costs for 2018. Only a 10% increase had initially been figured into next year’s budget. At the October 2 council meeting, City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the reason for the unexpected increase and possible options to lower health insurance costs in the future. The city purchases health insurance through the … [Read more...]
Fountain able to dissolve plan with Pollution Control
The City of Fountain received some welcome news at the Wednesday, October 4 council meeting. After achieving six consecutive months of compliance at the wastewater treatment plant, the city has the option to dissolve it’s corrective action plan with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). A meeting was recently held between representatives from the city and the state … [Read more...]
Lanesboro business owners disagree with proposed parking ordinance
“We’ve been here for 29 years, and we’ve done everything that the city has asked us to do, but this is an issue. We need that area to park,” Historic Scanlan House and the Little River General Store owner Kirsten Mensing said in response to the Lanesboro City Council’s proposed parking ordinance. A concern had previously been brought to the council regarding business owners … [Read more...]
Kingsland OK’s facilities plan
The Kingsland School Board met in special session October 2 at 6 p.m., with all members present (Doug Plaehn, Ann Oeltjen, Deb Larson, Tiffany Mundfrom, Jackie Horsman, Heather Betts, and Interim Superintendent James Hecimovich). The only item on the agenda was the Facilities Plan. A motion was made by Mundfrom, and seconded by Horsman to direct the administration to … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reaffirms decision
Rushford Village Council has made it clear: the Village Hall is not a commercial property for rent. Inquiries in 2016 and again this year led to several discussions about repeat rental of the community center space, specifically long-term rental. “We’re not set up for that, on a regular basis,” cautioned Councilor Dennis Overland. “There are other places for rent for those … [Read more...]