Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the December 21 meeting, the council discussed future work at the site of the former Farmers Win Cooperative site, starting as early as this winter. After the recent community engagement session, held December 3 at Rushford-Peterson Schools, the Economic Development Authority (EDA) is now beginning the process of preparatory steps at the site. This includes turning some of the work getting the site ready for future development over to the Public Works Department such as utilizing the survey to determine where things need to be cleared up with adjacent property owners. The former cooperative office building will also be listed for sale.
The commercial site development has been an ongoing community-involved project in partnership with Technical Assistance to Brownfields/Kansas State University and a team from University of Minnesota working to develop a governing group for the site. According to Councilor and EDA-member Sally Ryman, four or five local people are signed up to serve on a cohort group working on the process.
“We’re still reaching out to people. We’d like to get probably three times more than that, initially,” added Ryman. “Just because we’ve got the momentum and the people who are enthusiastic about it, we want to take advantage of that.”
Those involved do not have to be Rushford citizens. Ryman stressed that all that’s required is that they have a drive to see the project continue.
Ahead of any work, the council approved a formal allocation of $300,000 in funding from the EDA to Public Works. The EDA hopes grant funding and other financial programs will cover predevelopment costs, but the money is there if needed as things arise. If not spent, it will go back into the EDA account.
“I like that we might be actually finally doing something,” said O’Donnell. “I think people will be happy just to see some movement on the property.”
The council also formally approved the internal posting of the now-vacant city clerk/treasurer position until January 11. After that point, if no suitable candidate is selected, the city will open the posting to outside applicants. The city attorney drafted a resolution for short-term authorization to the deputy clerk in absence of the city clerk. The council unanimously approved the measure based on legal recommendation.
During reports, Mayor Terri Benson indicated that she and Mayor-Elect Leigh Volkman met with a potential interim city administrator, but later determined it wouldn’t work. In the meantime, three potential candidate applications have been received for the position. Applications can be filed until January, but Volkman hopes to bring forward two candidates for the incoming council and city department heads to interview in a large group setting.
“The challenge, from what I’ve seen, is going to be the experience,” said Benson. “Keeping an open mind and seeing the potential of who they could be. This job, going forward, is going to be very different than it was in the past. Communication is an important piece that has not always come through.”
Volkman noted the position is almost one of a communication director. Skills including communication, coaching teams, personability, research gathering, and holding departments accountable will be needed. Benson complimented Benson for stepping up and pitching in to fill some of these roles temporarily, in the wake of former administrator Tony Chladek’s resignation in October and the death of longtime city clerk Kathy Zacher in December.
“This is an exciting time, because I think there’s a little bit of an evolution of new processes that Kathy …” began Benson.
“It’s not the same city hall anymore …” added O’Donnell.
“Which has its ups and downs,” concluded Volkman. “There’s a lot of things that were done a certain way that helped us not to have to do it and ultimately someone has to make decisions. There will probably be more on the council than it was.”
In other news, work reviewing and updating city ordinances continues with American Legal Publishing. The goal is to provide easy access to all city ordinances to the public in a digital format. The council formally approved the initial legal and editorial policy report. In it, the company identified some specific areas to follow up on and address at a later date: abandoned property, nuisances, and animals. Flaherty & Hood, the city’s legal representation, is involved in the process, particularly in areas where statutes are no longer accurate. American Legal Publishing will take the city’s legal review and work on creating a first draft to be presented to the council in 10-12 weeks.
“We want it to be very open to the public for access,” said Mayor Terri Benson.
“It’s a living document. It’s not carved in stone come down from the mountain,” said Councilor Jim O’Donnell. “We can make changes.”
The council also approved grant details specific to a fencing project at the municipal airport. According to Benson, the city will receive just shy of $5,000. The city applied for the grant in June and council approval moves the project forward, putting the financial aspect in place.
An Economic Development Authority (EDA) Business Subsidy Loan to Driftless Metal Workx for property and business acquisition was reviewed and approved. Business owner Hunter Peterson is purchasing Jondahl Machine. The $400,000 EDA loan joins additional funding, including a private bank loan and Small Business Administration funding. The EDA funding fulfills the bridge piece of the total $1 million funding package.
The company manufactures machining products and while no additional employees will be added at present, councilors and EDA members Sally Ryman and Leigh Volkman, along with others, noted the strengths of the company. Driftless Metal Worx will make no payments to the EDA for the first year, however, interest does accrue during this year. Unlike some previous EDA loans, it was noted this is not a speculative business venture but rather the transfer of business from one owner to another.
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