Barb Knabel addressed the Harmony City Council at their March 12 meeting on behalf of Camp Companion, which is a non-profit, foster-based adoption organization for cats. Camp Companion runs a Trap, Neuter, Return (or TNR) program and has partnered with the Preston Veterinarian Clinic and the city of Preston to do so. Knabel asked the council to consider partnering with Camp … [Read more...]
Peterson Looks to Water Improvement Plan
At the March 13 meeting, the Peterson Council heard from WHKS engineer Scott Huneke regarding plans for a new well and ground storage tank. Through WHKS, the city will apply to state and federal entities to upgrade its public water system. WHKS secured some preliminary estimates and will present them to the council. Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Gail Boyum recounted their … [Read more...]
Zoning Permits for Croell Redi-mix and Caledonia Haulers Approved
The Caledonia City Council held two public hearings for zoning permits at its regular city council meeting on Monday, March 11. The public hearings gave Caledonia residents an opportunity to voice their opinions and ask questions regarding Croell’s request for a height variance at 134 Bissen St. and Caledonia Haulers’ request for a setback variance at 314 Lincoln St. before … [Read more...]
Spruce Street Project Gets Go Ahead in Houston
Matt Mohs of Bolton & Menk visited the Houston City Council March 11 to request approval of a resolution for preliminary studies for the upcoming Spruce Street project. A feasibility study will first be completed; maps, cost estimates and coordination with the county will be explored. Mohs will visit the council again with more visuals and presentations when the feasibility … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council Reviews Audit and New Ordinance
As the community enjoyed the warm weather, the Spring Valley City Council welcomed Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer as she shared the annual audit report. According the Lentz, the city received and unmodified clean opinion for the 2023 audit. The audit showed the general property tax levy represented 39% of the total revenues for the year with $1,676,686 in tax collections. The … [Read more...]
Fillmore County 2024 Construction Projects
At the March 12 meeting of the board, County Engineer Ron Gregg reviewed projects to be constructed in 2024. This information was provided for the commissioners prior to the annual meeting of the townships later this day. Gregg detailed 11 projects: 1) concrete overlay of CSAH 1 from CSAH 39 to the west city limits of Spring Valley, 2) full depth reclamation and bituminous … [Read more...]
Rushford EDA Seeks Community Input
The Rushford EDA is actively seeking community input on the future plans for the newly acquired property formerly owned by Farmers Win Co-op. On March 13, the EDA heard a joint presentation by Kristin Prososki, Community Development Specialist at SEH, and Martha Faust, Brownfields Community Outreach Supervisor at the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). In this … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Board Approves Master Contract
In a relatively short meeting on March 13, the Lanesboro School Board approved the master teacher contract which was recently negotiated. Board member Steve Snyder said of the 11-month long process, “It was a pleasure working with them (the teacher negotiators)! We each tried to understand each other’s positions.” Board chair Christine Troendle commented, “I’m happy to see … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves Use of Public Safety Funding
The Lanesboro City Council met for their regular meeting on March 4. Mayor Jason Resseman was absent. The consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, Resolution 2024-15 accepting donations from Chill-Inn Lanesboro, the resignation of Jerod Wagner from the Lanesboro Fire Department, and a lodging license for Lanesboro House. A number of permits for Buffalo … [Read more...]
Clean Audit for Fountain
At the March 6 meeting, the Fountain Council welcomed AndreW Forliti, principal for Smith Schafer, to discuss the 2023 audit findings. Local Government Aid (LGA) provided to the city remained flat for the last four years, but it will increase slightly to $92,011 in 2024. The state funding currently provides 20% of the total city revenues. The city has needed to increase the … [Read more...]