The September 26 Rushford Council meeting held only one item of general business, which was unanimously approved. It provided authority to advertise a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for airport engineering and planning services. The process is required prior to the city entering into a master service agreement every five years. The current agreement with Mead & Hunt expires October of this year.
The agreement will include technical and advisory services included in on-call airport engineering and planning for projects identified in the airport’s Capital Improvement Plan. According to the statement, these projects may include planning and environmental services, airside and landside design and construction administration, airport building design, and Airport Improvement Program management. Proposals of interested firms must include experience, project team identification and summary, references, and additional supporting data. Criteria used to judge suitability include qualifications of the firm and personnel, experience with state and Federal Aviation Administration grant programs and requirements, approach to projects, and experience on comparable projects.
A number of projects have been completed at the airport in recent years, including a fueling upgrade, an electrical vault, and grounds and facility improvements. The city will negotiate a contract with the top ranked firm. RFQs must be submitted by November 15. A recommendation will be made to the city council at the November 28 meeting.
In the consent agenda, a summary was provided regarding legal actions in process for Hypersonic and GForce Economic Development Authority (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) loans. In respect to Hypersonic, the court has ordered a judgment in the amount of $655,977.28 “This amount represents the original $500,000 loan, plus interest, costs, and attorney fees. The second loan of $145,000 was not addressed,” noted the summary. The secondary loan was originally granted by the EDA in 2013.
For GForce Digital Technologies, Inc. a settlement agreement has been signed. In exchange for Rushford not seeking immediate repayment, GForce agrees to make monthly loan payments on the $300,000 loan, with a current balance of $397,939.66, the $50,000 loan, with a current balance of $61,020.27, and a payoff of a $25,000 line of credit with Coulee Bank, guaranteed by Rushford. The total confession of judgment was $484,708.93. “The amount we may collect cannot exceed the amount confessed,” stated the summary. “After that original confession, they did pay off some on the note, but subsequently had more interest added on.”
If the parties do not comply with judgment within 30 days, they are required to provide the details of their assets.
During the reports summary, City Administrator Tony Chladek indicated he’d heard from real estate agent Rod Darr regarding the city’s purchase proposal for the former Farmers Win Cooperative site downtown. The cooperative board was expected to meet September 28 to discuss. Chladek hoped to know more soon.
In notices and announcements, a Highway 30 Reconstruction Project update was given. The Phase 1 downtown portion of the project is now open to traffic, but some minor work remains for turf and sidewalk restoration. On the west end of the project, crews are expected to complete utility and storm sewer work soon. When done, a gravel base will be installed on the roadway. Concrete and paving crews are expected to finish the area in October.
A city wide fall cleanup is being planned for mid-October. Details will be provided soon.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Please note the date change due to observance of the federal holiday October 10. The meeting is open to the public.
Leave a Reply