Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, November 20 at Caledonia Elementary School in Room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, and conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Peterson, Daniel Small and Spencer Yohe. Also,in … [Read more...]
R-P School Board Approves Strategic Plan
The newly completed R-P strategic plan for 2023-2028 was presented for approval at the November 20 school board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard enthused, “It’s a really nice document!” Bernard said his role was as a facilitator; the plan was created by the strategic committee and surveys of the public. In total, the strategic committee met for five sessions as they … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Elementary Students Raise More Than $400
Student Council Representative Taylor Reinhardt proudly reported at the Spring Grove School Board’s November 20 meeting that grades K-6 participated in a coin war, raising $444.59 to be donated to the Houston County Food Shelf. Chairman Aaron Solum called the board’s regularly scheduled meeting to order at 7 p.m. Board members present included Aric Elton, Stephanie Jaster, … [Read more...]
Harmony Holds Public Hearing for 2024 Street Project
A public hearing was held at the November 14 Harmony city council meeting to discuss the proposed 2024 street project. City Engineer Brett Grabau reviewed the project and its finances with the public, noting that some of the things in the presented plan could still change before the assessment hearing that will be held in about a year. The project consists of three areas on 4th … [Read more...]
What is the Status on the Houston County Jail?
The Houston County Commission has been grappling with whether to keep the Houston County jail open or to close it over the past year. The conversation got serious when Winona County announced that they would not be renewing their contract with Houston County, who currently house Winona County’s inmates. The contract was scheduled to end at the end of September 2023, but Houston … [Read more...]
Caledonia City Council Holds Public Hearing
The Caledonia City Council held a public hearing at its November 13 regular council meeting to hear the public’s opinions and concerns before taking action to certify the special assessments. Hearing no comments, the mayor called to close the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. The council approved Resolution 2023-17 authorizing the assessment of properties for delinquent utility … [Read more...]
Wykoff’s Preliminary Plat Approved for New Housing Development
Towards the November 13 meeting’s opening was a visit from representatives from Choppers Motorcycle Club. As mentioned previously in the Fillmore County Journal, City of Wykoff presented the club with a check for $100 for their participation in a citywide cleanup event. Club President Luke Morgan appeared at Monday’s meeting and informed the council, “that’s not what we do it … [Read more...]
Rushford Hangar Up in the Air
A main topic at the November 13 Rushford City Council meeting was possible positive traction forward with the construction of the new Rushford Municipal Airport Hangar. The new hangar, a replacement for a six-unit hangar lost to fire in 2019, was scheduled to be completed last month. At the previous meeting, the Rushford Council learned that engineer Mead & Hunt would … [Read more...]
Fillmore County’s 2024 Possible Assessment Changes Reviewed
Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin reviewed some possible property assessment changes at the board’s November 14 meeting. The Truth in Taxation notice comes out later this month. McCaslin updated the board to make them aware of possible assessment changes. With the new Tax/Cama software there will be a new process to notify property owners that may qualify for special ag … [Read more...]
As Some Projects Wind Down, Others Ramp Up in Spring Valley
At their November 13 meeting, the Spring Valley City Council heard from Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk, as he proposed reconstructing the blower room in the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). In September the council approved the purchase of six new blowers. Weber suggested the council also consider reconfiguring the blower room to make it more accessible. “This was … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Board Certifies Referendum Results
At the November 16 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board approved a resolution canvassing and certifying the referendum vote results. The vote, which took place on November 7, asked the voters to revoke the district’s current referendum of $292.15 per pupil and replace it with a new one of $783.36 per pupil. The proposed increase was due to a number of factors … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Approves Support Systems
Chairman Dewey Severson call the November 14 meeting to order at 9 a.m. and lead the board and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the November 7 regular commission meeting. All five commissioners were in attendance: Chairman Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre. … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council Discusses Budget
As the end of the year approaches, the Whalan City Council once again discussed the 2024 budget which needs to be submitted by December 29, 2023. Present at the November 13 regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor David Hallum, council members Kim Berekvam, Sheila Higbe and Thore E. Johnson. Council member Owen Lewis attended virtually through Zoom. City … [Read more...]
Final Payment for Houston’s WWTP
City Engineer Matt Mohs and Wastewater Treatment Facility Manager John Graupman visited the November 13 meeting of the Houston, Minn., city council for several purposes. Graupman was there to request a change order to cover an accounting correction as well as the final payment order which included the remaining retainage on the completed wastewater treatment plant. The total … [Read more...]
Ostrander City Council: Brief and to the Point
Ostrander City Council members wondered aloud whether Tuesday’s city council meeting set a record for the shortest ever after they briefly wrapped up business for November 14. Topics covered included liquor license approval, payment delinquency, water rates and sow removal hires. The meeting opened with brief statements from City Maintenance and the fire chief. A cleanout of … [Read more...]