Silver Lake Leader - The McLeod County Chronicle

Page 6 — Silver Lake Leader, Thursday, September 5, 2013Transit, other officials talk cooperationBy Lori CoplerStaff WriterA large group of city, countyand public transit officialsfrom several counties came togetherin Hutchinson Fridaymorning, Aug. 23, to talkabout how different transit systemscan cooperate — andpossibly consolidate — to providebetter service to riders.Beverly Herfindahl of District8 of the Minnesota Departmentof Transportation(MnDOT), said the talk ofmaking public transit systemsmore efficient started in 2011when, because of a largedeficit at the state level, “wethought transit could take a 30percent cut in funding.”The discussion centeredaround how public transit systemscould “still put the samelevel of service on our streetsif we had to cut,” said Herfindahl.“Usually (in cuts), serviceis the first thing to go, and wedidn’t want that to happen.”As it turned out, the 30 percentcut didn’t materialize, but“we had started down the pathto improve the efficiencies andeffectiveness of our transit system,”Herfindahl said.While there is a perceptionthat the state wants to reducethe number of transit systemsto 10 to 15 from the current 53systems, consolidation isn’tnecessarily the goal, Herfindahlsaid.Weather CornerBy Jake YurekWe finally got relief from the heat over the long weekend,but things heat back up this week as high pressurefrom the west moves back in. This blast shouldn’t be as hotor long-lived as the last batch, but temperatures shouldclimb close to, if not into, the 90s again Friday into Saturday.Rainfall continues to be the only thing lacking from ourforecasts of late, and we could really use some. Unfortunately,I don’t see any in the forecast until Sunday. A frontalboundary will drape itself over the area Sunday and be thetrigger of thunderstorms for someone. Right now there issome question as to where, but I like our chances of seeingsome rain Sunday.Looking toward next week, a cooler batch of air is tryingto make a visit from Canada, so I’m thinking we will cooldown towards the middle of next week. I can’t believe it isSeptember already!Have a great week, all; enjoy the good weather while it’shere.Ma dobry weekendem Mit dobry vikendWednesday night — Lows 55-61; partly cloudy.Thursday — Highs 79-85; lows 58-64; clear.Friday — Highs 84-90; lows 62-68; clear.Saturday — Highs 86-92; lows 62-68; clear.Sunday — Highs 78-85; partly cloudy/thunder.Weather Quiz: What does our normal weather look likeby the end of this month?Answer to last week’s question: Will the delayed summermean a delayed winter this year? In true meteorologistform, there’s no way of really knowing this, so myanswer would have to be maybe. In past years of late summers,it has trended towards a late start to winter. A latesummer sometimes also points to a colder-than-normalwinter as well, but only time will tell.Remember: I make the forecast, not the weather!People News“We would like to see fewercontracts,” Herfindahl acknowledged,“because wecould give more detailed oversightof contracts instead ofrunning around as much aswe’re doing,” but the overallgoal is to provide better serviceat, hopefully, the same orlower cost. MnDOT providessome funding for public transitsystems and oversees them.“We don’t specifically seeconsolidation for everyone,”Herfindahl said, but somesmaller systems may see thebenefit of joining with a largerone, especially as employeesretire or move on to other jobs.And MnDOT will have some“transitional funding” to helpwith re-lettering buses, newlogo designs and new contractswith personnel if there are systemsthat want to merge.But late in the meeting, GaryLudwig director of TrailblazerTransit, which serves McLeodand Sibley counties, said thatthere was still “an elephant inthe room” regarding consolidation.Ludwig said that Tom Gottfriedof the MnDOT state officeof transit, had specificallytold Trailblazer officials thatMnDOT’s goal is to reduce thenumber of transit systems to15.“That came straight from St.Paul,” said Ludwig.But Herfindahl insisted thatKrajewski earns doctorateLeianne Knoll Krajewski, daughterof John and Celia Knoll, graduatedwith honors from theUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis,with a doctor of nursingpractice degree in anesthesia specialty.Krajewski is a 1998 graduateof Lester Prairie High School, a1999 graduate of Ridgewater Collegein Hutchinson with a licensedpractical nursing degree, and a 2002graduate of the University of Minnesotawith a bachelor of sciencedegree in nursing. She resides inDuluth with her husband, Ryan, andis employed at Essential Health St.Mary’s in Duluth.LeianneKrajewskiwas not the case, and offeredto get something in writing toaddress the concern.Herfindahl also said thatchanges are not expectedovernight.“This is going to take a longand concentrated effort,” saidHerfindahl.Herfindahl said that cooperationbetween transit systemscould be something as simpleas sharing routes, administrationor compliance personnel(such as drug and alcohol complianceofficers), or as complexas an eventualconsolidation of systems.Jim Swanson, a SibleyCounty commissioner, saidthat part of the problem is thateach system has a defined“service area” which, in thecase of county systems, includesthe county and one milebeyond the county borders. Hedescribed each system as anindependent “silo” that doesn’tcross lines with other systems.MnDOT provides fundingbased on rides within the servicearea. Rides that extend pastthe borders of the service areaaren’t subject to MnDOTfunding.“Yes, we want to get rid ofthe silos,” agreed Herfindahl,“because we realize that is nothow people live.” Herfindahlsaid people are not constrainedin movement by county or municipallines.Rachel Schneiderman ofHeartland Express in RenvilleCounty, said that some transitsystems are already cooperatingwith neighboring transitsystems.“We’re already doing someof that; it’s just that nowMnDOT is saying its OK,”said Schneiderman.Participants threw out someideas ways to share services:• The possibility of havingtransit systems in joint powersagreements in which each partnertakes on specialized tasks,such as training, dispatching,maintenance or procurement,but each “partner” retains itsindependent status.• Shared, dedicated routesalong major transportation corridors,such as Highways 12,7, 212 and 19, with each system“feeding” into the route.• Opening borders of thetransit systems to improve efficiencyby sharing serviceswith other systems.Schneiderman suggestedthat the discussion now moveto the transit director level tocome up with some ideas.“We’re the ones who knowwhere we’re not doing ourbest, and where we need help,”said Schneiderman.Herfindahl agreed, but encouragedcommunication withcity, county and other officialsbecause they are the decisionmakers, she said.Submitted photoFriendly wagerGSL Superintendent Chris Sonju, left, and Hutchinson SuperintendentDaron VanderHeiden made their friendlywager on the GSL Panthers-Hutchinson Tigers footballgame set for Friday at 7 p.m. at Stevens Seminary Stadiumin Glencoe. The superintendent of the losing teammust carry the victory bucket to the winning team’sschool and hand out treats during the school’s lunchhour, while wearing the winning team’s jersey. TheHutchinson Tigers got the better of the bet last season,and Sonju is hoping his GSL Panthers get even this year.New board members soughtfor local Thrivent chapterThe McLeod County Chapterof Thrivent Financial isseeking board members for2014.These volunteer positionsrequire minimal time commitment,anywhere from six to15 hours per month dependingon the role. Each positionserves for a one-year term.Meetings are held the secondMonday evening of eachmonth at rotating locations inthe county.Thrivent members interestedin making a difference inthe community should contactCindy Eggersgluess at 320-238-2148 or cindye@hutchtel.net.Legal NoticesRich ValleyTownshipRich Valley TownshipMeeting ChangeThe Rich Valley Township regularmeeting scheduled on Wednesday,September 11, 2013 has been changedto Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at7:30 PM at the Rich Valley Town Hall.Theresa Rusten, Clerk320-864-6647(Published in The Silver LakeLeader September 5, 2013)McLeod CountyNOTICE OF PROPOSEDDRAINAGE DITCH LEVIESSEPTEMBER 17, 201310:00 A.M.BY ORDER OF THE COUNTYBOARD:NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,that all persons interested in RealEstate in McLeod County, Minnesota,as was originally assessed for benefitsin the proceedings for theestablishment of all County and JointDitches, that the County Board ofCommissioners proposes to levyassessments on such lands for thepurpose of creating a fund for anynecessary maintenance and repairs ofthe various County and Joint Ditchesin McLeod County, as provided in theMinnesota Statutes 103.705.NOTICE IS FURTHER HEREBYGIVEN, that a hearing on suchproposed annual assessments will beheld by the County Board in theCommissioner’s Room at theCourthouse in Glencoe, Minnesota onthe 17 th day of September, 2013 at10:00 A.M. at which time all personsinterested will be heard.The following ditches will be givenconsideration for 2014 MaintenanceLevies:COUNTY DITCHESNo. 3 No. 19A No. 325 20 338 21 3510 22 35 Br 611 25 3612A 26 3713 27 3815A 28 4016Red 29 6318 31 64JOINT DITCHESNo. 1 CMc No. 11 SRMc1 RMcM 13 MMc3A SCMc 14 WMcM4 CWMc 15 McM4 McR 15 McS5 CMc 15 WMMc5 SMc 17 McS8 McS 18 SMc9 Wholly Mc 19 SMc11 McW Red 24 SMcR11 SMc 28 McCDated this 23 rd day of August, 2013Cindy SchultzMcLeod County Auditor-Treasurer(Published in The Silver LakeLeader, August 29 andSeptember 5 & 12, 2013)McLeod CountyMcLEOD COUNTYINVITATION TO BID PRINTINGOF THE 2012 FINANCIALSTATEMENTThe McLeod County Board ofCommissioners will receive bids forthe printing of the 2012 McLeodCounty Financial Statement at the officeof the County Auditor-Treasurer,2391 Hennepin Ave N, Glencoe, MN55336. Contact Colleen at for specifications.Bids will be received until4:30 p.m. September 13, 2013.Cindy SchultzCounty Auditor-Treasurer(Published in The Silver LakeLeader, August 29 andSeptember 5, 2013)Notice of HearingNOTICE OF HEARINGON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTTO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:Notice is hereby given that the SilverLake city council will meet at 7:00p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2013,at the Silver Lake Auditorium, to consider,and possibly adopt, the proposedassessment for the Grove Avenue(CSAH 2) Improvement Project,which includes improvements on thefollowing streets:• Grove Avenue (CSAH 2) fromGehlen Drive to TH 7by construction of water main,storm sewer, concrete curb and gutter,aggregate base, concrete surfacing,concrete sidewalks, turf restoration,and miscellaneous items required toproperly complete the improvements.Adoption by the council of the proposedassessment may occur at thehearing. The area proposed to be assessedfor such improvements includesproperties abutting such improvements.Such assessment is proposed to bepayable in equal annual installmentsextending over a period of 15 years,the first of the installments to bepayable on or before the first Mondayin January 2014, and will bear interestat a rate of 4.00 percent per annumfrom the date of the adoption of the assessmentresolution. To the first installmentshall be added interest on theentire assessment from the date of theassessment resolution until December31, 2014. To each subsequent installmentwhen due shall be added interestfor one year on all unpaid installments.You may at any time prior to certificationof the assessment to thecounty auditor, pay the entire assessmenton such property to the cityclerk. No interest shall be charged ifthe entire assessment is paid within 30days from the adoption of this assessment.You may at any time thereafter,pay to the city administrator the entireamount of the assessment remainingunpaid, with interest accrued to December31 of the year in which suchpayment is made. Such payment mustbe made before November 15 or interestwill be charged through December31 of the succeeding year. If you decidenot to prepay the assessment beforethe date given above the rate ofinterest that will apply is 4.00 percentper year. The right to partially prepaythe assessment is available.The proposed assessment roll is onfile for public inspection at the cityclerk’s office. The total amount of theproposed assessment is $254,338.18.Written or oral objections will be consideredat the meeting. No appeal maybe taken as to the amount of an assessmentunless a written objection signedby the affected property owner is filedwith the city clerk prior to the assessmenthearing or presented to the presidingofficer at the hearing. Thecouncil may upon such notice considerany objection to the amount of aproposed individual assessment at anadjourned meeting upon such furthernotice to the affected property ownersas it deems advisable.Under Minn. Stat. §§ 435.193 to435.195, the council may, in its discretion,defer the payment of this specialassessment for any homestead propertyowned by a person 65 years ofage or older for whom it would be ahardship to make the payments. Whendeferment of the special assessmenthas been granted and is terminated forany reason provided in that law, allamounts accumulated plus applicableinterest become due. Any assessedproperty owner meeting the requirementsof this law and the policyadopted under it may, within 30 daysof the confirmation of the assessment,apply to the city administrator for theprescribed form for such deferral ofpayment of this special assessment ontheir property.If an assessment is contested orthere is an adjourned hearing, the followingprocedure will be followed:1. The city will present its case firstby calling witnesses who may testifyby narrative or by examination, and bythe introduction of exhibits. After eachwitness has testified, the contestingparty will be allowed to ask questions.This procedure will be repeated witheach witness until neither side has furtherquestions.2. After the city has presented all itsevidence, the objector may call witnessesor present such testimony asthe objector desires. The same procedurefor questioning of the city’s witnesseswill be followed with theobjector’s witnesses.3. The objector may be representedby counsel.4. Minnesota rules of evidence willnot be strictly applied; however, theymay be considered and argued to thecouncil as to the weight of items of evidenceor testimony presented to thecouncil.5. The entire proceedings will betape-recorded (video-taped).6. At the close of presentation ofevidence, the objector may make afinal presentation to the council basedon the evidence and the law. No newevidence may be presented at thispoint.7. The council may adopt the proposedassessment at the hearing.An owner may appeal an assessmentto district court pursuant toMinn. Stat. § 429.081 by serving noticeof the appeal upon the mayor andcity administrator of the city within 30days after the adoption of the assessmentand filing such notice with thedistrict court within ten days afterservice upon the mayor or clerk.Kerry VenierCity Clerk/Treasurer(Published in The Silver LakeLeader, August 29 andSeptember 5, 2013)Need a Web site that’s easy to maintain and affordable?We have the ANSWER!Our Web site Software includes:– Galleries – Articles – Ad Management – Staff Page – Store Locations– Password Protected Pages – Glossaries – E-Mail Accounts – PLUS MORE!For more information go towww.McPubDesigns.comas low as$15/mo.Or call usTODAY at320-864-5518for a DEMOof our Software!Examples: www.alsautosales.com • www.locherbros.com • www.firstglencoe.org