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Mayor’s Report For February 2012
Members of the Holdingford Fire and Rescue Department have elected a new Chief. The new Chief is Keith Hommerding and is a 20 year member of the department serving in many different positions in the department during his tenure. Please congratulate Keith and wish him well in his new position. We know he will do a fine job.
Former Chief Pat Meier, will stay active with the department and take the role of Deputy Chief and Safety Officer. He will use his vast experience and knowledge to help Keith transition into his new role. Pat has been with the department for 35 years, with 19 years as Chief! In his tenure as chief, he over saw the purchase of two new Pumper Trucks, the purchase and rehabilitation of two water tankers, a pickup and related equipment to fight brushfires, and numerous equipment items for safety and rescue. Also in his years of being chief, Pat has had almost a full changeover of personnel which he has had to train and manage. When you see Pat, please thank him for his years of serving this community. Thank You Pat!
Since we are talking about the fire department, I want to remind everyone that the annual Fire Relief Association breakfast is Sunday, March 11. In past years it has always been delicious food at a very reasonable cost. So remember to keep the date open and come and support the men and women of our community fire and rescue department!
The votes are in, and the public has made their choice of which art work will be installed along the trail by the mill storage building. An artwork submitted by Keith Raivo, from Brook Park, Minnesota was overwhelmingly chosen. For all of you who have seen and voted on one of the five art pieces, Mr. Raivo’s piece was the metal fence, with a series of mini-scenes representing the Holdingford area’s history and culture created in the fence. To involve the community and build spiritual connections to the art piece, volunteers who have ties to the scenes, will be sought to loan their faces of which a replica will made and become part of the sculpture. To draw the public into the scenes, a sculptural bench will also be installed with a sculptured person sitting on the bench. A small plaque with brief details will be installed in each scene. Mr. Raivo states “I envision that the public will walk away with a sense of Holdingford, its history and culture.”
This mill art project is being paid for with a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board. And this whole project is made possible because of the hard work and dedication of Michelle Kiley a member of our H.I.P. committee. Michelle took a vision, applied for and received grant dollars to have artists submit their ideas for this vision, solicited the public to vote on which art piece would best fit the community, and has now secured a grant to pay for the peoples choice to fulfill this vision. This artwork will be completed in time for Holdingford Daze, and will be around for many generations to enjoy. Thank You Michelle!
Vicki Statz, The City of Holdingford’s Clerk/Financial Officer, has met the qualifications to be certified by the Minnesota Clerks and Financial Officers Association. Good Job and congratulations Vicki!
Respectfully Submitted by Mayor Ernie Schmit
Mayors Report For January 2012
“The Ford In The River” books have arrived! They are for sale at local businesses and the City Center. The price is $25 each, and all proceeds go to the Holdingford Area Historical Society museum project. They make great belated holiday stocking stuffers, or great Valentine gifts, or better yet, give them to your children and grandchildren as a keepsake, reminding them of their heritage.
Good news, Rural Development has given approval for the continuation of the water/sewer/street project for the south end of the City between Washington and Park Streets. Our engineers will now begin the design and planning process for this part of the project. The State of Minnesota allows up to 25% of total project cost for expansion of a project by change order. What this means is, we can allow Larson Excavating to do a portion of the south end project, using the same costs per unit as was bid last year. We will need to put the remainder of the project out for new bids. If all goes well we should be asking for bids in March or April with digging starting by May.
Stearns County HRA has submitted an application to the Minnesota Department of Economic Development on behalf of the Cities of Holdingford and Belgrade to rehab homes that missed out on the last rehab program. Last time both cities had more applications than available funds. In the City of Holdingford, we had two homes that did not get rehabbed. According to HRA, if funds are approved by the State, we will have enough funds to do approximately eight more homes. The two that missed out last time will have first priority, so that leaves room for eight more homes. If you live in the City of Holdingford and wish to have your home added to the list, please call the City Center at 746-2966. We will pass your information to Stearns County HRA and they will contact you.
We always seem to have a handful of residents who do not pay their monthly City utility bill. The delinquent amount owed has been increasing to the point that it’s affecting our water/sewer/garbage budget. The City does not make a profit on these utilities. What we charge for is the cost of operation plus the bond payments of these utilities. It would not be fair to raise the rates for most residents to help cover costs because a few people won’t pay their fair share. To get a better handle on this problem, the Council has decided that when a utility shut off notice has been issued, the affected delinquent user, must pay half of the outstanding balance, and make arrangements to pay the other half of the balance, to avoid a utility shutoff. This will be implemented starting February, 2012.
Respectfully submitted by Mayor Ernie Schmit