By Karen Reisner
At the October 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council Brian Burkholder reported that there was a recent meeting with FEMA concerning damages to public property in Fillmore County due to the heavy late September rains and flooding. Fillmore County declared a State of Emergency on October 4.
Damages in Chatfield included washed areas on gravel roads and significant damage to Mill Creek Park. Playground wood chips are contaminated and must be removed and replaced. There was also damage to the walking bridge, ball field, and hockey rink. Burkholder said much of the park is now unusable. About one-third of the total damage caused by the heavy rain was along Union St. in Olmsted County.
The damages on the Fillmore County side of the city add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Burkholder acknowledged that he doesn’t know what will be covered through disaster programs. If total state damages don’t meet FEMA’s threshold, the state may pay 75% of public infrastructure damages through the State of Minnesota Disaster Assistance Program. The balance would then be paid for by the local government. Councilor Ken Jacobson commented that if we go ahead with repair work, we can’t be guaranteed that we will get reimbursed.
City Clerk Joel Young said funding could be taken out of the street reserve funds to repair the damage, but warned it may not be reimbursed. He said we are waiting for a declaration. No action was taken.
Other business in brief
• An agreement was approved with the state of Minnesota for the operation, use, and maintenance of the Mill Creek Public Fishing Platform. The DNR has a fishing pier available to replace the 2002 fishing pier which has been damaged beyond repair.
• Burkholder reported that CMS inspected the new steps in front of the Thurber Building before opening them to the public. The new steps didn’t pass inspection because required railing specifications had not been met. The intention was to use the same railing that was on the old steps, but it does not meet current code. Requirements now specify a center railing with curved end so as not to catch clothing, a hand rail on each side and also, a guard rail on each side. Each railing is to meet specific height and length requirements.
Councilor Paul Novotny said we can’t expect others to follow code if we don’t.
Burkholder has asked EZ Fab to draw up plans so they could be submitted to CMS to make sure they would pass inspection as code compliant. He will also get quotes from fabricators. The design and cost will be brought back for the council’s consideration. In the meantime, the steps are open to the public.
• Burkholder said trees have been removed for the Union St. drainage project. The flooding caused substantial damage. Numbers for the work are being refigured and will be presented at the November 14 meeting.
• Young commented on the Personnel Policy Update noting things change over time. Technology and sexual harassment policies have been incorporated into the Personnel Policy. The 52-page policy is being studied by councilors and will be brought back for approval at a later date.
• November 8 is election day. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Mayor Smith encouraged people to vote.