City Administrator Tony Chladek shared the details of the public survey regarding the development of the former Farmers Win site in downtown Rushford at the Rushford City Council meeting June 10. On Monday, June 17, flyers will be placed around town, postcards will be mailed out, the survey will be posted on Facebook and physical copies of the survey will be available at city hall. Mailers will be sent out to the residents of the entire R-P School District. The survey consists of a handful of questions and will not take long to complete.
The survey is not a vote, but rather an opportunity to share your ideas on the possible uses of the property; you may take the surveys until August 30. Everyone is encouraged to complete the short survey; you need not be a resident of the city to do so. The survey is the result of a collaboration between the KSU TAB team (Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields program), R-P School District Administration, and the City of Rushford Administration.
After August 30, the data will be collected and a market analysis will be conducted. Following that later in the year, there will be community engagement groups for further citizen input in the process. Now is the time for everyone to share their ideas for the best use of this property.
Consent Agenda
As part of the consent agenda, the council gave City Clerk Kathy Zacher and Fire Chief Chad Rasmussen authority to proceed with the reroofing of the fire, police and ambulance garage. The roof is leaking and several areas have lost shingles over the years. Each entity will pay for their share of the roofing expense. Four proposals were obtained ranging in cost from $64,700 to $45,250.
Since City Attorney Dwight Luhmann has been appointed as a judge in Winona County, Rushford needs to explore options for a new city attorney. There is a possibility of contracting with the county attorney’s office for services. When Police Chief Adam Eide and City Clerk Kathy Zacher have made a recommendation to select a new attorney, a contract will be made available for council review. No retainage fee was paid to Luhmann; payment was given when the services were used.
Following a new state statute, part-time city employees working less than 40 hours a week will receive sick and safe time based on the number of hours worked. This does not include ambulance personnel or fire fighters.
The state demographic center provided the 2023 population estimate (1,876) and the 2023 household estimate (738).
MERC (Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation) successfully took the MN DOR to court over property valuations and won. As a result, Rushford’s share will be a tax reduction of $5,595.75.
Updates
The City of Rushford has been in contact with MnDOT regarding the demolition of the Hwy 30 house. MnDOT had started demolition, but then appeared to abandon it. Citizens are concerned about animals, weeds and tall grass at the site. According to MnDOT, they were recently in a meeting concerning it and would be dealing with it soon.
The new Rushford entrance sign’s rock facade has been completed with large rocks placed on the end and back sides.
The Susan Hart Memorial Gazebo was dedicated Thursday, June 6. Library Director Beth Nelson, Library Chair Burt Svensen, and Susan’s husband Bob Hart addressed the 108 people attending the dedication. Musical entertainment was later provided by the Darr Family Band.
The summer music series Roots & Rhythm will continue at the gazebo on Thursdays. The Rutabaga Brothers will play on June 13; Trav Ace on July 18 and Troubleshooter on July 25. A food truck will be on site.
The shared project of the baseball field was discussed. R-P School purchased the lime; the city has been doing the work at the field which belongs to the city. Once the work is completed, the field will be a regulation baseball field which will provide space to hold more AAU games. Zacher noted that the matter of who is paying for what at the field will be brought to the council at a later date.
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