THE WINDOM CITYWIDE CLEANUP PROGRAM WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY. THIS IS FOR ITEMS TOO LARGE TO FIT IN A REGULAR GARBAGE BAG OR CONTAINER, SUCH AS FURNITURE OR OTHER LARGE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED AT THE CURB IN SEPARATE PILES BY 6:00 SATURDAY MORNING. DO NOT PLACE ITEMS IN THE ALLEY. THIS YEAR, A NUMBER OF APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC ITEMS WILL BE PICKED UP FOR FREE TO BE RECYCLED. THE LIST INCLUDES WASHERS AND DRYERS, STOVES, MICROWAVES, COMPUTER TOWERS, KEYBOARDS AND MICE, AND STEREO COMPONENTS. NO TAGS ARE NEEDED. THOSE ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED IN SEPARATE PILES. CALL WINDOM CITY HALL OR HOMETOWN SANITATION WITH QUESTIONS.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK. THE BOARD SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN APPLICATION FOR A COMMERCIAL TAX ABATEMENT FOR A PROPOSED NEW CAR WASH IN WINDOM. A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WAS APPROVED FOR SCHWARTZ FARMS TO EXPAND A FEEDLOT IN CARSON TOWNSHIP. A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WAS APPROVED FOR MATHIOWETZ CONSTRUCTION TO CONDUCT A MINING OPERATION IN DALE TOWNSHIP. A NUMBER OF PERSONNEL ITEMS WERE HANDLED. THE BOARD ACCEPTED NOTICES OF RETIREMENT FROM THE COUNTY ASSESSOR AND THE DEPUTY ASSESSOR. OPENINGS WILL BE POSTED FOR A COUNTY ASSESSOR, DEPUTY ASSESSOR AND SENIOR APPRAISER.
THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK. THE BOARD VIEWED A VIDEO PRESENTATION ON STRATEGIC PLANNING SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCATION. THE DISTRICT’S FINANCIAL ADVISORS GAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE DISTRICT’S OPERATING LEVY. THE CURRENT LEVY EXPIRES AFTER THIS YEAR. A VOTE ON RENEWING THE LEVY AT THE SAME OR A DIFFERENT AMOUNT COULD BE HELD IN NOVEMBER. THE BOARD APPROVED A FUND TRANSFER OF $45-THOUSAND FROM THE E-C-F-E ACCOUNT TO THE SCHOOL READINESS ACCOUNT TO SUPPORT THE PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE SUPERINTENDENT NOTED THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR SCHOOL LUNCH NEXT YEAR, BUT FAMILIES STILL NEED TO APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE LUNCHES OR THE DISTRICT COULD LOSE FUNDING FOR OTHER PROGRAMS.
THE WINDOM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET THIS WEEK. THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON THE SALE OF THE NEW VISION COOP PROPERTY ON 1ST AVENUE. THE E-D-A APPROVED AN APPLICATION FOR A COMMERCIAL REHAB LOAN FOR THE RIVER CITY EATERY TO MAKE ROOF REPAIRS. THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON THE SMALL CITIES REHAB PROGRAM. FUNDING IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR REHAB PROJECTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF WINDOM. THE E-D-A IS FILING FOR A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAM TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME TO APPLY. APPLICANTS MUST MEET INCOME GUIDELINES. THE E-D-A HEARD AN UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED APARTMENT BUILDING PROJECT ON REDDING AVENUE. THE DEVELOPER IS TRYING TO COMPLETE THE FINANCING PACKAGE FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY HOLDS A BOARD MEETING AT 9:00 THURSDAY MORNING. THE BOARD WILL HEAR THE 2020 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE UNIT SUPERVISORS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 ISSUES. THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH A LAW FIRM TO ACT AS THE BUSINESS ATTORNEY FOR THE AGENCY. A CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED. THE BOARD WILL REVIEW A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A NEW POSITION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST. THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED. THE BOARD WILL APPROVE SEVERAL REVISED PERSONNEL POLICIES.
HERE’S AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN MINNESOTA. THROUGH LAST SATURDAY, 60.3% OF MINNESOTA RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER HAVE RECEIVED A 1ST DOSE OF VACCINE. 49.1% OF RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED. ALMOST 88% OF RESIDENTS 65-AND-OLDER HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE. LOCALLY, IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY, 51% OF RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED. IN JACKSON COUNTY, 43% OF RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED. IN MURRAY COUNTY, 48% OF RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED. IN WATONWAN COUNTY, 48% OF RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED. IN REDWOOD COUNTY, 44% OF RESIDENTS 16-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED.
