The Rushford Council recently welcomed Rolling Hills Transportation Director Bill Spitzer to discuss public transportation within the city and a funding request from the company. At the time, Spitzer acknowledged the new Rushford area bus and noted the company would seek funding support. At the March 25 meeting, the council discussed a Rolling Hills Transit request for $2,802 for five years to aid in the cost of the bus.
“He has a suggestion, but it’s up to us if it’s something we put in our budget for the next five years,” noted Benson. “It’s nice of him to do this, but it doesn’t mean we have to agree.”
Councilor Jim O’Donnell did not oppose the funding but wondered whether Spitzer had followed up with discussions with the county and other cities as Spitzer indicated would happen. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted the Rushford bus also serves Rushford Village and Peterson. Spitzer stated in February that the matching cost it would be seeking was in the $20,000 range. With the five years of funding from Rushford, she noted either Rolling Hills Transit may ask Rushford Village and Peterson to help support the cost. A significant number of children from the village use the bus service.
“It makes sure we’re supporting a service that does help our community,” added Benson. “There’s a two-fold to this. There’s the money, but there’s the way we support getting our community to utilize it more.”
“It’s serving underserved areas,” said Councilor Leigh Volkman.
The council unanimously approved $2,500 a year for five years but included a request that Rolling Hills Transit inform the city of other supporters. The city will utilize revenue from Public, Educational, and Government fees to fund the cost.
The council also approved the annual Rushford Public Library report, presented by Director Beth Nelson and Library Board Member Burt Svendson. The year-in-review breakdown indicated nearly 24,000 visitors and just shy of 20,000 checked-out materials last year. As a part of the Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO), the library received $30,665 in indirect revenue and $7,046 in direct revenue. Other funding sources include $109,170 from the city’s tax levy, $42,498 from Fillmore County’s tax levy, and $30,000 from Local Government Aid. Donations and grants generated an additional $39,045.
Nelson noted the board typically goes before the Fillmore County Commissioners to request a percent increase in funding. The county provided a set dollar increase via a three-year contract this year.
“It was the easiest county negotiation I can remember,” said Svendson. “We are very thankful to the county.”
“There are people who want these things to be in our community and you’re fulfilling them. It’s good to see,” noted Benson.
During reports, City Administrator Tony Chladek reviewed a recent Economic Development Authority (EDA) report regarding the development of the former Farmers Win Cooperative site. SEH Community Development Specialist Kristin Prososki and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Community Outreach Supervisor Martha Faust recently shared goals and information with the EDA.
“We got a lot of the details. We’re going to start identifying stakeholders and send out notices to a broader group. We’re going to start engaging everybody and discuss options,” said Chladek. “Later in the process, way towards the end, we’ll take a look at doing a market analysis on the final options.”
“Normally, they do the marketing to see what would be good in town and we kind of pushed back and said no, we want the marketing after we’ve narrowed it down so we’re analyzing specifics that people think would be good in town to see if those things would actually work – if there’s community support there. So, it’s more narrow rather than coming out with a marketing report,” added Councilor Sally Ryman.
“That’s always a concern when the community hears you’ve done studies before they get their say, so I think it’s good,” noted Benson. “I hope there are ideas out there that can be supported. There might be some really good ideas, making sure it can be supported is a bigger concern.”
“They were very clear that you don’t market something that’s not functional,” added Volkman. “You figure out what’s useful; if it can’t be done, check it off your list.”
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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