The Houston City Council dealt with many issues in its last meeting of the year, but one in particular took center focus. After beginning the meeting at 6 p.m., the council moved into a public hearing on the 2017 City Budget. City Administrator Chris Peterson laid out the budget changes, including a 4% tax levy increase to cover projected expenses for city vehicles. This is … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews work; looks to future
The Monday, December 12 Rushford council meeting focused heavily on a recap of 2016 city projects as the city preps for setting the property tax levy for 2017. Nearly a full hour of the relatively short agenda hit at the projects, as well as proposed projects for the next year. Public Works Director Roger Knutson presented the information and noted that improvements, … [Read more...]
Kingsland drivers get paid holidays
The Kingsland School Board met in a special session at 6:30 p.m. on December 1, to address an issue regarding salary concerns from the school’s bus drivers. All board members were in attendance, as well as Superintendent John McDonald. Approximately ten citizens were in the audience. In a recent letter to the editor, the bus drivers stated that, (in part), “In a draft agreement … [Read more...]
Preston property tax increase questioned
Marc Sather, Jailhouse Inn, insisted that the 11% increase in his property taxes is too high. He raised numerous questions at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. City Administrator Joe Hoffman reviewed the numbers in the preliminary budget/levy for 2017 during the city’s Truth in Taxation public hearing. The total levy for 2017 is expected to be $831,494, or a … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to wrap up road project
Rushford Village is nearing the end of its 2016 road improvement project and there is hope it could end with cooperation from contractor McHugh Excavating. At the council’s December 6 meeting, discussion centered largely on wrapping up the $878,000 plus project and the best path to doing so. The council has been forthcoming with frustrations, but is looking to offer a … [Read more...]
Task force moves forward with Lanesboro’s concept plan
At their December 5 meeting, Julie Kiehne updated the Lanesboro City Council on the progress that the Concept Plan Task Force has been making. The Task Force was put together in August with the goal of taking the concept plan created for Lanesboro by Randall Arendt to the next phase. The group consists of Julie Kiehne, Walter Bradley, Mark Gorman, Ken Graner, Bethany Krom, Tom … [Read more...]
Ostrander preps for winter and 2017
The Ostrander City Council met in regular session on December 6, with all members present: Erin Volkart, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, Clerk Chris Hyrkas, Heidi Jones, and DJ Start (Volkart and Kunert joined the meeting already in progress). No visitors had signed up to address the council, so the first topic of discussion was the proposed cooperative agreement between … [Read more...]
Building codes and limitations central to Houston Planning Commission meeting
The Houston City of Planning Commission met at city hall on December 5, 2016. The meeting was called to order by Krin Abraham at 5:40 p.m. The meeting began with public hearing to address the opt-out ordinance for a healthcare housing law. The ordinance dealt with temporary family healthcare dwellings, which would count as a second dwelling unit on any parcel of land. The … [Read more...]
Spring Valley to join safety training group
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 28, 2016. Members in attendance were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Jeff Vehrenkamp and Bill Bires were absent. No visitors had signed up to address the council. The council approved prior minutes and accounts payable, then discussed the audit proposal … [Read more...]
Rushford attempts to gain Safe Routes to School grant
The Monday, November 28 Rushford Council meeting was quick, but the council made headway of several standing items. These include a revised plan for a Safe Routes to School grant application. The city submitted an application in December of 2015, but was unsuccessful in securing funding. With construction of a new pre-K to grade 12 facility underway within the city, the … [Read more...]