Dollar General for Chatfield

The Chatfield City Council, at their May 14 meeting, approved a purchase agreement for the sale of EDA owned real estate to Golden Warriors, LLC for the future redevelopment of the property for a Dollar General store.

Chris Giesen, EDA coordinator, explained the sale is contingent on the production of a development agreement within 180 days of the purchase agreement. The EDA had unanimously recommended the sale of the approximately 1.89-acre site between Twiford, Main, Division, and Grove Streets for $210,000.

Once the development agreement is negotiated it will be brought back to the city council for its consideration. The buyers are requesting tax increment financing (TIF) to aid with the redevelopment of the site. The seller is responsible for paying special assessments which have been levied against the property for the Twiford St. improvements.

Giesen said the next step is to bring in engineers to work on the site plan.

Swimming pool

Burbach Aquatics has prepared plans and specifications for the proposed 2018 swimming pool project which includes the demolition of the existing pool. A resolution calling for the advertisement for bids for construction of the swimming pool was approved. Mayor Russ Smith commented that we will not know what the bottom line will be until we put out for bids.

Other business in brief

• Brian Burkholder brought a portion of an ash tree branch to the meeting. He confirmed that the emerald ash borer has infested some ash trees on the school grounds. The damage/dieback of the tree is first noticeable in the top third of the canopy.

• Matt Mohs, City Engineer, introduced himself to the council. He has been with WSB for four years, with nearly 20 years of professional experience mostly working with rural communities. He will strive to use tax payer dollars as efficiently as possible.

• Sue Kester, Chatfield ambulance, announced Emergency Medical Services week is May 20-26. The theme this year is EMS Strong: Stronger Together. There will be an open house at the Thurber Building on May 26 (10 a.m. until noon) featuring equipment demonstrations. Refreshments will be provided. There will be a poster contest and the winner will get a ride to school.

Kester thanked CCTV for the video that was put together about the ambulance service.

• A cost sharing agreement was approved with Olmsted County along with a construction contract with Rochester Sand and Gravel. The cost sharing agreement pertains to the mill and overlay of Cliff St., Division St., Grove St., and Summit St. at a cost of $86,358.88. Chatfield will contract with Rochester Sand and Gravel for the mill and overlay of Valley St. and Avenue A and the overlay only of Johnson St. at a cost of $43,182.98.

• Mayor Smith proclaimed May as Preservation Month in 2018. He remarked that heritage preservation protects the character of our community, an older rural community.

• City Clerk Joel Young noted the recent citywide clean-up resulted in the removal of 60 tons of material by the trash hauler at a cost of $13,895.89. The council approved the payment. Smith said this a nice service in our town, adding a lot of material also goes out of town in private vehicles.

• A change order, adding to the Enterprise Dr. project, was approved. Burkholder explained the change order will provide for 175 foot of sidewalk to be installed on the city lot along a section of Hillside Dr. at a cost of $5,225.

• A third summer helper for public works was hired, Josh Bernard. He was one of two applicants for the position.

• The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 29.