With the onslaught of seasonal work to be done and just one employee in the Rushford Village Public Works Department, the village council has unanimously approved the hiring of Cory Baker as general contractor to complete several items of work on the Public Works maintenance shed update. Underway for some time now, the council has moved forward with work in stages. While it’s still months off, winter prep is in mind and the village wants to complete portions of work to protect its investment.
After meeting with Baker, Councilor Mike Ebner and Mayor Dennis Overland secured a quote for the work which includes labor to install liner steel on the walls and ceiling, blown-in ceiling insulation, installation of a new walk door, and removal of two exterior sliding doors when needed. According to Ebner, the work also includes framing in for new overhead doors, from La Crosse Overhead Door. The ordering of the doors was previously approved. Prior to getting the doors done, electrical work needs to be completed as well.
The estimated cost of the work, without the electrical, is $7,100. When asked about a budget for the electrical, Ebner only noted the village has a price on it. Clerk Mary Miner confirmed $20,000 was budgeted for 2024 and it’s already been spent.
“We are saving some money this year on some things this year, but sooner or later we’ve got to get to a point where we gotta get this thing finished,” stressed Ebner. “Right now, we can hardly use the bays it’s so full of junk. Someplace along the line, we’ve got to bite the bullet. We keep piecemealing it; dragging it out.”
The council also approved a no-cost Minnesota Department of Health Drinking water testing. The offer is being made randomly by the department for the village hall only. Results will be provided by the state.
Other council discussion focused on a previous request for the city to vacate Hans Anderson Road, off of Airport Road. As stated earlier, a council decision in 1976 to vacate, or at least close, the road was documented, but never recorded with the county by the city attorney at that time. Fillmore County Recorder confirmed there were no documents relating to a Notice of Vacation.
After some follow-up investigation, City Attorney Joe O’Koren presented the village with three options. First, the council may take no action. A statute clause regarding Notice of Vacation indicates, “any failure to file the notice shall not invalidate vacation proceedings.” O’Koren noted doing nothing may lead to conflict among neighboring property owners, leaving the status of the road unclear.
The second option is to revisit the vacation proceedings from step one. This makes a clear position from the city and formally vacates the road. To do so, the council must initiate the process by a 4/5ths majority vote. Notice is then given for two weeks prior to a public hearing and mailed written notice is sent to each property owner affected. Of note, the State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources is one of the adjacent property owners. Once a public hearing is held, the council must pass a resolution to vacate the road and record the resolution with the county.
Option three is to memorialize the 1976 vacation proceedings. O’Koren was opposed to this option because there is no documented resolution from this decision and there is uncertainty about the process used.
The council unani-mously approved option two and will proceed with the steps. They will hold a public hearing on August 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the village hall.
Lastly, council election will be held this November, along with the general election, for three council seat terms. The position held by longtime council member and current mayor Dennis Overland as well as those of councilors Mike Ebner and Rick Ruberg end December 31. At this time it is unclear whether any are running for reelection.
Per the Minnesota Secretary of State, there is a two-week filing period during which candidates can submit an affidavit of candidacy to be included on the ballot. The candidacy filing period opens July 30 and closes August 13 at 5 p.m. Those interested in filing for candidacy are encouraged to contact the village hall.
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