THE WINDOM CITY TELE-COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MET LAST WEEK. THE COMMISSION DISCUSSED POSSIBLE RATES FOR THE NEW STREAMING VIDEO SERVICE. A PROPOSED RATE STRUCTURE IS BEING REVIEWED BY CITY STAFF. AT THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, A VOTE MAY BE TAKEN TO APPROVE THE RATES AND SEND THEM TO THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL FOR ACTION. SEVERAL PROJECT UPDATES WERE PROVIDED. WINDOM-NET STAFF HAS BEEN INSTALLING NEW WI-FI SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS AT THE WINDOM APARTMENTS AND RIVER VIEW APARTMENTS. SERVICE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO SEVERAL LOT AT THE GOVE ACRES HOUSING PROJECT. WI-FI SERVICE HAS BEEN ADDED FOR MORE UNITS AT THE GUARDIAN INN REMODELING PROJECT.
THE WINDOM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET THIS WEEK. A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON THE PROPOSED SALE OF PROPERTY AT THE NORTH WINDOM INDUSTRIAL PARK. THE E-D-A IS PROPOSING TO SELL A LOT TO CEMSTONE CONCRETE FOR JUST OVER $102-THOUSAND. A PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS BEING FINALIZED. THE E-D-A ALSO HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ONTHE PROPOSED SALE OF PROPERTY IN THE RIVER BEND CENTER IN SOUTH WINDOM. AN OPTION AGREEMENT IS BEING DRAFTED FOR A PROSPECTIVE RETAIL BUSINESS TO PURCHASE A 1-ACRE PARCEL FOR $75-THOUSAND. DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON THE ‘SPEC’ BUILDING PROPERTY ON REDDING AVENUE. THE E-D-A IS WORKING ON AN OPTION AGREEMENT WITH A DEVELOPER FOR A NEW APARTMENT BUILDING AT THE SITE.
THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD HELD A REGULAR MEETING THIS WEEK. THE BOARD OFFICIALLY CANVASSED THE RESULTS OF THE RECENT ELECTION. THE RENEWAL OF THE OPERATING LEVY WAS APPROVED, BUT A PROPOSED CAPITAL TECHNOLOGY LEVY WAS DEFEATED. THE BOARD VOTED TO GO AHEAD WITH A PROJECT TO UPDATE THE HEATING AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS AT THE MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ‘PAINT ROOM’ IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER. THE BOARD VOTED 5-2 TO APPROVE A PLAN TO PURSUE RECRUITMENT OF NEW TEACHERS FROM PUERTO RICO. WINDOM MAY ALSO CONSIDER APPLYING FOR A STATE GRANT THAT PROVIDES INCENTIVES TO HIRE TEACHERS OF COLOR.
THE WINDOM COMMUNITY CENTER COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ON THE ANNUAL GUN AND KNIFE SHOW. THERE MAY BE A SCHEDULING CONFLICT FOR THE 2022 SHOW. THE CENTER STAFF WILL TRY TO FIND ALTERNATIVE DATES. A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE BAR PRICING FOR EVENTS. THERE WERE UPDATES ON NEW ACTIVITIES. A PICKLEBALL LEAGUE IS STARTING, TO RUN ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS FOR SIX WEEKS. THE CENTER IS ALSO STARTING A ‘TINY TOTS’ INDOOR SOCCER PROGRAM FOR 4-AND-5-YEAR-OLDS IN JANUARY. A LIST OF SCHEDULED EVENTS WAS REVIEWED. THE FINANCIAL REPORT WAS POSITIVE, WITH REVENUES RUNNING WELL AHEAD OF LAST YEAR.
A MEETING OF THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WAS HELD LAST WEEK. THE BOARD APPROVED A LOAN OF $75-THOUSAND FROM THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO THE ROUND LAKE VINEYARDS AND WINERY TO ASSIST WITH A REMODELING AND EXPANSION PROJECT. THE BOARD VOTED TO ACCEPT AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT FOR JUST OVER $17-THOUSAND. A LEASE AGREEMENT WSA APPROVED WITH ‘MIDCO’ COMMUNICATIONS TO LEASE SPACE FOR AN ANTENNA ON THE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AT THE COUNTY SHOP. DURING THE CONSENT AGENCY, THE BOARD APPROVED A STATE GRANT AGREEMENT TO FUND A NEW TRAIL AT BELMONT COUNTY PARK.
