THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE HAS BEGUN ITS 2021 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROD HAMILTON OF MT LAKE HAS RECEIVED HIS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS. HAMILTON – A REPUBLICAN – WILL BE THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBER ON THE STATE HOUSE “WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT” FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE. HAMILTON WILL ALSO BE A MEMBER OF THE “INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT” FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE. ROD HAMILTON REPRESENTS STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 22-B. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SINCE 2005.
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD THIS WEEK. ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS INCLUDED ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MEETING DATES AND TIMES WILL REMAIN THE SAME. A NUMBER OF OFFICIAL DESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS WERE APPROVED. BOARD SALARIES WILL REMAIN THE SAME AS LAST YEAR. DONATIONS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOTALING JUST OVER $2,700 WERE ACCEPTED. THE BOARD APPROVED PAYMENT OF CONTRACTORS’ BILLS FOR WORK ON THE BUILDING PROJECTS. SOME CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR WERE APPROVED. AT THE END OF EACH QUARTER, THE DISTRICT WILL GO FROM A HALF-DAY OF CLASS TO A FULL STAFF WORK-DAY WITH NO STUDENTS IN CLASS.
THE WINDOM CITY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETS AT 5:30 THIS AFTERNOON AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS. NEW MEMBERS WILL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE. ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL BE HELD. THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF AT THE WINDOM CITY ARENA. TENTATIVE PLANS CALL FOR CONSTRUCTION TO TAKE PLACE FROM EARLY APRIL TO MID-MAY. THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE DOG PARK. THE COMMISSION WILL DISCUSS POSSIBLE LOCATIONS AND FUNDING SOURCES FOR A NEW CAMPGROUND. THEY WILL REVIEW PLANS FOR A NEW ISLAND PARK SHELTER HOUSE AND NEW BATHROOMS. THEY MAY SELECT A LOCATION FOR THE PROJECT.
THE WINDOM E-D-A MET THIS WEEK. RETURNING MEMBER MARV GRUNIG AND NEW MEMBER JAMES NELSON TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE. LINDA SANDBERG WAS APPOINTED AS ACTING SECRETARY. A CLOSED SESSION WAS HELD FOR LAND NEGOTIATIONS TO DISCUSS PROPERTY IN THE 19-HUNDRED BLOCK OF 1ST AVENUE. THE E-D-A IS WORKING ON AN AGREEMENT TO SELL A PARCEL OF LAND TO THE OWNERS OF THE GUARDIAN INN PROPERTY. THE LOCATION WOULD BE DEVELOPED AS A NEW COMMERCIAL SITE. THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON THE ‘SPEC’ BUILDING PROPERTY ON NORTH REDDING AVENUE. THE E-D-A APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH ‘VERTICAL DEVELOPMENT’ GIVING THE DEVELOPER AN OPTION TO PURCHASE THE SITE. PLANS CALL FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW 84-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING.
THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A BOARD MEETING AT 9:00 THURSDAY MORNING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL BE HELD. APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES. A SCHEDULE OF MEETING DATES WILL BE SET. SOME FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATIONS WILL BE APPROVED. THE BOARD WILL HEAR REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A FISCAL REPORT. A NUMBER OF PERSONNEL POLICIES WILL BE ADOPTED, INCLUDING SEVERAL POLICY REVISIONS. THE AGENCY WILL APPROVE AGREEMENTS FOR FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES. DONATIONS AND GRANT AWARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
