At the February 26 meeting, the Rushford Council welcomed Rolling Hills Transit Director of Transportation Manager Bill Spitzer. He attended the meeting to discuss the program, Rushford bus details, area community details on ridership, services provided, funding needs, and plans. Spitzer hit on reasons why public transit is critical, including accessibility, affordability, equity for those needing assistance, sustainability, connecting people with different parts of the area, economic development, minimizing traffic congestion, availability in times of emergency, and mobility for non-drivers.
There were 3,600 riders for Rushford last year and 312 in January 2024. The service is door-to-door, dial-a-ride, so there is no set no route. Rolling Hills requests ride reservations 24 hours in advance but will accept reservations with just two hours of notice. The current bus can hold 22 passengers, including two wheelchair users.
“For a rural community, it’s pretty good utilizing public transit,” said Spitzer. “We want to expand as much as we can. We would love to fill it.”
Spitzer noted the ride fee is kept intentionally as low as possible. “We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to ride. Not everyone can afford to pay high rates,” he said. The ride cost within Rushford and Rushford Village is $2 per ride, while going to Peterson is $3 and Houston is $6. Rides to Senior Dining are $2 round-trip. “The people we don’t think about are the ones that need the services,” he added.
Rolling Hills Transit is funded 80% by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, while the other 20% comes from communities, donations, and other sources. Rolling Hills ordered a new bus for Rushford in 2021, due to arrive this year. Fortunately, the cost at the time was $95,000. New buses in 2024 are $100,000 more.
Rolling Hills is asking cities to contribute. Spitzer said $1,000-3,000 annually would be ideal, but he noted an awareness of balancing public tax dollars for services. The portion will be pulled from Rolling Hills Transit fund reserves if the city cannot or does not contribute. Spitzer is meeting with 19 entities, including cities and counties, in the first half of 2024 to better educate them on the service and needs.
The service looks to improve ridership through several awareness initiatives and marketing campaigns. Rolling Hills also rebranded the buses with a banner noting, ‘Anyone Can Ride.’
“It’s one of the stigmas we’re trying to overcome. It’s not strictly for the elderly or children,” stressed Spitzer. He provided various examples where anyone could use the service. “There are areas for growth. That’s my goal,” Spitzer concluded.
Public Works Director Roger Knutson was present at the meeting to provide a recap of department work completed last year and anticipated projects for 2024. The listing included only items beyond everyday maintenance.
Projected projects for 2024 include many continuing projects, including levee inspection. Knutson noted the Army Corps of Engineers hasn’t been to the city in many years, but there are items that will need monitoring and attention. The city expects a levee inspection in 2024. Knutson cautioned the council that the list of items might keep the department busy for some time.
There is already work planned for the historic Rushford Depot, which is the trailhead in the city for the Root River State Trail, and a portion of this will include the department doing electrical updates. In other utility work, the department continues the Lead Copper Rule mapping, which the state requires for the city’s public water system. The department will also finish the airport’s new hangar work and fencing, signage, and work with the Department of Natural Resources on land the city anticipates will be state land soon.
The city has taken over maintaining the long-time lighted star on the eastern Rushford Bluff. The department is working out a plan for usage and maintenance to improve the star and access, including road work, electric pole installation, updating of wiring and lights, and digital controls. Public Works will complete work in stages.
City beautification plans include planting trees, plants, and pavers in the new Highway 30 downtown sidewalk cutouts. The department also plans to remove and replace trees around the city and install new hardscape and landscape around the new city sign at the Highway 43 entrance on the north end. The Magelssen Bluff stairway will also see an update.
In other news, the council considered an enhanced pay step for the police department, recommended by the labor-management committee. The goal was to address the specific issue of low-level pay. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted the pay level for rural departments was so far below the standard and led to many departments being unable to find officers. The council approved amending the pay steps unanimously.
The council also considered a draft ordinance to create the City of Rushford Housing Authority. First proposed in 2017, the ordinance must be in place to apply for state funding. The way it’s written will allow for a spectrum of possibilities.
“It’s both broad and specifically tailored for Rushford,” echoed City Administrator Tony Chladek.
The council set a public hearing for the ordinance during the next meeting. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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