Photo by Wanda Hanson
With members Mayor Leigh Volkman and Councilmembers Jim O’Donnell, Andrew Linder, Nick Smith and Judi Brock as well as City Clerk Tiffany Jacobson and City Administrator Hayden Stensgard present, the Rushford City Council met on June 22.
Chad Kingsbury, who owns The White Barn Farm with his wife Stephanie, was the lone visitor at the meeting. Kingsbury had applied for a rental grant for the front of 300 Mill Street (the former TriCounty Record building) and was seeking council approval. The couple plans on running a canoe/kayak/tube rental business from the location.
Kingsbury informed the council he had already brought in some tubes to display in the windows of the building and signage has already been added near the door. He hopes to have a bus complete a DOT inspection this week so it is ready to serve customers by the weekend opening of the business. Customers will be bussed to a launch location in Peterson.
When asked about the possibility of bridge construction in Peterson affecting the business, Kingsbury told the council that the area would not be closed until the new bridge was finished and the company was ready to demolish the old one. This most likely would be after the canoe season. He also noted that there was a separate launch area on the other side of the bridge that could be used. Alternatively, launches could be done at The White Barn which is located just beyond the Dan Book property on the way to Lanesboro.
Drew Linder asked if Kingsbury had contacted the DNR about removing some trees that had fallen into the river and created obstacles. Kingsbury has not yet; he was waiting for the grant approval from the Rushford Council. Kingsbury mentioned that launches for canoes might be done from a different location where the current is not as strong for safety purposes.
In Kingsbury’s opinion, there is a lot of opportunity if they do it right. Their goal is to add a positive, fun opportunity in Rushford. They do not plan on selling alcohol. He noted that they had not originally planned on starting the business in Rushford, but “it kind of fell into place.”
The council approved the $2,500 grant. This grant will be in the form of Valley Doe which is taxable and can be spent at businesses in the Rushford-Peterson Valley.
The council also approved a permit for a fireworks display for the America 250 Celebration. The fireworks will be set off on July 3 from the same location at Creekside Park as is used for Rushford Days Celebrations.
A $2,500 micro-grant was approved for the Rushford Days Celebration. The committee had informed the EDA that they are expecting the celebration will cost over $10,000 in total. Invoices totalling at least $5,000 will be submitted by the committee in order to qualify for the micro-grant. The EDA had recommended the approval of the grant.
City Administrator Report
Photo by Wanda Hanson
City Administrator Hayden Stensgard updated the council on his efforts to get outstanding ambulance Medicare claims settled. He has been struggling to find a needed document and has contacted other sources for the necessary documentation.
Stensgard told the council the issue with the Hunter Peterson property will hopefully soon be resolved, and Peterson will then be able to finalize the closing.
An extension has been requested for the city audit with the state of Minnesota. Stensgard informed the council that next year’s audit should go much more smoothly.
Standard operating procedures are being set into place for the city. In addition, a word document is being created as the staff has time which details the procedures. Stensgard is learning what Tiffany does for payroll and what Julie does for building permits so their work can be covered when they are gone.
Stensgard shared that the TRW building zoned I1 had been listed for sale in the past week. Interested parties are encouraged to contact city hall and/or the realtor.
Public Works reported that due to the recent citywide power outage, a well was affected. An insurance claim will be filed for the loss.
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