Laundromat closed, owner speaks during NR council meeting: Fire, pandemic, and renters unable to pay utilities, contribute to closed doors
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The local laundromat has been struggling for quite some time as a result of a dispute between the renters and their landlord. A recent fire ultimately forced the laundromat to close its doors for the past two months.
More than halfway through the most recent New Richland council meeting, Mayor Gail Schmidt addressed the “young lady” in the back, asking her if she would like to speak.
Leah Jacobson of Wallace Laundromat spoke about the situation. “I was just hoping to answer any questions you guys [the council] had… I just felt like I should come because I found out today that I (apparently) “refused to take phone calls or show up to the last city council meeting.”
At the previous council meeting, the renters' request that the city turn their water back on was denied. The renters have been without water for two months.
After two weeks without water, Jacobson called Child Protective Services to express concern for the children in the property and their lack of running water. According to Jacobson, the supervisor of Waseca County CPS told her the situation is only temporary and asked, “What would the difference be if they were camping in the woods?”
Visitation at care center suspended: Vaccination mandate causes worry; one resident tests positive for Covid
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The 2020 Financial Statement Audit report by the accounting firm Abdo Eick and Meyers (AEM) was presented during the regular meeting of the New Richland City Council on August 23, 2021.
2020 Audit Report
Layne Kockelman from the accounting firm AEM presented the audit report, and noted he’s been working with AEM, and the city of New Richland on its audits each of the past ten years. Lane noted that this type of audit is not looking for fraud, but rather to, “provide opinion that the financial statement and numbers are free of significant error.”
Three area’s the city can do better, and in the opinion of Kockelman, will do better going forward are: time period for payment of invoices; for example, throughout the year, multiple invoices were not paid within the 35 day legal requirement; timely bank reconciliations; and payroll reports and remittances.
“I think some of this will be remedied with Michelle being on board going forward,” Kockelman said. “The turnover was where a lot of these went astray. Anytime there are turnovers (between city administrators), it’s difficult to keep on top of things.”
Recommendations
The accounting firm AEM made four recommendations regarding internal documentation:
1. Develop written policies and procedures.
2. Document employee responsibilities.
3. Document processes.
4. Improve internal control and help with staff turnover.
Farming in the heartland at Hilltop Greenhouse
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Glenn and Gretchen Boldt demonstrate how small farms are alive and well.
Taking a drive through south central Minnesota, the farms seem to spread out for miles. Many beautiful acres of corn and soybeans in neat GPS rows. Did you ever wonder where all the small farms have gone? Drive a little ways to the little town of Hollandale, known for years as a garden for potatoes and onions. There, just 2.1 miles north of town, you will find a unique small family farm. You may even be surprised at what you find.
Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm has been dedicated to delivering its customers the best quality plants and vegetables for over 25 years. Glenn, Gretchen, and their three daughters began with one small greenhouse to start vegetable transplants for the field; we have grown into a full service Garden Center and source for local, home grown farm fresh vegetables. As word of the selection, quality, and knowledgeable customer service spread, our greenhouses and fresh vegetable production expanded.
Greenhouse sales include many varieties of annuals for sun and shade, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, seed and seed potato and onion sets, as well as some small fruits. Don’t just think regular varieties – Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm is known for great selection and hard to find plants. Over 25 varieties of tomato and more than 30 varieties of petunias are just an example of what you will see. A delight to your senses! The hanging baskets combinations are outstanding. That is the reason both the City of Albert Lea and the City of Austin rely on Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm to grow the City Baskets and the plants that grace the downtown area.
What is a small family farm without vegetables? That’s exactly what Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm grows. Not only do they grow them, but will also deliver them to a location near you. Veggie Club is a weekly subscription to a season’s worth of sustainable, locally grown produce that is distributed to members throughout the harvesting season. Veggie Club members enjoy the quality of fresh produce each week, while supporting their local farmer. All produce is garden field grown. This means hands on work- planting, weeding, harvesting, cleaning— is done by hand. There are many long hours, but the taste and freshness can’t be beat. One Veggie Club member stated, “The boxes of produce have been amazing! Such variety of beautiful, fresh and clean veggies…….YUM!'
Hilltop Greenhouse and Farm is dedicated to providing its customers with consistent, high-quality plants and vegetables. “We are the perfect size to pay close attention to every detail from starting the seed to helping a customer pick the perfect plant.” So take that short drive into the country, and see for yourself that small farms are alive and active.
Equipment not likely to be refunded or repaired
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By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
Ordinance violations were once again a topic of discussion during the Ellendale City Council’s second meeting of the month on Thursday, Aug. 26. Two unnamed residents were very angry about receiving letters regarding ordinance violations, and it was noted that the city is required by law to send a letter notifying property owners of ordinance violations. Currently, Ellendale has a four-person commission that looks at ordinance violations, which are then brought to the council for review before a notification of violation letter is sent.
While there have been some issues with residents complying with city ordinances, others have responded and taken care of the violations. It was agreed to discuss the matter further at the Codification Committee meeting on Aug. 30. City Clerk Kim Zimprich also noted that due to the clerk’s office hours being inconvenient for some, residents are welcome to call city hall and make an appointment after hours if it is necessary to visit the clerk’s office for pet licensing or other matters.
Present to discuss the possibility of rezoning a lot in town after purchase was Nolan McGowan, who introduced the idea during the previous council meeting. The plan for the property, once purchased and rezoned, is to operate a child center that is expected to have up to 50 children and five staff members. Because of this, the council agreed that rezoning the property from its current residential status to commercial would be in the best interest of the city.
Kristin Sailer was in attendance to present an emergency management report and review information, resources, and plans for emergency management and operations in Ellendale and Steele County. The council approved the adoption of the Steele County Emergency Operations plan with a motion.
Safe return to school: Board approves plan 6-1, masks not required - September 9, 2021
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
During its regular August meeting, the NRHEG school board approved the 2021-22 Safe Return to School plan, recommending, but not requiring face-coverings for students and staff.
The plan presented to the board was put together and agreed to during an August 4 meeting of the same committee which helped determine the approach last year.
Board approves plan 6-1
“This is a living document,” Chairman Rick Schultz emphasized. “I think some of the conversation at the committee meeting was valid in the point that we are very hopeful that the year will go as normal as possible. However, we all know that Covid is alive and well in our district, and if mandates come or if we feel uncomfortable about the safety of our students and staff, then there may be a need to adjust these. As I thought about this in preparation for tonight, my thought is that each one of us has a responsibility to do our part in trying to prevent the spread of Covid however we may see that to fit our own decision making. Our objective is as a district, and as a board, an administration, the entire team here, is to keep this as normal of a school year and move forward that way. I hope this is a group effort to make this plan successful and to keep the doors open and students in the classrooms.”
The board approved the decision by a vote of 6-1 with the lone ney vote coming from board member JoAnn Maloney.