At the regular city of Rushford council meeting on February 23, the council approved an employment agreement with Hayden Stensgard for the city administrator position. Stensgard will begin in the position April 1 at a salary of $104,598 per year; he will start at step 10, level 6 and have the same basic benefit package as other city employees. A laptop and cell phone will be provided by the city. A severance agreement was added to the contract. In the event the administrator were to be terminated, he would receive a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.5 weeks’ pay per year of employment up to a maximum of four months aggregate salary.
Lease Agreement with RAHS
The council examined the proposed lease agreement with the Rushford Historical Society for the depot. Terri Benson, president of RAHS’s board of directors, explained that RAHS was giving the property back to the city in a money saving effort. RAHS would lease the building for $0 in a forty year lease.
RAHS will need to have separate liability insurance for the depot. The city will insure the actual building but will not provide insurance for the contents. Benson suggested it would be good for the city to have the depot evaluated; the minimum that the city can insure the building for would be 40% of the replacement costs.
Payment of utilities was not addressed in the agreement. Previously, it had been agreed that the city would pay for sewer, water and electricity. RAHS intended to cover the internet and phone service if needed. RAHS was considering dropping phone service, but there were questions whether the security system might require phone service.
The agreement was tabled pending the inclusion of the payment of utilities in the document; it will be readdressed next month. RAHS intends to present an annual report to the council detailing the past year and plans for the coming year. To do any major projects, RAHS would need to come to the council for approval. Mayor Leigh Volkman shared his concerns that the council not pass on large expenses to future councils.
Radio Upgrades Requested
Chief of Police Adam Eide addressed the council to request upgrades to three portable police radios. The radios currently run version 19 software and should be using version 31; they can be upgraded successfully. The radio in the 2021 squad car can also be upgraded. The new police car would require a new radio at the cost of $5,000.
Fillmore County will soon be switching to encrypted radios; when that happens Rushford police will also need to use encryption. The radios will be able to be updated and switched to use encryption. O’Donnell asked if the budget could afford the additional upgrades.
Chief Eide responded, “Kathy was my budget. I don’t know the exact dollar amount. I’m guilty of relying so heavily on Kathy.”
Mayor Volkman suggested that the matter wait until Stensgard comes on board and checks out the budget. He commented, “We are going to have this discussion and know the budget.” The council tabled the radio upgrades.
Concerns About Old School
Michal Miller, representing neighbors of the old school, attended the meeting to request action on the adoption of a nuisance ordinance by the city. Miller said his clients were “distressed” and had noted the deterioration of the building.
Miller proposed that the city have the building assessed for both condition and value. He shared that he had met with a developer who had been interested in the building in the past. The developer is still interested according to Miller.
Miller suggested that he could perhaps see if R-P would be interested in space in the building since its referendum failed. He pointed out that the current owner was not paying any taxes, claiming religious exemption. In his opinion this was not appropriate.
Volkman commented, “This is on my radar; once our new administrator is here, we’ll meet with the current owner.”
Other Business
In other business the council:
- Were given pins for the 250th birthday celebration of the U.S. by Nancy Benson; she shared that 250 flags would be placed around the football field, food vendors, games for kids, and fireworks would be at the park on July 3, emphasizing that all funds raised will remain in the community;
- Learned that the Root River Trail from Rushford to Houston would be closed through August 2026 for repairs;
- Approved the purchase of 50 flower baskets at $4,000 from Roger Colbenson;
- Approved a 20’ backyard variance for Davin Thompson and a 5’ side yard variance for Dustin Bunke;
- Approved a liquor license and optional 2 a.m. liquor license for Donata Kitchens for The Creamery and Nordic Lanes.
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