PRIOR LAKE, MN—A recently minted $35 million taxpayer-backed telecom proposal in Prior Lake takes a sharply confrontational posture toward the very sector the project ostensibly aims to attract—private business. An $80,000 feasibility study aggressively singles out three telecom providers with thousands of Prior Lake customers that the proposed city network would compete for, even as it lays claim to “creating an environment in which the private sector can thrive. This is about enabling the private sector.”

The proposed municipal fiber-optic network is the centerpiece of an economic development initiative focused on converting the southwest suburb into a technology village with a data center and incubator to draw entrepreneurs and high-tech companies.

As the latest proposed government-owned network to surface in Minnesota, the Prior Lake proposal puts a new focus on the role of government in competing with companies it also regulates. The document states:

o “It is unlikely that reliance on any of these providers will improve or enhance economic development. If you were a business looking to come or to build here, would you be attracted by them?”

o “We discuss why business is not, cannot, be attracted to networks that are largely copper-based or that separate our lives into office capabilities and home capabilities.”
o “We explain why the existing service providers are not motivated to build the network we envision or need if we are to attract high technology companies.”

Under the model recommended in the 93-page feasibility study, the city would market traditional triple play phone, video and high-speed internet services, as well as other digital services. The city system would in many respects duplicate telecom products already available to residents, going head-to-head with private carriers Integra, CenturyLink and Mediacom that currently offer speeds of 20 to 30 megabits per second.

“The scale of it is bigger than anything I’m aware of that Prior Lake has jumped into as a municipal project,” said Dan Rogness, Community and Economic Development Director. “It is a big step and I think that’s why there will be some time taken to vet this out before a decision is made.”

The report also criticizes a state law that gives local voters final say by requiring cities to hold a referendum before moving forward with a local telephone exchange as part of a municipal network. The city study characterizes the law as a “burdensome” and “outdated” statute used by telecom companies “to deny legitimate outcomes.” Especially noteworthy to residents and taxpayers is the city's troubling contention that “alternatives seem to exist” that would allow Prior Lake to circumvent a vote.

The risks to local taxpayers of government-owned networks have been underscored by serious financial troubles atFiberNet Monticello. A city-operated telecom network once hailed as a national model, FiberNet Monticello has lost millions of dollars and faces potential default—a case study that’s close to home in Prior Lake.

“Monticello has come up in some meetings. There’s the realization of course they paid for something with a revenue bond and now are defaulting on that,” Rogness said. “I think it has cast a shadow on the thinking of some cities about moving forward.”

Lookout Point Communications, a St. Paul consultant, drafted the study. Lookout Point Communications also served as a consultant to the nearby TonkaConnect proposed fiber network, leaving the project before the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission rejected the estimated $80 million system in 2011.

The Prior Lake city broadband fiber network subcommittee involved in overseeing the report includes a nationally known activist for taxpayer-funded telecom, Chris Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance. Mitchell is an enthusiastic booster of TonkaConnect and FiberNet Monticello, among other government-backed networks.

“They (cities) all recognize that big companies have little incentive to improve a system. Full fiber networks are expensive to build, and the return on investment takes years,” Mitchell wrote in a 2010 opinion piece.

No telecom representative participated on the fiber subcommittee in the Prior Lake study. “This has come up in discussions that one of the next steps in the process to try and evaluate the recommendations is to have this reviewed and discussed with the providers,” Rogness said.

CenturyLink, one of the three private providers in Prior Lake, told FFM the internet speeds the carrier offers in the community are not reflected in the feasibility study. Lookout Point Communications did not respond to an FFM inquiry at the time of this posting.

Following two recent meetings of the Prior Lake Economic Development Authority to discuss the fiber network, the proposal will move on to a city council workshop scheduled for September 9th. City officials hope for a decision one way or another this fall.

Comments or suggestions?  Contact Tom Steward at 612-354-2165

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OGILVIE: Firefighters Question Benefit of Switching to State Retirement Plan Firefighters in Ogilvie and Mora have turned down the option of assigning their retirement benefits to the state relief association. The 2009 Minnesota Legislature formed the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan as an option for cities that have no plan or desire an alternative. Going with the state would reduce paperwork for local departments, but there are still questions about the financial impact.

BRAINERD: County Foreclosure Numbers Still High While the overall number of foreclosures in Crow Wing County declined in 2011, the number of pending foreclosures in the pipeline remains high.

WORTHINGTON: Back to the Drawing Board on Incentives for New Home Construction The city’s plan to attract new housing by offering a 3 year, 100 percent tax abatement for single family homes constructed on an empty lot between 2012-2014 fell flat. The Nobles County Board and local school district turned it down, partly because due to the paperwork involved. 

DULUTH: School Board Rejects City Plan for Former School Site You can’t get there from here when it comes to cashing out on the shuttered Central High School property, according to school board officials. City planners presented a proposal to rezone the 77 acre parcel into a mixture of commercial, small business and green space. But school officials roundly rejected it, particularly the parks idea, as devaluing the property's market value which figures prominently into bond payments for the controversial Red Plan.

WHITE BEAR LAKE: State Grant Runs Out on Senior Help Program The end of an $80,000 state grant probably also means the end of the Senior Chore Services program. Some 200 volunteers and four businesses provided help for about 60 local seniors for yard work and odd jobs around the house.who paid a small fee. Unless a foundation or someone else comes forward with financial support, the program will be shut down. 

AITKIN: Ready, Fire, Aim! Pistols Allowed After All at Local Gun Range It turns out that guns are not banned on the premises of the Minnewawa Sportsmen’s Club gun range after all—pistols that is. At first county officials appeared to agree with some residents who questioned whether the range’s conditional use permit allowed pistol training. However, at the county board’s last meeting County Attorney Jim Ratz issued a written opinion saying pistols are covered at the gun safety facility.

WILLMAR: End of Ethanol Subsidy Means Higher E-85 Prices The 45 cent per gallon ethanol subsidy went out the window as of January lst, a $6 billion savings for taxpayers. It may cost about a nickel more per gallon for consumers of 10 percent ethanol and even more for vehicles that use E-85. Yet local producers and refineries expect ethanol demand to remain strong.

BEMIDJI: New Rental Rules Hit Hundreds of Property Owners More than 700 rental property owners have registered with the city as required by new regulations that took effect recently. Some 200 rental property owners have not responded yet to the restrictions that jack up fees and increase inspections. Bemidji is the latest Minnesota college community to tackle the issues associated with rental properties. In Winona, property owners have resisted rental limits in a potentially landmark court case over the constitutionality of limits on some property owners.

CROOKSTON:  Overdue Library Materials Could Cost You Your Credit Rating  If you ignore the notices from the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system it could cost you more than a fine. The library system will be notifying a national credit bureau after items are overdue for more than 190 days. The infraction could affect the borrower’s credit rating for several years.

CAMBRIDGE:  No Reduced Lunch as School Plans $1.6 Million Cafeteria Upgrade  Cambridge-Isanti school hopes to move forward with renovating the high school’s kitchen area.The estimated cost of $1.6 million would be paid over two years. The upgrade comes after a citation from the state health department citation for low ceiling lights. The cafeteria was last renovated in 1997.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS:  Bass Tournament Seeks Common Sense on DNR Rules  The DNR has already given the International Falls Bass Championship a two year reprieve from new rules to prevent the spread of invasive species. Tournament organizers say they’re not looking for a pass for this year, but rather “common sense in implementing them.”

ELK RIVER:  School Tax Decline Brings Praise and Warning from Business  The Elk River Area School District property tax levy dropped nearly 3 percent, winning a compliment from the only member of the public to appear at the annual budget meeting.  Gary Santwire, a local business representative, reminded school board members that commercial property taxes continue to rise dramatically in some areas “…a large component (of your constituency) is going to have to rebel or go broke,” he said of commercial property owners.“We won’t go quietly.’

PARK RAPIDS: Two Non-Profit Community Action Agencies May Become One Two well-known service agencies, Mahube Community Council and Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, are discussing combining operations. The two agencies support low-income and elderly individuals in Mahnomen, Hubbard, Becker, Otter Tail and Wadena counties. The discussion centers on continuing to deliver the same services more efficiently and effectively. 

MOORHEAD: No Sleigh Rides Due to Shortfall—Of Snow City park officials have cancelled sleigh rides planned next week. Not due to Scrooge-like budget concerns behind the scenes, but another sort of deficit, namely snow. 

BURNSVILLE: Longtime Non-Profit CEO Leaves Following Shake-Up The departure of Mary Ajax after 37 years ushers in a new era at the non-profit agency 360 Communities. Compensation for top staff became an issue following a budget deficit of more than $500,000. It was reported that Ajax earned $235,000 in 2009 and her top aide received $172,000. Four key staff left their jobs earlier this year. 

MANKATO: MnDOT Criticized and Fined For Safety Violations Leading to Employee’s Death OSHA safety inspectors fined MnDOT $30,000 for critical safety violations involved in the March death of an employee working to clear floodwaters on a backhoe. MnDOT paid the fine and submitted a safety plan “to ensure, on a statewide basis, that this doesn’t happen again.”

MORA: Christmas Bonus: Old Muni Liquor Store Sells The old off-sale municipal liquor store has been up for sale for more than a year. After remaining empty for 16 months, the city received and approved a $39,000 offer from K & R Meats that will tentatively put the property back on the tax rolls. The business hopes to hire up to seven employees to operate the store.

WABASHA: Who’s in Charge? County Eliminates Top Job For the foreseeable future, the heads of the various departments in Wabasha County will be in charge of county business in their areas of responsibility. The county board has abolished the administrator’s position held by David Johnson, leaving some confusion about how it came to this and what comes next.

ST. CLOUD: HRA “Redevelops” Its Mission It’s a new era for the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority. One of the HRA’s top programs will be offering interest-free $25,000 loans with no payments required for 30 years to fix up owner-occupied dwelling in a key neighborhood on the south side.  Meantime, the city has assumed economic development duties with a budget that’s less than half of the $1.5 million available as recently as 2007.

DULUTH: Unions No Longer in Solidarity with Occupy Duluth A few weeks ago there was plenty of solidarity between members of Occupy Duluth and local labor unions. That’s ancient history now. Anti-mining comments by an Occupy Duluth leader have led the Central Labor Body to sever ties, given many affiliates work in the mining industry.

CALEDONIA: Sticker Shock Over Cost of Sewer Hook-Up Five businesses and a homeowner face a potential bill of up to $108,000 to comply with a state MPCA order for one of the businesses to upgrade. City officials asked for two plans for consideration in consultation with property owners, who all currently use septic systems. The second plan could bring the cost down to about $20,000 per hook-up. 

INTERNATIONAL FALLS: City Provides Chimney Cleaning Tools for Residents The Rural Fire Protection Association used to buy the rods and brushes, but now it’s up to the city. Several sizes of new brushes and extendable rods for cleaning out chimneys to prevent fires may be signed out by residents at city hall.

DULUTH: State Delays Throw Off School Re-Opening  Duluth’s revised Red Plan still needs state approval before spending another $15.4 million on facilities. The delay will push back the re-opening of Myers-Wilkins Elementary to 2013 due to re-bidding of the project.

FERGUS FALLS: Cab Company May Put Brakes on Some Conditions of City Permit  Drivers on Call cab company may be on a collision course with the city over the company's suggested taxi ordinance changes. One of the sticking points for owner Bob Bergh is the quality of the MnDOT-approved physicals for drivers that are currently required. Some city officials are sympathetic but they’re running out of time to come to terms on a new permit before the end of December.

LYLE: No More Rubber Stamp for School Board ex-Treasurer After Police Visit  The dramatics were less conspicuous at the last Lyle School Board meeting, even as board members voted to replace their treasurer. Apparently school officials asked Mower County deputies to go to former treasurer Dan King’s house to retrieve a rubber stamp with several "signatures" used for official purposes by the treasurer. It’s unclear if there will be further official action taken.

REDWOOD FALLS: City Budget Total Frozen at Last Year’s Level City council members declined to raise the city tax levy out of concern for residents’ ability to pay in tough times. 

WILLMAR: Utilities General Manage Placed on Leave Pending Review Unspecified concerns led the Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission to vote to put the utility’s general manager on paid leave pending a review. In the meantime, two other employees will serve at co-general managers of operations. 

SAVAGE: Letters of Intent: City to Purchase Post Office Building and Lease It Back It took a couple of years, but Savage came up with a novel approach to convincing the local post office to stay put. The city has reached agreement with the postal service to buy the post office building for $745,000 and lease it back to the USPS. 

NEW ULM: City Council Discusses Non-Union Worker Pay Raise  A motion to increase non-union worker pay by 3 percent to reach the same level as union workers generated considerable debate at a city council meeting. Non-union city employees have received significantly smaller wage increases than union workers in previous years, including a wage freeze last year.

CHANHASSEN: Counties Explore Taxpayer Savings by Merging 911 Centers Carver and Scott counties are discussing merging their emergency call centers. It might take a few years to plan the technical system, but a recently completed state-funded $125,000 study points the way to a consolidation. One commissioner is hopeful the merger could save taxpayers up to half a million dollars annually. 

PIERZ: Miscalculation Adds up to Lower School Property Tax Levy Morrison county officials apparently passed along the wrong numbers for the school portion of Pierz property taxes for next year. State education officials then inserted the highest possible levy increase for truth in taxation notice amounts. Bottom line: an early present for Pierz taxpayers.

ROSEMOUNT: Local Portion of Property Taxes Declines for Surprising Reason Much has been written about the impact of the controversial elimination of the Market Value Homestead Credit aid program. As it turns out, however, phasing out the credit allowed Rosemount to zero out $429,507 from its levy, a big factor in holding down local property taxes. The city council approved a budget that will lead to a $35 dip in the city part of property taxes for average homeowners. Declining market values for homes also contributed to the lower levy.

YELLOW MEDICINE: They’re Back! Bounty on Coyotes Approved for Two Counties  Chippewa and Yellow Medicine counties are offering the first legal bounties on coyotes in Minnesota in 46 years. State law was changed this year to allow local governments to offer a bounty on legally taken coyotes.

LYLE: Heated School Board Meeting Results in Legal Actions Charges will not be filed against three women who were removed by Mower County deputies from a recent school board meeting. In another incident from the same meeting, a judge revised the conditions of a restraining order against a former school district employee and current Lyle city councilman which resulted from an alleged altercation with Superintendent Jim Dusso. 

ANOKA: County Board Finalizes Biggest Tax Levy Cut in State  County board members finalized a more than $8 million reduction in the 2012 property tax levy, a reduction of 7.43 percent. Anoka County Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah said it’s the first time in more than three decades the county tax levy has declined.

GOODVIEW: City Relents and Opts for Federally Funded Sidewalks After weeks of turmoil, the Goodview City Council voted 3-2 to accept a $283,000 grant for nine blocks of new sidewalk leading to the local school. It’s part of a federal program called Safe Routes to School that’s aimed at encouraging more students to walk and bike to class. Dozens of residents have adamantly opposed the project.

FERGUS FALLS:  City Forgives Remainder of Muni Golf Course Loan And Raises Rates  Memberships and other rates are going up at the city-owned Pebble Lake Golf Course next season.  The greatest impact will be on single week memberships which will jump from $10 to $85.  The public works committee recommended writing off the remaining $70,000 of a city loan to the course for new equipment in 2008.  The $175,000 loan was made with the understanding it would be forgiven in $35,000 annual increments in exchange for an updated long term plan.

MORA:  Adult Day Center Starting Up Soon  The city council gave the go-ahead for an adult day center in Mora that will be open Sunday through Saturday by appointment.  The Eagles Crossing Adult Day Center will provide a variety of support services from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

RED RIVER VALLEY:  American Crystal Hints at Eventual Deal with Unions  At the company’s annual meeting, American Crystal’s CEO David Berg indicated confidence that the four month long standoff with labor would be resolved at some point.  Berg said locked-out workers would be better off by $3,000 a year  under the company’s last offer, but must  pay more of their health care costs.  Union leaders say with company profits up with high sugar prices, workers should share more in that success.

BELLE CREEK:  Goodhue County Residents Appeal Wind Farm   A standing room only crowd was present as the Belle Creek Town Board decided to appeal a recent state decision to approve a major wind farm in Goodhue County. Officials estimated the appeal would cost $15-25,000 in addition to the $15,000 already spent opposing the renewable energy proposal.  

CROOKSTON:  Good Sign for Taxi Service with City Council Approval The city council gave the go ahead for the owner of Crookston Taxi to post an advertisement for his services back up.  A city ordinance allows signs only on a business’ premises, but the taxi service does not operate out of an office .It’s been a rough ride for the owner of the taxi service, who was picked up for an alleged parole violation by county authorities over the weekend.

HILL CITY:  Huge Water Bill Gives New Meaning to Leaky Basement What would you do if your water meter registered 329,000 gallons? An unspecified basement water leak led to a $2,200 water bill for an unfortunate property owner in Hill City recently. City councilors cut about $1,000 off the bill since the water did not go into the city’s sewer system.In fact, no one appears to know exactly where the water did go.

LYLE: Residents Circulate No-Confidence Petition on School Superintendent  A group of parents and other residents are circulating a no-confidence petition around town on the superintendent’s job performance to present to the school board.It’s not certain how many signatures have been collected yet in the latest chapter of the controversy.

WILLMAR:  Smaller Government Begins with No More Federal Lobbyist Mayor Frank Yanish has a plan to downsize local government but says he can’t do it alone. Next year’s proposed budget marks the starting point with five jobs and a $27,000 federal lobbyists position no longer on the books.No layoffs are planned with the downsizing occurring through retirements and attrition.

BEMIDJI: No Health Insurance, No College Classes Next Semester Don’t bother showing up to register for class next semester at Bemidji State University, unless you can prove you have health insurance. The school’s student senate approved the policy earlier this year.  The idea was that students should never face the choice between paying for health care or paying for tuition. Instead they now have to pay for both.

GAYLORD:  Non-Profit for Seniors to Shut Down After nine years of operations, at the end of the year Seniors in Brown and Sibley Counties will discontinue services. A lack of both funds and support led to the unanimous vote of the board of directors. The group’s $100,000 budget was made up of 40 percent state and federal funds. The hope is that local churches will step in and help seniors in need.

PARK RAPIDS: County Board Orders Staff to Keep Spending Down County commissions need to trim $725,000 from the budget to prevent levying for more taxpayer funding than last year.  Their goal also depends on no increase in employee pay among labor unions involved in negotiations. “You have to live within your means,” reiterated commissioner Lyle Robinson, “If you give one department more you’ll have to take it from somewhere else.”

NORTH BRANCH: Gloom and Doom Follows Failed School Vote Calling it a sad and tragic day for students, superintendent Dr. Deb Henton said many people are hurting in the wake of the failure to pass a levy increase. Despite declining enrollment, other board members noted that North Branch still gives kids a quality education but could do even better with more tax dollars.

BRAINERD: Two School Unions Settle, Six More to Go Brainerd schools reached agreement with custodians and head cooks for a total two percent salary increase over two years. The contract reduces health insurance benefits slightly and increases co-pays, similar to the agreement reached recently with the teachers’ union.

ST. CLOUD: SCS Students Vote Down Fee Increase for Student Center Makeover Maybe it’s always an off year election on college campuses, but just 9 percent of the student body voted in the fall campus elections. The majority who did—55 percent—declined the opportunity to raise their student fees on themselves by $4.20 per credit for the next 20 years for a $15 million makeover of the student union. 

CALEDONIA: License Center Update Approved to Meet State Regs The Houston County license facility will undergo a renovation soon. The reason? Two computer screens used by employees face the public, a violation of state regulations over data privacy. Careful planning reduced the estimated cost  from about $14,000 to $8,000, excluding the cost of taxes and cash drawers.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS: Future of Subsidized Flights Up in the Air International Falls and other rural communities face the potential loss of subsidized passenger air service under reforms being discussed in Congress to reduce the budget deficit. The essential air service (EAS) provides about a $200 per passenger subsidy for each passenger to and from International Falls.

ORTONVILLE: Council More Than Doubles Parking Violation Fines Ortonville was behind the times in the cost of fines for most parking violations, charging just $5-10 for most tickets. No more. Most fines will be raised to $25 with handicapped zone violations quadrupling to $100. Offenses still outstanding after 30 days will result in a state citation. 

FOREST LAKE: City Utilities Cost to Rise for First Time in Years City water and sewer have been a drain on reserve funds without a rate increase for seven years. The sewer fund has also been losing money and is in the hole now. Rates will be going up between 7-10 percent. “Without a rate increase, the city could not pay interest on its debt in the next few years,” city finance director Ellen Paulseth said. 

ROCHESTER: Rail Line Recommendation Off Track for Some The route for the Chicago-Twin Cities “high speed” rail line should go through Winona rather than Rochester, according to MnDOT. State transportation officials made the recommendation based on the path of the existing Amtrak route along the Mississippi River.

MARSHALL: County Considers Tax Breaks for Development Lyon County commissioners will expedite consideration of a tax increment financing district. The TIF district could be a factor in Schwan Food’s potential $9 million ice cream plant expansion that would create some 64 jobs.

RED WING: Sticker Shock with 12 Percent Levy Hike for Red Wing Schools The proposed levy for the Red Wing School District will shoot up to 12 percent, some 3 percent higher than discussed just last month. Officials say the unexpectedly large increase is tied to an increase in enrollment. 

TWO HARBORS: North Shore City Considers Cutting Police Force  City council members may not replace a recently retired officer due to other budget needs. For instance, the proposed 2012 budget contains no funding for road improvements. Police officials say the cut would result in a lower law enforcement presence in the community.

PRINCETON: Mistaken City Permit to Cost Couple City officials worked out a resolution with a couple who installed a fence that turned out to be located in the street right of way. The city mistakenly approved an incorrect location listed on the permit by the homeowners. In the end, the couple declined their right to have public hearings and legal notices that would delay a resolution even longer. The agreement will allow the couple to spread out the special assessment for the $785 job over three years plus interest.

GRANITE FALLS: County Unsure What to do With Abandoned Cemetery County officials are wondering what to do with an overgrown cemetery recently uncovered on farmland in Stony Run Township. The church associated with the graveyard no longer exists, so it will fall to Yellow Medicine County to tend it. If any Civil War veterans or pioneers who died before 1875 are buried there, state law allows the county to use general revenue funds to restore the plot.

Click here to read the piece online at monticellotimes.com.

BLAINE: Two Walmarts May be Built at Same Time in Same City Some cities have enough on their hands with one Walmart, but Blaine may be getting two at the same time next summer. Plans are for two Walmarts to be built at the same time next summer in Blaine. The newer proposal is still coming together, but one store has already been approved.

BOCK: Local Post Office May Be Casualty of USPS Cuts It costs about $88,000 a year to operate the local post office, including wages and benefits and power and rent. But the Bock facility may be on the chopping block anyway, as the USPS desperately seeks cost-cutting measures.

BLUE EARTH: Border No Longer to Come Between Minnesota and Iowa County Communications Winnebago County in Iowa and Faribault County in Minnesota have decided to get on the same wave length--literally. Faribault county commissioners have approved participation in a $10,500 Department of Homeland Security grant to improve emergency communication systems with its sister county on the Iowa side of the border.

DODGE COUNTY: No More Calls to Check in on Seniors and Disabled Daily check-up calls to some sixty seniors and individuals with disabilities or sickness came to an end on November 1st. The telephone reassurance program was funded with donations, United Way contributions, and four counties. It ended when Steele County quit contributing funds this year.

MOUNTAIN LAKE: Early School Year Start Makes No Difference in Test Scores The initial results are in for a group of 25 school districts that received a waiver to start the school year two weeks early to raise test scores. Despite the extra teaching time, the test scores for students in the first of the three year experiment in southwestern Minnesota districts did not change.

RED RIVER VALLEY: American Crystal Workers Still Off Job After 3 Months The 1,300 union workers locked out for three months are increasingly feeling the financial impact of being off the job. Unlike their North Dakota counterparts, workers at the company’s three Minnesota plants receive unemployment benefits. 

CALEDONIA: City Drains Pool Fund for Study on Improvements Just a few hundred dollars will remain in the community pool fund after paying for a $20,750 study on the viability of raising funds for major improvements, perhaps a water park. While city councilors favor the upgrade, they do not want local taxpayers to fund it.

WADENA: Armed Traffic Surveyors Raise Questions Residents were caught off guard when stopped for a voluntary traffic survey. A private security firm was selected by MnDOT to pull over motorists to reinforce the notion that it was a voluntary survey. But MnDOT had some explaining to do following questions and complaints from drivers wondering why the private security employees were armed. 

WILLMAR: Board Says All-Day Kindergarten May Hinge on Referendum  The Willmar school board will consider moving from an all-day, every day schedule for Kindergarten classes, tying it to the fate of a referendum on November 8th. The state pays for half-time Kindergarten. 

BEMIDJI: Local Arts Council Opposes Legacy Funds for Vikings The Region 2 Arts council for five northern Minnesota counties asked arts lovers to get involved in opposing legacy funding for a Vikings stadium. The concern is that funding could be diverted from local arts and cultural events that have benefited a “huge amount” from Legacy funding.

LITCHFIELD: County Wants Feds to Pay for Bridge Restoration The century old Salisbury steel bridge over the Crow River is on the National Register of Historical Places. A year ago after an accident, it was closed to traffic. Meeker County has applied for a $200,000 federal grant available for repairing historic bridges. No commitment yet from two townships that would have to provide $40,000 in matching funds.

VIRGINIA: Former School Board Member Found Guilty of Felony Sexual Conduct A former member of the Virginia School Board was found guilty of two counts of felony sexual conduct after a district court trial in Virginia. The jury deliberated about  four hours in finding Donovan Strong of Tower guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and solicitation of a child. Strong resigned from the school board following the July incident.

RED WING: County Board Conflicted Over Sentence to Serve Work Crews Goodhue County commissioners are struggling over the future of their three Sentence to Serve work crews. Currently the city of Red Wing shares a part-time crew at a cost of $48,000 per year, but now the city wants to have the crew full time. County commissioners are concerned they might have to hire staff if they have just two crews, while also being conflicted about letting other cities have a shot at their rent-a-crews. 

OAK GROVE: City Council Work Sessions to be Videotaped and Broadcast In a split 3-2 vote, the Oak Grove City council members decided transparency should extend to working sessions. Though no official decisions are made at the meetings, the discussions often lead to the basis for a formal vote at official council meetings. As City Councilman Mike Wylie said, “what’s wrong with people seeing how government works?”

WABASHA: Board Standoff Over County Administrator’s Future Continues County commissioners voted 3-2 to retain a Minneapolis attorney to render a legal opinion on the “possible consequences of firing County Administrator Dave Johnson.” Erick Kaardal, the outside attorney, charges $200 per hour with a cap of $5,000. The board will have his legal opinion within a week.  

SLEEPY EYE: Read All About It! Foundation Donates New Books for Local Childhood Education  One hundred new books valued at $1,750 were provided to Sleepy Eye’s Early Childhood and Family Education program. The books donated by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation will be incorporated into the children’s classes and each child will eventually take one home for good.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS: Now Voyageurs National Park has Fire Issues Another forest fire has been smoldering in the northern Minnesota wilderness. Not the BWCA blaze that’s now under control, but a much smaller 300 acre fire near Namakan Lake. National Park officials expect the fire to be extinguished with the onset of cold weather and snow.

MILACA: Work Wraps up on Legacy Funded Kiosks A kiosk paid for with legacy funds has been installed in Trimble Park. It will feature information on local trails and events. A city councilman applied for the legacy funding, the second kiosk installed in the city courtesy of the statewide tax funds.

WABASHA: County Board Reconsiders Reassigning County Administrator County commissioners stepped back from ending County Administrator Dave Johnson’s contract due to financial considerations. One county commissioner said the issue went up like an atomic bomb before a full crowd in the boardroom. Now a committee will examine the financial impact of any decision before moving ahead or not. 

OAK PARK HEIGHTS: Lobbyists Lobby Local Officials to Back St. Croix Bridge Lobbyists working to drum up support for the new St. Croix bridge warned local officials that time is running short for funding the project. At a presentation at a forum sponsored by the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce, bridge proponents said $160 million in federal funding and much more in state funding may be redirected if local approvals are not in place by the end of the year.

AUSTIN: City Council to Consider Controversial GreenSteps Agenda  City staff are embracing the GreenSteps Cities environmentalist program approved recently by appointing a sustainability task force. The program requires the city to consider factors to reduce Austin’s so-called “carbon footprint” in building and other projects.

MARSHALL: School Board Learns Technology Costs Big Bucks School board members got sticker shock during an update on the latest technology in classrooms. With a $155,000 budget deficit, it may be awhile before the board goes ahead with a serious upgrade. Going all wireless could cost $500,000 according to estimates.

DULUTH: Duluth Scores Cameo in New Steve Martin Movie Sure it’s a bit part but the new movie “The Big Year” includes a scene set in Duluth if not exactly shot in Duluth.  But it's free advertising for the city in a Hollywood production starring Steve Martin and Jack Black.  

FERGUS FALLS: City Speeds up Sale of Regional Treatment Center Land Potential developers are already lining up to bid on the regional treatment center property up for grabs. So the city council responded by fast-tracking the process for bidding. Asking price: $50,0000.

PRIOR LAKE: Tribal Wind Turbine Down for Major Tune Up Good thing the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota community doesn’t gamble only on wind power to provide the electricity for Mystic Lake casino and residents. The tribe’s wind turbine will be out of service soon until a new generator gets shipped in from China. The turbine produces enough power for the residences for the tribal community, but officials say it can be “high maintenance”. 

MORA: Company Pitches Schools on Spending for Energy Improvements Mora schools have asked Johnson Controls, a national company based in Milwaukee, to assess district buildings for potential energy efficiency measures. The community will need to consider the potential costs versus potential savings before taking any action.

LYLE: Administration’s Change of Approach Upsets Some Teachers and Residents Every school board meeting seems to bring complaints from some in the community over the more hands-on approach by Superintendent Jim Dusso. Supporters respond that test scores are up and changes needed to be made and test scores are headed in the right direction. The disagreements seem to date to curriculum changes in February and have led to some teachers insisting on the presence of a union representative in some meetings with administrators.

WINSTED: City to Push for $2.5 Million in State Bonding to Pave Trail The city council voted to join Hutchinson and McLeod County in soliciting $2.5 million in state bonding funds to pave the Luce Line State Trail coming into town. The Luce Line trail is already popular with bikers but the city believes it would receive more use if paved. 

NORTH BRANCH: Signs of the Times Target Ads for Students  Kids at Sunrise Elementary School will be part of a new niche marketing campaign with big advertising signs now up on walls in the building. It’s all part of an effort approved by the school board to increase operating revenue. Students will also most likely soon be face-to-face with ads on their lockers, hallway walls and outside grounds, as well.

MANKATO:  Legacy Tax Funding Drives up Number of Registrants for Historical Status The number of Minnesota cities applying for listing on the National Register of Historic Places appears to be on the rise. A Twin Cities consultant who assists entities seeking the designation traces the uptick in the sales tax monies available for infrastructure improvements and upkeep on local historical sites.

GRAND FORKS: Striking Sugar Workers to Make Proposal Locked out American Crystal Sugar workers plan to bring a new proposal to a federal mediator this week. More than 1,300 workers have been off the job in a lockout that’s gone on for two and a half months in the Red River Valley sugar beet plants. The company says it will meet with the workers if asked.

PARKERS PRAIRIE: Proposed Turbine Farm Faces Headwind of Opposition Dozens of residents attended a public meeting regarding an up to 100-megawatt wind farm planned for the Parkers Prairie area. Several individuals on both sides of the project spoke at the state hearing that’s part of the permit process. The wind energy project could have 40 turbines.

FERGUS FALLS: Doing Payroll for Other Schools Pays off for MSCTC When the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) board of trustees went looking for accounting efficiencies for the statewide system, Minnesota State Community and Technical College stepped up. With campuses in Fergus Falls, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes and Wadena, MSTC was already handling multiple payrolls. It’s another way to cut costs and keep jobs in the community.

ALEXANDRIA: Builders Concerned about Impact of Nearly Doubling City Fees  The city plans to nearly double building fees, raising about $170,000 in new revenue annually. The fees for a $180,000 project would rise to about $2,200. Local builders who have already laid off employees said they were not asked about the proposal in advance. The city also announced numerous other significant fee hikes on everything from dog licenses to taxis and signs.

RED WING: City May Bail Out Troubled Port Authority  City council members and the financially challenged Port Authority discussed having the city cover bond payments on land held for economic development. Currently the port authority spends some $200,000 per year for the bond payments, which the city covered until a few years ago. The big question remaining is whether the port authority or city should be holding land for economic development in the first place. 

AITKIN: County Board Sets Policy for Flying Flag  The Aitkin County commissioners have formalized a policy for flying the flag at half staff. Thus far in 2011, the county has flown the flag at half staff on sixteen occasions.

MINNESOTA FALLS:  State Gives Xcel OK to Remove Old Hydro Power Dam Despite Local Concerns      DNR officials ruled out the need for an expensive environmental impact statement over the demolition of a former hydroelectric dam on the Minnesota River above Granite Falls.  The decision clears the way for Xcel Energy to remove the former hydroelectric dam at a cost of about $2.5 million. The city of Granite Falls and an ethanol plant that depend on the water in the dam’s reservoir say they will pay a hefty price for changes once it's removal. 

APPLE VALLEY:  School District Lowers Property Tax Levy  Most homeowners in the Apple Valley-Eagan-Rosemont 196 School District will see a lower property tax levy next year. The school board voted unanimously to reduce the rate by more than three percent from the 2011 levy.  But taxpayers should not necessarily become accustomed to it.  The recommendation was made possible by a special state aid allotment that cannot be counted on in future years.

BRAINERD:  Council Debates Cost and Dangers of Tying Ribbons on Water Tower The city sometimes allows groups to place huge ribbons high overhead on Brainerd’s iconic water tower.  It can be dangerous for city crews, however, and takes three hours both to erect and remove the ribbons.  The city council will continue to examine whether to consider ribbon requests on a case by case policy or to forgo the practice altogether.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS:  More Wetland Credits Needed for Development of Foreign Trade Zone   Koochiching County will need to spend about $18,000 instead of $4,000 as expected for wetland credits in order to move ahead with the proposed foreign trade zone development.  It appears that 1.5 acres of wetlands may be affected by the project, rather than the half acre originally anticipated.  The issue has raised questions about county policy on how to distribute wetland credits.

AUSTIN: Federal Customs Authorities Announce 3 Arrests in Local Immigration Raid  A national customs enforcement sweep resulted in three convicted criminals being rounded up last week on immigration-related charges, according to authorities. Enforcement officials said those taken into custody “are not the people we want in our communities” due to the seriousness of crimes they have been convicted of previously. Altogether 37 were arrested in Minnesota as part of the operation.

BURNSVILLE: Planning Commission Holds Up Development Over “Controversial” Driveway  The city planning commission approved a long-awaited CVS pharmacy development in Burnsville’s Heart of the City area. But there’s a sticking point holding up the development, which could be the catalyst for an additional retail and office building. And city planners seem reluctant to budge.

LITCHFIELD: County Hits Dead End on Road Funding  Meeker County could be in for more potholes over the next several years , according to the county highway engineer. The county estimates there will be a shortfall of funding for needed road construction, more than the $1.8 million per year the county receives from the gas tax. It would require a substantial local tax increase to make up the difference, according to officials.

BEMIDJI: Some Neighborhood Parks Closign as City Focuses on Priorities  A new proposal recommends eliminating several city parks and a boat access as the price to be paid for moving ahead with improvements in other parks. The upgrade would cost $6-7 million over the course of several years. Officials say neighborhood parks need to be upgraded about every 20 years and that new parks average $350,000 to build.

PELICAN RAPIDS: Big Pot Farm Found in State Park More than trees grow tall and green in Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids. A hiker recently came across a crop of nearly 200 marijuana plants in two clearings ready for harvest. Public safety officers removed the plants this week, but no arrests or leads have been announced yet.

GLENVILLE: New Life for Biodiesel Plant After Being Idled 3 Years Under new ownership, the former SoyMor Biodiesel plant began pumping out biodiesel again in August for the first time since 2008. It means 20 jobs for local workers and their families as well as more opportunities for area farmers to sell their crop. 

HUTCHINSON: Budget Concerns in UOM Regional Extension Office Shutting Down “Budget realities” are among the top reasons for the recently announced decision for the University of Minnesota Extension Service decision to close regional offices in Hutchinson and Fergus Falls at the end of the year

JACKSON: Council Member Makes Waves Over Local Water Project A decision by city staff to focus on fixing the rock riffles in the Des Moines River that runs by city hall was labeled “stupid” by council member Ken Temple. While the restoration project has been planned for some time, Temple took city staff to task, saying another nearby area of the river of the river needed dredging and cleaning up.