The Rushford Economic Development Authority has been a productive force within the City of Rushford, as a source and manager of flood recovery loans and a catalyst for increased economic stability and growth. However, unknown variables throughout each annual cycle make budget predictions challenging. To avoid dipping into further reserve funds, while facing a $31,000 deficit, the EDA has opted to end its contract with CEDA at the end of the year.
“We’re being cautious of reserves in the EDA. [Flood loan] funds will stop coming in at some point,” stated City Administrator Tony Chladek. “In the short term, we need to eliminate the deficit. In the long term, we need to be mindful for the future and how we’re going to manage costs. These revenues are an area of EDA concern. This will mitigate things to the tune of about $40,000.”
The EDA considered five recommended options to remedy the issue. They included requesting a specific amount of budgetary increase annually, requesting an amount annually for a limited number of years, and cutting the CEDA contract while increasing the service contract with Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce. However, it was noted these only addressed the issue short-term. Longer term solution included setting policy recommendations that limited use of reserves, exempted land/property sales as operational funding source, and recommended replacement of transfer-in flood fund revenues when they cease in five years. The commission recommended both the policy recommendations and eliminating the CEDA contract so as to mitigate both a short and long-term solution.
“It’s important work, but a lot of it can be done with staff and working with the chamber,” noted Councilor Terri Benson, an EDA board member. “We need to keep the door open. CEDA could be a good and influential resource. We’re just trying to stop the bleeding of our budgetary constraints.”
Benson went on to note that the timing might provide a good opportunity for the EDA to determine the right reserve fund threshold as well. CEDA will continue to be a preferred vendor for the city, but in specific instances. “We have to be smarter with our budget,” added Benson.
Councilor Jim O’Donnell questioned the efficiency of the CEDA contract and whether the city had gotten significant “bang for the buck.” Benson noted no complaints with the work done by the organization.
“Going forward, we need to make sure we don’t have these same issues. We need to be more streamlined. There’s some very good things in place. Maybe we don’t need to rely as heavily on CEDA,” advised Benson.
Chladek indicated CEDA had been made aware of the difficulties earlier this year and insisted there were no hard feelings over the situation.
The city council also approved a recommendation from the planning commission regarding small wireless facilities. Mobilitie, a wireless infrastructure company headquartered out of California, approached the commission for permission to place wireless equipment in city-owned right-of-way. New legislation allows wireless providers to place equipment within municipal right-of-ways, subject to local permitting and approval. It was noted the legislation’s language will maintain municipal access to the right-of-way and control through zoning measures.
The company ran afoul of some Minnesota utilities in 2016 after confusion and what was noted by some as misrepresentation of the legislation. The company must follow all local permitting and regulations, prior to be granted access to the right-of-way.
August 1, the Rushford Planning Commission approved placement of a 50-foot, steel pole on north of Industrial Road, just east of Hammel Equipment’s property. Minutes from the meeting note information provided by the League of Minnesota Cities regarding management rights, infrastructure size, and permitting processes and fees aided the commission in their decision. The city does not currently have a right-of-way ordinance.
It was noted at the meeting that the small cell tower may increase service for cellular and WiFi users within the community. Pending all zoning regulations, permitting, and an agreement, it was deemed to be a benefit to the community. It was specified, however, that poles be erected as close to property lines as possible to be less obtrusive to other property owners. The proposed pole on Industrial Road would not limit future light industrial development in the area.
An agreement for the pole will still need to be put in place and approved by the council to include items detailing rental fees, paid to the city, and maintenance. Additionally, building permit paperwork will need to be formally processed. Ryan Streff, permitting manager for Mobilitie attended the August 14 council meeting to lay out the plans.
Streff presented current company data indicated a massive uptick in wireless data usage and thus the need for such providers. One figure cited indicate a 500 percent expected increase in demand from 2016-2021. Mobilitie is looking to place a small cell facility on the pole. The four-component system would include an antenna, small satellite dish, AC distribution, and a remote radio unit. The equipment would need hook up to city electrical and would be separately metered by the city. The pole and equipment would be operated and fully maintained by Mobilitie who has contracted with Sprint for operation on the pole. Should other companies want to operate on the same or added devices, Mobilitie would need to come before the council again for approval.
The technology is only approximately two years old, according to Sheff, who noted 70,000 small cell units are scheduled to be deployed by Sprint around the country. “It’s a relatively new service,” he noted. Site security is not expected to be an issue.
In other news, the city is planning for the placement of two tourism kiosks within the city. Recommended by the EDA, the project looks to place the aluminum, eight- by eight-foot kiosks at the depot and a second location, somewhere near the R-P School District’s Niggle Field Sports Complex or Creekside Park. They will display color mapping and graphics indicating items of interest within the community including, parks, trails, water access, athletic areas, restaurants, lodging, and entertainment, among other things. The display is constructed for longevity, but it also easily modified to remove or add features or sites mapped, as needed.
“The goal is to enhance downtown vitality and the marketing of the community,” noted Administrator Chladek. “The chamber, led by Jen Hengel, will be working with area businesses to ensure the mapping and the display incorporates businesses and community aspects that will inform visitors.”
The cost of the project is $9,800. However, the city has been fortunate to secure partial funding from Fillmore County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership ($3,000), Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce ($2,000), Rushford Community Foundation ($3,000). The remaining $1,800 will be funded from the city’s EDA fund.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
Leave a Reply