Local News Headlines – Monday, February 15th

TODAY IS A HOLIDAY FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS’ DAY.  ORIGINALLY, WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY WAS OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 22ND.  IN 1971, THE UNIFORM MONDAY HOLIDAY ACT MOVED THE HOLIDAY TO THE 3RD MONDAY IN FEBRUARY.  THAT PUT THE NEW HOLIDAY IN BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL BIRTHDAYS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ON FEBRUARY 12TH AND WASHINGTON ON THE 22ND.   AT LEAST 27 STATES OBSERVE THE DAY AS PRESIDENTS DAY; AT LEAST 10 STATES OBSERVE THE DAY AS WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY.  A NUMBER OF STATES HAVE A SEPARATE STATE HOLIDAY FOR LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY.  LOCALLY, ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES ARE CLOSED TODAY.   

 

THE WINDOM CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MET LAST WEEK.   NEW COMMISSION MEMBER BRANDON PLETCHER TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE.  A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON A ZONING APPLICATION FROM KWIK TRIP.  THE COMPANY IS APPLYING FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A NEW GAS STATION, CONVENIENCE STORE AND CAR WASH ON 1ST AVENUE.  THE COMMISSION VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE APPLICATION.  THE PLANNING COMMISSION AGREED TO SEND OUT A ‘REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS,’ SEEKING A CONSULTANT TO HELP REVIEW SECTIONS OF THE CITY CODE DEALING WITH LAND USE ISSUES.     

 

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD HELD A WORK-SESSION LAST WEEK.    MERIDEE PAULSON WAS PROMOTED FROM A PART-TIME POSITION TO A FULL-TIME POSITION AS A DEPUTY AUDITOR-TREASURER.  CAROLYN REMPEL WAS HIRED AS THE CHIEF DEPUTY AUDITOR-TREASURER.  THE BOARD POSTED AN OPENING FOR A PART-TIME ASSESSOR-TECHNICIAN.  NEW RATES FOR THE COUNTY LANDFILL WERE REVIEWED AND APPROVED.  THE NEW RATES WILL GO INTO EFFECTON MAY 3RD.  THE BOARD APPROVED A 2021 SOLID-WASTE HAULER’S LICENSE FOR RIVERVIEW SANITATION.  A FUND TRANSFER WAS APPROVED TO THE COURTHOUSE, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS FUND. 

 

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETS AT 9:00 TUESDAY MORNING AT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER IN WINDOM.    THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER A PETITION FOR DITCH REPAIRS.  THE COUNTY ASSESSOR WILL DISCUSS THE COUNTY’S ABATEMENT POLICY.  THE WINDOM E-D-A DIRECTOR WILL PRESENT GUIDELINES FOR A NEW HOUSING TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM FOR REMODELING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS INTO HOUSING UNITS.  THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WILL SEEK APPROVAL TO BID ON SOME EQUIPMENT THAT IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION.  THE BOARD WILL REVIEW THE COUNTY’S NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY.  

 

A MEETING OF THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD WILL BE HELD AT 9:00 TUESDAY MORNING.  THE BOARD WILL HEAR THE ANNUAL REPORT AND APPROVE THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FORT BELMONT MUSEUM AND VISITOR’S CENTER.  THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR STATE FUNDING UNDER THE LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.  THE BOARD MAY APPROVE A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE NEW POSITION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.  A CONSULTING FIRM MAY BE HIRED TO WORK WITH THE BOARD ON THE SEARCH AND HIRING PROCESS FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATOR.  THE BOARD WILL REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR COVID-19 RELIEF GRANTS.  A NEW CONTRACT MAY BE APPROVED FOR CUSTODIAL SERVICES.  

 

THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET AT 8:30 TUESDAY MORNING AT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN SLAYTON.  THE BOARD WILL APPROVE A LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STATE AUDITOR’S OFFICE.  THE BUFFALO RIDGE DRUG TASK FORCE WILL HAVE A REQUEST FOR FUNDING.  THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS A REMODELING PROJECT FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS BUILDING AT THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.  INFORMATION WILL BE PRESENTED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW GEOLOGIC ATLAS FOR THE COUNTY.  THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WILL DISCUSS SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR A DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.