Peterson digs into city projects

After months of discussion, the Peterson City Council, at its March 9 meeting, voted unanimously to move forward with several projects which will give the city fresh appeal.

Following the replacement of the welcome sign on the Root River State Trail last year, the city is replacing the outdated city sign on the Highway 16 corridor. The new sign will be manufactured by the same company, Art Sign Works, of Murrieta, Calif. The initial estimate was $7,843, but the final cost will be less as the city is dropping the wood posts and plans to purchase powder-coated metal posts locally instead. The five and a half by 10-foot sign will be two-sided, engraved high-density urethane (HDU) in maroon with gold lettering and the city’s name and website logo.  The eye-catching choices are a nod to the city’s former school colors.

Last month, the council also heard from Greg Ruskell, of Ruskell Outdoor Services in Chatfield, regarding two landscape design options for the area around the sign. The designs are of similar nature, but they were on opposite spectrums of cost at $3,543 and $9,175 respectively. The goals for both are to highlight with color, use of native planting material where possible, and include annual seasonal options. Both options included limestone boulders, shrubs, perennials, trees, rock mulch and landscape edging.

The Friends of Peterson, a local community fundraising group, was working on funding for both the sign and landscaping. The group would like to add lights to the sign and will be consulting an electrician for an estimate. Following a generous donation of $15,000 from the Peterson American Legion Post 526, the Friends of Peterson will be covering the remainder of all project costs, up to $7,000, with two cash installments.

The current sign and landscaping will be removed by Fillmore County’s Sentenced To Serve program members. They will also assist with the new installation later this spring. It is the city’s goal to have the installation complete prior to Gammel Dag festivities and the Peterson Museum’s grand reopening in June.

Councilor Tracy Seelbinder also addressed the council regarding plans for the city campground and park. “I want an indication of the direction we’re going before we go measure and such,” said Seelbinder. Preliminary plans put together by Seelbinder and Councilor Chris Stenzel include four phases of work: 1) reconstructing the current roadway, a new turnaround on the current camping area, adding a new parking lot area, and possible sewer and water work; 2) relocating four of the current campsites on the west side of the park to east of the concession/pavilion building, landscaping, and a walking path where the former football field is currently; 3) construction of a new shower/restroom shelter; 4) revamping of the concession/pavilion kitchen; and 5) any completion or finish work for the previous phases. Proposed other items for the park include signage around the trail, picnic tables with grills, benches, outdoor fitness trail equipment along the trail, an area for an ice rink or other activity, and park lighting.

If the city adds more campsites or decides to allow for tent camping, it will be required to construct the showers. “Maybe we don’t need the sewer, just the water,” said Stenzel, who noted many camper owners don’t require sewer access with holding tanks. “In a way, that could save quite a bit of money, but do we want to do it right the first time? Maybe we want to put it in.”

“In order to not take up a lot of time measuring and getting things nailed down, I just need to know if we have enough information to move forward with a site plan,” added Seelbinder. “We’re pretty sure there’s national money out there for parks and equipment, but before I go digging a whole lot, I want to make sure this is agreeable. We originally talked about a five-year plan, but then decided to do phases in case funds become available and we can do it sooner.”

Stenzel further suggested the council hold an open forum for community members to come in and discuss the plan, particularly those closest to the park. In the meantime, Seelbinder, Stenzel, Public Works Director Rick Lee, and City Clerk Chris Grindland will work together on layout, phase details, and costs.

Ways to spruce up the downtown were also on the agenda with Councilor Gail Boyum seeking approval for possible painting of the post office building, which is owned by the city, through a Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grant program. The Paint the Town Program encourages volunteers to, “Create community pride and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities.” In 2021, 16 communities were awarded a total of $22,160 worth of paint from local hardware stores to beautify their towns.

The Peterson application requests 10 gallons for the painting of the building’s available vacant exterior walls. Initial designs include a gnome putting a letter in a mailbox, a mailbag, giant flowers dwarfing the gnome, hummingbirds, and other animals. If the grant application is approved, the entire cost would be paid for by SMIF and the work done by entirely volunteer labor. Should the grant be approved, the city has approved the painting of the murals.

In other news, the city’s financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, was present to discuss the final detail of a bond refinance. The refinance is being done locally with Rushford State Bank. The total new bond is $457,000 at a net rate of 2.125%. Total gross savings from the refinance are $58,907.

The loan was structured in a way to keep the city’s levy as level as possible, while providing budget savings, instead of seeing savings all up front. “Otherwise, the levy could be wild,” said Bubany. “I figured you’d rather have a stable budget.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.