The Kingsland school board met for a regular meeting on the evening of March 20 at 6 p.m. In attendance was Superintendent Scott Klavetter, board members Carmen Anderson, Gary Broadwater, Pam Freet, Kyle Rader, Cindy Seabright and Steve Tammel. After the pledge of allegiance, the board took time to give thanks for several recent donations. The VFW Auxillary Post #4114 donated … [Read more...]
Houston School Board reaches consensus
At their third special workshopping session with SiteLogiQ, the Houston School Board reached a consensus on their proposed building referendum. While no vote was taken and nothing is written in stone, the board decided on an approximate cost, the projects to be included, and the question (questions) to be asked when the public vote is held. To begin the session, Andy Fields … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton in dire need of custodians
Mabel-Canton School Board members regretfully accepted the resignation of Daryl Melbostad, building maintenance supervisor, at the March 21 regular school board meeting. Superintendent Gary Kuphal explained, “It is extremely difficult to find school custodians.” Kuphal recommends that the school take a serious look at custodian wages. The head custodian position is hourly, … [Read more...]
NASS 2022 yield estimates for Fillmore and Houston Counties
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates for 2022 have been posted. Looking at this data is an opportunity to assess yield trends in the counties to better understand yield potential. Today’s article will focus on corn and soybeans, but NASS also has estimated yields for a variety of other crops across … [Read more...]
Harmony’s Small Cities Grant is underway
An update on the Small Cities Grant from Semcac Housing Rehab Coordinator Cindy Vitse was reviewed by the Harmony City Council at their March 14 meeting. Vitse has started to send letters to the first 15 applicants for the homeowner rehab portion of the project. The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the February 14 meeting, the claims and February … [Read more...]
Harmony to host bloodmobile on March 28
Harmony will be hosting a bloodmobile at the Harmony Community Center, 225 Third Avenue SW, from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Donating is by appointment only, but masks are no longer required. All donors will be required to provide identification before donating, so please remember your donor card or driver’s license. RapidPass (redcrossblood.org/RapidPass), which is … [Read more...]
Rushford approves water tower restoration
At the March 13 meeting, the Rushford Council received a recommendation from KLM Engineering to award the bid for a water tower restoration project. Initially, the city intended to have the project completed before July. However, the city altered the bid request to allow flexibility in the completion time. “We got six bids because we weren’t so fussy about the timeline. … [Read more...]
Assessment hearing, audit top SV council agenda
The March 13 meeting of the Spring Valley City Council kicked off with the assessment hearing for the upcoming Farmer Street Improvement Project, which is set to begin in approximately June 2023. The cost for the street project will be split between the city of Spring Valley, Spring Valley Public Utilities and Fillmore County. The city’s portion is estimated at $918,000, … [Read more...]
Hokah City Council approves major city water system improvements
The Hokah City Council met March 7 at the Hokah Fire Department. Mayor Lee Tippery called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Also present were Lindsey Martell, city clerk/treasurer; and Council members Cindy Oldenburg, Tom Bernsdorf, Cory Lorenz and Tom Oldenburg. After approving the various items in the Consent Agenda including the February meeting minutes, bills payable and … [Read more...]
Ag zoning moratorium comes to an end
With the one-year ag zoning moratorium study period ending, the Caledonia City Council spent considerable time at the March 13 meeting discussing the city’s comprehensive land use plan, reviewing zoning maps, and the four options presented by City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson. The four options are: 1. Rezone based on the land use map in the comp plan. 2. Create a … [Read more...]
Clean audit for city of Houston
Andrew Forliti of Smith Schafer presented the audit recap for 2022 to the city of Houston at their regular meeting March 13. The certified levy for the city increased 2% (an additional $11,000 increase. LGA revenues were only up $676 for the year with an expected $4,000 increase anticipated in 2023. Unassigned fund balance ($377,802) as a percent of expenditures for 2022 was … [Read more...]
Chatfield takes step to improve Haven Wall access
City Engineer Craig Britton was authorized at the March 13 meeting of the city council to provide landscape design services to improve access to the historic Haven Wall. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The Heritage Preservation Commission is driving this project to provide a plan to improve access to the city owned site located at 212 Winona St. SE. The intention is to … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council reconsidering proposed short term lodging ordinance
Before calling the Whalan City Council meeting to order on March 13, public comments were received relative the council’s proposed Short Term Lodging Ordinance. Several persons commented via Zoom meeting and in person. Three letters regarding the 18-page proposed ordinance were received by the council. Approximately 12 Whalan residents attended the meeting. The consensus … [Read more...]
Houston County historic courthouse to get a new roof
Equity Builders & Construction Services, Inc. submitted the low bid to replace the roof on the historic courthouse. The bid of $174,630.00 was unanimously approved at the March 14 Houston County Commission meeting. “We received two bids,” explained Tess Kruger, facilities manager. “We recommend Equity Builders at $174,630. Their references have been checked. Their … [Read more...]
Eitzen LBAE hearing is April 25
Eitzen City Clerk Steve Schuldt confirmed that the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) hearing is Tuesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. The Eitzen City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, from 6:03 to 6:26 p.m. at city hall. Council members in attendance included Mayor Jeffrey Adamson and council members Emily Burrichter, Doug Meyer, Mitch Lange, and Mitch … [Read more...]