Photo by Wanda Hanson
On a blustery April Fool’s evening, the city of Rushford Village held two public hearings as well as their regular council meeting. The hearings were required in order to amend Collection Ordinance #2 and Mowing Ordinance #7.
Ordinance #2 now includes the service of mowing private property consistent with Mowing Ordinance #7. References to Minnesota Statute 436.15 to Minnesota Statute 436.25 were removed from Ordinance #2 as well.
Mowing Ordinance #7 was amended to include the following: “Length of grasses and weeds on properties in applicable areas shall be a maximum length of six inches or less; Notice of required mowing shall be complied within a period of seven days of the mailing of said notice; Mowing fees shall be calculated according to the most current City of Rushford Village Pay Rates and Fee Schedule for Man/Machine hours, which is reviewed annually.”
After closing the public hearings which no residents had attended, the council proceeded with their regular meeting and approved both ordinances as well as summaries of the ordinances for publication in the paper.
Financials
As Mary Miner reported on the city’s financials, she pointed out that the city had received $6,313.77 early from LGA (Local Government Aid), which amounted to around 9% of the expected 2025 LGA funding. March expenses were $60,510.37 and total receipts including the LGA were $17,778.93. The CDs owned by the city continue to renew at current advertised rates. As of March 31, 2025, outstanding checks totaled $44,153.17; the city’s bank balance was $260,203.13.
Planning and Zoning Permits
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit reported on the new permits issued by the committee. New permits were issued to Debra Kitchens for a 13.056 roof mounted solar system on her Hillview Drive home; Daniel Sorum for construction of a 10’x15’x8’ three-sided shed on his Ridgeview Road property; Robert Forsythe to replace tin and two windows on the south side of his barn located on Ridgeview Road; Jared Heinz to replace windows and siding on his home on Oian Road; and Justin Rasmussen to construct a playhouse on his Rush Creek Roe property.
Featherstone Farms renewed an interim use permit for its business. There were no changes to the use permit. Next year, however, owner Jack Hedin plans to step away from active management of the farm. A general manager will be hired with Hedin remaining as the owner. Pettit asked who should be involved in the permitting process at that time; City Attorney Joseph O’Koren recommended that both Hedin and the new manager should be involved during the permitting process.
Other Business
After hearing there were no updates on roads and utilities from Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor Trenton Chiglo, the council moved on to select a date for the city’s annual Spring Road Tour. This year May 20 at 5:30 p.m. was chosen for the tour.
The council was informed that Trenton Chiglo and Mary Miner would be attending the LMC Loss Control Workshop in Rochester on April 15.
The annual Spring Cleanup will be held May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the City of Rushford Village City Hall.
After adjourning the short meeting, the councilmen quickly headed out into the snowy, sleety night to their homes.