THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK. INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED ON THE PROPOSED RE-FINANCING OF SOME BONDS THAT WERE ISSUED FOR THE RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM. A BID WAS ACCEPTED FOR A BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN HIGHWATER TOWNSHIP. THE BOARD APPROVED A PROJECT TO UPGRADE THE ELECTRICAL SERVICE AT THE CAMPSITES IN DUTCH CHARLIE PARK. THE BOARD ACCEPTED STATE FUNDING FOR THE SEPTIC SYSTEM GRANT PROGRAM. THE BOARD WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS LAND NEGOTIATIONS AND DEVELOP AN OFFER FOR A PARCEL OF PROPERTY.
THE WINDOM COMMUNITY CENTER COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK. A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON POSSIBLY DEVELOPING A NEW CAMPGROUND NEAR THE COMMUNITY CENTER. CONVERSATIONS ARE BEING HELD WITH THE PARK AND REC COMMISSION ON THE IDEA. THE COMMISSION REVIEWED A 2021 BUDGET PROPOSAL. THE CENTER WILL BE SEEKING FUNDING FOR SOME PROJECTS INCLUDE REPAIRS TO THE ROOF AND PARKING LOT. A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON RENTAL RATES. THE CENTER DIRECTOR WILL BE WORKING UP A PROPOSAL TO OFFER REDUCED RATES THIS WINTER IN HOPES OF ATTRACTING MORE EVENTS. THE COMMISSION IS ALSO REVIEWING THE PRICES THAT ARE CHARGED FOR BAR SERVICE DURING EVENTS.
THE WINDOM E-D-A MET EARLIER THIS WEEK. IT WAS REPORTED THAT ODDSON UNDERGROUND HAS RECEIVED $100-THOUSAND IN STATE FUNDING THROUGH A JOB CREATION PROGRAM FOR ITS EXPANSION PROJECT. ODDSON UNDERGROUND WILL ALSO RECEIVE A COMMERCIAL REHAB LOAN THROUGH THE E-D-A. THE E-D-A DISCUSSED HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THE CITY. A LOT OF INTEREST IS BEING SHOWN BY DEVELOPERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS. THE E-D-A DISCUSSED ITS GOALS FOR 2021. GOALS INCLUDE FINDING A NEW BUSINESS FOR THE SHOPKO BUILDING, AND MORE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ON THE EAST HIGHWAY 60 CORRIDOR. IT WAS NOTED THAT KWIK TRIP IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF ITS NEW STORE IN THE SPRING OF 2021.
A LOCAL HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. MINN-DOT REPORTS THAT WORK ON HIGHWAY 30 IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY WAS OFFICIALLY COMPLETED LAST WEEK. THE PROJECT BEGAN IN MID-JULY. WORK WAS DONE ON HIGHWAY 30 FROM THE JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 71 HEADING WEST TO THE BORDER WITH MURRAY COUNTY. THE PROJECT INCLUDED RESURFACING WORK ON 17 MILES OF HIGHWAY, GOING PAST THE CITIES OF STORDEN, JEFFERS AND WESTBROOK. CREWS ADDED A 2-FOOT WIDE PAVED SHOULDER AND REPAIRED SOME CULVERTS. THE PRIMARY CONTRACTOR WAS KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION OF SAUK RAPIDS. THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT WAS JUST OVER $4-MILLION.
THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK. THEY APPROVED A PLAN FOR THE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO PROVIDE SUPERVISORY SERVICES TO THE LAKEFIELD CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL LAKEFIELD HIRES A NEW POLICE CHIEF. A CONTRACT WAS AWARDED FOR SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE THIS WINTER. THE BOARD VOTED TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY. A REVISED PERSONNEL POLICY WAS APPROVED INVOLVING HEALTH INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. SEPTIC SYSTEM LOANS WERE APPROVED.