New migrant bunkhouse approval

The New Richland city council met the evening of Monday, May 11.

 

For public comments, Mayor Ferguson said it would also include the open discussion regarding the new Bunkhouse Ordinance.  

 

Tyler Lendt, City Administrator said, “On Monday, April 27, 2026, the City Administrator conducted the Maintenance Supervisor’s annual review. His performance over the last year has been exemplary, and the City Administrator recommends moving Eric Hendrickson to the next step on the pay table. This has already been budgeted for and will not impact the budget. He was upgraded to $32.84/hr.

 

Lendt continued, “Due to staffing and scheduling conflicts with Thompson’s Sanitation, the City of New Richland was unable to hold the citywide cleanup in the spring, as is traditionally the case. The date that worked for all parties is September 19th, 2026.”

 

The council passed the ordinance establishing standards, licensing, and inspection requirements for bunkhouse housing for migrant agricultural workers and allowing such housing as a conditional use in specified districts for JKR Investment LLC/Melisa Leonardo at 316 North Broadway Ave (old laundromat). This is to house H-2A southern African migrant visa holding workers for an annual cost of $250.

 

A resolution was passed entering into a construction agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for routine maintenance by the city upon, along, and adjacent to trunk highway No.30 which will result in sidewalks on both sides of the road.

 

The ambulance report from Sarah Sundve requested $1,484 for a washer/dryer set from Lowe’s for the crew to wash ambulance related laundry. They currently wash their linens at the New Richland Care Center, but have to limit themselves to that service during daytime hours. Sundve also requested $120 for her and another ambulance employee to recertify their CPR instructor license, so they can keep further ambulance employee recertifications in house. The council accepted a $200 donation on behalf of New Richland Ambulance.

 

For the Fire Department Report, fire had three fire calls and two medical calls.

 

The Police Department Report, read by Tanyce Bruegger, said, “The New Richland Police Department responded to 97 calls for service for April. For April 2026 we had 400 calls, last April we had 519. Ten of those calls were to assist other agencies. Twenty-five were lock check/directed patrol, 27 traffic stops, 5 animal complaints and 4 suspicious circumstances. Most calls requiring additional follow-up have been completed. As always, we remind people to get in touch with us if they have any information regarding any incidents that have occurred in the City of New Richland or surrounding areas.” She also said the end of year water balloon fight at NRHEG will take place on May 29.

 

The Care Center Report, read by Bob Johannsen, Care Center Administrator, “Celebrating National Nursing Home Week this May 11th throughout the 15th. Music, games, food and fun throughout the week.”

 

The People Service Report was read by Shell Johnson, who said they got the new regulator/filter for the diaphragm pump at the wastewater treatment plant, but it still needs a service call because it’s not running correctly. She also ordered new manhole cover plugs for the older manholes with holes; there are three that will be installed Thursday. She requested $1,500 for a metal detector from Utility Logics and requested $3,200 for two chlorine sensors for the wastewater treatment plant.

 

Eric Hendrickson, Maintenance and Utility Supervisor, said they flushed fire hydrants on April 16 and burned the dump April 30, put sand down at the beach and turned the water on at the Legion Field. The storm sewer was blocked on Broadway and 2nd by a case of empty beverages which also flooded the street. Affordable jetting came to clear the blockage. Caren Fence came to look at the fencing at the Baseball field and Softball field, which was pushed up from frost, and maintenance is waiting to hear back. The ropes and the raft have been put out at the park. Thein Well did their annual check of the wells; both were the same as last year. Maintenance planted 130 shrubs on South Elm to eliminate erosion and block the snow. W.W. Blacktop patched and milled 1st St NW. The water at St. Olaf public park will be turned on soon.

 

An attorney was present on behalf of Daniel Petsinger, business owner of Radio Link. As was City Attorney Jason Moran. Petsinger has Radio Link internet equipment installed on the city water tower and the council would like that removed. City Attorney Moran presented Petsinger with a suitable equipment removal contract, who countered with his own version of the same contract. City Attorney Moran recommended the council not sign the Petsinger version because of confusing wording.

 

One item under discussion was if Petsinger wants to climb the New Richland water tower, he must show proof of insurance in case there’s an accident, so the city isn’t liable. Petsinger’s lawyer directed the council to a Minnesota website and did not provide proof of insurance, but said he could take a screen shot of a website that is run by the State of Minnesota. The council is concerned because they don’t have proof the equipment that is currently on the tower is insured.

 

The council pointed out that these items, and the wording of the contract, were supposed to be cleared up before today’s council meeting, as was ordered in the April council meeting. The council said they were finished discussing this and voted. Radio Link has 60 days to remove their equipment from the tower.

 

John Hanson, Waseca High School teacher since 1991 and lifetime local, spoke about the Waseca Historical tour. Begun as a county project by including Waseca Senior High School students in a social studies class, it has been expanded and broadened with information from a variety of sources to let visitors know about the history, shopping, parks, restaurants, churches and unique features in Waseca County and its communities. There are interactive maps, narration, pictures, videos and GPS mapping and guides. With a total of 12 tours this app can be found in the Google play store at Explore Waseca County. New Richland does not have a recorded portion of the tour. It is the only town in Waseca county that does not, but Hanson hopes to have that updated soon.