Photo courtesy of Google Maps
At the July 10 meeting, the city of Rushford entered into an agreement with the Realty Gift Fund, a non-profit organization accepting charitable gifts of real estate. Bluff Country LLC is the former owner of the land, which sits east of Rushford Manufacturing in the Himlie Business Park.
The city and Bluff Country LLC Development had an agreement for the Planned Unit Development (PUD). The terms of this PUD agreement will now apply to the Realty Gift Fund.
“They had to get city permission to assign terms and contracts over to someone else. They will follow all the same rules,” noted City Clerk Kathy Zacher.
According to Fillmore County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, it includes eight lots from 1205 to 1212 Breilla Avenue, all .13 acres in size. Two other lots were developed by Bluff Country LLC, which now are privately owned twin homes. According to Zacher, the Realty Gift Fund is not looking to develop the area but sell the lots. The fund has sought a list of developers interested in the location from the city.
“They gifted this to them? And why would he do that?” asked Councilor Jim O’Donnell.
“For tax purposes,” responded Zacher. “The tax write-off stuff they deal with on their own. They just have to follow Internal Revenue Service donation guidelines. The revenue taken in on the sale is going to a Mississippi River Conservation entity.”
“They are legit,” added Mayor Terri Benson.
It’s assumed establishing the value of the gifted land will utilize current Fillmore County market values. 1205, 1207, 1209, and 1211 Briella Avenue are listed at $12,622. 1206, 1208, and 1210 are listed at $13,365, and 1212 Briella Avenue is the high lot at $16,524. In total, the lots are estimated at $107,107.
The council approved the agreement unanimously.
“I don’t think we have a whole lot of options since he’s already sold it to him. It’s shown as closed on the county website,” said Councilor Sally Ryman.
During the Consent Agenda, the council learned that longtime Airport Commission member Charla Miertschin tendered her resignation from the commission, effective July 14. This follows plans to move to her home state of Texas after 30 years in the community.
“My time on the commission has been very rewarding, and I have enjoyed serving the community as a member and chairperson of the commission. Thank you for the opportunity,” her letter read. “
In notices, the council was provided an overview of the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session, courtesy of the League of Minnesota Cities. According to the overview, a record 6,705 bills were introduced in the last session. A $1.5 billion bonding bill was passed, including funds for economic development, environmental issues, housing, transportation, and water/wastewater. Many of these affect the City of Rushford.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.