City of Austin Mower County Austin Public Schools Mower SWCD-CRWD
NEWS Fall 2020
City of Austin
NEWS Austin Public Schools Mower County
Fall 2020
Mower SWCD-CRWD
Austin’s in-person voting Nov. 3 set for Holiday Inn Voting on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 In-person voting for all City of Austin residents will be at the Holiday Inn Conference Center at 1701 Fourth St. N.W. in Austin. Voters should enter on the center’s west side. Consolidation of polling places is due to COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting school buildings from being used as polling places. At the Holiday Inn Conference Center, voters will be required to wear masks in the building. Curbside voting, office in Austin City Hall, 500 Fourth however, will be offered for voters Ave. N.E. You must drop off the ballot who cannot or prefer not to wear a no later than 3 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 2. mask while voting. The City of Austin thanks the volunteer election judges for their dedicaAbsentee Voting – tion and hard work during this time. Now through Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 For voting questions, contact City Mower County’s Elections Office Clerk Ann Kasel at 507-437-9940. is in Austin City Hall, 500 Fourth Ave. N.E. and open for absentee voting from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be open extra hours to absentee, in-person voters on: •
Sat., Oct. 24 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
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Tue., Oct. 27 and Thur., Oct. 29 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
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Sat., Oct. 31 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
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Mon., Nov. 2 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Austin Fire gives seasonal reminders Keep snow from hydrants
During winter, it is important to make sure fire hydrants are not obstructed by ice and heavy snowfall. It is the property owner’s responsibility to clear snow and ice from a 3-foot area around the fire hydrant on their property. This keeps hydrants accessible during emergencies and reduces fire safety hazards. If friends or neighbors are elderly or have medical conditions, please consider helping them keep any hydrant clear on their property.
test your smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Every level of your home as well as every sleeping area should have a smoke alarm.
Carbon monoxide Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can be detected by a carbon monoxide detector that should be located within 10 feet of sleeping areas. This highly toxic, colorless and odorless gas can overtake a person without them even knowing it. If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, call 911 or the Austin Fire Department at 507-433-3405. Test alarms, change batteries In November, we again will change Do not burn leaves in city our clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Burning leaves is never allowed in At this time, you should test your the City of Austin and not considered a smoke alarms and change the alarms’ method of disposal. batteries. Every month, it is recommendPlease take your leaves to the city’s leaf-disposal site. ed to gently clean, visually inspect and
Absentee Ballot Drop Off – Now through Nov. 2, 2020 If you received an absentee ballot in the mail, now is the time to return the ballot so your vote is counted. You can send it via mail in the prepaid return envelope included in your ballot pack or you can drop off the ballot in person at the Mower County Elections
Election Judge Gwen staffs the secure ballot dropbox Oct. 6 on the main floor of City Hall.
Austin Pacelli fifth-grader Autumn Drennan stands with Austin Fire Department Inspector Tim Hansen, left, and Fire Chief Jim McCoy, after her fire prevention poster (shown in the bottom right) was chosen as an honorable mention winner in the state competition.
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Tips for helping city’s stormwater system By Keith Bollinger Stormwater/GIS Specialist, City of Austin
It is that time of year again when we wake up to cool mornings, head to the woods or swamps for hunting and enjoy the picture-perfect fall colors. Everyone enjoys the fall colors around town, but, when these leaves fall off trees, it’s time to rake. Keep leaves out of street Raking your leaves is vital for your lawn’s health and for water quality. Dead leaves scattered throughout your lawn are packed full of nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen. If those nutrients end up in the local waterways, they can lead to dangerous algae blooms, large fish kills and harmful water contamination. Raking and keeping leaves away from storm drains helps protect our rivers, lakes and streams. You can drop leaves and yard waste at the city’s leaf-disposal site off U.S. 218 North at 27th Avenue Northwest. The site, which opened Sept. 19, is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. It will remain open through Nov. 29. Phosphorus-free fertilizing Fall is the perfect time to apply one last round of fertilizer to your lawn before winter. That’s because plants in fall are absorbing all the nutrients they can before the first snow fall. When choosing a fertilizer for your lawn, please consider buying fertilizer that does not contain phosphorus. When applying the fertilizer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Lastly, if fertilizer falls on a sidewalk or other hard surface, please clean it right away to prevent
Volunteers gather Sept. 12 at the end of litter cleanup organized by the Austin Human Rights Commission at Rotary Centennial Park along Eighth Avenue Southeast. The cleanup was part of the commission’s Welcoming Week.
Litter grabbers in use this fall City of Austin’s Public Works clears leaves from the side of a street in early October in northwest Austin.
fertilizer from entering storm drains. Avoid being ‘too salty’ in winter This winter, you will need to apply de-icing salt to sidewalks, driveways and outside steps to ensure safety. City staff encourage moderation in applying deicing salt. As salt melts ice and snow, the chloride in salt mixes with the snow and ice melt as it drains into the city’s stormwater drains that lead directly to Austin’s rivers and lakes. If there are excessive amounts of deicing salt, the amount of chloride in the melted snow and ice increases immensely. That can lead to contaminated drinking water, large fish kills and harm native aquatic plants. Excess salt on roadways and sidewalks also can pose danger to pets and wildlife who have an increased chance of ingesting the salt that could cause sickness or death. Here are tips for using less salt: • Manually remove as much snow and ice as reasonably possible before applying salt. • Make sure the salt works under the conditions when you applied it. • Consider targeting problem areas instead of spreading salt broadly.
Volunteers have been active this summer and fall in the community, cleaning up parks, trails and shorelines. What has helped them greatly are the 20 litter grabbers with a 4-foot reach funded in 2019 by a grant from the Austin Area Foundation. One of these cleanups was organized by the Austin Human Rights Commission as part of its “Welcoming
Week.” This volunteer cleanup used the litter grabbers at Rotary Centennial Park along the Cedar River. Those interested in borrowing litter grabbers for a community cleanup are encouraged to contact Austin Park & Rec at 507-433-1881. Austin Public Library has five litter grabbers available to check out with a library card.
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Austin Police offer reminders on snow parking, scams By David McKichan Chief, Austin Police Dept.
Austin Police are here to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please contact Austin police at 507-437-9400, if you have non-emergency questions. Snow-removal parking ordinance During snow emergencies, it is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle on designated downtown streets or parking lots from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. In most other areas of the city during a snow emergency, vehicles may be parked between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. the next morning on the road’s evennumbered side on even-numbered days of the month, and on the odd-numbered side on oddnumbered days. Remember that Chief David McKichan just because a snowplow has gone down your street, it does not mean the crew is finished clearing snow in your area. The snow-ordinance hours remain in effect.
las áreas que incluyen Sterling Shopping Center; Austin Medical Center y la zona Este del Distrito comercial. En caso de declararse una Emergencia de Nieve durante una nevada, entre 1:00 y 8:00 AM no se podrá estacionar en las calles ubicadas en estas áreas mientras limpien y despejen las calles. También existirán restricciones en los lotes de estacionamientos del centro de la ciudad durante el mismo período. Los siguientes 2 lotes de estacionamientos han sido designados para estacionarse durante una emergencia de nieve: • Lote del Alberca municipal (sur ½ • Lote de Brick Furniture Pautas Durante Emergencia de Nieve En las áreas que no han sido designadas como rutas durante una emergencia de nieve, podrá estacionarse a un solo lado de la calle y alternando con la fecha. Esto quiere decir que si la fecha de ese día es un día impar, deberá estacionarse del lado de la calle donde los números de las casas también sean impar desde las 8 AM de ese días hasta las 8 AM del día siguiente y si la fecha de ese día es un día par, deberá estacionarse del lado de la calle donde los números de las casas también sean par desde las 8 AM de ese días hasta las 8 AM del día siguiente. Típicamente se declara Emergencia de nieve cuando a nevado más de 4 pulgadas. Una Emergencia de Nieve estará en efecto por 72 horas, a no ser que la cancelen las autoridades de la ciudad.
cle’s title. There are steps to follow for your protection from a situation like this. Go in person with the buyer/seller to the local Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services to transfer the title. If you are unable to do that, follow these steps: 1) Complete all information on the title’s back side. 2) Record the buyer’s full information on the bottom back of your title under, “Sellers Notice of Sale,” and tear off this section to keep. 3) You have 10 days to report a vehicle sale to Department of Public Safety at dvs.dps.mn.gov or 651-284-1234.
services; a threat that a government agency will take action against you if you fail to do it; or a promise to unlock some “winnings” only if you send money. A criminal often asks the victim to send them numbers off the card by email or phone. Once this occurs. the money has transferred to the criminal, and it is nearly impossible to trace or recover it. No reputable organization or agency will ever ask for payment via gift cards or pre-loaded credit cards. Jails and police departments will not accept those for bail; utility companies do not want Amazon or eBay gift card numbers for payment; and your coworker can find time to buy their own cards for their child’s birthday party. Do not trust any email or phone call in which someone asks you to buy these cards and send them the numbers. Again, if anyone contacts you and asks you to pay them via pre-loaded gift or credit cards, it is a scam. Do not mail these cards to an unknown person and never give anyone the card numbers over the phone or via email. More information on how to spot a scam is offered online by the state: www.ag.state.mn.us/Brochures/ pubHowtoSpotaScam.pdf
Scam phone calls unfortunate drawbacks to our digital age is criminals taking advantage of these platforms and technology to part innocent victims from their money. Due to how these transactions are done, it makes it nearly impossible for law enforcement to successfully pursue the matter after financial harm has been done. Our best tool is education and trying to stop these thefts before they occur. One of the most-common current Durante una emergencia de nieve crimes seen by Austin Police involves a No se puede estacionar entre 1 AM y 8 criminal asking the victim to purchase a AM en calles designadas gift card or pre-loaded credit card at a Bajo ordenanzas local retailer. At times, the request can Pautas Durante Emergencia de Nieve appear to come from a supervisor or Other online resources on scams and Selling or buying a vehicle and Las rutas designadas durante una coworker who is “too busy” to purchase schemes are available on the Minnesota transfering the vehicle’s title emergencia de nieve son por lo general Austin Police often hears from people them and wants the victim to do it. At Attorney General’s website: en el centro de la ciudad donde está el www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/ who sold a vehicle in the past year and other times, the transaction is tied to comercio, pero también se extiende hasta some bill payment and a threat to stop Publications.asp the new owner never transferred the vehi-
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NEWS Nature center goes to schools, stays busy during pandemic By Luke Reese Director, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
center has remained busy: • Nature center staff have been excited Financial support still is needed for to work with local elementary the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s proschools to bring our programming to gramming, especially with the Friends of them because students are not able at the Hormel Nature Center’s annual this time to come out to the center Thanksgiving Feast being canceled for for their usual fall field trips due to this fall due to COVID-19. COVID-19 precautions. Donations will support the nature center in continuing to offer the program- • While the nature center’s honeybees are terrible at social distancing, they ming visitors count on. did a great producing honey this Visit the nature center's website — summer. Come to the nature center www.hormelnaturecenter.org — to view to buy fresh, local raw honey. Prothe different ways you can support the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center through the ceeds from sales go to the Friends of Friends organization. the Hormel Nature Center. Goats provided by Gus Maxfield eat invasive buckthorn in part of the nature center’s woods in September. While the pandemic has canceled • This fall, area resident Gus Maxfield much programming in 2020, the nature brought his goats to the nature center so we could see how good the goats are at removing buckthorn, an invasive shrub that has taken over most of the woods at the nature center. •
Nature center staff visit an Austin school this fall to show how to press apples into apple cider.
New curling stones at Packer Arena New curling stones at Packer Arena funded by a grant from The Hormel Foundation feature “Kwik-Cool” technology to save ice time. This modernizing of the age-old, granite-stone sport will enable the Mower County Curling Club to make use of ice at Packer Arena on Wednesday evenings, and — as hockey tourney schedules allow —Sunday afternoons.
In October, a few of the nature center’s prairies had dried out enough to get a controlled burn. Burning the prairies rejuvenates them and kills trees and shrubs that — if left unchecked — could turn the center’s Part of the nature center’s honeybee operation. Its prairies into forest. raw honey is for sale at the nature center.
Unlike in the past, the new curling stones essentially eliminate “down time” for the ice. Traditional curling stones took about two hours to cool to the ice surface temperature, which affected scheduling. Anyone be interested in trying or regularly participating in curling as a rostered player or a substitute can make inquiry by e-mailing Nathan at: MowerCountyCurlingClub@gmail.com
Mower County Curling Club will have ice and curling available for them starting in early November. Little or nothing is needed for your own equipment, and the activity is acceptable to many across the age spectrum.
A controlled burn lights up part of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s prairie in early October.
Home-buyer aid available If you plan to buy a home soon, the Austin-Mower County Homeownership Fund (AMCHF) could provide you financial assistance. Any resident of Mower County may apply for a low-interest loan to help cover the down payment and/or closing costs if they meet the following criteria: • Home being purchased is in Mower County and has a purchase price of $140,000 or less. • Income from all sources for everyone living in the residence is under $78,900 for one to two people and $89,985 for three or more people in
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the household. Maximum loan amount is $4,000 for up to five years with a 2% interest rate. Loan repayments must be made automatically from the applicant’s checking or savings account.
In special circumstances, the Loan Review Committee of AMCHF reserves the right to make loans outside the general boundaries listed above. For more information, contact the city’s Tom Dankert at (507) 437-9959 or by email at: tdankert@ci.austin.mn.us
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NEWS Federal CARES Act provides local relief throughout county One recipient of a $10,000 nonprofit grant was the Mower County Senior Center. Prior to COVID, the center CARES Act federal funding (Coronavirus Aid, Re- served between 50 to 100 meals a day on site. From late March through July, the center made more lief, and Economic Security Act) has been than 700 meals a day delivered by one of the most-positive things for providSMART buses and local volunteer driving economic assistance during the ers, including county employees. COVID-19 pandemic. Hormel Foods bought another 250 Each state was given a share of this meals a day from local restaurants, bringrelief funding and then redistributed funds ing the total meals delivered per day to to state-managed relief programs and local 950. Hundreds of volunteers helped keep governments, including counties, cities, seniors countywide safe at home. townships and schools. Schieck Dental was one of more than Mower County received $4.9 million 100 small businesses to receive a CARES in CARES funding to reimburse local grant. Like many businesses, dental officunits of government for expenses related to responding to the effect of the COVIDes were affected by the shutdown and 19 outbreak and provide economic relief planning needed to reopen safely. A volunteer loads meals onto a in our county. “To reopen, we implemented a numAbout 40 percent of those funds were SMART bus for delivery to seniors. ber of new protocols for staff and patient dedicated by Mower County for economic relief for indi- safety,” said Dr. Tucker Schieck. “We installed an airviduals, families, nonprofits and small businesses. purification system and put physical barriers in place that To date, Mower County has dedicated: ensure safe spaces for staff and patients. It has been a $270,000 to local schools physical, emotional and financial challenge for all.” $250,000 to nonprofits Another CARES-funded program was utility assis$1 million to small businesses tance. Mower County partnered with Austin Utilities and $500,000 to individual and family relief, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative to provide grant relief to such as utilities, housing and food support those who historically have been current on their utility By Trish Harren Administrator, Mower County
Dr. Tucker Schieck, of Schieck Dental, works on a patient under new COVID-19 safety protocols. The business received CARES Act support.
bill but fell behind this year due to COVID. “We reached out to customers who were negatively impacted by COVID but may not have had an opportunity for other utility assistance. The program was very appreciated,” Austin Utilities General Manager Mark Nibaur said. Mower County has focused most remaining CARES funds on expenses to enable compliance with COVID-19 public-health precautions and improve telework capabilities for employees and public access online to services.
Mower County Veterans Services hires new officer Mower County Veterans Services has a new leader. Rodney Streich, who served active duty time for the Army Minnesota National Guard before retiring in February 2019, is the new Veterans Services officer. Streich, who worked for area agricultural businesses and has an ag degree from the University of WisconsinRiver Falls, has a Rodney Streich hobby farm with Veterans Services Officer his wife and daughter near West Concord, Minn., with bee hives, chickens, goats and horses. He can be reached at 507-434-2712 or by email: rods@co.mower.mn.us
CVSOs are the primary resources to help veterans identify the benefits for which they qualify and to begin the application process. There are 92 CVSO offices throughout Minnesota. To apply for benefits, you need your DD214 or discharge papers. Your CVSO also can help you find your DD214, request your DD214 from another state, obtain a replacement copy or locate it in the national archives. Programs noted with “Visit the Website” below and contact the CVSO office closest to you. www.macvso.org/directory.aspx
Interactive, live chats. Online answers to more than 450 different questions. One-on-one calls. These are just a few of the ways LinkVet can help Minnesota veterans get information, answers and the support they need to access state and federal programs and benefits. Programs noted with Contact LinkVet either via online or phone: MinnesotaVeteran.org 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838)
The MDVA Benefits Team is available to assist veterans and eligible family members access programs and benefits. Help from the Benefits Team specifically can help in the areas of specialneeds assistance, temporary shelters along with more. Programs noted with Contact an MDVA Benefits specialist at 651-296-2562
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Mower County makes record progress with septics Aiming to protect groundwater and Numerous SSTS upgrades have been local lakes and streams, Mower County happening because of a strong real-estate made record progress this year in working market that prompts review of existing with property owners to get their septic septic systems at the time of property systems into compliance. transfers. Others were voluntary. Mower County expects a total of 123 This all is part of an effort launched subsurface sewage treatment systems earlier this year by the Mower County (SSTS) installed this construction season, Board to complete the final said Angela Lipelt, superviphase of the county’s longsor of Mower County Envirunning initiative to ronmental Services. achieve septic compliance If all those systems are countywide. The Mower installed, the 2021 conCounty Board has commitstruction season will begin ted more resources in 2020 without any carry-over to SSTS compliance efforts SSTS projects. This conand public education. struction season followed In June, the county an unusually low number board opted to change its of systems installed in 2019 septic-loan policy to fund due to overly wet condi90% of costs for a qualifytions that created a difficult ing septic system. year for construction. This year, Mower Progress also was made County has approved 28 this summer on Turtle This summer, a new septic Creek II to provide munici- system is installed in the area.. septic-loan applications, earmarking about pal sewer services to 40 properties annexed into the City of Austin. $468,121 in septic-loan funds to local landowners for replacing their failing sepTurtle Creek I a few years ago annexed and connected city sewer to 36 properties. tic systems.
Low-interest loans for replacing septic systems in Mower County Mower County Environmental Services 1105 8th Ave. N.E. in Austin 507-437-7718; www.co.mower.mn.us/public-works-main.html
Tips for fall septic maintenance, protection Mower County staff urge septic system owners to follow all recommendations for fall maintenance. October is an ideal time to get a septic tank pumped because, once heavy snow covers the area, locating the system’s cover becomes difficult. Septic owners who need to pump their tank should do that soon as pumping should be avoided from November to April, unless there’s an emergency. Once every three years is recommended to have a septic professional check your tank. Most owners will have their tank pumped at the same time to remove all solids to avoid accumulation that causes home backups or other problems. Septic professionals typically also will inspect the tank for damage or leaks; ensure the lid is secure and water-tight; check the tank baffles; clean the filter (if there is one); replace faulty pumps and motors; check electrical wiring and alarms; and inspect the drainfield. Other tips for fall and winter maintenance: • Keep maintenance cover’s area clear to make septic tank easily accessible. • Heavy equipment, vehicles and repetitive activities (i.e. snowmobiling and dirt biking) should be kept off a drainfield to avoid damage or premature failure. Push and riding lawnmowers are OK to mow the drainfield when soils are dry. • Trees and shrubs should not be planted on or near a septic system because roots will break through the pipes. Septic landscaping tips are available online.
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Mower County 4-H adjusts to pandemic shutdown of fair By Maxwell Herrera & Toby Neal Mower County 4-H/Youth Development Extension Educators
With COVID-19 continuing to hinder Mower County 4-H’s normal schedule of events for the year, the Mower County Fair was canceled due to health concerns. Mower County 4-H youth and volunteers, though, still wanted to provide opportunities for youth to exhibit their projects and receive recognition for their hard work. The Extension office, local officials and volunteers worked together to host showcase events Aug. 1-5, and Aug. 8 for livestock, horse and static projects. Six livestock project shows featuring more than 170 livestock entries and a horse show featuring 21 riders happened
in person during the week. Static projects were judged mals — the auction was hosted over a five-day period in a virtual format and drew more than 70 projects. in late August, with 73 lots. Overall, the auction raised During any live exhibition, Mower more than $18,000 for 4-Hers and the MowCounty 4-H and families abided by all er County 4-H program. Local businesses, health guidelines provided to protect parlarge companies and individuals gave donaticipants. Judges commented on the high tions to support Mower County 4-H. quality of the exhibits during the showcase Staff are grateful to the families, volunby 4-Hers. Many youth accepted state fair teers, businesses, Mower County Fair trips and represented Mower County 4-H Board and Mower County Board of Comat adjusted, state-level competitions. missioners who supported 4-H in “learning For the first time, Mower County’s by doing” for all our youth. As we head annual livestock ribbon auction was coninto the new 4-H membership year, we are ducted online. In a partnership between the working on ways to engage youth in learn4-H program and Steffes Group Inc. — a local vendor ing while meeting pandemic safety guidelines. specializing in cyber sales of farm equipment and aniFor more on Mower County 4-H, call (507) 437-9552.
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HHS hires new director, rises to COVID challenges By Crystal Peterson Director, Mower County Health & Human Services
as the HHS director since 2014. Overall, Kocer served with Mower County for more than 32 If I had to use one word to describe Mower County years. She retired Aug. 28, 2020, Health & Human Services’ atmosphere during the on her 35th anniversary of becomCOVID-19 pandemic, it would be “synergy.” ing a nurse. We wish our strong Everywhere you turn, our team is working together leader the best in her wellto best meet the community’s needs during this difficult deserved retirement. time and supporting one another on every level. Prior to Kocer’s departure, I Our team has worked tirelessly to assist community was fortunate to be selected as her partners with advice and best practice for COVID-19 Crystal Peterson successor. I have been with HHS protocols, filling essential-services requests; finding Director, HHS for the past eight years. unique, innovative ways to meet client needs and planMy career with Mower County ning for internal changes at our agency all while continstarted as a social worker providing home visiting for uing to serve their typical duties. high-risk families. I then transitioned to the SHIP coorAmong the internal changes at Health & Human Services was the retirement of Lisa Kocer, who served dinator role prior to accepting a supervisory position in
4-H launches Spanish technology program A new class instructed in Spanish nator Jessica Moreno had conversations seeks to help parents from the local La- with Latino parents who shared how tino community learn how to use tech- they struggle with school technology. nology, especially during the pandemic After schools were closed in March when schools have taught online. due to COVID-19, many parents were Mower County 4-H, University of not aware their children still had assignMinnesota Extension and the Austin ments and virtual classes. Without paPublic Library have partnered to offer rental support, students did not engage the weekly classes from 6:30 p.m. to in the education provided by schools. 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at the library, Moreno’s role with 4-H is to engage 323 Fourth Ave. N.E. in Austin. youth from diverse backgrounds in after Parents will learn how to -school learning, especially in create an email and use the the areas of science, technoloschools’ virtual or online platgy, engineering and mathematforms for instruction. After ics. Her drive for engaging the class, attendees will get a youth in learning led her to tour of the library to help get reconsider how she could help. them familiar with all of the Understanding the Latino library’s resources. community’s needs, Moreno COVID-19 safety protoreached out to Julie Clinecols will be followed, includfelter, director of the Austin ing class sizes limited to four Jessica Moreno Public Library, which led to to six people per session. STEM Coordinator the new weekly program. During the pandemic, For more information, conmany problems have arisen in Mower tact Jessica Moreno at Mower County 4county communities, but some were H at 507-437-9550 or email at: amplified in the Latino community. jvazquez@umn.edu Mower County 4-H STEM coordi-
2017. My undergraduate degree is in social work with a master’s degree in public health. Being named director, which incorporates both of my passions, has been my long standing career goal. While COVID certainly has changed the way we do business, it hasn’t changed the hard work and dedication of the staff I am honored now to call “my team.” I am eager to settle in to my new role and work along side my partners to ensure HHS continues to thrive. For community services offered by Health & Human Services, go online to: www.mowercountyhhs.com
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NEWS Austin Public Schools urges voters to learn about operating referendum Austin Public Schools’ mission is to “Engage, Empower, and Inspire” every learner, every day. Through the hard work of staff and students, APS has grown to become a school district recognized statewide as a leader in innovation providing opportunities for academic excellence and engagement. Austin Public Schools has been fortunate the past 17 years to not need to ask for an increased referendum value. As of today, Austin’s per pupil operating referendum is $42.70 — the lowest in the Big 9 Conference and far below the conference’s $800 average value per school district. In Minnesota, the average for public school districts passing a referendum is more than $1,040. If passed, the Austin Public Schools’ operating referendum value would be $547 per pupil — still below the average for districts in the Big 9. Please understand that asking for this referendum was not an easy decision for Austin Public Schools leadership. In the past year, the district has worked diligently to identify and implement cost-savings measures that have helped save nearly $1.6 million but that still has not been enough
to offset losses tied to lower-thananticipated student enrollment. Upon the referendum’s passage, APS revenues would increase by $2.8 million per year. Out of that new funding, 49 percent would come from state aid and 51 percent from the local levy. This means — if voters approve the referendum Nov. 3 — the state would pay about half or $1.372 million of the overall $2.8 million in new funding per year. APS only gets this additional state aid if the referendum passes. The property tax impact of this referendum for a home with a market value of $100,000 would be an increase of only $7.97 per month; for a $125,000 home that would be only $9.95 per month. If the referendum vote fails, APS will need to make more budget cuts and cost-savings measures. Cuts most likely would involve reducing the number of employee positions, increasing class sizes and narrowing the scope of program and course offerings. For a video presentation, frequently asked questions, a property tax-impact calculator and more, visit the “Referendum 2020” site: https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/ referendum2020
A teacher uses Woodson Kindergarten Center’s outdoor classroom area this fall.
What is the average operating referendum in Minnesota for districts with a referendum? The state average operating referendum is $1,040 per pupil. Austin Public Schools’ operating referendum now is only $42 per pupil. The Big 9 Conference average is $857 per pupil. What is Austin Public Schools proposing? For the Nov. 3 general election, school district residents are asked to approve an increase in the operating referendum of $505 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would first be levied in 2020 for taxes payable in 2021 and applicable for 10 years. How are public schools in Minnesota funded? State aid comprises 80 percent of the General Fund’s revenues, with local levies providing only 5 percent. The remaining funds coming from federal aid and miscellaneous revenue. How much will the proposed operating referendum generate for Austin Public Schools? Upon approval, the annual operating referendum increase of $505 per pupil will provide $2.83 million in additional funding each year. The current operating referendum of $42 per pupil provides $240,000 in funding annually. Is the operating referendum funded by a combination of local property taxes and state aid? Yes, the operating referendum funding will be 49 percent state equalization aid and 51 percent property tax levy. Given that, upon passage, $1.38 million of new funding will come from state aid and $1.45 million from the local levy for $2.83 million overall. NOTE: State-equalization aid only comes with the referendum’s approval.
Why are operating referendums done? The General Education formula for Minnesota public schools has not kept up with inflation. Public school districts then pursue operating referendums to fill the gap in funding. How will the funds be used? Funds from the operating referendum will be used to continue operating the school district, offset the lack of funds provided by the state and mitigate the effects of future budget cuts. What happens if the referendum doesn’t pass? If the operating referendum fails, Austin Public Schools will need to make more budget cuts and cost-saving measures. Some of those biggest moves likely would include: • Reducing employee positions • Increasing class sizes • Fewer programs and course offerings Has the district already made cuts and costsavings measures? Yes, $1.6 million in cost-saving measures, revenue enhancements and staff reductions. What would be the property tax impact if the referendum is approved? The tax impact would be $7.95 per month for a home with a market value of $100,000 and $9.95 per month for a market value of $125,000. Does agricultural land have a property tax effect with an operating referendum? The only ag property taxed for an operating referendum is the house, garage and one acre of farm homestead. All other bare land (either homestead or non-homestead) is exempt from the property tax for an operating referendum.
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NEWS APS teachers, staff, families working together through COVID Austin’s 2020-2021 school year is underway, and, if demic. With barely two-weeks notice, teachers and staff you haven’t noticed, things look a little different. still developed a plan and follow through to help stuCOVID-19 has caused a seismic shift in educadents continue to learn in an uncertain environment. tion. This has affected when and how our students learn During the summer, Austin Public Schools develas well as extracurricular and athletic opportunities. oped a plan for in-person, hybrid and distance learning. Luckily, Austin is in a Teachers were trained on somewhat unique situation. effective learning practices For several years, IJ Holton within each of those plans. Intermediate School, Ellis MidDistrict leadership wants dle School and Austin High to recognize the hard work School all have been 1:1, and dedication of all APS meaning that every student has teachers and staff during a school-provided device to these trying times. Also, the allow for digital learning. district thanks the Austin This has made for a community for its support smoother transition from tradiand understanding. tional learning to the hybrid Please know the school learning model this school year district’s goal is to provide that the school district is utilizthe best education possible to ing at the secondary level. The Students at Sumner Elementary School wear mask cover- every student whether that’s hybrid model’s weekly sched- ings as they head outside for an event in September. delivered in-person or ule consists of two in-person days and three distancethrough distance learning. learning days for most students.. Part of that is being able to keep students safe. To At the elementary level, APS has used the digitalthat end, APS is requiring all students, staff and visitors portfolio application SeeSaw for many years. Students’ to district sites to wear a facial covering and follow the familiarity with SeeSaw has made it easier to shift to a health self-screen checklist (see image on right). more digital-based curriculum. Remember that it is vitally important for everyone to This past spring, the district’s teachers and staff were work together to help keep Austin’s students, staff and forced to change everything on the fly due to the pancommunity safe.
College scholarship program grows with students headed to Riverland Two years ago, The Hormel Foundation, Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Catholic Schools and Riverland Community College announced The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship program. Austin Assurance covers tuition and some fees for two years for all qualifying Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic Schools graduates at any Riverland Community College campus. In its first year, more than 160 Austin students used the scholarship program — a number that has grown larger in the second year. Some students are working on their general-education requirements with the goal of moving on to a four-year university but most are working toward a degree or certification in a field, such as construction or nursing. “It’s our intent to help take away cost as a barrier for students in our community to attend Riverland,” says Jeff Ettinger, chair of The Hormel Foundation. “This will really allow our students to further their education, which benefits us all.” To qualify, students must live in the Austin Public School district; graduate from Austin Public Schools or
Pacelli Catholic Schools; complete a set number of volunteer hours; and meet other qualifying criteria. In its third year, the scholarship is the fruition of more than four years of work and is designed to make college accessible to a wide range of Austin graduates. “By enhancing the opportunity to get a post-secondary education, we believe that we’re helping to instill the belief that we can better ourselves with an education, and that will only help our community to grow,” said Steve Rizzi, secretary of The Hormel Foundation. Dr. Adenuga Atewologun, president of Riverland Community College, said the scholarship program “is really going to be a game changer for the community and our students. Post-secondary education is a very big piece of a stable community.” One of the program’s highlights is the community service component. Students are required to complete a set number of hours of community service in addition to other requirements. This has led to a partnership with the United Way of Mower County and its “Get Connected” program that allows local organizations to post volunteer opportuni-
Austin Assurance scholarship recipients celebrate in 2019.
ties for the community. So far, this program has had a tremendously positive effect on Austin and the surrounding community. The scholarship is funded by a generous grant by The Hormel Foundation, whose mission is to “provide charitable, scientific, and educational support for the benefit of the Austin, MN community.” For more on Austin Assurance, go online at:
austinassurance.org
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NEWS APS strives for keeping all safe in winter Winter in Minnesota means blustery winds, freezing temps and lots of snow. Inclement weather can have many effects on schools from closures and delays to indoor recess and slippery sidewalks. Through it all, the most important factor when Austin Public Schools makes weather-related decisions is what’s safest for students and staff. For many families, one of the most-pressing questions when the temperature plummets and snow is in the forecast is whether there will be school. In Austin, as in most communities, many factors go into the decision to delay, release early or close schools entirely. When a winter storm is looming, the district begins receiving announcements and timely updates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on temperature, precipitation and storm forecasts. District leaders also review road conditions with city and county road crews, the local bus contractor and reporting by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. After viewing all information, district leaders determine what they feel is safest for students and
Winter tips for staying active, healthy
It’s important to stay active during winter to maintain health. Outdoor activity is a great way to boost your immunity and get vitamin D during cold and flu season. Recommendations are to get at least 30 minutes of moderateintensity activity at least five days per week for overall cardiovascular health. This could include brisk walking, sledding, raking leaves, shoveling, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Any activity that gets you outside and active benefits your health. Here are tips to stay warm and dry while active in winter: • Layers create insulation. Wear moisture-wicking fabric next to skin and layer on fleece and water-resistant clothing. • Wear gloves, hats and scarves to protect skin. • Change outerwear as needed to keep dry and warm. • Waterproof boots with added liner or waterproofing spray. • Be mindful of children and elderly as their ability to sense staff. While they try to make the propriate winter gear, including temperature extremes may be diminished and they tend to have best decision possible for everycoats, gloves, and hats. decreased fat coverage on their bodies. one’s safety, parents sometimes The district’s buildings and • Staying hydrated is key to regulating body temperature. have a different perspective. It is grounds crews work tirelessly to always within the parent’s preroga- clear sidewalks and parking lots • Eat a balanced diet to fuel your body. tive to keep their student home if throughout the day but students they feel it is safer in that situation. and staff are encouraged to do the • Know the signs of hypothermia: lack of coordination; Student and staff safety contin- “penguin shuffle” if ice is present. confusion; slurred speech; slowed reaction time; cold hands ues to be a priority when schools While the goal is to ensure side- and feet; shivering; and sleepiness. remain open during winter weath- walks and other surfaces are clear Contact your child’s school nurse for more information on er. At the elementary level, stuof snow and ice, inclement weather dents automatically have indoor might not make that always possi- keeping your student healthy and ready to learn. Additional recess if the temperature is below ble. Again, student and staff safety resources are on the district’s Health Services webpage at: zero or the wind chill is below -15 is paramount, and Austin Public www.austin.k12.mn.us/Pages/special-services/specialdegrees. It is vitally important that Schools works hard to keep up with services-health.aspx students come to school with apMinnesota’s dynamic winter
Packer Dome expected to go up mid-November Fall in Austin means many things: the leaves are changing; there’s a chill in the air; and it’s almost time for the Packer Dome to go up for safe winter fun. Packer Dome is an enclosed area climate controlled to about 55 degrees. It features a walking/running area, batting cages and fields perfect for organized athletic competitions or informal play. Parking is on the west side of the dome just off 14th Street Northwest. The dome’s entrance is the north side. Open dome will be $5 per person, which includes use of the batting cages as they are available. Hours for open dome will vary based on the season and can be found on the new dome Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/WescottSportsComplex While the dome does not have formal track, a walking/running area is designated for those activities. It is open to the public for walking/running from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Individuals and organizations can rent the entire dome, just the fields or half of a field. This is a great place for a family gathering or birthday party. The dome is anticipated to go up in mid-November and come down sometime in mid - to late April. For rental information or the dome schedule, visit the district website: www.austin.k12.mn.us/Pages/activities/activities-dome.aspx.
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NEWS Miles of waterways added in Root
Crews do final touches in August on the nearly 2,000-foot-long Dexter 30-Dam 2 flood berm.
CRWD tops flood-reduction goal Five years ago this month, local leaders met at the confluence of the Cedar River and Dobbins Creek to announce a $3.2 million grant for improving water quality and reducing floodwaters. At the time, Cedar River Watershed District vowed to match that grant from The Hormel Foundation for an overall $6.4 million initiative to achieve an 8percent reduction in stormwater flows at the Cedar-Dobbins confluence by 2020. Today, CRWD has surpassed that goal by achieving at least a 10-percent peak flow reduction at the CedarDobbins point now that construction has finished on creating the district’s biggest project to date – Dexter 30-Dam 2. Spanning nearly 2,000 feet long with a peak berm height of 21 feet, the $1.2 million structure in Dexter Township is fully functional for temporary storage of
stormwater in the headwaters of Dobbins Creek’s south branch. CRWD’s goal for its Capital Improvement Plan was achieved with $6.6 million in funds from The Hormel Foundation and state and local resources, with 14 projects built, including 11 uplandstorage structures in the Dobbins watershed mostly built on streams flowing into the creek’s north and south branches. Nearly 3,000 acres overall now are controlled by CIP projects in the flash flood-prone Dobbins watershed. With all CIP projects in place, a 10year rain storm (roughly 4 inches of rain) – which leads to some rural roads being overtopped by flooding – would be about 1 foot lower at its peak downstream from Dobbins Creek’s confluence of its north and south branches in the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
Mussel up Mower County’s Cedar River State Water Trail received more than 3,700 black sandshells mussels Oct. 6 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as part of an ongoing project to restore native mussels in the watershed. This was the secondstraight year the DNR has transplanted native mussels at three sites in the Cedar River.
Water quality in the Root River watershed got a protective boost this year with the construction of more than 4 miles of grassed waterways in the upland areas of eastern Mower County. Mower Soil & Water Conservation District, based in Austin, led seven projects that built nearly 4.2 miles — 22,040 feet — of grassed waterways through mostly cropland in the headwaters of the Root River’s south and middle branches. These projects involved 10 different landowners, who qualified for state funding to cover 90 percent of the costs. Grassed waterways are graded channels seeded to grass or other vegetation that slow stormwater along a path that often has eroded the land into a gully or ravine due to rain storms. These waterways also move stormwater through cropland to a stable outlet at a speed that doesn’t cause soil erosion. Most of this work was funded through
a state grant for the Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P). All three branches of the Root River State Water Trail begin in eastern Mower County. Mower SWCD’s Paul Hunter, a USDA-certified conservation planner, has helped lead the waterway construction this year as well as work with landowners on an overall conservation plan for their land. As a certified planner, Hunter can produce a conservation plan that is required for anyone seeking to apply for funding from the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) program with USDA-NRCS. Hunter’s work involves doing field walkovers, drone flights and landowner conversations to create an in-depth evaluation of a farm. From that, Mower SWCD is better able to provide a landowner with an array of options for potential funding and technical support to help protect or improve water quality and soil health.
A crew builds a grassed waterway July 16 in the Root River’s south branch headwaters.
Monthly e-news from Mower SWCD and CRWD can be sent to your email inbox. Sign up for the e-news by emailing: tim@mowerdistrict.org