Nicollet County Ledger April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023 | South Central News & Media

Courtland Baseball Page 4

Focus on Ag Page 2

Classifieds Page 3

Saint Peter City Council Tables Tall Grass Regulations, Approves Other Agenda Items

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

The Saint Peter City Council met on March 27 at 7 p.m. in the Governor’s Room at the Saint Peter Community Center to discuss Weed/ Tall Grass Regulations, Furnishing Electric Transformer Bid Award, 2023 Seal Coating Project Bid

Award, 2023 Day Care Task Force Establishment, Tree Worker License and Closed Sessions for Real Estate Transactions.

The first item on the agenda was approval of the purchase of a new 2023 Dodge Ram Tradesman half-ton truck from Jensen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in New Ulm for $43,454. The 2023 Stormwater utility budget includes funding for

replacement of truck #117, which is a 2005 Chevy three-quarter-ton truck with 107,000 miles on it. This truck was purchased in 2017 and will be surplus as it is at the end of its useful life. New trucks through the State contract were closed to purchases in February of this year so staff researched and inspected similar

Continued on page 5

Anoka County East Regional Juvenile Center.

Nicollet County Inks Deal with Anoka County for Juvenile Detention Center

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

The Nicollet County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on February 14 to discuss a citizen appointment to the extension committee, approval of Minnesota State Law Library Program agreement, a gambling permit for Ducks Unlimited and an agreement with a regional juvenile detention center in Anoka County.

The motion to enter an agreement with the Anoka County East Central Regional Juvenile Center was passed with all mem-

bers voting in favor of the proposed agreement with Anoka County. During the discussion, Director of Community Corrections Molitor presented the proposal to the board, which was discussed in separate workshops for an extra bed to house juveniles in corrections. This is an agreement between the two counties. Under the agreement, Nicollet County will have access to a secure bed and other services for juveniles and make monthly payments to Anoka County.

It is a five-year contract that is effective January 2022. There will be a joint powers agreement and Nicollet County will have a

seat on the Advisory Committee.

They will next meet in June.

Future payment rates will be discussed.

The East Central Regional Juvenile Center (RJC) is a 36-bed maximum-security facility, serving males and females, 10 to 18 years old, who have committed delinquent acts, according Saint Peter City Council. to their website. Their stated purpose is to protect the community while providing youth with opportunities to change.

Their programs and services consist of detention, court detention and waiting placement; weekend & 10/5 Program; shortterm program (30/15-, 60/30-

Are We Finally Done with all the Snow??

Continued on page 3

Nicollet County Reports Slight Population Growth, According to ‘22 Census Data

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

According to US Census data examined by the Mankato Free Nicollet County Commissioners held a special meeting for the Drainage Authority to discuss a contentious Press, Nicollet County and other nearby counties saw some slight project and work from a contractor.

growth since 2020. Nicollet County reported the following population numbers: 35,504 in 2020 34,373 in 2021 34,441 in 2022 The county population has grown 0.2 percent in two years, according to the data.

Other nearby counties that reported growth were Blue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Sibley and Faribault counties. According to an interview the Mankato Free Press conducted with Ryan Vesey, economic development and research

Continued on page 3

County Agrees to Settle with Construction Firm, Landowners Not Happy in Result

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

A Nicollet County special board meeting was held on February 16 for the Drainage Authority County Ditch 86A. A public hearing was held.

The public hearing was held for a contract finalization and approval in front of the County Board. On November 18, 2018 the Drainage Authority accepted a final engineer’s report for 86A improvement project.

Upon advertised bids, the Drainage Authority awarded a contract for construction to Lametti & Sons Inc.

in Hugo, MN. Here is an excerpt from their Google My Business profile to learn more about their company: “Established in 1953, Lametti & Sons, Inc. is a civil construction and general contractor located in Hugo, Minnesota and providing service to the Twin City 7 county region. We

work on sanitary, storm, waste, water pipelines; soft-ground and hard-rock tunnels, pipe jacking, shaft and pit construction; civil excavation, sheeting, dock, terminal construction, rip rap and erosion control; and trenchless and rehab work on pipes. Our customers expect quality from us, and our employees and construc-

tion team are dedicated to building a dependable infrastructure for our clients.”

ISG, the engineering firm that works with the county, has submitted their final acceptance report pertaining to the contract with the company. The purpose of the hearing is to close the contract with

Lametti & Sons only. Notice was provided to all impacted landowners on February 26.

The public hearing was not about the whole project, just a discussion about the final payments to Lametti & Sons and agreements related to that payment. Issues and difficulties

Continued on page 3

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Nicollet County Ledger

Nicollet County Youth Recognized by Holstein Association in Courtland

Youth recognition and youth sponsorship at Nicollet County Holstein Association’s annual meeting held Monday, March 27 at Swany’s in Courtland yielded recognition of two local youth, the Journal reported. Aiden Schroeder and Dominic Stoecker both received recognition. Members are also involved with Nicollet County DHIA. Schroeder, of Courtland, received

Mn DNR

the Holstein Association’s Outstanding Junior Boy award. He is ten years old. Stoecker, of Nicollet, received the Outstanding Senior Boy award.

Stoecker, 18, is involved in both 4-H and FFA and is a senior at Nicollet High School.

The association’s county president, Ashley Swenson, presented the youth with their awards.

2023 Free Park Days announced for Minnesota state parks, recreation areas Minnesotans encouraged to explore outdoors with friends, family The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks and recreation areas on four dates in 2023. The Free Park Days will be Saturday, April 22; Saturday, June 10; Saturday, Sept. 9 and Friday, Nov. 24.

With the support of the state legislature, the DNR offers Free Park Days to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors and enjoy the health and wellness benefits of spending time in nature.

“Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round, and there’s plenty of fun to be had in the outdoors in every season,” said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. “We hope offering a series of free entrance days will encourage Minnesotans to visit these special places to spend time enjoying the outstanding natural resources our state has to offer and recharge from the stresses of everyday life.”

Getting outdoors makes exercise

more fun and can boost mood and immunity. According to the American Psychological Association, exposure to nature is linked to benefits like improved attention and lower stress.

There’s a state park or recreation area within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. In addition to offering popular activities such as hiking, biking, camping, swimming, skiing and birding, a variety of state park programs are open to all visitors.

Programs are free, but some require pre-registration. Find state park programs online at the state parks and trails events calendar (mndnr.gov/ ptcalendar).

The entrance fee waiver on Free Park Days does not cover activities like camping, rentals or tours.

For more information, visit the DNR’s Free Park Days page (mndnr. gov/freeparkdays) or contact the DNR Information Center by emailing info.dnr@state.mn.us or by calling 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Minnesota’s newest Commercial Driver’s Education company has officially become licensed to provide CDL training in rural LeSueur County. Founded just outside of Mankato in early 2022 to provide regulatory compliance training for the trucking industry, TDT Safety Training is now licensed to provide Commercial Driver’s License Education. TDT can provide education and training for those wanting to obtain Class A and Class B driver’s license. TDT offers an unparalleled opportunity for individuals to grow from an everyday driver to a professional commercial vehicle operator. Our unique approach allows students the ability to learn about commercial motor vehicles and their operation in small groups or as an individual without breaking the bank!

TDT Safety Training provides the federally required Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) classroom time in an online format and in person using best in class technology. Enhancing our ELDT Behind the Wheel program, out students have the opportunity to learn in our custom designed vehicle laboratory and driving range. These areas are available to all students as part of our

Behind the Wheel program. Students are able to practice maneuvers and learn to feel confident with their driving techniques in a secure, safe and monitored indoor and outdoor range area before heading out on the public roads with seasoned instructors.

Our program allows nearly any organization to send their staff through our commercial vehicle operator program using their own company vehicles. Using this model, a company can save time, save money and they get the employees trained on the vehicles that they will likely be assigned to work. TDT also provides education and different vehicles to those students who may not yet be affiliated with a company. We can train drivers from all across Minnesota using our online platform for classroom education and most of our range / road time can be done in one or two days at our training facility in Kasota!

The trucking industry in Minnesota is in dire need of new drivers.

These drivers can start with a salary upwards of $80,000 per year according to Indeed.com and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association.

Please visit our website at www. tdtsafetytraining.com for more information or to sign up

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Gustavus Announces New VP of Enrollment Management Kim Frisch joins the College from Regis University in Denver.

Posted on March 28th, 2023 by Luc Hatlestad HomeBlogs at GustavusNews Kim Frisch joins Gustavus from Regis University.

Kim Frisch has been named the new Vice President for Enrollment Management at Gustavus Adolphus College, President Rebecca M. Bergman announced today.

Frisch is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and communication. She also has a Master’s Degree in organizational leadership from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she has served in multiple roles in admissions and financial aid for the past 28 years. During her time at Regis, Frisch served as an Admission Counselor (1994-1997), Director of Admissions for the RueckertHartman College for Health Professions (1997-2013), and Dean of Admissions for the entire Univer-

sity (2013-2023), before assuming her most recent role as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid (20202023).

A strong advocate for equity and inclusion, Frisch increased diversity on the recruiting team at Regis, which played a significant role in students of color representing more than 50 percent of the incoming class in the fall of 2022, up from 24 percent in 2013. In the past eight years, Frisch has been instrumental in attracting five of the university’s largest first-year classes—all while increasing net tuition revenue and managing the discount rate.

“Kim rose to the top of a deep and talented pool of candidates with her boundless enthusiasm, vast experience at a mission-driven private institution, and innovative solutions in the complex world of higher education enrollment management,” President Bergman said.

“She is eminently qualified to lead Gustavus forward at this exciting time in our institution’s history.”

A nationally recognized enrollment management leader, Frisch was presented the Dorothy Durkin Award for Strategic Innovation in Marketing and Enrollment Management by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) in 2016. The national award is presented to an individual for achievement in strategic planning, marketing innovation, and enrollment management success. She also recently attended The Institute for Higher Education, which focuses on the radical rethinking of enrollment planning, product strategy, and pricing and financial aid.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join the leadership team and learning community at Gustavus,” Frisch said. “It is one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the country, and its mission of preparing young people to live purposeful lives, tackling real-world challenges with intellect, thought, and care inspires me. I can’t wait to

get started.”

As Vice President for Enrollment Management, Frisch will report directly to President Bergman, serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, and work collaboratively with other vice presidents, senior leaders, the Enrollment Management team, and the entire campus community to achieve the College’s strategic enrollment goals and objectives.

New CDL Training Center

Focus on Ag

Farmland Values Continue to Increase

By Kent Thiesse

Farm management analyst kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com

Due to the high cost of investment in farm machinery, an everincreasing number of farm operators are hiring other farm operators to provide some or all of their machinery resources for their farm operation. This is especially true with new and younger farm operators, as well as with children that decide to start farming with their parents. In addition, some land investors are choosing to operate a farm themselves rather than cash renting the land another farm operator, thus hiring a farm operator under a custom farming agreement.

Custom farming agreements usually include tillage, planting, some weed control, harvesting, and delivering grain to a specified location.

Some farm operators also hire custom work for specific farm operations with another farm operator, such as planting, combining, or hay baling. Many farm operators negotiate these types of custom rate and custom farming arrangements in the spring of the year, while others wait until harvest is completed.

One of the best resources for average custom rates is the annual Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey that is coordinated and analyzed by Iowa State University. Earlier this year, 553 custom operators and farm managers were sampled regarding expected 2023 custom farm rates

to be for various farm operations.

The survey summary lists the average custom rate, as well as a range, for various tillage, planting, fertilizer and chemical application, grain harvesting, and forage harvesting functions on the farm. The survey also includes many miscellaneous farming practices, average per hour farm labor rates and includes a formula for calculating rental rates.

The survey lists the average custom farming rates for corn, soybeans and small grain. The average custom rates for farm operations in most other areas of the Upper Midwest tend to be very close to the average Iowa custom rates.

Average 2023 farm custom rates for some typical tillage, planting, and harvesting practices, as well as custom farming rates, are listed in the adjoining table. The complete 2023 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey for all farming practices is available on-line at the following Iowa State University website: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ agdm/crops/html/a3-10.html Based on the Iowa State data, most average custom rates for tillage, planting and harvest operations in 2023 are expected to increase by about 10 to 15%, compared to the rates for similar operations in 2022.

The 2023 custom farming rates for corn and soybean production are also expected to increase by about 10 to 12% compared to a year earlier, with an increase of nearly 20%

See FOCUS ON AG, page 3

Birgen Nelson clears her final hurdle at the 2022 Division III NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Birgen Nelson Exemplifies the Gustavus Student Athlete Success in college requires determination, consistency, resiliency— and help. As Birgen Nelson ’23 heads into her final indoor track meet before moving on to the next athletic and academic levels, she’s embraced and personified all these qualities and positioned herself for a promising future.

This weekend, Nelson and fellow All-American Annika Poe ’23 (shot put), will be in Birmingham, Alabama for the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships. Nelson aims to equal or top her national record time in the 60-meter hurdles and add to her multiple All-America honors. Between those past and potential achievements, her Academic All-America awards, her dozen or so school records, and other recognitions too numerous to list, it’s little wonder Gustavus Sports Information Director CJ Siewert calls Nelson one of the greatest athletes ever at Gustavus.

On top of that, she’s also a political science and classical languages double major (and environmental studies minor), Student Senate copresident, the recipient of numerous academic and co-curricular honors, and a fixture on the Dean’s List.

Birgen with her coach Aaron Lund at Gustavus Night at the Twins in 2022, where she threw out the first pitch.

That Nelson would compile so many impressive achievements wasn’t inevitable. At Edina High School, she was a competitive cheerleader, but her plans to continue the

sport in college were derailed by multiple concussions and a shoulder injury. The setbacks were compounded by serious illness, and challenges to her mental health. “I was really stressed all the time,” she said.

“My school had a weird atmosphere where if you weren’t taking seven AP classes and getting all A’s in them, it made you feel worthless.” The issues caused her to miss about 100 days of classes. “I almost didn’t graduate. I had injuries and got really sick, and I was also depressed and just stopped going to school,” she said. “I’d been high achieving and then suddenly just couldn’t do it anymore. That’s when [people around me] said, ‘Hey, you gotta [address this].’ So, it was good they helped me see that.”

Nelson entered a program through the school that required her to take a year’s worth of classes in a single semester to make up the lost time. Once back on track, she began to consider colleges. Gustavus quickly emerged, partly because of her father’s encouragement—his aunt is an alum and he’d visited campus frequently as a child—and partly because of the opportunities Nelson would have here.

Her first few semesters at Gustavus weren’t a smooth ride, either.

She considered transferring because of personality conflicts with a couple of older track teammates. “But I said, ‘I can’t let them ruin my experience and force me to change,’” she said.

“And I really liked the track coaches, and I still love them. As I got more involved, things got really, really good.”

She’s hit her stride. Her student government work has included helping write the College’s student protest policy, working on the Arboretum renaming efforts, helping bring more anti-racism awareness to the entire community, and testifying before state lawmakers on behalf of the Minnesota State Grant, which helps students from low- and moderateincome families afford the college of their choice.

One of Nelson’s advisors, Political Science Professor Mimi Gerstbauer, notes that accomplishing everything Nelson has, even at a school the size of Gustavus, remains rare. “She really knows how to manage her time and plan,” Gerstbauer said. “Being Student Senate co-president here while also being an athlete is highly unusual.”

Dean of Students Megan Ruble, who’s gotten to know Nelson and her Senate co-president, Delaney Bluhm ’23, as their adviser, isn’t surprised Nelson found a way to work through her early angst and obstacles. “It’s rare to have a student who’s very successful and very involved but is still so laid back,” Ruble said. “She’s a careful decision-maker and a good thinker, and man, she’s resilient.”

Nelson, who was granted eligibility from the NCAA for three extra track seasons (two indoor, one outdoor) after COVID-related cancellations, will graduate in May. Then, she heads to Duke University to run with the Division I Blue Devils while working toward her Master’s degree in public policy. Her future career

path might include everything from professional track and field competing and coaching to politics or law school—or all of the above. Those who know her best are eager to see what’s next. “Duke and their Durham campus had that small-community feel to it and the academic major she was most passionate about, and she found a team and a coaching staff that honestly is a lot like ours,” said Gustavus Track and Field head coach Aaron Lund. “Birgen’s intrinsic motivation is just at an elite level, and there are a lot of different roads she could take.”

As her undergraduate years near the finish line, Nelson chalks up much of her success to Gustavus itself. “I’ve been able to get everything out of Gustavus that I thought I could, and even more,” she said.

“I’ve received a ton of help from the Career Center, along with all these other things that this school offers that I don’t think I would have gotten at a big university. If I had gone somewhere else, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

—Update: Birgen won her event at the 2023 Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships on March 10-11 with a record time of 8.39 seconds, meaning she now holds the top five times in the Division III 60-meter hurdles. To view the race and event results, visit these links: Live Stats: https://live.deltatiming. com/meets/20071/events/727895/ live Live Video: https://www.ncaa. com/event/4265

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Sunday, April 2, 2023

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Nicollet County Ledger

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ASK A TROPPER South

k beginning 3/19/2023

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol

park a motor vehicle on any roadway unless the vehicle is registered in accordance with the laws of this state and has the license plates or permit confirming that valid registration or operating authority has been obtained.”

Vehicles that are allowed to display only one license plate include motorcycles, a dealer’s vehicle or vehicle in-transit, classic car, collector car or a vehicle that is of model year 1972 or earlier that is not registered as a collector vehicle and is used for general transporta-

Question: What is the requirement for displaying front and rear license plates in Minnesota? What is the fine for not displaying both?

I notice a lot of vehicles without a front plate, especially on Corvettes and Tesla cars.

Answer: Corvettes and Tesla’s are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or

Rural Nicollet County Land Owners Upset Over Construction Project with the company started last spring. They arose from supply chain issues to get electrical components, so there were delays. There were some other issues as well, according to the county. There has been a dispute between the county and the company about what was owed and for additional work that the company felt they had already accomplished or forced to do as part of the contract. The two entities went to mediation last winter to attempt resolving the issues.

The county’s position was that the claims weren’t proper. The county still wanted the company to continue working on the project and would deal with the claims at a later time. The company assumed its work was complete throughout last summer and fall. At that point, they made a request for final payment plus additional money they assumed they were owed pursuant to the contract terms. They were allowed to make claims for extra work if they performed extra work on the project. The county did not agree that all the claims for work

were appropriate and went to mediation. The company made several claims during mediation.

For example, one claim for about $199,000 for contract work completed that wasn’t paid for. They also asked for $454,000 for additional work. It included delay in getting the award after the bidding process, additional electrical work necessary for pump retrofitting, increased pumping costs, a larger trash grate that needed to be bigger than the design, out-of-sequence work, incorrect labeling for a pipe in the designs (for which they incurred about $75,000 in damages), replacement of a service door on the electrical building and changing pipe grade.

The county felt there were defects in the construction and did not agree that the work or costs were appropriate. For example, a temporary dike was not removed.

Also, there were issues with settling after the piping. The county alleges the company didn’t complete the project on time. The county felt anything owed should be offset by

these problems.

The mediator felt the county should consider paying the company about $230,000 and release them from any further obligations to perform work on the project, so the county wouldn’t have to fix anything else like the prefab building, the removal of the temporary dike and so forth. Their warranties would remain in place. That would be the total of the contract plus about $30,000 of the roughly $450,000 they are claiming. The board approved that amount for the mediation settlement.

A Courtland resident spoke to the board about seepage problems that weren’t repaired. He said those problems were the engineers’ fault.

He said the work and project should not be accepted. He said neither the county nor the company can “wash their hands” of what has been done.

He said they “did a half-ass job”. He said the company showed up in the middle of winter, skipped a summer season and came back again another winter to perform work.

John Luepke, of Courtland,

echoed that sentiment and said the company was having financial problems as well, but the pump system and engineering was faulty.

“If we give them the money and we go bankrupt, how are we going to get anything back out of that?”

Luepke asked.

Other residents in the county also voiced their concerns, including a man from Brighton Township.

“I’m not surprised we’re sitting here today with these problems,” he said. “These were foreseen as this process unfolded.”

He said he was disappointed in the entire process from the county and said landowners were denied a public hearing in 2018 after delays and said landowners are stuck with the problems and the expense.

Another resident said he hoped the county doesn’t cut the company a check.

However, if the county refuses to pay, they could be liable under the contract terms, for the amount total plus extra work and 18 percent annual interest and attorneys fees from litigation.

Continued From 1

Nicollet County Sees Tiny Increase in Population According to Census

Continued on page 4 manager at Greater Mankato Growth, LeSueur, Nicollet and Blue Earth counties grew

the most due mostly to international migration to the area, thanks in part to Minnesota

Continued From 1

State University and Gustavus Adolphus College. Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties saw a 300

person gain from international migration, Vessey told the Free Press.

County Makes Deal With Anoka County Juvenile Detention Center and 90/60-day); 50/30 stabilization transition program; 70/90 new choice chemical dependency; and 21-day

diagnostic assessment program.

Per diem rates and the fees for 2023 are $295 per day for mem-

ber counties, $355 per day for nonmember counties and $30 per hour for transportation. The funding for

this agreement will come from the county’s community corrections budget for 2023.

Focus on Ag Continued From Page Two

ek beginning 3/19/2023

South

in the past five years. The cost for new and used machinery continued to increase in the past 12 months, which together with increasing fuel costs, higher repair costs and higher labor charges, accounts for the increases in 2023 custom rates. It should be noted that many of these factors could change by the end of 2023, which may result in custom operators adjusting their final custom rates even more by year-end to more fully reflect any changes in the expenses for custom operations.

All listed custom rates in the Iowa Survey results include fuel, labor, repairs, depreciation, insurance and interest, unless listed as rental rates or otherwise specified. The average price for diesel fuel was assumed to be $3.39 per gallon. A fuel price increase of $.50 per gallon would cause most custom rates to increase by approximately 5%. These average rates are only meant to be a guide for custom rates, as actual custom rates charged may vary depending on continued increase in fuel costs, availability of custom operators,

timeliness, field size, etc., and could be adjusted later in the year due to changes in economic factors.

Selected 2023 Farm Custom Rates Following are the average custom rates for some common farming practices for 2023, as well as the (range) of custom rates listed, based on the Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey: Custom Farming Rates (includes tillage, planting and harvesting costs) • Corn – $152.60 per acre (Range = $75-$275 per acre) • Soybeans – $139.65 per acre (Range = $70-$275 per acre) Tillage • Moldboard Plow – $19.80 per acre ($15-$25 per acre) • Chisel Plow – $19.75 per acre ($10-$25 per acre) • Disk/Chisel – $22.95 per acre ($12.75-$31 per acre) • V-Ripper (deep tillage) – $25.25 per acre ($16-$35 per acre) • Field Cultivator – $17.75 per acre ($7.50-$30 per acre)

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• Tandem Disk – $17.55 per acre ($10-$25.80 per acre) • Chopping Corn Stalks – $14.80 per acre ($10-$20 per acre) Planting and Spraying • Planter With Attachments – $27.10 per acre ($15-$35 per acre) • Planter Without Attachments – $24.70 per acre ($13-$36 per acre • No-Till Planter – $27.10 per acre ($12.75-$42.50 per acre) • Soybean Drill – $20.20 per acre ($13-$27.50 per acre) • Grain Drill – $17.70 per acre ($10-$20 per acre) • Crop Spraying (broadcast) – $10.35 per acre ($6.75-$16 per acre) (self-propelled sprayer) Harvesting Grain • Corn Combine – $41.30 per acre ($30-$64 per acre); $44.10 per acre (with chopper head) ($65.75/A. with grain cart & truck) • Soybean Combine – $39.90 per acre ($25-$66 per acre); $42.80 per acre with draper head) ($60.10/A. with grain cart & truck) • Small Grain Combine – $31.75 per acre ($30-$33.50 per acre)

South

• Corn Grain Cart (in field) – $7.35 per acre ($.50-$18 per acre) • Soybean Grain Cart (in field) – $6.25 per acre ($.50-$15 per acre) • Hauling Grain (5 mi. or less) – $0.135 per bushel ($.06-$.18 per bushel) • Hauling Grain (5-25 mi.) – $0.21 per bushel ($.09-$.40 per bushel) • Grain Drying (continuous flow) – $0.045 per point per bushel (incl. fuel, electricity & labor) Harvesting Forages • Windrowing Hay – $17.80 per acre ($16-$20 per acre) • Hay Baling (small square bales) – $0.89 per bale ($.60-$1 per bale) • Hay Baling (large bales) – $13.55 per bale ($12-$15 per bale) • Corn Stalk Baling (large bales) – $16 per bale ($13-$17 per bale) • Silage Chopping – $ 7.80 per ton (or $108.70 per hour per head row) Farm Labor Rates • General Farm Labor – $21.75 per hour ($13.50-$40 per hour) • Spraying & Harvesting Labor – $23.85 per hour (16-$40 per hour)

Page 4

Nicollet County Ledger

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Saint Peter City Council Meeting Continued From Page One types of trucks by different manufacturers. As per the City’s purchasing policy a request for formal written proposals was issued. Six formal written proposals were received; although two (2) did not meet specifications. Staff recommended accepting the lowest cost proposal received from Jensen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in New Ulm. Funding for this purchase is in the 2023 Stormwater utility budget. Motion was approved.

The city council discussed a motion to approve an ordinance modifying the City’s weeds/ tall grass regulations. The City Council has had extensive discussion on the possibility of modifying the weed/tall grass regulations contained in the City Code. As provided for during this discussion, notice of the Council’s proposed changes have been developed into a draft ordinance and, as required by State regulations, the draft ordinance has been duly posted on the public notices page of the City’s website. A motion was made to table the discussion for further workshop. That motion passed.

The council also discussed approval of the award of the bid for “Furnishing An

Electric Power Transformer” to Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Inc. of Canonsburg, PA in the amount of $989,398 including freight and delivery.

The Electric Utility Master Plan was completed in March, 2021.

The master plan determined that the City’s electric system will serve the City well with modest infrastructure upgrades.

One upgrade identified is the replacement of a transformer at the Front Street Substation. The Front Street Substation contains two large 10,500 kVA transformers that are responsible for providing power throughout the community. One transformer was replaced in 2010 after it failed, but the second transformer is more than 60 years old and in need of replacement.

This transformer provides power for approximately 33 percent of the City’s electrical load. As required by the City’s purchasing policy and State Statute, formal sealed bids were solicited with two bids received. The bids have been evaluated based on total purchase price and total owning cost. Total owning cost considers not only the initial transformer cost, but also the cost to operate and maintain the

transformer over its life.

The bids, and the evaluated prices are shown below. The transformer has a guaranteed delivery date of 74-78 weeks after receipt of order. The motion passed.

The council also discussed awarding the bid for the 2023 Seal Coat Project to Allied Blacktopping, Inc. of Maple Grove in the amount of $3.61 per gallon for a total of $184,351.87.

Public Works is responsible for maintaining City roadways and annual maintenance work which includes an annual seal coat project using emulsifying oil and chipped rock to “seal” the roadway. Seal coating helps extend the life of the roadway by creating a physical barrier from traffic, UV rays, and weather and helping to prevent moisture from penetrating through the pavement, which leads to premature degradation of the roadway. This work is done on an annual basis through Issuance of a formal bid.

The contracted portion of the project includes the contractor supplying the asphalt emulsion (CRS-2), equipment, oil distributor, rock distributor, rollers to set the stone into the emulsion, and trucks to deliver the stone to

the application site. As we have in past years, the City will supply the rock and be responsible for loading the contractor’s trucks at Public Works. In addition, City staff will prepare all manholes and water valves in the street prior to the oil and rock being placed along with the cleanup of the areas after the work is completed. City staff will also sweep and collect the stone after it’s compacted, which is usually a few days later.

This approach makes the contractor responsible for the finished product yet minimizes the City’s cash outlay for the work.

Funding for this project is allocated in the 2023 General Fund as part of the Streets budget.

The council also discussed establishing a 2023 Day Care Task Force to identify and gather valuable information related to daycare in Saint Peter. Adequate day care opportunities are very important factors in overall health and well-being for communities. As indicated at previous workshops, the City Council would like to gather more information related to day care in St. Peter and Councilmembers indicated a Task Force could be

a great way to do that. The early planning for the Task Force would be to meet 2-3 times. or as needed, to discuss and identify the current day care situation in St. Peter as well as what if any struggles and opportunities the City could assist with or serve as a connection to resources for those in the day care business.

The intention is to have wellrounded representation that is familiar with the current day care situation in St. Peter. With that In mind, contact was made with numerous individuals associated with day care centers, private in-home daycares, community members, the School District, and Nicollet County representatives to determine their interest in appointment to a task force.

Below is a list of individuals that indicated they would like to serve on a Task Force.

Brad DeVos, Saint Peter City Council Joey Schugel, Saint Peter Recreation and Leisure Services Stephanie Noble, School District #508 Calane Bruender, Family Childcare Licensor in Nicollet

County Sadi Laidlaw, Saint Peter Community Child Care Center Heidi ScheurerHey Diddle Diddle Daycare Amy Holst, Kid’s Corner Cassie Frey, Kid’s Corner Shannon Zachman, Family Daycare Provider Pamela Carpenter, Family Daycare Provider Melissa Howe, Family Daycare Provider Hector Aguilar, Community Member.

The goals of this group are proposed to look something like this: • Identify challenges to access and provision of daycare services • Identify additional stakeholders in this area that could provide additional assistance to users and providers • Provide recommendations related to mitigating identified challenges for both users and providers • Provide a report to the City Council that can be shared with others related to the above mentioned goals.

The motion passed.

A closed session followed the regular meeting.

tion purpose.

License plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. They cannot be displayed in the front windshield or rear window. The plates must be securely mounted and displayed horizontally with the identifying numbers and letters visible. License plates issued to vehicles must also display the month of expiration in the lower left corner of each plate and the year of expiration in the lower right corner of each plate.

The plate must be unobstructed and free from grease, dust or other blurring material (dirt, mud, snow, etc.) so the lettering is visible at all times. It is unlawful to cover assigned letters and numbers or the name of the state of origin with any material, including any clear or colorless material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity.

This also includes license plate brackets that block the state of issuance and tabs.

Why do we have two license plates?

First and foremost, it is the law in Minnesota M.S.S. 169.79. From a law enforcement

perspective it is safer to have two plates. For instance…

If an officer needs to run vehicle information they can get the plate information from the front or rear of the vehicle.

It makes a suspect vehicle easier to identify if it is encountered from the front or the rear.

If a suspect vehicle is backed into a parking spot it is more easily identified.

Identifying a suspect in a crime (from surveillance images) is easier with front and back plates.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. (Or reach him at, Troy.

Christianson@state.mn.us)

Ask A Trooper Continued