After several years, the Rushford Village Comprehensive Plan update is nearing completion. At the June 17 meeting, Community Economic Development Associates’ Community and Business Development Specialist Rebecca Charles presented the first draft of the plan. Comprehensive plans are meant to guide the city in long-term decision making. Charles completed the plan for the city as part of the CEDA contract with the village.
“This is my last meeting and I’m so happy that I get to spend it presenting this and handing it off. It’s finished,” said Charles, who will be turning over her handling of the city to Jayme Longmire.
Some minor additions and modifications were made to the draft following review by the Planning and Zoning Board. The last plan, done in 2013, was noted occasionally as a point of reference in the new plan.
The introduction discusses what a comprehensive plan is and how the document is to be used before launching into historical and geographic details. Geological and topographical information, specifically referencing the importance of the blufflands, as well as land and water characteristics, including water quality data and water inventory mapping are highlighted. Environmentally sensitive sites were also noted in the plan.
Demographics from census reports such as population, education, and household income are listed. Details on public infrastructure, including transportation, Safe Route to School grant information, the municipal airport, wastewater supply system, water collections, and electrical service encompass what is available to residents.
A housing overview, including information from housing studies and statistics, and community engagement processes is also key in the new plan. It highlights the importance of aging in place, within one’s own community, and different opportunities for medical care. The plan also includes community facilities and amenities, including ideas from community engagement processes that residents would like to see. Recreational areas, such as the Root River State Trail and state land, also speak to community life.
Economic development, the inflow and outflow of the work force, existing assets, and details on major employers is also included. Community collaboration, such as with Fillmore County (sheriff’s department), area cities and townships, watershed districts, and collective fire and ambulance district round out the community picture.
Lastly, Charles noted the village land use plan. She referenced the need for changes in classification for taxes, particularly for state-owned property.
“You can see how much it’s grown in the village,” said Charles. “You can use that later for discussions with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources). You can discuss the tax base lost to the state.”
The new comprehensive plan also hits at some of the same issues and concerns listed in the previous plan as well as those noted by residents during community engagement processes. These include farmland preservation, recreational lands, and trail development.
“In the goals and implementation section, we re-go over the previous sections and talk about different potential goals, opportunities that are available or next steps to help move the community forward,” explained Charles. ”This part is incredibly important because it’s what we can use at CEDA to know what it is that you think is most important. If any of these goals identified here really resonate, we want to make sure those are the projects we’re working on.”
The council tabled approval of the plan until all typographical errors and any requested modifications can be made. Once formally approved, hard copies will be made, as well as digital copies.
In other news, in light of the recent resignation of Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo, the village has sought proposals for mowing maintenance. Three were received from Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscaping, Redemptive Lawn Care, and TNT Lawn Services. They ranged from $60 per hour to $100 per hour, plus $150 per hour for the mowing of non-compliant/residential properties, and all included mowing and trimming.
City Attorney Joe O’Koren advised that while the village does not need a formal mowing contract in place, acceptance of a bid comes with the understanding of length of time of the service and frequency of services. The council unanimously approved the hiring of TNT Lawn Services as the lowest cost bidder.
The council also approved a MN Pump Works quote for repair of a lift station pump for $832. This pump is the spare and there are two additional pumps that could be repaired to serve as additional backups in case both pumps fail like what happened recently.
The council has found some interim assistance for Public Works’ needs, such as road grading and emergency help. Additionally, three applications have already been received for the position of Public Works Supervisor. The village may begin interviewing applicants ahead of the final deadline for applications in order to keep the process moving.
The council also unanimously approved a proposal from Tom’s Lock Service to overhaul the village’s keys and locks. The cost to rekey everything is $505 with each key costing $3.
Lastly, Miner provided details of the annual spring cleanup. The net loss was $998, which is the exact same as in 2024.
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