Long-needed utility project planned for this summer in RC

By MaryHelen Swanson
By all calculations, utility improvements have been long overdue in the northeast area of Rush City.
The project, which was planned several years ago and did not get done, is scheduled for this coming summer.
It includes replacement of water and sewer pipes, installation of storm sewer system and other needed work in the vicinity of 1st, 2nd, 3rd streets and Algier Ave.
City Engineer Bob Moberg told the council Monday night, Jan. 27, that the total cost could near $1.45 million with contingencies added.
It was noted that the last time the project was put before the public, in 1999, there was a certain amount of objection and some difficulty in getting rights of way.
ìWe really do ned to do some utility work there,î said city administrator Daniel Hoffman.
Councilman David Bengtson said there are many water and sewer lines in that area that have to be replaced.
Hoffman reminded the council that the project is eligible for Public Financing Authority financing.
The council agreed to proceed and set a public hearing for Feb. 24 at which time they may also review plans and specifications.
Moberg said it should not be too difficult to ìdust offî the plans that were already prepared the last time.
The council also met with Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Wayne Eller who thanked the council and praised the Rush City community for all the assistance given in the construction of the first Habitat home in Rush City last summer.
He was on hand to ask if the city could consider donating another lot as the Habitat for Humanity program is desperate for lots.
He expressed interest in the lot where the old water tower stood.

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Eller said the Habitat for Humanity office receives calls every day from families who are in need of low-income housing.
He told the council Habitat for Humanity has everything needed to put up homes, except placed to build them.
The city council has designated a subcommittee which has met to talk about city-owned property and how to market certain lots, including the lot on which the water tower stood.
According to Councilman Jerry Janssen, there are several lots to be considered, some needing to be surveyed.
Hoffman reminded the council that the last time the city had forfeited lots to sell they proceeded on a bid process and it worked well.
Janssen said the committee talked about setting a minimum bid and putting it out to the public.
Hoffman noted that the North Chisago Historical Society is interested in a lot adjacent to the fairgrounds on the east border where they would like to construct a building for storage of their historical artifacts.
Mayor Mike Skalskyís opinion was that if the city was going to donate a lot it would be better to donate it for someone to live on rather than storage of historical articles.
Councilman Bengtson reminded them all that it is poor timing to be thinking about donating lots when the city is facing cuts in aid from the state.
It wasnít that he was opposed to helping people out, however.
Council Mick Louzek said theyíd better wait to see how much they would get cut from the state. He said it would be nice to donate a lot to Habitat for Humanity as it was a good organization.
Mayor Skalsky said a lot of cities were facing the same issues, and agreed to wait and see.
Before leaving, Eller again thanked the council and the community for the outpouring of generosity.
The council discussed a proposed housing development that had been suggested by Hoffman several months ago.
It involved about eight acres of land along Jay Avenue. south of 12th Street.
The proposal as laid out by engineer Moberg includes 22 single-family homes in the low to mid price range. Soil borings will be needed to determine what kind of home can be built there.
It is anticipated that basements would not be feasible.
Lot size would be about 90ífeet by 140-feet.
Hoffman stressed that it would be affordable housing and would like to see the price at or under $100,000. ìThe need is there,î he said.
Hoffman suggested that the city limit housing style to two or three styles, but he stressed it was not his intention to have a row of 28 -foot by 40-foot houses. There would be a requirement for a double garage.
With no basements, some on the council were concerned about cluttered yards, as there would be no place to store things.
The council discussed the value of the land on the open market, which still needs to be determined.
Councilman Janssen was skeptical that the small type of house that would be built would be suitable for families.
In other business, the council:
ï Approved the election of Steve Carlson as first assistant fire chief and Dale Rieland as first training officer.
The fire department will not be filling the second training officer position, it was noted.
One fire fighter was dismissed for inactive duty.
ï Directed Hoffman to sent a letter to Sen. Norm Coleman to ask him to support Sen. Daytonís bill on ambulance coverage costs. The bill includes increased payment from Medicare for rural area costs.

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