Rushford moves to purchase former Farmers Win Cooperative site

After a closed meeting session before the regular October 11 Rushford City Council meeting, the council approved proceeding with the submission of an agreement to Farmers Win. The motion indicated the city would stand with the offer, including all contingencies and that it would neither give nor accept any counteroffer. “Our offer is what it is,” noted Councilor Jim O’Donnell.

In September, the council unanimously approved a draft purchase agreement for the former Farmers Win Cooperative site in the heart of downtown for $249,000. The city also made an offer to purchase the site in 2021.

The agreement focused on specific contingencies, including a Phase I inspection/due diligence period with the ability to conduct surveys, reviews, inspections, and tests of the property. Previous offers to purchase the property required a “clean site” to avoid surprises related to unknown issues, contamination, or abatement cleanup.

As previously stated, review of the property is at the buyer’s discretion if necessary or advisable to obtain a No Association Determination, No Further Action, or Liability Assurance Letter, a determination from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) or Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). These would state that no further action is necessary to remediate or clean up hazardous substances on the property and limit liabilities associated with known contaminants. Should the city and its representatives find conditions objectionable or cannot obtain liability assurance letters from the MPCA or MDA, it can terminate the agreement and see a refund of $1,000 earnest money. The agreement contingencies also include a right to inspect to determine the property’s eligibility for a tax increment financing district and the city’s right to enroll in state or federal regulatory programs for environmental contamination.

The council also unanimously approved a Minnesota Department of Transportation agreement for airport improvements. The airport suffered fire damages in a hangar fire in October 2019. The city has been working to replace the hangar since that time. In April of this year, the council awarded a contract to construct a five-unit hangar to Olympic Builders, contingent on state and federal grants for the $1.1 million project.

“It includes state and federal dollars, Rescue Grant money… lots of sources of revenue,” stated City Clerk Kathy Zacher. “The end result the city was going to have to pay was supposed to be around $25,000, but it might not even be that much.” The city is waiting on a signed contract from Olympic Builders before work can begin.

The council also approved assistance to the Rushford-Peterson School FFA group for help clearing their cropland of brush and debris. The plot flooded over the last several years and a mix of dirt and wood was gathered for removal. FFA Advisor Colby Lind has indicated he can bring equipment to deal with dirt, but the wood will need to be pushed into a separate pile to burn.

After speaking with Public Works Director Roger Knutson about timing, Zacher indicated the department can fit helping the group into their current workload. In a letter from the department, Knutson noted it is city policy to decline this type of work when asked by individuals or businesses so as not to compete with other entities that do this work. However, this situation is different due to the asking party being the school district.

Prior to work, a certificate of insurance must be provided by the district to the city. Timing of the work will be at the discretion of Public Works’ schedules.

Knutson also recommended the council approve a grade/step increase for Public Works employee Riley Anderson. He’s been employed with the city since December 2015 and recently passed his Class C wastewater certification. The recommendation moves Anderson to Grade 5/Step 4, effective November 8. The council approved the increase unanimously.

Lastly, during reports/updates, City Administrator Tony Chladek asked for feedback regarding recent postcards that went out to 1,690 postal customers. Mayor Terri Benson indicated good results about the communication that provided an overview of what the city’s been working on lately. The cost was $.23 per card, a total of $388, representing substantial savings over other communication forms. While the cards can’t serve just Rushford proper, they can reach cities and townships within the school district.

“It’s a very cheap way. I can’t imagine having anything we wouldn’t want to share with the Village or Peterson,” said Ryman. “The more that we all have the same information, the better off we are.”

Benson suggested the city use the postcards more regularly, perhaps quarterly, especially when there’s a big project happening. “If there’s something we’re trying to inform people about or driving them to a website or whatever, it’s a new tool we can use,” added Chladek.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.