Council hears street concerns from residents

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Staff Writer

Three local residents were present during the New Richland City Council’s second meeting of the month on Monday, Jan. 27 to voice concerns regarding street projects planned for later this year. The concerns echo those expressed by other residents at recent meetings - doubts as to the necessity of the work proposed, objections to potential street width adjustments and sidewalk removal, property reassessments and the financial impact they would cause, and possible safety issues, among others.

Mayor Janda Ferguson, who was sworn in as New Richland Mayor prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, noted that no official decisions have been made for the project yet.

“We’ll [consider] this information that you have brought to us tonight,” Ferguson said.

A public hearing for public comment regarding the project is set to occur prior to finalization of plans for the project.

Bob Johannsen presented the care center report, noting that the center had a good month financially in December due in part to reduced agency staffing. Improvement of resident quality of life remains a primary goal for care center staff, and Johannsen noted that visits from NRHEG high school students that have become a fairly regular occurrence have helped to get more residents engaged in games, activities, and other social interactions.

The center is still in need of CNAs, both full and part-time, particularly for evenings, overnights, and alternating weekends.

“We can be flexible with some of those schedules,” Johannsen said, adding that the center offers competitive pay, shift differentials, health insurance and other benefits.

It was also noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the NRCC, and the center is looking into ideas for commemorating the milestone in the coming months. The care center report was approved.

In the PeopleService report, presented by Shell Johnson, an issue with a primary clarifier was discussed, and measures to mitigate the problem are underway. It was noted that a new sewer service was installed on 7th St. and a manhole on Highway 13 was inspected and appears to have no current problems. The report was approved.

Eric Hendrickson presented the Street/Maintenance report, which stated that eight blue cards were issued in December resulting in zero shutoffs. A discussion was had regarding updates to the men’s restroom at City Hall to improve handicap accessibility, and the following purchase requests were approved: $3,600 to J&R Water Utility Service, $1,346.60 to Zarnoth Brush Works for sweeper parts, $5,920.00 for an Express pressure washer.

An update was given regarding the 2025 street project, and Hendrickson stated that plans for Broadway “due to overwhelming public input” have been realigned to 40’ “with no intention to drop it down.”

An upcoming meeting with the school and attorneys regarding the project was also mentioned, with further assurances from the council that consideration of public concerns and potential impacts of the project will be made before final decisions are made.

In unfinished business, the council revisited a discussion from a previous meeting regarding changing the regular council meeting schedule from two meetings per month to one. It was agreed that meetings will continue on the second Monday of each month, during which time the council will determine if a second meeting is required for that month.

In new business, a public hearing regarding a petition for a zoning change from R1 to C1 at 110 Ash Ave. N for the purpose of using the location to provide an event center was scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on March 10 during the regular monthly meeting. The council also approved an EDA grant for Wagner Foods to go towards a new awning/sign on the building.

A Local Board of Appeal and Equalization hearing scheduled for April 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the Waseca County Courthouse was mentioned before the administrator’s report was presented and approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.