Photo by Zech Sindt
The Ostrander City Council gathered for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Start called the meeting to order with all council members present, including DJ Start, Dan Hellerud, Jimmie Dean and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was also in attendance.
A major topic of the evening centered around improving internet access within the city. A representative from AcenTek, a regional telecommunications company, spoke to the council about efforts to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet to Ostrander. The company is preparing to apply for grant funding that would subsidize the high costs of expanding broadband infrastructure in underserved rural communities like Ostrander.
According to the representative, 207 residences in and around Ostrander either lack access to reliable high-speed internet or have no internet access at all. Without grant assistance, the cost of bringing fiber to each individual home would average around $20,000 per residence – a prohibitive figure for most households.
AcenTek emphasized the importance of community support in the grant application process. The company requested a formal resolution from the city council in support of the project, as well as individual letters of support from council members, residents, and local businesses. These endorsements will be compiled and submitted as part of the grant application package to demonstrate local need and commitment to the project.
If the grant is approved, AcenTek anticipates receiving notification by the end of the year. Construction would begin early next year and is expected to take approximately two years to complete, with a projected finish date in 2028. The council unanimously passed a resolution of support, and members agreed to write letters as requested. The representative also indicated that letters would be mailed to local businesses and residents encouraging them to voice their support for the expansion of broadband infrastructure.
In a brief update from the maintenance department, staff reported that one of the city’s trucks is scheduled for service this Thursday. The truck is going in for recall work along with a routine oil change.
There was no report from the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office this month, continuing a recent trend of absent monthly updates. The city’s fire chief was also absent from the meeting, and no updates were provided on fire department matters.
The council revisited a cannabis-related ordinance originally passed a year ago. The update reflects a shift in how cannabinoid use in public spaces will be regulated. Rather than maintaining separate city-level rules, Ostrander will now defer entirely to Fillmore County’s regulations on the use of cannabinoids in public. The decision stems from the recognition that the county already has clear regulations in place and is responsible for enforcement. A formal resolution was passed to reflect this update, officially shifting responsibility for regulating public cannabinoid use to the county.
The council also reviewed and approved several updates to the city’s personnel policy manual. One notable change is the introduction of a clothing allowance for city employees. Under the new policy, employees will be provided up to five shirts per year to wear during work hours. City council members will also receive a polo shirt and a jean shirt, compliments of the city.
Another important revision to the manual pertains to the use of city-owned property. A new section clarifies that employees are not allowed to use or allow the use of city vehicles, equipment, materials, or other resources for personal gain, unauthorized private use, or any type of secondary employment. Any revenue generated from the authorized sale of city property must be deposited into the appropriate city accounts and used in accordance with city financial procedures. The council approved both policy changes without opposition.
With all agenda items addressed, Mayor Start adjourned the meeting.