At the Monday, August 22 Rushford City Council meeting, the council approved retention of services from Darr Realty to market a number of city-owned properties, mainly land and lots. At the Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting, Darr Realty put forth a proposal for the city to market through the Multiple Listing Service system, increasing the visibility and opportunity for sale of the properties.
“The primary impetus for this is getting realtors marketing opportunities. We’re putting together deed information for all the lot and this only applies to city-owned properties. It’s a good deal,” said City Administrator Tony Chladek.
“We’re getting another visibility. We know we have them, but others may not know we have them,” added Councilor Terri Benson.
While there is no initial expense, the proposal also included potential commission from sales. The minimum transaction fee was reduced from $1,500 to $999 by Darr Realty. If Darr sells the property, a 5% commission is in play. The contract term is one year. “The flexibility is with the city and the EDA,” added Chladek. “The money paid is an economic investment.”
The council also unanimously supported efforts by the Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce for community wayfinding signage. Jen Hengel, director for the chamber, was on hand to discuss plans.
The chamber has secured $3,000 in funds from Rushford Community Foundation and an additional $2,000 from the Economic Development Authority. The signs will be topped by the new brand logo and tag line and will be situated indicating destinations most used by visitors to the city and those not immediately visable from roadways.
The locations for the signs include Pine Meadows Lane, Winona Street, Highway 43/Jessie Street, Highway 43/Highway 16, and the road to Magelssen Bluff. They will indicate where visitors can find the new school, Creekside Park, Rush Creek Trail system, Magelssen hiking trails and park, Root River State Trail, Visitor’s Information, and Root River water access. The chamber will alsolook at highlighting the city’s new Veterans Memorial Park.
With Rushford’s position on three state highways, including the main Highway 43 corridor, coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to keep within specific parameters has been something of a challenge. Signage must conform utilizing specific fonts, arrows, distance from other signs and intersections, reflectivity, and height among other guidelines.
“We’ve been working on this for some time,” noted Hengel. “We had hoped to go with a local manufacturer, but when they started imposing standards it made it difficult.” The chamber will ultimately be contracting with either MnDOT directly for the signs or working with the firm of Earl F. Andersen, whom the city contracts with.
The council has accepted the Planning Commission’s recommendation to hold a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance opting-out of the state’s new ordinance on Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling. The city had the option to either approve the state’s ordinance or hold a hearing and approve its own ordinance on the matter. The state statute kicks into effect September 1 unless city’s opt out.
“Most cities are opting opt,” indicted City Clerk Kathy Zacher. It was also indicated by Zacher that legislation on the dwellings is separate from definitions and guidelines on Tiny Homes. “These are two totally different things. This is a temporary housing unit.”
“No one seems to be embracing it,” added Mayor Chris Hallum. “It’s a solution looking for a problem.” The hearing has been scheduled for September 12.
The council also reviewed a number of EDA items. These include a Loan Status Review of Village Auto Line of Credit. The EDA had approved the line of credit to help finance the purchase of vehicles, but the business is now closed. $1,600 is owed to the EDA from the business and its owner, Todd Baker. At the meeting, it was indicated that the EDA is attempting to make contact with Baker and a letter has been sent requesting he begin making payments on the line of credit balance due. “If we don’t get cooperation, there is legal action,” noted Zacher.
A review of Rushford Hypersonix indicated that the forbearance period earlier granted to the company expired July 1. No paperwork or requests have been received as requested by the EDA. A Notice of Right to Cure Loan Default will be sent and must be cured within 30 days. If not, the loan will be turned over to the city council for legal action for collection.
Lastly, Southeast Minnesota Historic Bluff County has requested forbearance of 12 months the organization proceeds with receipt of restitution from losses. The EDA approved a forbearance period of nine months. Administrator Chladek noted that the organization is not eligible for additional forbearance after this point.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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