The Wednesday, June 13 Peterson Council meeting saw several city residents present with comments regarding recent council discussion, including future plans for the former Rushford-Peterson Middle School football field. Now city property, the council considered options including leaving it as a park, including the moving of the city bandstand to the property, and possible housing development. In effort to get citizen input on the matter, the city sent surveys with last month’s newsletter and utility statements.
Just 12 surveys were received back, but overwhelmingly, 11:1, citizens were not in favor of moving the bandstand. “Do not move the bandstand! It’s been there 110 years,” wrote one citizen. “It has a great history of Peterson’s Band Concerts and programs all these years. Who would see it if moved? Not many.”
“Absolutely keep the bandstand where it is. It was placed there by the founders of Peterson. It’s a familiar landmark of the town in this spot,” wrote another.
“Leave the bandstand alone! It was built there by people who cared about Peterson many years ago,” wrote a third.
The council will be making no changes to the bandstand. Following discussion, a motion to approve a $3,000 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation grant for summer music in the bandstand. The city will pay Friends of Peterson, the group organizing the event and city fundraisers, from the grant proceeds.
What is less clear is what citizens want to do with the athletic fields itself. In the surveys, citizen suggestions included removal of and selling/rental of softball field and volleyball land and equipment for agricultural use to generate funds for the city, identification of possible developers for housing, selling land to adjacent landowners, creation of a seasonal camping area, or leaving the fields as they are.
Several of the respondents noted using funds to improve city streets or improving the downtown area. “Help restore downtown, not tear down what we have that is beautiful,” said one comment.
“We need to think of ways to bring money, rather than spend it unnecessarily,” wrote another. “We need to improve things like our streets and not spend money for other things.” The council took no action on plans for the athletic fields. It’s likely the topic will be discussed at future council meetings.
In other topics, Councilor Dave Colbenson suggested the city discuss the waste management contracts. “We need to look into what the contract says, so we don’t go back into the hole like we did in 2017,” he said.
City Clerk Christopher Grindland noted it’s difficult to calculate how far behind the service put the city with so many unpaid utility bills, a topic that’s been of increased focus for the city. It was suggested the city wait until the end of year to determine next steps. “It’ll be good to see if there’s any profit at all,” added Grindland. “It’s a good idea to take any money that’s profited and put it into roads.”
Currently, the collection of waste fees is not making the city any profit, but it is due to the rates, as opposed to unpaid bills, according to Mayor Tim Hallum. Surcharges in the contract may have been waived. The city will review the contract to see if this is the case. If so, the council will wait until the end of the year. The issue was tabled until the July meeting.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 11, at 6 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.