It’s been a long year, or longer, for the Rushford Village Council when it comes to road projects, specifically, the 2016 improvement projects. It was stated at the Tuesday, June 20 council meeting that a formal letter had gone out previously to McHugh Excavating, the contractor on the project. In the letter, the city indicated that should remaining punch list items from the project not be completed in a timely manner, the city would hire a separate contractor to complete the work and would retain funds related to the work.
The company replied with a letter of their own and pictures showing crews working in the area to complete the items. “They’re claiming that they have been doing stuff, we just didn’t notice,” said City Attorney Tom Manion.
The contractor has been working on areas of concern and it was indicated that they bring in another contractor of their own to complete the last items. “They’re working in Rushford, too,” indicated Mayor Gordon Johnson. “I believe they’re tying up lot of loose ends there as well.”
In other road news, Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor Travis Scheck and worker Hamilton Peterson are finishing up work related to September 2016 flooding. Areas of concern, except Ridgeview Road, have seen riprap set and crushed rock is expected by the end of next week at the latest. On Ridgeview, additional work will be needed outside of Public Works capabilities.
The council has approved the purchase, not to exceed $4,000, for a vLocPro2 Locator. While the city’s sewer lines are mapped well, water lines are not. The City of Rushford has allowed the Village to use its location device for utility location, but with all of the water lines needing Global Positioning System mapping, Public Works thought it wise to invest in a Village-owned locator. With it, they will be able to locate all lateral water utility. “It’s probably time we consider making that type of investment,” indicated Mayor Johnson.
A quote for the item rings it at $3,910 and it will be paid for by funds from the water budget. The unit is believed to be the same as the City of Rushford’s. “There are several vendors, but it might be wise to use the same as the City, in case someone’s breaks down. That way, we’re all using the same equipment,” suggested Councilor Mike Ebner.
The final tally from the spring cleanup is in and the shortfall was approximately $1,400. This was attributed to the cost of the roll-off dumpsters and a large number of mattresses, which had no cost listed in pre-cleanup advertisements. There was also some discussion of whether or not non-city residents are allowed to drop off their cleanup items. The City of Rushford specifies, “Rushford resident only,” but neither Peterson nor Rushford Village have noted resident only.
“There was a lot of stuff that came in. There are a few [non-resident] that show up, but we probably saved something from being thrown in a road ditch,” said Johnson. “I’d sooner not turn them away. It’s still a good thing, even if it costs us a little.” The council will revisit cleanup rates in the fall, prior to the next cleanup event.
There were also some zoning items that were presented by Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit to the council. First up was designation of a residence in flood plain area. It was noted that a mortgage lender may or may not require flood insurance, as determined on the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map data. Those concerned can locate their property on the FEMA website.
Resident Andy Prinsen brought another potential issue to the council’s attention: a potential land swap between Prinsen and adjacent property owner Vern Bunke. Pettit indicated to Prinsen that the issue will need to be dealt with by the two parties and that a professional survey will need to be conducted; although Pettit indicated one may already have been done.
For his land, Bunke was granted access for logging on his south Rushford property contingent on Minnesota Department of Transportation grant approval, which was granted. Following logging, the Village permitted farm access to Bunke. There is not the proper amount of feet for a driveway between the two landowners properties to fit the Village ordinances. “It seems to be a muddled mess right now,” said Pettit.
“We can’t get in the middle of that,” added Mayor Johnson.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, July 11, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. There will be only one meeting in July for the Village Council, as their first meeting would fall on July 4. Please take note of the one-time change.
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