The February 2 Rushford Village Council meeting was largely discussion over Public Works topics, including welcoming new employees, equipment purchases, and projects being tackled.
New part-time Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor Trenton Chiglo and part-time department worker Preston Lacy were on hand at the meeting. The two men have just over a week of work under their belts and are wasting no time getting acquainted with the work and jumping in. Thus far, they’ve been cleaning and doing inventory of property and materials at the Village Hall site. The two have also assisted with clearing after two snow events with a third on the horizon.
Snow plowing for the Village is a substantial job with the residential neighborhood of South Rushford, in addition to several subdivisions and 33 miles of gravel roads within city limits. The council has been discussing the purchase of a large truck for clearing snow for some time and approved the purchase of a 2022 Freightliner at the meeting. Councilors Mike Ebner and Roger Knutson, serving on the subcommittee seeking and reviewing bids, presented their recommendation to the council prior to the decision.
Two quotes for the truck were received. The first from Syverson Truck Center, of Rochester, was the low bid, with DeBauche Truck & Diesel, of La Crosse, Wis., within a fraction of that amount. Ebner and Knutston met with both dealers and were both struck with the quality of both vehicles.
“The set up was almost identical, but we felt the truck from Syverson had better visibility,” said Ebner. “We could go either way and the other bid also gave us a $15,000 trade-in on the current truck. So, it’s like apples for apples.” The cost of the truck was $105,743 before trade-in.
Former Public Works Supervisor Kyle Chiglo, MnDOT driver Chad Rasmussen, and City of Rushford Public Works worker Dave Lombard all voluntarily reviewed the specs as well, according to Knuston. While the subcommittee did discuss not trading in the current truck, the cost of liability, as well as the hassle to maintain and store, pushed them to recommend the trade-in.
In addition to the truck, the Village will be purchasing a dump box and spreader, plus plow and wing for the unit. The low bidder for the added equipment was Universal Truck Equipment, of Galesville, Wis. Towmaster, of Litchfield, also provided a bid. The subcommittee met with Universal and took some suggestions on equipment suited to the task.
“There was talk of going to a front mount, but we talked to other drivers and they said to go with a mid-mount for the Village. Because it’s out in the country, with a mid mount a big drift won’t throw you in the ditch,” noted Knutson. Because of this, the truck does need to be “beefed up,” but it was noted that 70% of township trucks go with this mount. It’s less apt at corners, but drifts won’t impede visibility and create less of an impact overall. The total cost of added equipment is $66,303.
It’ll take roughly 12 months to get the truck built to specs. Ebner noted that nothing is required financially until the truck and equipment come in. Financing will be completed during the process. The two companies, Syverson and Universal, will work cooperatively to build the unit. In the event a big truck is needed due to breakdown while the new truck is being built, the Village does have a mutual aid agreement with Arendahl Township.
“It’s a big purchase so we want to make sure we get it right,” added Knutson. “The good thing is they were both fairly close so you know you’re getting a good price.”
“It’s time,” stressed Mayor Dennis Overland.
Other Public Works projects put on the docket include clearing of water main valves on Sherwood and Highway 43. It was requested by the city’s engineer, Bolton & Menk, that depths be determined for the two water mains ahead of water mitigation work scheduled for this spring. One valve depth couldn’t be determined due to mud and debris in the area.
“Sometime maybe this spring, it would be good to go around with the Bolton & Menk mapping and check all valves,” noted Knutson. “We might not get carried away with opening and closing all because you might run into issues, but do it eventually. It is good to exercise all those valves.” Knutson, who is Public Works Director for the City of Rushford, will train the new Village Public Works/Maintenance staff on this procedure.
Work was also done at a manhole at Rushford wastewater treatment plant. The Village has an agreement with the city for South Rushford for services. Flow volume is sampled and the system needs calibration twice per year. This past December, according to Knutson, it failed. Wiring in the sampler and recorder was rusted out. “It’s a harsh environment,” he noted. Local company, NES, was hired to repair the wiring. “The sampler needs some work. It’s something that needs to be addressed some time.” A bill will be coming for council approval.
A memorandum for the solar energy array for MiEnergy was approved unanimously. According to City Attorney Joe O’Koren, the memorandum is reaffirming things for the long-term lease of Village property for the purpose of a construction zone. The council approved giving Mayor Overland the authority to sign, as requested by OneEnergy, the solar provider. “I’m always one to leave it broad, but if this is a one-time thing, I’m okay with it,” noted O’Koren.
The council approved a request from a member of the community in south Rushford to have the park basketball court plowed and flooded via hydrant to create an ice skating rink.
The Spring Cleanup for this year has been canceled. The Village will hold a cleanup this fall, if COVID-19 restrictions allow for it. Further discussion on the details will happen later this year.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, February 16, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. It is open to the public. It was noted that there will likely be zoning issues to discuss at the meeting.
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