Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the April 28 meeting, the Rushford Council nailed down a date and protocol for an upcoming work session. The goal is for the council to discuss specific topics in-depth. Built off the original session in January and further discussion at the last meeting, the work session will be incorporated as an item of business rather than replace one regularly scheduled meeting all together as is typically done.
The date of the work session is June 23. The meeting will begin with the approval of minutes and a condensed agenda for financials, before being wholly dedicated to topics identified by City Administrator Tony Chladek. The work session is open to the public.
Chladek was quick to point out that during a work session, no decisions are made. Instead, the council discusses an array of topics and that may end up on a future agenda.
“There are topics and time limits so you don’t meander all around,” noted Councilor Jim O’Donnell.
“The goal is to not bring an added cost to the community by adding an additional meeting for that month,” added Mayor Terri Benson. “During our council meetings, it’s been very healthy. This is giving time to have open meeting discussions, while getting things done on a timely basis.”
With a nod to follow through, Councilor Leigh Volkman recommended careful noting of timelines within the discussion. “I want to make sure if we spend time working on things that we put in dates to go back and deadlines on,” he stressed.
In other news, plans for this year’s Bluff Land Tri event on August 16 are shaping up. Sticking with a start and end at Creekside Park, the triathlon will see few changes from last year other than organizers expanding entrant limits to a maximum of 150 and increasing the adult entrance fee by $5. The youth fees will remain unchanged.
Organizers are working with the Rushford-Peterson Schools’ Go Green Project on several event plans including a scavenger hunt. They’re also working with a local Eagle Scout hopeful on podium signs at trail intersections.
“We’re trying to get all that coordinated together,” stated Councilor Sally Ryman, one of the many community members serving as a driving force for the event. “The trails are in great shape,” she enthused.
Before the close of the meeting, Councilor Andrew Linder asked about existing city ordinances regarding food trucks, having been asked by a resident. A short discussion about Rushford’s history with them reminded the council that the last one willingly made a $1,000 donation to the city and paid for electricity usage at the private parking lot it utilized.
The concern arose due to rumors of food trucks coming into the city for the True Team Track meet. Planning is underway for the meet and Rushford-Peterson Schools have reached out to city restaurants, according to Benson. The event typically draws in huge numbers of participants, families, and spectators and one councilor noted it may easily double the city population in one day.
“They can’t complain when they’ve put zero effort in the last five years, even when [former Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce Director] Jen Hengel brought menus up and tried to involve them,” said Volkman. “They can’t complain because he [Superintendent Bernard] is putting the effort in. There’s more than enough opportunity.”
“They’re trying to drive efficiency for the track meet. It’s a huge opportunity for them,” noted Benson.
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