At the May 13 Chatfield City Council meeting, Carla Gallina, board of directors president, reported on the 2018 financials and participation at the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent.
Gallina began saying the 2019 budget is 128% higher than in 2018, a positive step. Revenues in 2018 were $271,119 and expenses were $275,484. Intense utility expenses contributed to the $4,400 difference.
Programs drew 7,000 to 8,000 people to Chatfield. The building was used for 81 public and private events during the year. Twenty-two percent of attendees who purchased at least one event ticket were Chatfield residents.
Usage of the facility is varied including: individuals and businesses, Potter Production concerts, Chosen Bean concerts, Wits’ End Theatre, Chatfield schools, community outreach, the city, and regional non-profits.
One-hundred and eighty children performed, 15 artists displayed, 14 families celebrated, 12 businesses networked, and five boards convened in the building. Volunteers contributed 4,662 hours of their time in 2018.
Gallina said the building is pretty much booked for every weekend in 2019 for some kind of event. She thanked the council for their support. They are focused on quality and want to continue to build that reputation. Mayor Russ Smith added that the Center for the Arts is a source of pride for Chatfield.
Other business in brief
•Kristi Trisko reported on a request from Cody Johnson to rezone a property at 403 Winona St. from R-1 (single family residential) to R-2 (multi-family residential). The rezoning change will allow the construction of a two unit townhome on the property. The Planning and Zoning commission unanimously recommended the approval of the rezoning request. She said the site plan is functional with driveways to the alley. Two residents did express their concerns at the zoning meeting. The council unanimously approved the request to rezone.
•Chris Giesen, EDA, explained that a Twiford St. parcel that is part of the property for the Dollar General redevelopment project had been a tax forfeited property. In February the council reconveyed the tax forfeited parcel to the state because it had been acquired by the city for public use. Now, because the city wants to sell the parcel as part of the redevelopment project (a non public use), the city will need to purchase it at fair market value. Olmsted County set the market value at $2,600. Once the city purchases the parcel, it will not be limited to public use. A resolution was approved to repurchase the parcel from the county for $2,600 and then give the ownership over to the Chatfield EDA so it can be included with the property for redevelopment.
•The second consideration and publication of Ordinance 443, Floodplain Revisions, were approved.
•Payment number eight to Benike Constructdion for the swimming pool in the amount of $370,904.81 was approved.
Payment number nine to Ricchio, Inc. for the swimming pool in the amount of $416,267.00 was approved.
•Brian Burkholder reported that two radar speed signs are to be installed between the Booster Station and Enterprise Dr. along Hillside Dr. The lowest quote to purchase the signs was from Traffic Logix in the amount of $5,279. The purchase was approved.
•Mayor Smith read a proclamation recognizing the 15th annual Municipal Clerk’s Week, May 5-11.
The mayor read a proclamation recognizing Emergency Medical Services week, “EMS Stronger Together,” May 19-25.
•Payment of $16,482.85 was approved for the citywide clean-up. City Clerk Joel Young reported that 32.5 tons were picked up on the Olmsted side of the city and 44 tons were picked up on the Fillmore side.