Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the October 4 meeting, the Rushford Village Council was made aware of a visit from a local farmer inquiring about the status of County Line Road. With harvest season already in swing, whether or not the road would be open was a concern. The middle section, leading from the blufftops to the valley below, is steep and winding. A portion of it eroded into the roadway this year. The village has been working with engineers to develop a long-term plan to address the recurring problem.
City Clerk Mary Miner noted the heads up regarding farm equipment traffic this fall and praised the farmer for talking with the village. There is another option for farms to go the opposite way to Highway 43 and then down to town. “It’s not like they don’t have another option,” she noted. “I’m assuming it’s grain trucks driving to the dryer.”
Councilor Mike Ebner questioned whether or not the road remained eroded up to the roadway edge. “Last time I looked at it, about two weeks ago, there was no signage or cones out there,” he said. “That’s why Trenten [Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo] needs to be at these meetings,” he added.
Miner noted Chiglo had hauled some fill but didn’t place riprap to hold the slope. Utility locating is complete to allow for the removal of some of the upper bank to widen it out. She read a text message from Chiglo that indicated riprap is coming this week.
“Has anyone talked to the Department of Natural Resources?” asked Ebner. “It’s all DNR property.”
While hard-surface road standards are 66-foot width, including right-of-way, there isn’t a defined width for gravel roads. “As long as it’s within 33-feet of the center. We can’t shear their bank off,” cautioned Councilor Roger Knutson.
“Trucks are driving it all the time anyway. If it’s not worthy to drive it should be closed,” said Ebner. “We asked Trenten to sign and cone it some time ago and it’s not done.”
“We’ve gotta worry about safety. If something happened…,” added Knutson. “Trenten should take a serious look at it and make sure it’s safe.”
The council directed Chiglo to contact the concerned farmer with an update and to let him know if any work will be happening.
The council also discussed liability issues regarding the rental of the Village Hall. A private party has rented the hall for this month and has requested permission to have alcohol on the premises. As per the city policy on rental, the council must approve all agreements where alcohol is served.
The party has supplied a personal insurance waiver from their insurance provider and the village is named as additionally insured for the event. However, city policy states that a public insurance waiver is provided. The clarification between public and personal waiver was unclear.
“The agreement says public liability insurance. They provided personal liability insurance. I would suggest following the agreement,” said City Attorney Joe O’Koren. “The other things you could do is have them sign a waiver holding the city harmless or not deal with the issue at all and let no alcohol be served here.”
It was noted that typically when community centers have alcohol for an event there is a catering company with proper insurance handling it. “If we say none, who’s going to police it?” asked Miner. She added that after events where permission wasn’t given, the remnants of it are found in the trash bins. “I don’t necessarily think it’s the people renting the hall. There are multiple times when people attending come with it [liquor].”
O’Koren again suggested the city add a hold harmless waiver as an addendum to the rental agreement to be signed by the host and on behalf of all guests. “I would also mention the insurance. You know it doesn’t say what it’s supposed to say. Public seems to be more broad in that context. It would be beneficial to contact the League of Minnesota Cities.”
The council approved alcohol at the event conditionally with a signed agreement with a signed hold harmless addendum from the party.
The council tabled a decision on new air conditioning and furnace units for the hall. Three companies have provided estimates: Plumbers Mechanical Group, of Winona, Schroeder Heating & Cooling, of Houston, and STS Plumbing & Heating, of Mabel.
While the current units have had no issues for the last 22 years, according to City Treasurer Judy Graham, the village has been told the furnace units were oversized for the need. “They’re running way too hot (210 degrees),” noted Mayor Dennis Overland. “They said we’re really lucky we haven’t had problems.”
There were discrepancies and confusion with the various brands, size, output, and quality, as well as if all estimates included removal and disposal of the current units. “We need to table it until we know we’re apples to apples,” said Ebner.
“The other thing we should consider is that all three of these are locals. Service will be good with all,” noted Knutson. Miner will contact all three companies to request clarified bids.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, October 18, at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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