March came in like a lamb and the mild temperatures continued this week. Steady rain moved into the area Tuesday and it was predicted that the wet weather would linger into Friday. Sun and temperatures above 40-degrees are in the forecast for this weekend.

Thomas Fadden, of New Prague, was hired by the City. He is currently employed as a police officer for the Three Rivers Park District. According to City Administrator Kevin McCann, the Three Rivers Park District involves several metro area park reserves.

Fadden will assume duties here on April 5th. The City Council agreed to set his wage at $51,350. Council members voted against a proposed severance package for Fadden.

Five months ago, the City Council chose to begin the process of terminating Dale Roiger who served as Police Chief here since 2000. Roiger is currently facing charges for allegedly planting a “bug” in the Chamber office in 2007. Council members believed that charge and Roiger’s history of misconduct left them no alternative.

Roiger is challenging the City’s decision to have his position terminated. A Veterans Preference Act hearing for Roiger is scheduled for March 19th. Should the three member panel side with Roiger, the City would be required to reinstate him with the department.

With Roiger’s status with the City still unknown, it was proposed that the candidate for chief be offered a six month severance package. McCann said this was proposed because the candidate would like some assurance if Roiger is reinstated. The severance would have only applied in the case of Roiger being reinstated.

Council members Jessica Uecker, Brenda Pautsch and Chad Muchow voted against offering a severance package. Council member Carl Wetzel was in favor of offering severance pay. Wetzel said Fadden was leaving a good job to take this position so offering a severance package was professional courtesy. He also believed the City’s chances of having to pay severance to Fadden were minimal.

Fadden, who was at Wednesday’s meeting, eventually agreed to accept the position without a severance package.

The City Council then voted 3-2 to hire Fadden with Mayor Doug Quast casting the deciding vote. Pautsch and Muchow voted in favor of the hiring while Wetzel and Uecker were opposed.

Wetzel believes Fadden is a good candidate but felt a severance package should be included in the hiring.

Uecker meanwhile wanted the City to wait until Roiger’s case is resolved. She believes the City will know an outcome on that case by the end of this month.

Fadden was one of nineteen candidates that applied for the Police Chief position. McCann and interim chief Kevin Guggisberg were part of a committee that interviewed eight candidates. Others on the interview committee included Pat Nienaber (Sibley County Chief Deputy), Bruce Froehlich (Winthrop Police Chief), Don Lannoye (Gaylord City Attorney), Doug Quast (Gaylord Mayor) and council member Pat Pinske.

Fadden has been involved in law enforcement for nearly 20 years. He served as an officer in New Prague for 15 years. Fadden also was a police officer in Eagan and a Carver County Deputy Sheriff.

Council members approved final plans and specifications for the project and authorized Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) to begin the bidding process.

Streets scheduled to be improved include:
• Linden Avenue from Eighth Street to TH 22 (Sixth Street);
• Park Avenue from Eighth Street to TH 22 (Sixth Street);
• Court Avenue from Eighth Street to TH 22 (Sixth Street), and from TH 22 (Sixth Street) to Third Street;
• Seventh Street from Linden Avenue to Elm Avenue;
• Cleveland Avenue from Park Avenue to Court Avenue;
• West half of Third Street from Court Avenue to Jefferson Avenue;

Justin Black of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH), at a public meeting last month, presented plans for the project. He displayed which areas will have street improvements only and which areas will have complete reconstruction of utilities and streets due to aging infrastructure.

Sidewalk work was the primary concern among the 25 residents who attended the public hearing at City Hall. There was testimony both for and against sidewalk plans.

Black showed two options the City is considering for sidewalk work in conjunction with the street project. According to Black, some current sidewalks in the project area do not meet standards. It is being proposed that the City construct 6-foot wide sidewalks in some areas. This would be another step in making Gaylord more “pedestrian friendly,” Black explained.

City Administrator Kevin McCann reported Monday that the council members are still in the process of establishing a sidewalk policy or ordinance.

Sidewalks have become a common theme at public hearings for street/utility improvement projects in Gaylord. This has prompted the City to look into adopting a policy to better guide the development of sidewalks and trails in Gaylord.

According to City Administrator Kevin McCann, the policy would be used to guide the location of sidewalks and trails within city limits. It is the intention of this policy to make it possible and safe for people who opt to walk or bike around the community. Sidewalks should lead to important features in town such as parks, trails, schools, and business center, McCann explained.

Sidewalk work will be included in the bidding process for the 2010 street and utility improvement project, McCann explained. But, that doesn’t mean the City is committed to doing the work, he explained.

A bid opening for the street and utility improvement project is set for April 1st. An assessment hearing is scheduled for May 5th and construction on the project could begin later that month.

Gaylord will be hosting its fourth Kids Against Hunger packaging event Wednesday, April 7 at the Gaylord American Legion. The public is invited to participate by volunteering to package food or to give monetary donations to help purchase ingredients for packaging. Volunteers ages 5 to 105 are welcomed to help. Packaging will take place in two shifts, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. and from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The event is being coordinated by Shirley Nelson and Vicki Boerner.

Each package of food costs 90 cents and will feed six people. For example, a $75 donation will help feed 500 people.

The Gaylord Legion is donating the use of its facility for the packaging event.

Due to the economy, the Gaylord event will only be able to package as much as has been collected in donations. It is the goal to raise $7,000 at the Gaylord event. Donations must be received by April 5.

Donations are welcomed from individuals and various organizations. Checks should be made payable to Kids Against Hunger and may be sent to Vicki Boerner, P.O. Box 773, Gaylord, MN 55334.

The Stewart satellite of Kids Against Hunger is a 401(c)3 non profit organization. 100% of the donations are used to pay for the ingredients and packages. The Stewart organization is operated by John Neisen. All labor, equipment, and administration efforts are provided by volunteers.

“We want this to be a community effort,” Nelson explained. The packaging effort this time will have the entire packaging and sealing process in rows of several long tables, she said. In the past, the packaging and sealing were done in separate areas.

This is the fourth packaging event in Gaylord. The last time it was held here was April 30, 2008 at Sibley East Junior High School. The previous two packaging events were held at the former Gaylord City Hall, which is now remodeled into the Gaylord Public Library.

The Stewart satellite of Kids Against Hunger has already sent two loads of 200,000 meals each to Haiti, along with medical supplies.

Kids Against Hunger food packages are shipped by a mission group or third party organization. Neisen checks out the organization to make sure the food goes to those in need, Nelson explained.

It is unknown where the food packaged in Gaylord will be shipped. However, a portion of the food packaged will be kept at the County Food Shelf.

There were 142 building permits issued in 2009, down from 184 in 2008.

One permit for a new single family home was issued in the City of Gaylord in 2009. There were no permits for new single family homes issued in 2008.

Last year, there were two permits issued for housing remodels, three for residential garages, five for decks, one for a shed, and one for demolition.

The valuation of the residential construction in the City was $526,730, compared to $278,386 in 2008.

In 2008, there were 12 permits issued for housing remodels, four for residential garages, five for decks, three for miscellaneous, and one for demolition.

The value of commercial/industrial construction in 2009 was $846,165, down significantly from $6,111,896 in 2008. In 2009, the commercial/industrial permits included three for new buildings, one for remodel, one for shed/pole building, four for miscellaneous, and one for demolition.

Permits issued in 2008 for commercial/industrial property included seven permits for new buildings, two for remodels, five for miscellaneous, and one for demolition.

There was one public and institutional permit issued in 2009, with the valuation of $64,000. There were no public and institutional permits issued in 2008.

The value for miscellaneous permits totaled $1,577,583.52 in 2009, up from $552,684 in 2008. Last year there were 48 permits issued for roofing, 26 for rewindow, 18 for mechanical, 13 for residing, 10 for plumbing, and three for miscellaneous.

In 2008, there were 41 permits issued for roofing, 35 for mechanical, 27 for rewindow, 20 for plumbing, 15 for residing, an six for miscellaneous.

Peterson retired from volunteer service February 24 after 26 years. She has provided residents and families with weekly meditations and memorial services at the facilities.

Prior to volunteering at the former Lakeview Home and now Oak Terrace Health Care Center, Peterson worked in the activities department for several years in the early 1980’s. “When I worked there, we had meditations in the dining room because there was no chapel,” she recalled. “It used to be mid afternoon, with coffee following.”

At that time, Peterson remembered that there was a piano in the dining room. When she worked there, Peterson would play piano when the late Elvira Battcher would lead the devotions.

“After my husband passed away I started volunteering at least one afternoon per week,” Peterson remembered. “I wasn’t going to stay home and mope around.”

Peterson mostly helped with meditations, which were held each Wednesday afternoon. “I got to know the residents. They were part of your family. I got to know a lot of residents and families,” she said.

The chapel was constructed when the former Gaylord Community Hospital was remodeled into the Oak Terrace Apartments. Since the chapel was constructed, the meditations have been held there, she said. “The chapel is nice because it is a secluded area. The dining room was a busy place and not very solemn,” Peterson said. She said, however, that it was more work for the staff to get the residents to the chapel for the activity. After the services moved to the chapel, Peterson did not play organ. Delores Jackson and Marge Matthiae would often play for her.

About 10-12 residents usually attended meditations, which were never more than a half hour. Meditations consisted of three hymns, a short meditation, and a prayer.

After retiring, Marian Pfarr-Saxton and Kathy Wiste have been leading the meditations.

“I just thought I’ve been doing this for 26 years and decided it would be good to have someone new coming in,” Peterson said.

“If people knew how much fun volunteering can be,” Peterson said. “You feel good about it and the residents become your friends. It’s a good thing for everyone to do in some capacity. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

The open house will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Members of the Pool Task Force and City officials will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be displays of options for the proposed aquatic center.

A new or improved pool has been a priority for the City. Its current facility, which is more than 40 years old, is deteriorating and maintenance costs are continually increasing. It has been reported that to bring the pool “up to code” would cost an estimated $1.5 million.

The proposed Gaylord Area Aquatic Center is estimated to cost $2.75 million. Gaylord residents, in a March 30th referendum, will have the opportunity to decide whether or not the City bonds for the project. Voters will be asked if the City should be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $995,000 to defray costs for a new swimming pool and related facilities.

Lisa Pfarr, Sibley County Auditor, told commissioners that the anticipated state reductions would be worse than anticipated if the Governor’s budget proposal is approved.

Sibley County was certified to receive $543,619 in County Program Aid from the state in 2010 and $770,248 in estimated 2010 market value credit aid.

Sibley County learned last year that $270,593 would be cut in the County Program Aid.

However, it wasn’t until late last month that Pfarr was informed that Sibley County may lose its entire County Program Aid (an additional $273,026) plus $224,576 in market value credit aid.

Under the Governor’s proposal, all counties would be cut an additional 4.35%. However, the proposed reductions would find 19 counties, including Sibley County, without any County Program Aid.

The Governor proposes to cut market value credit aid in 19 counties. Pfarr explained, that the formula for market value credit aid is set by the state, and in the past, has been applied to the taxpayer’s property tax bill. If the reduction is made, there will be less credit for the taxpayers on their property tax bill.

Sibley County was able to levy $310,000 in County Program Aid that was cut in 2008 and 2009. This is included in the 2010 budget under revenue, Pfarr said.

Although state cuts will be made this year, Pfarr said that the impact of the reductions will be felt even more in 2011 and 2012.

Brendyn Michaletz was charged last Wednesday in Sibley County District Court with assault of Zachary Dahl. The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison, $20,000 fine or both.

Bail was set Thursday at $10,000 cash or $100,000 bond. He is to have no contact with his step-father and stay away from the residence of the victim. He may pick up supplies at home with law enforcement.

The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Dahl residence, 10461 10th Street in New Auburn March 2 at 8:38 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, Michaletz’s mother Dana overheard an argument between Brendyn and Dahl. She then observed struggle between the two in the kitchen.

In the complaint, Michaletz’s mother described Brendyn as a “high functioning autistic” who was on several medications. He is currently a student at Glencoe-Silver Lake High School. Michaletz allegedly told his mother previously that he wanted to kill or stab Dahl, according to the complaint.

Dahl told law enforcement that an argument occurred between the two because Michaletz wanted to use the Internet. Dahl said he told him that since he didn’t have a job, he was expected to work in the house and do chores four hours per day.

Dahl was treated for knife injuries to his neck, by New Auburn Rescue, Glencoe Ambulance, and the Glencoe Hospital. Dahl was treated and released from the hospital.

Michaletz’s next court appearance is set for March 11.

County Commissioners, last month, hired Revize of Michigan to serve as the vendor for Sibley County’s Web site. The current vendor, Zangco of Burnsville, went out of business, explained Beth Wilson, information services director.

Sibley County will be charged a one time fee of $1,350 and an annual fee of $2,100. The one time fee includes the content management system, Web site design, customized banner, color schedule, 20 editors and administrative users, and Web calendar, rotating picture and message gallery, polling survey, form creator and training, and a charge for developing intranet service, which provides for inter-department communication.

The previous vendor, in 2009, charged a one-time fee of $6,000 and monthly fees totaling $1,800. Zangco had served as the County’s Web site vendor the past two years, Wilson said.

Wilson estimated that it may take until late spring or early summer for the re-designed Sibley County Web site to be completed. Sibley County’s Web address will remain the same at www.co.sibley.mn.us.

There are several features designated by the County’s technology committee that may be added at a later time for additional fees. They are a shopping cart, e-mail newsletter application, incorporate social networking technologies, support RSS fees, and parks and rec shelter reservation application.

Sibley County has had a Web site for at least 10 years, according to Wilson.