The Monday, November 28 Rushford Council meeting was quick, but the council made headway of several standing items. These include a revised plan for a Safe Routes to School grant application. The city submitted an application in December of 2015, but was unsuccessful in securing funding.
With construction of a new pre-K to grade 12 facility underway within the city, the initial plan called for three trail sections. One on the east side of the Highway 43 corridor from the Rush Creek Bridge north, another at Pine Meadows Lane, which runs along the north edge of the Ben Niggle Sports Complex to the new school, and between the east side of the sports complex and behind the Tyrol Hills subdivision. Originally, Highway 43 crossings were included at West Center Street and Northview Street.
Working with Bolton & Menk, the city’s engineer, a revised plan was developed after meeting with Minnesota Department of Transportation. The meeting was held to receive input and incorporate potential changes to help insure their approval of the project. The new plan still has a trail along Highway 43, but it now ends at the Pine Meadows intersection instead of continuing north. Likewise, the Tyrol Hills trail has been removed. The Highway 43 crossings have been reduced to one location just south of Northview Street. A trail portion may now be added on the west side of Highway 43 between West Center Street and Northview Street.
The estimated funding for the project was $374,700, but that number will shift with the newly added plan changes. If awarded the Safe Routes to School funding, the grant would provide 80% of the cost and the city and Rushford-Peterson School District would share the remaining 20%.
One hiccup noted at the meeting is just when funding would be given. While the new round of grants are expected to be awarded in the spring of 2017, the money would be available in 2018 or possibly beyond. “The language said ‘2021 funding.’ We’re trying to find out what that means,” said City Administrator Tony Chladek. “We’ll see how things come out. We’ve got planning to do yet on our end.”
“We need to figure out what hoops we have to jump through to make it work,” added Mayor Chris Hallum.
The council also considered and approved the marketing for sale of the vacant lot at 110 West Winona Street. The property was donated the city by Rushford State Bank several years ago, at a time when the city was hoping to make sizeable improvement to the small part just east of the historic Hoiland Mill. Initially, the city had hoped to use the lot to create parking space and a city trail system point. When trail system plans were altered, due to Army Corps of Engineers denial of trail location, the city opted not to proceed with utilizing the lot.
According to the city, considerable interest has been expressed by individuals in purchasing the lot in conjunction with the adjacent lot at 108 West Winona Street, a privately-owned property for sale. Both lots are undersized. The vacant lot would require application for several variances in order to be usable for housing. The Quonset-style house on the other lot is in need of extensive repair as it was damaged in 2007 flooding, gutted, and left vacant. If the lots were purchased together, the existing home could be remodeled or removed and a new home constructed.
The appraised value of the city-owned lot in 2010 was $12,100. There are no current offers on the table, however the council is looking proactively at the situation and will list the lot for sale. “There’s been at least two very serious offers,” noted City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher. Those contacting the city included both individuals and real estate firms. It was also noted that the sale of the lot fits with the Planning and Zoning Commission’s goals and the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
The city will list the land outright, rather than include it with other city-owned properties being listed in the inventory of local real estate company, Darr Auctions & Realty. If the property doesn’t move, the council may approve including it in that inventory list.
Should the lot sell, there is no remuneration needed to the former lot owner. “Once it’s a gift to the city, we don’t need to ask for permission,” added Zacher. “It’s ours to use and maintain in the best interests of the citizens of Rushford.”
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend. Please note, the second meeting scheduled for December will be moved to Tuesday, December 27, due to the Christmas holiday.
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