The first meeting of the year for the Rushford Council was largely dedicated to the annual organizational duties. This includes setting meeting times and dates, special appointments, and all other designations.
City council meetings will continue on the second and fourth Monday of each month, excepting those that fall on federal holidays. Those will be moved to the Tuesday following. Start time for these public meetings will continue at 6:30 p.m.
City Councilor Jim O’Donnell was again nominated to serve as acting mayor in the event that Mayor Terri Benson is absent. This action provides full mayoral power to O’Donnell in the event this occurs.
The council also approved appointment of councilors to varied boards and commissions as liaisons and/or voting members. Benson serves on the Electric Commission, Labor/Management, and the Safety Committee. O’Donnell also serves on the Labor/Management, as well as the Planning Commission and Library Board. Councilor Sally Ryman serves on Community Education and Economic Development Authority. Councilor Andrew Linder serves on Trees/Trails/Parks and the Airport Commission. Councilor Leigh Volkman serves on the Economic Development Authority.
Similarly, all annual appointments of for specific positions remains the same as in the previous year: Health Officer/Ambulance Department (Dr. Chris Watres, Winona Health), Animal Control (Robert Brand), Forrester & Emergency Operations Director (City Administrator Tony Chladek), and Newspaper (Fillmore County Journal).
On the financial side, the primary bank depository will also remain the same with Merchants Bank as primary and Rushford State Bank as secondary.
The City Attorney is Mike Flaherty, of Flaherty & Hood. The city’s designated prosecuting attorney is Dwight Luhmann, of Luhmann Law in Preston.
Following the organizational duties, the council approved two agenda items. First up was a Economic Development Authority (EDA) micro-grant for Micah Hanson Insurance Agency. The $500 grant will be utilized for new signage at the State Farm office. The total project cost is estimated at $1,569.
The EDA micro-grant program extends back to September 2013. Since then, it has provided assistance, through grants of up to $500, to businesses and organizations of more than $22,000. There is $8,343 remaining in the original allotment of funds to the EDA micro-grant program.
These funds were used for various projects including signage, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, various amenities, awnings, or other exterior improvements. Some of the less common usages were for the airport courtesy car and the constructed parklet in downtown. Several companies used the funds for website development or upgrades, brochures, promotionals, or other marketing. The program has also assisted the Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce with wayfinding signs and television promotionals, Rushford Festivities with rehabilitation of the parade float, Rushford Days Events, and the Rushford Craft Fair, and several events in the city with hosting live music events.
The council also approved a revised amount for a previously approved loan given through the EDA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund. The revised amount includes $2,034 not included in the original $22,965 provided. The total is now at the not to exceed $24,999 individual allotment. The program will provide up to $300,000 in funds for improvements to residential properties within the city. With the success of the program, it’s possible that the EDA may consider allocating additional funds.
“It was just a number that was allocated. If something else came along, some other good causes, I don’t know that the EDA wouldn’t put more money into it,” noted City Clerk Kathy Zacher.
“It’s all good stuff. They’re repairing and making it better,” added Benson.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, January 23, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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