At the June 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Brian Burkholder reviewed street projects planned for this summer. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent.
Rochester Sand and Gravel will be in Chatfield with its milling machine. At the last council meeting mill and overlay projects were discussed for sections of Twiford St. and Spring St., three alleys, Liberty St. and 7th St. The total cost submitted for the work was $106,751.25.
Burkholder said after that meeting they looked again at the proposed project sites and decided Twiford St. and the alleys would be just overlayed and not milled. The total cost for this reduced work plan will be about $93,000. The proposal with overlay only on the alleys and Twiford St. and mill and overlay on the other streets was approved.
There will be an additional cost for about 90 feet of curb and gutter.
Other business in brief
•A request from the Bluff Country Hiking Club for $2,000 to help with annual costs associated with the Lost Creek Hiking Trail was approved. These funds from the city in 2018 were used for advertisement, liability insurance, brochure printing, replacement of signs, web fee, temporary summer help to supplement volunteer hours, and equipment repair used for trail maintenance. Also, the club wants to purchase a self-propelled DR trimmer this year.
•The 11th payment to Ricchio, Inc. was approved in the amount of $21,128. A change order for the installation of ceramic tile at one, two, and three-foot depths was approved. It increased the contract amount by $1,668.
•Approval was given for replacement of old exercise and strength training equipment at the Fire Hall Fitness Center. The cost in the amount of $8,648 for the new and refurbished equipment is in the fire department’s budget.
•The Committee of the Whole met and viewed two demonstrations. ClearGov would provide a display of budget data on the city’s website. It would detail the source of revenues and list expenditures showing how dollars are spent. It compares the city’s financial data with other cities.
Polco allows residents to provide more input into city government. City council and staff can use it to engage with the community, improving communication between the public and city officials.
•A request from Jac’s to close a portion of Second St. on August 10 at 8 a.m. to set up for a street dance was approved. The street is to be cleaned up and reopened by 3 a.m. August 11. Jac’s had also requested to close the alley for safety, which was not included in the motion. Councilor Paul Novotny voted no on the motion.
•The council approved a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a MnDOT grant request for the Interstate 90/Highway 52 interchange project. MnDOT is asking for BUILD program grant funding for the improvement project to enhance mobility, safety, and economic competition. The request is for $16.6 million and construction is planned for 2023.
•Julie Elder was hired as a part-time (20 hours per week) deputy clerk. City Clerk Joel Young said four people were interviewed for the position.
•Mayor Russ Smith reported on the dedication of a bench by the Chuck Prokop family in remembrance of Prokop, who passed away in 2018. A bench with the inscription “Loyal Supporter of the Minnesota Trout Association and Youth Fishing” has been placed in Mill Creek Park. Prokop organized Chatfield’s MTA Kid’s Fishing Contest each May. Prokop had been a board member of the Minnesota Trout Association.
•Novotny asked that a letter of concern be drafted and sent to voice disapproval of the length of time (38 days) which has passed, since downtown businesses were blocked off. He maintained it is totally unacceptable and it should not be allowed to happen on the other side of the street.
•The Brass Band Concert will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in celebration of its 50th anniversary.