Chatfield 2025 Street Project Near Completion

At the October 27 meeting of the city council, Craig Britton, city engineer, updated the council on the 2025 Street Improvement Project. Councilors Pam Bluhm and Mike Urban were absent.

The first pay request from Rochester Sand & Gravel was approved in the amount of $1,143,706 after about 85% of the project work is considered complete. Five percent was retained in the amount of $60,195. 

Britton expects the project will be wrapped up late this week or early next week.

Employee Recognition

Kay Wangen, finance and information systems director, was recognized for 25 years of service. City Administrator Michele Peterson complimented her on her work; “her attention to detail is remarkable.”

Other Business in Brief

• Brian Burkholder explained the plan to get rid of weekend and holiday rounds as recommended by the Personnel Budget Committee. The quote for equipment to measure precipitation and temperature came in at $10,500 which is higher than expected. The date to remove weekend and holiday rounds will not occur until this equipment is in place. A motion was approved to purchase the piece of equipment and to remove weekend and holiday rounds when the equipment is in place. Peterson suggested the equipment will be paid for in less than a year by eliminating weekend and holiday rounds.
• John Wade, president of Rochester Area Economic Development (RAEDI), explained the organization is a public/private partnership for economic development serving Olmsted, Dodge, Wabasha, and Fillmore Counties. It is intended to increase economic growth in the greater Rochester area by growing and diversifying the economy. Wade said they work to retain the businesses they have while diversifying the economy. The area economy is primarily a third health care, a third manufacturing and agriculture, and a third technology. He praised the efforts of Michele Peterson; she has led this community’s council and served on the board. Peterson later called RAEDI a good organization.
• Ordinance # 484 Fee Schedule for 2026 was available for review (first reading) as recommended by Public Services and Personnel Budget Committee.
• Approval was granted for an updated police chief job description and the posting for the position. The application deadline is December 10.
• Annual approval is required for the Leave Conversion option based on funding availability. The 2025 PTO Conversion Payout authorization was approved as recommended by the Personnel Budget Committee.
• Ordinance 480 Sidewalks providing for installation of sidewalks and establishing standards was approved, as was its publication.
• Ordinance 482 Hours of Sale of Intoxicating Liquor and consumption amendment was approved, as was its publication.
• Ordinance 481 Solid Waste Rates and Billing relating to residential refuse was approved, as was its publication.
• The Committee of the Whole met prior to the council meeting. Mike Bubany discussed and reviewed possible future capital expenditures and funding. Peterson suggested the city should look at outside sources for funding.
• The annual review of finance policies was provided.
• Chatfield does not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statute 466.04 for the city’s property and casualty insurance renewal for 2026.
• An ambulance donation in the amount of $1,300 was accepted.
• An annual Fire Department Fund Drive donation in the amount of $5,960 was accepted.
• A donation to be used for library capital purchases was accepted in the amount of $65 from Tristate Quilters Sue Dornack.
• A donation to the Firefighters Activity Association in the amount of $50,000 to be used for truck equipment needs was accepted.