EDA member Michael Brown asked the Lanesboro City Council for their input at their August 7 meeting on the issue that the EDA is currently facing. “At the EDA meeting one month ago, we had a discussion about what is taking place to recruit new members of the EDA,” Brown said, adding that there are seven seats available, but only five that are currently filled. The EDA has … [Read more...]
Preston to consider extending police services to Fountain
Due to the impending retirement of Fountain’s long time part-time police chief Tom Mosher, Fountain has invited Preston staff to meet with them on August 14 to discuss the possibility of Preston contracting with Fountain for police services. In a related matter, a revised contract with the city of Lanesboro was approved at the August 7 Preston City Council meeting. Councilman … [Read more...]
Harmony City Council receives updates on street project
Stuart Morem from Morem Electric, Inc. was present at the August 8 Harmony City Council meeting to update the council on the street light issue. The street project has been going well, but it was discovered that the concrete bases on several of the street lights needed to be replaced. As they were holding up construction, Morem fixed them so that work on the street could … [Read more...]
Ostrander to fill mayor and police vacancies
The Ostrander City Council met on August 9 in regular session, with Erin Volkart, Pam Kunert, Clerk Chris Hyrkas, and DJ Start in attendance. Heidi Jones was absent. The council heard from Sheriff Tom Kaase, with his proposed contract if Ostrander selects the Fillmore Sheriff’s Department to take over the city’s law enforcement after Tom Mosher’s retirement, which is set … [Read more...]
Rushford Village pays contractor amid remaining frustrations
A sizeable 2016 road project in Rushford Village is finally at an end. City Engineer Josh Pope, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand at the Tuesday, August 1 council meeting to cover details of the final pay application to contractor McHugh Excavating, of La Crescent. Pope indicated follow-up punch list items are now completed and suggested a May meeting with the contractor and … [Read more...]
MnDOT introduces 10-year plan
At the August 1 County Board meeting, District 6 planning director Ronda Allis detailed MnDOT plans for the coming decade. District 6 includes 11 southeastern Minnesota counties. As part of MnDOT’s outreach, effort local government units are presented with an overview of the 10-year plan. Planned projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program will be done in the … [Read more...]
Harmony, Spring Grove projects receive Minnesota Legacy funding appropriations
ST. PAUL – State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) said he was recently notified that a pair of projects in southeastern Minnesota are receiving Minnesota Legacy funding grants. “This is great news for both of these worthwhile programs,” Davids said. “My congratulations to all who helped secure this funding.” The Harmony Area Historical Society receives $7,235 to create … [Read more...]
Fountain contends with treatment plant timeline
The proposed timeline for Fountain’s wastewater treatment plant project has hit another roadblock. After the plant was designated out of compliance by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) compliance since October 2016, a corrective action plan was submitted and approved. The city was unable to meet the timeline laid out by the plan due to unsecured funding options. … [Read more...]
Kevin Beck appointed chief deputy
After an extended discussion over the chief deputy agreement at the July 25 board meeting, Kevin Beck was appointed chief deputy sheriff effective July 28 to replace recently retired Tony Webber. Beck has been with the department 22 years, currently serving as emergency manager/assistant jail administrator. Beck will be leaving a Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) union … [Read more...]
Rushford addresses hilltop subdivision problems
At the Monday, July 24 meeting, the Rushford City Council reviewed a preliminary analysis for possible acquisition of two residential properties on Lamplighter’s Lane. The steeply sloped road was initially designed in the late ‘70s to lead to a four-home subdivision overlooking the city on the bluff east of Rushford. Two homes were built at the site in 1976 and 1977. The road … [Read more...]