Progress Guide

F e br uar y 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

PROGRESS 2015 A scrapbook of t h e p r o g r es s t h e W a d en a a r ea ma d e i n t h e c a l en d a r y ea r 2014.

Fea t ur i n g n ew b us i n es s es , n ew o w n er s , n ew t ec h n o l o g y a n d n ew i d ea s .

A s p ec i a l s up p l eme n t t o t h e W a d en a P i o n e e r J ou rn a l

Inside are s o me o f t h e mi l es t o n es f r o m 2014.

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools A Great Place to Learn and Grow!

(218) 632-2150 www.wdc2155.k12.mn.us

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LIKE us on Facebook for daily news!

Pioneer Journal Wadena

314 S. Jefferson Street Wadena, MN 56482 218-631-2561 www.wadenapj.com

Your Community Newspaper Since 1877

• Personal Injury • Real Estate • Wills & Probate Attorneys at Law 218-631-1400 • 7 Colfax Ave. SW, Wadena, MN

• General Practice

First National Bank in Wadena Consider Us First!

25 Bryant Ave SW, Wadena, MN 56482 • 218-631-1590 www.fnbwadena.com • Member FDIC

SCHULLER FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES Joseph and Meg Schuller - owners

Phone: 218-631-3632 205 4th St. SW • Wadena, MN www.SchullerFamilyFH.com

www.gorescompany.com

the ONLY address you need in Real Estate 508 So. Jefferson Wadena (218) 631-2536

David Paulson Agency, Inc. Check With Us For All Your Insurance Needs •Auto •Home •Farm •Life •Health •Commercial •Bonds www.paulsonagency.com

631-3690

141

E. HWY. 10, WADENA, MN 56482

WENSMAN Seed Technology for Your Success

www.wensmanseed.com

138 131 123 122 117 117 105

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February 26, 2015

Sweet dreams Local business owners to reopen Wadena Bakery RENEE RICHARDSON Ten times a day Lisa Leeseberg hears the same set of questions.

When will it open? What’s it going to be like? What’s happening at the former Wadena Bakery?

For Leeseberg, a second generation downtown business owner, adding another enterprise to her to-do list is more than bringing a bakery back to life. It’s one way to fight a tide of empty storefronts now all too common in Wadena.

And, Leeseberg said, the effort is so much fun it doesn’t seem like work at all.

To say Leeseberg’s days are full, is a bit like saying the sun’s surface is hot. She owns Larry’s Family Pizza, employs about 20 at the restaurant and oversees a household with her husband and 10 children.

The bakery, just around the corner and down the block from the pizza restaurant, is currently getting a major makeover. Nestled on Jefferson Street between the Boondocks Cafe and An Open Book store, the former Wadena Bakery is just down the block from the Cozy Theatre. The bakery

Karla Berger

Diamond Ind. Dist. #496342

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Wadena

218-640-6006 oilsandmore@gmail.com www.karla.vibrantscents.com

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was closed for about three years.

Once renovations began, Leeseberg said they found the space needed a little more tender loving care than first thought. Plans are to open the newly christened “Leeseberg’s Sweet Treats” in early summer with an entirely new look.

“It’s going to have good eye appeal,” Leeseberg said.

Bright colors, a black-and-white checkered floor, pristine white shelving are on the menu. The idea is to please multiple senses to entice the taste buds with the look, the aroma and, of course, the end product. Doughnuts. Breads. Cupcakes.

In preparation, Leeseberg has been doing a lot of baking at home, but that’s nothing new. Kitchens filled with the aroma of baking is part of the family tradition.

Leeseberg’s mother and grandmother both baked at home.

“I love to bake,” she said. “I’ve always got cupcakes. I’m kind of a sweet fanatic.”

One of the most popular of the creations so far - a cookie dough cupcake with cookie dough cream cheese frosting.

The bakery business is fitting in with a

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February 26, 2015

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The Wadena Bakery, rechristianed as “Leeseberg’s Sweet Treats,” is tentatively scheduled to open in early summer. The bakery has been shuttered for about three years.

family where preferred viewing includes watching kitchen makeover shows and food challenges from “Cupcake Wars” to “Restaurant Takeover.” Keeping the local bakery part of the downtown district is part of the attraction.

Leeseberg said the issue of empty businesses goes back a decade or more but took a hit from the Great Recession. Still Wadena’s downtown remains in possession of an iconic small-town Americana look, complete with the Cozy movie theater’s neon lights and multi-story ornate brick buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Fronted by awnings, plate glass windows set off store displays along wide sidewalks.

When she was a young girl, Leeseberg’s parents, Shirley and Larry Luttrell, used to send her to the Wadena Bakery to get doughnuts for the pizza restaurant’s staff.

The restaurant was part of her life before she was old enough to go to kindergarten.

Leeseberg is also no stranger to responsibility. The eldest of two, she was still a teenager when she began shouldering more of a role in the family business. Her father had two lung transplants when she was a high school student. When her father’s health worsened, her parents offered her the restaurant.

“I just couldn’t pass it up,” she said. She took the restaurant over in 1995. Her father passed away eight years ago. Currently, Larry’s Family Pizza is also renovating, expanding seating into the building next door on Bryant Avenue. To do that, the Leesebergs bought the building next door - actually the site of her family’s first pizza restaurant before the Luttrells built their own place in the late 1970s - and are punching a hole through to make a more seating space. The two buildings will be connected by French doors.

Her husband, Darin, who works full time with UPS, is also putting in hours to get the bakery ready to go. The old tables are being pulled out. New smaller tables are going in.

Why is re-opening the bakery and ex-

panding the restaurant in downtown Wadena important?

“Because I raised my kids here and I’ve been here all my life. And I’d like to see Wadena thrive as much as possible and keep the business local,” Leeseberg said.

The revamped bakery, she said, can also be part of attracting people downtown or getting them to stop in the city.

The bakery isn’t the only business the 44-year-old entrepreneur has in mind.

Leeseberg, who has four bunnies and two dogs at home, is looking into opening a pet boarding and grooming facility at the edge of town where noise won’t be an issue for neighbors. But the pets will have to wait until the renovations at the restaurant are complete and the bakery is up and running.

Multi-tasking is just part of the day-to-day process. The Leesebergs have a combined family of 10 children, ranging in age of 2 to 22 with five boys and five girls. Six are still at home. Leeseberg had streaks going first giving birth to four boys and then four girls.

“I’m used to the fast pace … where there is never a dull moment,” she said.

The initial plan is to open the bakery about 6 a.m. and stay open until about 4 p.m. to catch the after-school customers.

For those looking for a treat outside of baked goods, there will be frozen yogurt.

Asked if she worries about people who may be looking for more healthy alternatives to traditional bakery offerings, Leeseberg said “I think if we have more of a variety, there is always that time when people want a sweet treat.”

Plans are to possibly hire six people for the bakery. Leeseberg wants to add cakes to the menu, has hopes for cupcake parties and eventually wants to provide wedding cakes.

“We just want to have fun with it and grow as we go,” Leeseberg said.

RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee. richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz.

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218-631-1100 TCHC.org

Weber’s Wadena Hardware

More Than a Hardware Store!

Tom and Mary Dee Weber, owners

109 Jefferson Street South Wadena 631-2454

Formerly Zosel’s Wadena Hardware

HOME PURCHASES AND REFINANCES

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WE KEEP! IT LOCAL

www.wadenastatebank.com

Wadena State Bank

MASON BROTHERS

YEARS IN BUSINESS

Wadena, MN • 631-2220

State Farm Insurance Companies Bill Stearns, Agent Jolene Johannes, Agent 631-2999 or 1-800-292-2910 631-1297 or 1-800-450-1297 320 N. Jefferson 763 Jefferson St. N Wadena Wadena

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Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

SCHULLER FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES Joseph & Meg Schuller, Owners Phone: 218-631-3632 205 4th St. SW • Wadena, MN www.SchullerFamilyFH.com

“Continuously Family Owned for 122 Years!”

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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City Dray Inc. 16407 US Hwy. 71 • Wadena, MN • 631-3101

91 90 86 83 83 81 80 80

February 26, 2015

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Harms Manufacturing Inc. Manufacturing Farm Machinery • Land Rollers and Farm Wagons

Bertha, MN • 924-4522

rexmcdonald 215 Jefferson, Wadena

Call 218.631.3129 www.glimpseofpersonality.com/blog

STUDIO

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Leaf River Ag Service Bluffton • new York Mills • wadena

agronomy offices: 631-1020 • 385-2360 feed department: 385-2559

Bulk fuel & Propane: 631-1020 Grain: 385-2366

WADENA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “We are partners in the success of our businesses and our members” 218-632-7704 www.wadenachamber.com

Merickel luMber & Design center 218-631-3570 • 800-225-3570 www.merickellumber.com • M-F 8-5 • sat 8-12 • Hwy. 10 west • wadena, Mn 56482

HANSON’S PLUMBING & HEATING Steam • Hot Water • Forced Air Steve Peterson, Owner 310 11th St. N.W. • Wadena • 631-3172

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Chuck Peterson works in the parts department at Midwest Machinery’s Wadena location.

Midwest Machinery, which purchased Evergreen Equipment in late 2013, is adding staff and expanding services.

Midwest Machinery adds jobs at Wadena location BRYCE HAUGEN When the inventory started dwindling at Evergreen Equipment west of town last fall, the coffee shop chatter was that Wadena would either be losing its only John Deere dealership or that it would turn into a parts depot.

“Midwest Machinery laid that rumor to rest,” said Dean Torgerson, store manager for the company’s Wadena location, which opened in October. “We’re here and we mean business.”

Midwest Machinery, a company with 13 central Minnesota locations, purchased Evergreen Equipment in September. Since then, two employees have left, four have been hired and the store is advertising for four more positions. If the business grows as Torgerson expects, more jobs will follow.

“I would expect that we double our store employees over the next couple of years,” he said. “That’s my goal.”

With the additional workers, Midwest Machinery will offer new services and products, including sprayer parts and bulk oil delivery.

The location just added a service truck that can travel to fix broken down equipment right in the farmer’s field. Before, local farmers had to wait for someone to come from Hawley, Alexandria or Elbow Lake for such service.

Brian Weber, a Midwest Machinery co-owner and regional sales manager, said most decisions at the Wadena location will be made at the store level.

“They know their customers and employees better than any of us at a corporate level would,” he said.

Torgerson said Midwest Machinery “will give us all the resources we need to succeed without getting in the way of day-to-day business.”

The savings from being able to buy in bulk as corporation, he said, are directly passed on to the consumer.

The company, Torgerson said, tries to buy vehicles locally, use Wadena mechanics and gets materials at area stores. It recently partnered with Central Lakes College to provide equipment for planting and harvesting in exchange for use of its fields for demolition.

There will be an open house for Midwest Machinery’s Wadena location on Tuesday from noon to five. The store is located three miles west of town on the north side of U.S. Highway 10.

“Come out and meet the staff,” Torgerson said.

He encouraged people to bring non-perishable food items for the company’s “Feed a Gator” program. Midwest Machinery will donate the food - and match its cash value to local food shelves. “(The company is) really big on community involvement,” Torgerson said.

Shirley Uselman, Wadena Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the new jobs Midwest Machinery is adding will have “domino effect” on the local economy, as new residents spend money in town, buy homes and send their children to local school.

“Any time we can add jobs in our community, it not only helps that person it helps the rest of the community,” she said.

“It’s something that needs to happen in a community to keep it vibrant.”

February 26, 2015

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

Wadena County Board approves new logo RIN PORTER At the Nov. 12 county board meeting, County Engineer Ryan Odden told Wadena commissioners that he is almost ready to recruit a Friendly Rider Transit Director to serve the new combined Wadena County-Becker County Transit System. He is waiting for MNDOT to approve the Transit for the Future grant that he applied for recently.

The new position of Friendly Rider Transit Director will report to the County Engineer at first, and then to a Joint Powers Board when one is formed in the near future. Odden expects the Transit for the Future grant to be approved in the next few weeks, and expects advertising for the position to run in local newspapers in December.

Also at the Nov. 12 meeting, Odden presented an updated county logo design prepared by Jim Formanek of ProSkinz Design. The board voted to approve the logo and purchase it for a one-time fee of $400. The logo will be applied to all county vehicles and used on all county written communications.

Odden will request bids from local companies that manufacture and apply decals to vehicles. The board will select the winning bid and order logo decals for its vehicles.

Also at the Nov. 12 meeting, Odden explained the Highway Department’s need to hire a temporary Administrative Generalist for 20 weeks beginning in December, and more part-time drivers for the Friendly Rider buses. The board approved recruiting for both hires.

Commissioners spent considerable time debating the merits of continuing with the expansion project at the coun-

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The new logo, approved by the Wadena County Board, was created by Jim Formanek of ProSkinz Design.

ty’s Transfer Station that has been in process since 2012. Solid Waste Director Mike Hanan repeatedly explained the need for the expansion, the alternatives, and projected costs for the various options brought up by commissioners. Some commissioners seemed stuck on the issue of paying an architect to design the project and prepare construction documents.

For reasons that were not made clear, two commissioners objected to the architect expense.

A proposal for architectural services was received from Foss Architecture, located in Fargo, in response to a request for proposals sent out earlier this fall.

Foss proposed to do the work for a fee of 6.5 percent of the final cost of the project.

After more than an hour of discussion, the board voted 4 to 1 to approve Foss as the architect for the project and to proceed with detailed construction plans for the Transfer Station expansion.

Buckwheat Growers Association of Minnesota Organic & Non-GMO Feed, Seed and more

206 Aldrich Ave SE Wadena MN 56482

218-631-9212

Fax: 218-631-1711 e-mail: info@buckwheatgrowers.com www.buckwheatgrowers.com

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NIGHT & WEEKEND HOURS IN STAPLES: Mon.-Thurs. open until 8 p.m. by appointment Sat. Walk-ins 8 a.m.-Noon no appointment needed

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Dr. Timothy C. Neitzke • Dr. William J. Hartman Dr. Jeffery L. Mackner • Dr. Kathryn R. Van Den Einde 315 Jefferson St. S. • Wadena • (218) 631-1456

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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1-800-945-2163 www.wcta.net

February 26, 2015

65

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Jennie-O Turkey Store Henning, MN 218-583-2550 Television Internet Phone Security Computer Repair

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Brink’s Jewelry “Your Watch & Diamond Specialists” Downtown Wadena 631-3294

AN EMPLOYEE OWNED BUSINESS SERVING YOU FOR 60 YEARS

RUSS DAVIS WHOLESALE Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Phone (218) 631-3070 • Fax (218) 631-9024 266 4th Street N.E. • P.O. Box 272 • Wadena, MN 56482 www.russdaviswholesale.com

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After more than seven decades as a Ben Franklin franchise, a downtown Wadena business, is now known as Hometown Crafts & Fabrics.

Ben Franklin becomes Hometown Crafts & Fabrics RIN PORTER A Wadena institution for more than seven decades has a new name.

The downtown Ben Franklin is now known as Hometown Crafts & Fabrics.

So is the other store owned by Cindy McCullough in Detroit Lakes.

“Nothing else has changed,” said McCullough, who bought the store eight years ago when she moved to the area from the Twin Cities. “It’’s the same merchandise and the same people.”

Dropping the Ben Franklin name was a business decision, she said. Because the corporation focuses on providing “variety” items - many of which can be found at dollar stores and Walmart - she hasn’t bought

merchandise through Ben Franklin for four years, choosing instead to target the niche market for craft supplies and fabrics.

“It would be silly for me to carry (those variety items),” McCullough said. “Plenty of other places have them.”

So when Ben Franklin’s franchise fees dramatically spiked this year, McCullough decided to save thousands of dollars by severing the affiliation.

Owning the store “has been a wonderful” adventure, she said. McCullough, a former high school principal, said her husband, a radiologist, had job offers in Wadena, Alaska, Duluth and the Twin Cities.

“We picked Wadena because of the people,” she said. “We wanted to raise our kids in a smaller town.”

Wadena County Board approves new Verizon tower site RIN PORTER At the Nov. 3 county board meeting, Wadena commissioners approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a new Verizon cell phone tower in Sec. 20, Wadena Township, south of the City of Wadena. The 190-foot tall tower will be placed on property belonging to Steven and Sandra Rentz.

The tower and an equipment shelter near the base of the tower will be con-

tained within a fenced compound. The tower will be set back 230 feet from the eastern property line and right of way for U.S. 71.

The new tower will significantly improve Verizon’s network coverage for customers, according to the CUP application.

The Wadena County Planning Commission considered and recommended approval of the CUP for the tower at its Oct. 16 meeting.

February 26, 2015

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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A portion of the building that houses the Henning Chiropractic Clinic is being remodeled to become Tri-County Health Care, Henning Physical Therapy Clinic. It was expected to open around March 1, 2014.

TCHC plans physical therapy clinic in Henning BRYCE HAUGEN Last week, a chiropractor in Henning recommended physical therapy to four patients.

But without a nearby facility, Dr. Mike Mortenson’s clients needed to drive to Wadena, Perham, Fergus Falls or Alexandria to get those services.

“The last thing you want to do is drive from Henning to Wadena with a bad hip,” he said. “The unfortunate part is many of them aren’t going anywhere. They just aren’t doing the therapy they need because they don’t want to travel for it.”

Last week, two patients went to Wadena while the other two opted to wait.

They won’t have to wait much longer.

Tri-County Health Care is remodeling a portion of Mortenson’s building into a physical therapy clinic. The facility, on Inman Street just a couple blocks from TCHC’s main Henning clinic, is tentatively scheduled to open March 1.

“I really believe it’s going to absolutely take off,” said Janelle Beddow-VanErp, the physical therapist who will work at the facility, officially dubbed TCHC, Henning Physical Therapy Clinic.

She’ll be there Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., helping patients fix problems with movement, whether it be for work, play or both.

“It’s about improving the quality of life, getting people back to what they were doing,” Beddow-VanErp said.

Physical therapists work with shoulder, hip and knee problems - often following surgery - and patients with traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s dis-

ease, spinal cord injuries and chronic pain, among scores of other ailments.

Patients range in age “from birth to 110,” said Curt Brown, TCHC’s rehab supervisor.

“We’re very fortunate to have physical therapists with the skill set to do that,” he said.

The 1,200-square-foot clinic will include two patient treatment rooms and a gym with strengthening and cardio equipment.

“The building was exactly what we were looking for,” Brown said.

The facility will have ultrasound and electrical stimulation equipment. The most important physical therapy instrument?

“My two hands,” Beddow-VanErp said.

Mortenson said expanding physical therapy to the underserved eastern Otter Tail County region, where a growing elderly population is less likely to travel for services, will improve health outcomes.

Not getting needed therapy, “can affect (patients’) range of motion for the rest of their life in that joint,” he said. “We see them having more low back pain, more knee pain, more hip pain because they don’t have the mobility they could have had with physical therapy.”

TCHC’s goal, Brown said, is for the facility to eventually be open five days a week.

“We feel this will be an area of growth for us.”

For Beddow-VanErp, a Battle Lake resident, working in Henning will cut 46 miles from her commute. But she’s most excited about being able to serve her Otter Tail County neighbors. “It’s going to be fantastic to work more closely with them.”

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David & Joe Rousslang, Owners 1207 N. Jefferson St. • Wadena, MN 218-631-2182 • Fax: 218-631-4509

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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February 26, 2015

City taps reserves to secure state wellness center grant BRYCE HAUGEN The city of Wadena will temporarily draw down two reserve funds by more than $2.1 million in order to secure the $4.2 million state matching grant for the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center.

Without discussion, the city council unanimously approved the transfers at its June 10 meeting. About $1.1 million will come from the general fund reserve, while the electric fund reserve will provide $1 million. As pledges for the $12.4 million facility flow in over the next three to four years, the city will repay those funds - with interest.

City Administrator Brad Swenson said Minnesota Management and Budget wouldn’t release the money the state granted in 2012 for the wellness center until the city demonstrated it had enough cash to finish the project. Because the agency doesn’t recognize unpaid pledges as an eligible funding source, Swenson said, the city needed to come up with an alternative.

“We can’t wait four years to get this $4.2 million,” he said. “I need to start accessing that money to cash flow the wellness center project. I’m hoping this is the last piece of the puzzle.”

The city frequently shifts money from fund to fund, Swenson said. “This isn’t unusual, it’s just the amount is quite large.”

The alternative, he said, was borrowing from outside sources - something the city generally avoids. “We actually save the taxpayers money by not having to pay interest rates on borrowing.”

The reserve fund balances change from month to month. After the wellness center transfers, the electric fund reserve has about $1,850,000, but the general fund reserve is down to about $104,000.

“If we had some big project come up or some disaster happen,” Swenson said, “it could put us in a little bit of a pickle.”

By the end of the year, pledges should

replenish between three to four hundred thousand dollars of the reserves, he said.

Utilities Superintendent David Evans said as long as the electric fund is reimbursed within a couple of years, it’s no different than keeping the money in the bank.

“I don’t foresee us needing it right now,” he said.

The electric fund reserve is “our insurance policy” in case a storm damages infrastructure, Evans said. “It’s going down to a level that’s considerably lower than I’d like to be at.”

But he said he’s not too concerned. “It’ll work - as long as pledges come in.”

Earlier in the meeting, the council signed off on 10 wellness center change orders that cumulatively reduced the project’s cost by nearly $23,000.

The move was a formality. To avoid construction delays, the elected officials granted Swenson authority to agree to changes of less than $30,000 without council approval.

Some of the upcoming change orders will increase the cost, but that’s “built into our budget,” Swenson said. “We’re past major change orders at this point in time.”

After the change order, the council approved the job description and pay schedule for a third full-time wellness center position, dubbed the “aquatics/recreation coordinator.” The employee will join manager Eric Robb and the yet-to-be hired facility maintenance coordinator, a position approved last month.

The aquatics/recreation coordinator will perform a wide range of duties, from overseeing wellness center programming to recruiting, training, scheduling and evaluating part-time employees. The person will also be responsible for clerical and administrative work.

The council also set the job descriptions and pay schedules for part-time facility maintenance workers, desk clerks and lifeguards.

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

Wadena County veterans park underway DAVID A. ANDERSON The Wadena County Veterans Park was just a dream until a group of veterans lead by David Ludovissie started the effort in 2010 and four years later the park is getting ready to hold its first dedication.

The land, which was donated by the city of Wadena, is on the south side of Sunnybrook Park. The park will contain various military hardware, a dock over Sunnybrook, and contains a 50-foot mast shaped flag pole which will have the service flags flown from the yard arms and the United States flag flown on the main mast.

The Veterans Park committee reach an agreement with the City of Wadena earlier this year and upon completion the park will be dedicated back to the city and to be maintained as a city park. The park is designed as a tribute to veterans of all services, whether active or reserve or

National Guard, living or deceased from Wadena County and the greater Wadena area.

A deceased wall of honor is planned and also the committee is selling granite pavers for walkways and granite benches. These pavers will have full name, rank, branch of service and service years, the benches be available for corporate sponsorship or for family sponsorship.

The mast style flagpole was erected June 2 and will be dedicated June 14 at 12 noon starting with a flyover of Vintage AT-6 aircraft and a dedication ceremony to follow at the flag site in the Veterans Park and there will be a lunch after the dedication.

The Veterans Park Committee is a group of veterans and community members dedicated to the continued support and remembrance of the veterans that have served our great nation. They are in the process of completing a 501C3 nonprofit application.

37 37

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Daniel Daniel T. T. Carlisle Carlisle

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

Page 11

Welcome to ‘The Mas’ Wadena celebrates new wellness center BRYCE HAUGEN Take hundreds of donors large and small, add a hefty helping of state financing, then squeeze some natural disaster lemons into lemonade.

That’s the recipe that produced the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center, which debuted Saturday on the southwest side of Wadena following 13 months of construction - and decades of dreaming.

Just moments after the doors of the $12.3 million, 52,500 square foot facility opened to the public for the first time, Councilwoman Gillette Kempf made no attempt to contain the excitement she, her colleagues and scores of area residents had for the long-anticipated grand opening.

“Isn’t this the most perfect Christmas present the city of Wadena has ever seen?” she asked. “Look at this beautiful gift for the community.”

Emceed by Mayor Wayne Wolden, the

ribbon cutting ceremony in the gymnasium included remarks from Gov. Mark Dayton, Congressman Rick Nolan, Councilman Don Niles, chairman of the Wadena 2.0 committee, State Rep. Mark Anderson, a Wadena native, and Mary Maslowski, whose family trust’s $1.5 million contribution secured building naming rights.

Val Gravseth a staffer for U.S. Sen. Al Franken, also spoke, sharing letters from both Minnesota senators and recalling her own participation in the aftermath of the EF-4 tornado that wiped out the old community center.

The speeches served as a collective pat on the back for the folks who made wellness center happen, from the fundraising committee and the 400 or so donors to the city leaders - both elected and staff - who spent countless hours over the last four years planning and overseeing construction, not to mention ensuring the dollars and cents added up without the city taking on any debt.

Maslowski said the family trust - a por-

Mary Maslowski, whose family trust contributed $1.5 million to the facility which bears its name, addresses the crowd during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center Dec. 6, 2014.

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Page 12

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BLUFFTON CO. BLUFFTON OIL CO. •• oil oil changes changes •• tires tires •• bulk bulk fuel fuel delivery delivery •• pay-at-the-pump pay-at-the-pump gas gas service service •• convenience convenience store store 101 101Prospect ProspectSt., St.,Bluffton Bluffton••218.385.2595 218.385.2595

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tion of which was earmarked for wellness and research - was put to good use.

“This is what it built,” she said. “I’m proud to say it’s phenomenal.”

Nolan called the wellness center “a strong example of what can happen with nonpartisan collaboration and cooperation.”

Everyone in Wadena should “take deserved pride” in the beautiful new facility, Dayton said.

“This shows what people can do when they rise to the occasion,” he said.

Like all of the other speakers, Dayton honored Wolden, who was defeated for reelection in November. He was critical to securing $4.2 million in state money, the governor said.

“This project is a credit to a great many people, but as terms of state participation, it would not have happened without Mayor Wolden,” Dayton said.

Before she read the letters from the senators, Gravseth recalled attending Wadena 2.0 meetings in the early recovery stages and said the city will always have a special place in her heart.

“I’m so proud of all of you,” she said.

In her letter, Klobuchar remembered Wolden’s belief in the “community’s resilience, self-reliance and commitment to restoring Wadena to better than it was pre-

February 26, 2015 disaster.”

“Your actions have shown the truth in these words,” Klobuchar wrote.

The tornado might have taken homes, businesses, the hockey rink and the walls off the school, Franken wrote. “But here’s what it didn’t take: this city’s spirit.”

In closing remarks, Wolden noted that Wadena County ranks near the bottom of many public health rankings. The wellness center will provide a way to reverse that trend, he said.

“Use this facility ...” Wolden said. “Enjoy this facility.”

After the speeches, leaders lined up for the official ribbon cutting. Then the audience, many of whom eager to explore the aquatic center, fitness area, racquetball courts and community rooms, dispersed for tours led by fundraising committee members.

The membership sign up table in a community room buzzed with activity. Eric Robb, wellness center director, said before the grand opening event even began, approximately 275 people had signed up - a good start toward his goal of 500. In the days since, the number has grown significantly, he said.

“I’m happy and relieved,” said a beaming Robb, who had been preparing for Saturday since he got hired in April.

February 26, 2015

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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Lifeguards were in uniform in the aquatic center at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center for the grand opening festivities.

Gillian Moench was even more excited for Sunday, when the public was able to use the wellness center for the first time.

What was she looking forward to the most? The same thing as more than a dozen other people interviewed Saturday: the

pools.

“Finally,” Moench said. “We’ve been anxiously awaiting.

Although too shy to say it aloud, her preschool daughter Lillian agreed with a nod.

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Page 13 QUALITY • SELECTION • VALUE • CONVENIENCE

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February 26, 2015

A nickname emerges The Maslowski Wellness and Research Center is a bit of a mouthful.

MWRC (Mm-werk?) doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue, either.

Perham has the PACC (Perham Area Community Center). And if the nickname sticks, Wadena now has The Mas (pronounced Maz).

It’s difficult to trace the exact origin of the moniker.

At a special meeting this spring, then-Councilman Brian Hillesland told his fellow members he had started to call it that. As the year progressed, it came up sporadically, before being wholly embraced by the marketing team at Tri-County Health Care, which was tasked with promoting the wellness center - sorry, The Mas - grand opening.

It’s appeared on radio ads and was included in the TCHC media advisory about the event.

“The Mas, as it has come to be known, shares an adjacent site to the new Wadena-Deer Creek Middle/High School, which was also destroyed by the tornado,” the advisory states.

Marketing Manager Matt Jensen said the initial emergence of the nickname was organic and it’s slowly turned more official.

“We eased into it,” he said.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, Mayor Wayne Wolden asked Mary Maslowski her thoughts on The Mas. She wholeheartedly approved, noting it was the nickname of her father, Frank Maslowski, who placed his fortune it the trust that contributed $1.5 million to the facility.

David & Joe Rousslang, Owners

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

Council moves forward with SE revamp Two-year project will narrow some streets BRYCE HAUGEN The comprehensive project to upgrade streets, sewers, sidewalks and water lines in southeast Wadena has entered the final design phase.

The city council approved the preliminary plan at a nearly four-hour meeting June 10. Now engineers will spend the rest of the year fine-tuning the details in hopes of soliciting bids by early 2015.

“What we’re trying to do is get all this wrapped in a nice little bow by the end of the year,” Phil Martin, senior project manager for Bolton & Menk, told the council.

“We want to get this in front of contractors when they’re the hungriest.”

For an estimated $9.4 million, the city plans to rebuild the infrastructure in 2015 (south of Dayton Avenue) and 2016 (north of Dayton).

About 40 percent of the rebuilt streets will be narrowed by 10 feet, a plan that drew criticism at public open houses.

Martin said the reduced width will reduce the project cost, increase green space, reduce stormwater runoff, decrease speeds in residential areas and make the streets less appealing to trucks, which will now have a designated loop. It will still be possible to park on both sides of the street, he said.

Other residents complained about the plan for sidewalks. Within the designated

sidewalk zone - in southeast Wadena it extends from the railroad tracks to Garfield Avenue and from Jefferson to 2nd Street there will be sidewalks on both sides of the street. Outside of that zone, they will only be on one side of the street. Some sidewalks will need to be added to create continuity.

For detailed maps of the sidewalk and street width proposals, go to wadenapj. com.

Although the basics of the project have been agreed to, some specifics might be tweaked as final design proceeds, said City Administrator Brad Swenson.

“I think there’s room for discussion on some of the street widths in certain areas, sidewalks in a few different areas,” he said.

“I think there’s some minor changes that can be made without changing the entire concept.”

Mayor Wayne Wolden said the city has to develop proactive policies to prepare for narrower streets.

“If we’re going to do this,” he said, “we’re going to have to have a solid plan in place for snow removal and parking - or it’s going to be a disaster and we’re going to be crucified for it.”

Southeast residents are expected to foot 20 percent of the bill for most of the project through special assessments, while all Wadena residents would split the rest through property taxes.

TNT REPAIR, INC. Jim & Shari Haberer

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

Page 16

Hwy. 10 • Wadena 631-3330 Four Boys Motorsports “We’ve got the key for the car you need”

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February 26, 2015

Dollar Tree plans to open Wadena store BRYCE HAUGEN This fall, bargain hunters will have a new place to shop in Wadena.

Dollar Tree, a discount variety store with nearly 5,000 locations in the United States and Canada, plans to open a location on a vacant lot north of Super One Foods at the corner of Juniper Avenue and 1st Street Northwest.

At its May 13 meeting, the city council unanimously approved a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with Green Baybased United Development Group, authorizing up to $140,000 in property tax breaks for the company to build an 8,000 square foot retail store. The agreement lists the estimated market value of the property as $974,571, although city and county officials expect it to be lower.

Dollar Tree will provide about 14 fulltime jobs with health insurance benefits that would pay between $10 and $13 an hour, according to a worksheet the city committee used to score the project.

Now that the council has approved TIF, the developer expects to close on the land

by June 1 and finish construction by Sept.

15 so Dollar Tree can open about Oct. 1, said Rick Johnson, principal at United Development Group, LLC. “We will be the landlords and the company will run the store ...” he said. “We’ve done quite a few of these and this is the smallest community we’ve put one up in.”

Based on market analysis, Johnson said, Dollar Tree decided opening a store in Wadena makes sense.

“They like to be by Walmart,” he said.

“They consider it the same customer.

Quite frankly, Walmart doesn’t really have a problem with them.

Johnson said the TIF money makes the project viable, because the company won’t be able to charge as much in rent as they do in larger communities.

Under the agreement, the developer will save up to $1,555 per year on property taxes over the next nine years, though the exact amount will be determined when County Assessor Lee Brekke evaluates the completed project.

Right now, Brekke said, the county, city and school district fetch a combined $1,450 annually in property taxes for the vacant property. Depending on the assessed value - and future changes in the market and tax law - the developed property should yield between $30,000 to $40,000 per year, he said.

Because the school district and county also collect property taxes, state law requires they be given a 30 day notice before the public hearing, which was held at the beginning of the monthly council meeting.

“I received no indication from either party that there would be any question or opposition to the TIF plan,” said Dean Uselman, Wadena planning and zoning director.

After the city TIF committee found the project met minimum requirements, council members voted in April to hire a consultant to craft an agreement.

Wadena has never rejected a TIF request that made it to the council. The program has seen a resurgence over the past year, aiding Mason Brothers’ expansion of Abby’s Bakery and a Merickel office suite, among other projects.

“It seems like we are sort of in that groove when it comes to development,” Mayor Wayne Wolden said at the April meeting.”

On May 13, Wolden said he noticed United Development Group also does a lot of projects with another company - on its website, it claims to be “the preferred developer of Maurices and Dollar Tree” and he asked Johnson whether he would be back with another project “any time soon.”

Johnson said there are no immediate plans.

“If Dollar Tree does well I could see more development out there,” he said.

Wadena resident Jody Grossinger, the only member of the public to speak at the hearing, said she’s familiar with the store and is happy it’s coming to town.

“I think it would be great for our community,” she said. “I don’t think it would affect any of our other businesses at all.”

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

Reuter Family Dentistry to open new clinic ter, business manager and owner of Reuter Family Dentistry. The Reuters bought the practice in Wadena from Dr. James Matthiae in January 2010. “We soon realized we needed a larger facility to serve our patients, and started looking for a suitable building site in Wadena,” Reuter said.

In addition to the latest technology, other features of the new clinic focus on patient comfort and privacy, including a special waiting area designed just for kids and family friendly exam rooms. “Our goal is to make visiting the dentist a positive experience for everyone by first giving people friendly, comfortable surroundings, then giving them outstanding care,” Dr. Reuter said.

Crews broke ground for the new clinic in July, and the Reuters hope to open their doors by December. Until then Dr. Reuter and Dr. Matthiae will treat patients at the current facility on 1st Street, and they always welcome new patients.

“The new facility is a huge investment,” said Ryan Reuter, “and it’s one we’re excited to make in Wadena.”

Wadena County Public Health receives $625,000 chemical health grant RIN PORTER Commissioners learned on Oct. 13 that Wadena County Public Health has been awarded a $625,000 Chemical Health Awareness and Multi-drug Prevention (CHAMP) grant in a competitive process, as part of a coalition of agencies dedicated to preventing youth substance abuse.

This grant continues the work of the previous grant. All together, the two grants will cover 10 years (2009 to 2019) Public Health Director Cindy Pederson made the announcement and explained that the grant period will be Sept. 30, 2014 to Sept. 29, 2019. Chem-

ical Health Prevention Specialists Laure Laughlin and Heidi Happel were responsible for writing the grant and will provide ongoing prevention activities focused on reducing use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs at all four of the county’s school districts. Surveys taken by 9th graders in previous years indicated that alcohol and tobacco use have fallen from 28 percent and 22 percent, respectively, in 2007, to 12 percent each in 2013. Marijuana use is still a problem.

As part of the grant, public health officials work with school districts, law enforcement, parents, and other local agencies to coordinate drug and alcohol prevention activities.

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Home Town Abstract & Title

Servicing Todd, Wadena and Otter Tail County for all your abstracting, closing and title insurance needs.

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Serving the Wadena area since 2001!

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Reuter Family Dentistry announced plans for a new state of the art dental clinic in Wadena. The new facility will be located at 80 Juniper Avenue, near the entrance to Walmart.

The clinic will feature the latest in dental innovation, including digital x-rays, on site equipment sterilization and custom athletic mouth guards.

“Research has shown strong links between people’s oral maintenance and their overall health,” said Dr. Heidi Reuter, D.D.S. and owner of Reuter Family Dentistry. “We want to offer dental care that’s at the forefront of technology to people in Wadena.”

A native to the Wadena area, Reuter graduated with honors from the College of St. Benedict’s, then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

After practicing in Rochester and Hastings for several years, she and husband Ryan decided to move their young family back north.

“We knew we wanted a dental practice near family and friends,” said Ryan Reu-

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February 26, 2015

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

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February 26, 2015

NJPA awards $68K for Wadena County drug agent RIN PORTER The National Joint Powers Association, based in Staples, has awarded a grant to Wadena County to fund a Drug Agent position for one year, beginning in 2015.

County Coordinator Curt Kreklau made the announcement at a special board meeting held on Oct. 28. The amount of $67,644.88 awarded to the county will pay the agent’s salary, while $4,800 will be used for a public awareness campaign.

The deputy will be assigned to the West Central Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. Sheriff Carr explained to the board on Aug. 19 that “the purpose is to try to get drugs off the street, to be proactive. I’ve got 90 percent of the people in my jail now because of drugs...the Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force will pay for all the training, food, equipment, etc., that the agent needs.”

Sheriff Carr appeared before all five city councils in the county to request support for the drug agent. All five city police chiefs supported the idea. The cities agreed to help fund the drug agent position, along with the county’s contribution. However, now that the grant has been received, there will be no cost to any of the cities or to the county for 2015.

According to Paul Drange, Director of Regional Programs for NJPA, “…[A] ll Innovation Funding projects approved by our board are one year awards with no exception. Entities will be welcome to apply for Innovation Funding again next fiscal year assuming our NJPA board approves funding again. That process may or may not provide projects with funding for additional years.”

The grant proposal, which requested funding for three years, was written by Kreklau with the assistance of Carr, his staff, and Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz. Letters of support for the grant application were received from Sebeka Police Chief Tighe Lane, Menahga Chief

of Police Scott Koennicke, the City of Wadena and the City of Menahga. Contracts will be drafted and signed in November.

Also at the Oct. 28 special board meeting, which was scheduled for the purpose of reviewing the proposals submitted for the job of Construction Manager for the upcoming court facilities remodeling project, commissioners decided to postpone making a contract award.

Only one company submitted a proposal, though seven were invited to do so.

The single proposal submitted by Vercon Inc., of Menahga, did not include a total bid amount. Instead, it presented a fixed fee and hourly rates for several personnel who would work on the project: a project manager, project principal, site superintendent and project assistant. This was too open-ended for commissioners.

After some discussion, commissioners and County Coordinator Curt Kreklau placed a conference call to Architect Bruce Schwartzman of BKV Architects in Minneapolis, the lead architect for the project. The conversation resulted in Schwartzman’s recommendation that Kreklau contact Vercon, Inc., and ask them to submit a total bid amount. If the company will not do so, then the county should reject the Vercon proposal and proceed to interview general contractors instead of using a construction manager for the project, Schwartzman advised.

Commissioners agreed that Kreklau should contact Vercon and discuss the situation. If Vercon will not offer a total bid amount, then commissioners will discuss their next step at the Nov. 3 meeting.

Also at the Oct. 28 meeting, commissioners approved a request from Zoning and Parks Director Deana Malone to purchase a used Ford F-150 pickup truck from the Minnesota DNR for $7,200, using tax-forfeited land funds as permitted

by Minnesota Statute 282.08.

The board also approved a low-income septic system grant to replace a failing system at a home in Rockwood Township.

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

Wadena Board Chair signs architect contract for Transfer Station expansion BRYCE HAUGEN Wadena commissioners had second thoughts about the expansion of the county’s Transfer Station at a Dec. 16 board meeting.

In November, Solid Waste Director Mike Hanan presented the board with a proposal from Foss Architecture, Fargo, to provide architectural services for the expansion of the Transfer Station for an estimated $72,000 – 6 ½ percent of the project’s $1.1 million construction cost. Commissioners asked Hanan to get more information about the architect fees.

Wade Ericson from Foss Architecture attended the Dec. 16 meeting along with Hanan to answer the board’s questions and explain his firm’s design for the expansion.

At the Nov. 12 board meeting, commissioners spent considerable time debating the merits of continuing with the expansion project at the county’s Transfer Station. Hanan repeatedly explained the need for the expansion, the alternatives, and projected costs for the various expansion options brought up by commissioners. For reasons that were not made clear, two commissioners objected to the architect expense.

After more than an hour of discussion, the board voted 4 to 1 at the Nov. 12 meeting to approve Foss as the architect for the project and to proceed with detailed construction plans for the Transfer Station expansion.

At the Dec. 16 meeting, commissioners met to vote to approve the signing of the contract with Foss Architecture by Board Chair Bill Stearns.

Ericson distributed copies of his firm’s design and schematic drawings for the Transfer Station expansion. Comm. Dave Hillukka then asked whether they could

use a fabric roof. Ericson explained that attaching a fabric roof to an existing metal roof was difficult and might prove inadequate for the expanded building. Comm.

Stearns then asked whether the project could be done in two phases to spread out the costs. Ericson agreed that it could be done that way. There were questions about the architect fees, and whether the fees would be reduced if commissioners scaled back the scope of the project.

After about 30 minutes of questions and debate, the board voted to have Stearns sign the contract with Foss Architecture so that Foss can begin preparing the construction documents for the project. After the construction documents are ready, the project will be put out for bids.

Also at the Dec. 16 board meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Civil Engineering Technician III Larry Malone, who has worked for the county for 44 years and 70 months, starting in 1970. County Engineer Ryan Odden praised Malone’s work.

Malone’s last day will be Dec. 31.

Odden asked the board to approve promoting Civil Engineering Technician II Tyler Boyne to Malone’s position. Boyne has six years’ experience and has earned all the certifications that MnDOT requires for the Civil Engineering Tech III position. The board approved the promotion.

Odden next asked the board to approve recruiting for someone to fill Boyne’s position. He said that other county engineers have told him that they have had a difficult time filling any Civil Engineering Tech I or II position because there is a shortage of candidates. Many qualified candidates have gone to North Dakota to work in the oil fracking industry there, which pays a great deal more than most Minnesota counties can. The board approved the recruitment process to begin in January 2015.

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

Page 21

Engineer presents preliminary design for southeast infrastructure project to city council BRYCE HAUGEN The last comprehensive infrastructure project in Wadena in the late 90s revamped the water network, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, streets and sidewalks on the north side of the city.

With that project nearly paid for, it’s the southeast section’s turn.

“We’re trying to work our way around the city. This will be a never-ending process,” said Brad Swenson, city administrator. “You can only do so much at a time because of the cost.”

During a two-hour special Wadena City Council meeting Thursday, an engineer from Bolton and Menk, Inc. presented his firm’s preliminary design for the southeast project, expected to cost more than $9 million. Council members asked questions, shared opinions and scheduled a public meeting for Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in order to get input before proceeding.

After considering residents’ comments, the council will direct engineers on the specifics of what it wants included in the project. Then the firm will spend much of the next year completing final design, while the city determines the best way to pay for the improvements.

The plan is to be ready for bids by next February, with construction beginning May 2015. The project is slated to be completed over two years, with the south half of southeast finished in 2015 and the north half in 2016. It could be extended a third year, depending on how financing shakes out.

“It’s just too big of a project to do in one year,” Swenson said.

No one on the council has advocated dropping or delaying the replacement of the deteriorating infrastructure, some of which is 70 to 90 years old. The questions they face concern exactly how to do it.

While members are likely to defer to the experts on the water network and sewer systems, the surface features are up for debate.

Should - and if so, where should - the city develop truck routes to keep big rigs off of residential streets? How wide should new streets be? Should the sidewalk network be expanded, shrunk or kept the same? What about bike routes?

Over the past three months, engineers met with a group of city department heads four times for input as they de-

This image shows what 46 foot wide streets look like. Most of Wadena’s streets are this wide, but the as the city council considered more than $9 million in infrastructure improvement to the southeast side of town, it debated whether to reduce the width of residential streets.

veloped the preliminary design.

“Now we’ve got to get into the nitty gritty and make this happen,” said Bolton and Menk engineer Phil Martin, at the beginning of his Thursday presentation.

New truck routes, streets, sidewalks The most visible piece of the comprehensive infrastructure project is the reconstruction of southeast Wadena’s streets, which presents an opportunity to deal with a persistent problem with the city’s road network: truck traffic on residential streets.

Martin presented preliminary plans for designated truck routes. One possibility is creating a loop for trucks that would extend from Jefferson Street down Dayton Avenue Southeast to Fourth Street Southeast and back to Jefferson via Aldrich Avenue Southeast.

“You could essentially keep trucks in the area that we’ve prepared for them,” Martin said.

Enforcement of the route, he said, is essential.

Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz told the council her department would fine drivers who entered residential areas, if the route were approved.

“Eventually, they are going to learn that they don’t belong on those streets,” Swenson said.

Martin also presented options to potentially reduce the width of some southeast residential streets. Most of them are 46-feet wide, but they could be shrunk to 36 or 32 feet.

The truck routes and streets in the commercial district would likely remain the same width.

Reducing residential road width by 10 feet would lower the cost of replacement of sidewalks and streets from $4.4 million to $4.2 million. Martin said it would also create two more acres of green space, reduce stormwater runoff, make residential streets less appealing to truckers and reduce speeds for all traffic. He provided the council with visuals depicting how streets would look for each scenario.

“How would you like traffic to be in your residential areas?,” Martin asked the council.

The five members responded in unison: “Slow!”

Members asked Martin about how the change would affect parking and snowplowing.

Mayor Wayne Wolden said he would like to see Wadena ban overnight parking on all streets throughout the win-

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Public Works Director Dan Kovar said that would make plowing much easier, but Council Member Jeanette Baymler expressed reservations about the idea.

At 36 feet, there would be enough space for cars to park on both sides of the street, Martin said, but large vehicles might have to drive more slowly. A 32-foot-wide street would only leave enough room for parking on one side and would require winter parking restrictions.

“Thirty-two feet would be really, really tight,” Baymler said.

“I wouldn’t want to see that.” Other council members agreed.

The conversation turned to sidewalks. Martin asked the council to consider whether it wanted to have sidewalks on both sides of all streets, one side of streets or some other combination. There are a few gaps in the network, and he wondered whether the council wanted them filled.

Some sidewalks are still in pretty good shape, he said.

“If we don’t need to replace something,” Martin said, “we don’t need to spend the money to replace it.”

Wolden predicted sidewalks are “going to be hugely debated and controversial ... People have to maintain them and pay for them.”

Council Member Gillette Kempf asked Martin whether engineers had considered bike paths.

“We do want to do bike corridors,” Martin said, noting the council will need to decide how that should be done.

“This is wipe the slate clean. What do you want ultimately to get done?”

Water networks, sewers Earlier in the meeting, Martin addressed the scheduled replacement of the water distribution network.

This part of the project would replace all existing pipes, many of which are undersized. The larger pipes would cre-

ate greater capacity to allow for increased demand from development and for firefighting.

The projected cost to replace southeast’s water distribution system is $1.6 million. That’s nearly $500,000 less than engineers predicted at a July 2013 open house.

“Water is a costly thing, but it’s pretty straightforward,” Martin said.

He then presented the engineer’s preliminary plan to upgrade the storm sewer system. Complete replacement of the system would cost about $1.8 million, up $400,000 from the July prediction.

“If we can salvage any of the existing storm sewer pipe then maybe we can cut into that,” Martin said.

What can be saved and what must be replaced will be determined through tests later this year as the engineers develop a final design. This part of the project calls for relocating storm sewer runoff to different outfalls at Union Creek.

Martin also asked the council to consider options to reroute water away from Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, because the basement of the building floods during large rain events.

“It seems we should be obligated to do something about that,” Wolden said.

Addressing this issue would add to the cost. Council members agreed to discuss possible solutions with the cooperative.

Most - if not all - of southeast’s sanitary sewer system will also be replaced during the two-year project.

Engineers proposed rerouting some of the pipes. All of the city’s waste flows into a 18-inch pipe on the eastern edge of town that flows to the treatment plant. It appears there is enough capacity in the system, Martin said.

The sanitary sewer project is expected to cost around

February 26, 2015 $1.6 million - more than $80,000 less than projected in July.

Financing undetermined To fund the project, the city will try to get a low-interest 10-to 20 year loan through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, a state agency that provides funding for municipal projects, Swenson said. Ideally, part of the loan would be eligible for forgiveness, which would reduce longterm costs.

Another option is borrowing through the United State Department of Agriculture. The downside, Swenson said, is such a loan would have a 40-year lifetime.

Wadena could always sell municipal bonds to pay for the project, but interest rates would be higher than with the loans.

Swenson said he is looking for other funding sources, such as grants, that could reduce the overall cost. And he hopes the county, which has jurisdiction over some of the roads through town, pitches in.

However it’s financed, residents will end up paying off the debt. The cost will be split among southeast Wadena property owners, who will fund 20 percent of the debt payments on most projects through special assessments, and the city’s other property owners, who will foot 80 percent of the debt payments through property taxes.

Without knowing where the money will come from or how much the project will end up costing, Swenson said he isn’t able to offer an estimate on the cost per resident.

In 10 or 15 years, Swenson said, the ongoing process will turn to the southwest side of town, beginning with the oldest section closest to downtown and continuing, in phases, to the city limits.

“It’s not real glorious. It’s not pretty,” Swenson said.

“But your town is only as good as what you have for infrastructure.”

NOTICE: WADENA COUNTY RESIDENTS PLEASE NOTE: It is illegal to place non-recyclable items in any recycling bin in Wadena County.

Non-recyclable items have been found in the Wadena County recycling bins on a regular basis. Placing these types of items in a recycling bin is illegal and costly, and repeated misuse of it will result in us removing bins. If anyone has information regarding the illegal use of the recycling bins, please call the Wadena County Sheriff’s Department at 218-631-7600 – you may remain anonymous. For information on proper disposal of the items, please call the Wadena County Department of Solid Waste at 218-631-2474. We appreciate everyone’s help in resolving these issues and we want to continue providing the citizens of Wadena County with recycling services.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

TV tubes/ monitors/electronics/appliances/vacuums Plastic housings from TV’s and vacuums, etc.

All unnumbered plastics/Lawn chairs/Kids toys Household garbage including food waste Fluorescent bulbs/batteries Household hazardous waste-paint, cleaners, chemicals Building materials (dirt, cement, rocks, wood, insulation, shingles, siding, vinyl siding) Flooring (carpet, tile, wood, linoleum, etc.)

Cigarette butts/Q-Tips/Hair/Sponges Glass cookware/bakeware/dishes/ceramic/porcelain Waxed paper/waxed cardboard Cat litter/ Animal/human waste Diapers/Sanitary napkins/feminine products Shoes/Clothing (any cloth materials) Paper plates/napkins/paper towels/toilet paper Mirrors/Windows or Auto Glass Filters/furnace filters/oil filters Styrofoam/packing peanuts Bailing twine-plastic/hemp/sisal/silage or hay plastic Christmas lights/trees/wreaths Tires NO BURNT ITEMS

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COMMUNITY PROGRESS

February 26, 2015

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February 26, 2015

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