The Rushford City Council set March 24 at 6:30 p.m. as the hearing date on the intent to purchase body worn cameras for the Rushford Police Department. According to Minnesota Statute, the police must allow public comment before purchasing such equipment. Copies of the proposed policy are available on the city website or at city hall. Written comments must be received by Thursday, March 20 to be included and read at the public hearing.
The council received a notice from AcenTek that rates will change effective March 1 due to content cost increases. The new rates for bundles is $52.95 for basic, $119.95 for basic plus and $131.95 for expanded.
MnWarn (Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network) sent information to the city about its network. MnWarn was created after the Rushford Flood of 2007; at that time there was no organization to help a city recover their utility systems from a disaster. Many calls had to be made in order to get the needed help at the time. MnWarn provides increased emergency preparedness and coordination to access needed specialized services at no cost to the participants. The brochure features photos taken in Rushford at the time of the 2007 flood.
City Clerk Kathy Zacher shared the EDA/RLF status through the end of the year. The Flood Loan Receivables were reduced $354,969.65 by regular principal payments and early payoffs and forgiveness. The end of 2024 Flood Loan receivable is now $1,034,987.13.
The EDA/RLF receivables during the year which included payments, accrued interest and two new loans resulted in an increase. The year end receivable is $1,753,774.82.
The EDA housing rehab receivables showed a net increase; there were two new loans and one paid off. Mayor Terri Benson was pleased, “Money is coming back in – great!”
The MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) conducted a compliance evaluation inspection at the wastewater treatment plant. The lone issue found was that the influential/effluent flow meters were not calibrated at the proper time. This was due to the fact that a piece of equipment had broken down and was out for repair. According to the report no further action was required after the repair was accomplished. Another inspection will be conducted in five years.
The annual water report was presented for review. The report detailed gallons sold as well as unaccounted water loss The DNR goal is to have less than 10% unaccounted water loss; for 2024 Rushford is at 3.3%. The DNR goal for total peaking factor (the one day a year when the most gallons are pumped) is less than 2.6%; Rushford had risen to 2.762% for 2024, just a bit over the recommendation. Although this was above the goal, Zacher explained that it was due to filling the swimming pool.
The Rushford Council discussed the Fillmore County Hemp and Cannabis Ordinance before deciding on their own ordinance. Rushford had the option to either adopt the county ordinance or write their own ordinance providing it was more restrictive than the county’s.
Councilman Jim O’Donnell pointed out that the county ordinance only allows two licenses to sell in the entire county; sales people need to be over 21.
Kathy Zacher noted that hemp and cannabis could not be sold in a location that sells liquor.
Councilwoman Sally Ryman opined that the continuity of using the county ordinance would make it easier for the police to enforce. Ultimately, the council decided to adopt the county ordinance.
After recently making some changes to the micro grants offered to businesses, the council received an application for a grant from Ross Himlie Photography. Himlie’s application requested a grant of $289 to pay half of the expense of retro-fitting six lighting fixtures to LED in his building. The intent of the project is to make the building more inviting to customers. The City issued the grant to Himlie and encouraged other businesses to apply for the micro grants as well,
City Administrator Tony Chladek informed the council that Zacher has put together a list of the current city ordinances and submitted it to American Legal Publishing. The company is now looking at the list and will make other suggestions as needed.
Mayor Benson shared that a lot of other cities are doing the same with their ordinances. Chladek said Rushford was attempting to find the most cost effective way to update the ordinances.
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