At the January 23 meeting, the Rushford Council heard from Rushford Fire Department Chief Chad Rasmussum who provided an annual report. In addition to the appointment of 2023 officers, Relief Association Board Members, meetings and events, he noted the retirement of two longtime firefighters and a need to fill vacancies.
Travis Eide (21 years) and Wayne Exe (33 years) are retiring. Rasmussen noted that Eide was a significant part of availability for daytime calls. Exe was the department’s resident expert with flammable gas exposure at fires. “We’re five firefighters short,” he said. According to Rasmussen, the department currently has three members in the range of 25-plus years of experience with everyone else 10 years and under. “If we can get five I would be shocked and we’re not the only ones. We’ve been super lucky.”
Department bylaws call for up to 30 members. Assistant Chief Paul Corcoran recently provided a recruitment source to the department. “It’s no cost to the department and if we get people through them, they’ll buy two sets of turnout gear and that’s $10,000. We’re going to definitely see what they have to offer,” added Rasmussen. “We’re not hurting but we need to fill those spots. People are putting time in. They don’t need to, but they’re doing it.”
With the new firefighters, the department seek recertification for the other members to get all on the same schedule. Cross training with the ambulance department will also continue. New to the department is an upcoming hostile event training in Houston. The full-day, hands-on event is headed up by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department and Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department.
This year the department utilized grant funding to secure water rescue equipment and additional funds purchased other needed equipment. This included a Genesis cutting tool and charger and a battery-operated cutter and tool set. Future needs include replacement of the rescue rig, or “Chief’s Rig,” in 2025 and Rasmussen is hoping to start the process now. Looking at manufacturing delays, availability, and rising costs it does present some worry.
“With the price of things going up, what’s going to be the cost of that? It goes on every call,” said Rasmussen. After the Chief’s Rig, a new pumper truck is the next upgrade and that cost is even more daunting for the department. “Those are not going down. Next year, it might be a million dollars. That’s sad for a department like ours. Unfortunately we have to follow the times.”
In other news, the council approved a Minnesota Department of Transportation landscape partnership agreement for the placing of trees and plants along the reconstructed Highway 30 corridor. The work will start with the downtown this year and the residential areas in 2024. There are 11 cutout areas that the state added to downtown area sidewalks and the city intends to cut an additional three to make room for trees, perennials, and hardscapes. Businesses will be involved in the options, to some degree, but the overall look must be consistent.
Also approved was the renewal of a System for Integrated Growth contract with Edward Lowe Corporation. The Economic Development Authority-sponsored partnership is aimed at assisting businesses make forward strides through problem-solving and networking. Two projects were already completed in the city with notable success.
“Any networking you can do outside of your existing network is beneficial. The expertise they received is invaluable. We’re investing in the community in a different way,” said Mayor Terri Benson.
Chaldek suggested any municipalities interested in learning more about Rushford’s experience with the work contact him for more information.
During notices, Councilor Sally Ryman asked the council to consider notifying legislative representatives regarding a proposed bill that could have a substantial impact on utility consumers. A letter from Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association detailed Bill SF4 proposed by DL Senator Nick Frentz, North Mankato. “It seeks to implement a 100% carbon-free standard on electric utilities by 2040,” the January 20 Capital Letter read. “Concerns about the expense of compliance were met with concerns about the costs of not complying in terms of environmental impact and health issues that are associated with the changing climate and environment.”
“It feels like the legislature is just trying to move too fast with these changes. Everyone is in favor of the new changes, but they’re moving too fast,” said Ryman. “The infrastructure is just not there.” Ryman further indicated that by pushing up the deadline, the concern for utility providers is that the lack of infrastructure will result in substantial blackouts and brownouts, an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage within an electrical power supply.
“There’s no allowance for doing that without increasing costs to customers. We need to be aware. It could be very costly and we could be without power at some times,” added Ryman. “It’s not that anyone is against the goal of the bill, it’s just how soon without affecting service to everyone.”
City Administrator Tony Chladek suggested sitting back to see how the situation plays out, but Ryman suggested he communicate with legislators and MiEnergy’s CEO Brian Krambeer. “I don’t think it would hurt to know the city has concerns, too, not just utilities. It’s for the citizens, too,” she said. The bill passed to the Senate Committee January 25 with no action taken.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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