While the November 23 council meeting agenda was shorter than usual, it did comprise two items requiring a move to a closed meeting that likely garnered quite a bit of discussion. Up first was the potential purchase of the Farmers Win Cooperative properties in downtown Rushford.
The cooperative merged with Farmers Co-op Elevator in 2018 and began selling equipment on the downtown Rushford site in 2019. Earlier this year, the community saw the dismantling of the large, metal grain bins and elevator that have long dominated the city’s skyline. No definitive plans for the site were noted by the cooperative at the time, but it was largely assumed the property would eventually be sold as the cooperative no longer had a use for it, already having consolidated its workforce at another site.
The Rushford Economic Development Authority also recently discussed the possibility of purchase, during a closed meeting November 18, and later recommended to authorize the City Administrator Tony Chladek to begin negotiations on the site. City Clerk Kathy Zacher later indicated that the council discussed various options including stages of demolition, costs for demolition, and unknown issues. Also included was the asking price by Farmers Win, potential uses for the site if the city were to acquire it, community planning needed for appropriate future use, and more. The council did authorize Chladek to begin negotiations for the purchase, but it stressed that the city preferred a clean site. More on the issue will likely be discussed at future meetings.
The second closed meeting item was for discussion of labor negotiation proposals prior to upcoming contract negotiations. A recap provided by Zacher noted Mayor Terri Benson and Councilor Jim O’Donnell will attend the negotiating session with Chaldek and bring a recommendation back for full council approval. The first negotiating session was scheduled for November 25.
The council did approve extension of a contract with Darr Auction & Realty for city properties. Realtor Rod Darr was on hand to detail a number of updates on listings, which have seen quite a bit of activity despite the ongoing pandemic. Chladek noted the city having found more success marketing its available properties having contracted with Darr than was done previously.
The council also received an update from the Airport Commission following their November 16 meeting. It was noted that the commission’s Capital Improvement Program Planning has been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for review. According to the summary, projects include a Master Plan/Airport Layout Plan update, replacement T-hangar design and construction for the hangar that was lost in a fire in October 2019, and the purchase of the Thompson Hangar. A meeting will be held with Federal Aviation Administration for MnDOT representatives regarding potential funding sources and timelines for these items. At present, they were simply noted as “in the works.”
The council approved a commission recommendation for the lease of 35.18 city-owned acres of crop land adjacent to the airport. The land will be leased to Rick Ruberg for 2021-2023 for the total cost of $14,118.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. The most recent meeting was held partially in-person and on Zoom platform. Those wanting to attend the next meeting should verify the location and delivery of the meeting with city hall.
Leave a Reply