Stephen Wiblemo / Submitted photo 

Dr. Brian Pollmann receives his shot as the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered at Hutchinson Health Monday morning. Due to a limited supply, frontline health care workers and long-term care residents and staff will be the first to receive the vaccine.

Stephen Wiblemo / Submitted photo 

Gina Jennissen and Renae Dorn, members of Hutchinson Health’s pharmacy team, had present for their health care coworkers. It’s a cooler filled with the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which they picked up from New Ulm and delivered Monday morning.

There was reason for celebration at Hutchinson Health and Glencoe Regional Health hospitals Monday morning. Local health care workers received some of the nation’s first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, marking a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

“I’m optimistic that with the arrival of these vaccines, we’ll start to move past the worst of this pandemic,” said Jim Lyons, president and CEO of Hutchinson Health. “Our care teams are the first recipients, which offers great relief to our health care system. But more importantly, in the near future, they will be widely available.”

Both hospitals received doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which was given emergency use authorization Dec. 11 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine is administered as a two-dose series 17 to 21 days apart.

According to a press release from GRH, the COVID-19 vaccines have been tested in clinical trials and the results have been reviewed by 50 independent experts. To date, there have been no serious side effects. In both the Pfizer and Moderna trials, most side effects were reported as mild or moderate, and they occurred at a lower rate in older volunteers.

Research from clinical trials involving “tens of thousands” of participants have found that the two-dose vaccines coming to market are safe and close to 95% effective at preventing COVID-19, according to a press release from Hutchinson Heath.

“From everything I have been able to read and understand, the COVID-19 vaccine is both safe and effective,” said Dr. Kristine Knudten, chief medical Officer at GRH. “I was vaccinated today, along with a number of our employees. We are optimistic that the vaccine will be an important part of developing the immunity needed to help us all move past this pandemic.”

As prioritized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first phase of the vaccine is being given to health care workers and long-term care residents, and it most likely won’t be available to the broader public for months.

As of Dec. 21, McLeod County had reported 2,939 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 34 deaths. While the vaccine has arrived, residents are still urged to continue following infection prevention guidelines such as social distancing, masking, frequent hand-washing and other measures.

“Today is a milestone in the fight against COVID-19,” said Mandy Sturges, emergency services director at GRH. “Building herd immunity is an important step in moving beyond the pandemic. As we wait for the vaccine to become available to the public, we ask our community to continue taking prevention measures seriously. The end of the pandemic is in sight, and today’s historic moment marks that change toward brighter days.”

Stephen Wiblemo / Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo 

Steve Cook, a former Hutchinson mayor who has spent 14 years on City Council shaping city policy, is leaving office at the start of 2021.

Fourteen years. That’s how long Steve Cook has served as a member of the Hutchinson City Council.

He spent his first 10 years as mayor from 2005 to 2014. After losing re-election to current Mayor Gary Forcier, two years later Cook campaigned for and won a council seat and has served for four years, from 2017 to 2020.

During his time on the council, Cook has overseen changes large and small throughout the city and its operations.

Early in Cook’s years as mayor, Hutchinson experienced financial distress caused largely by cuts in Local Government Aid and layoffs at Hutchinson Technology. Those factors hurt the city’s ability to pay its debt on upgrades to water and sewer plants, which were done based on projections of local industrial needs.

Cook led the push for a half-cent sales tax to help the city pay that debt and has lobbied for restoration of LGA, which helped the city weather local issues and the national recession.

But he’s also been a lightning rod for criticism. His support of providing $750,000 to prepare the Luce Line State Trail for paving is still chided today, as are other efforts he supported, such as ending invocations before council meetings and a resolution declaring Hutchinson a welcoming community.

Despite critics, Cook has chosen to remain in the public eye until now. Early in 2020 he made it known he would not seek re-election, and his seat was won by council newcomer Brandon Begnaud.

As Cook prepares to leave the council chambers after more than a decade of service, we reached out to him for a Q&A about his time as an elected official.

Looking back to 2004 when you were first elected mayor, some may be surprised to know you were considered an anti-establishment candidate for your criticism of Hutchinson City Council decisions, especially on spending. Now you have sometimes been the target of criticism for your decisions. How has your thinking evolved over 14 years in city government, and how natural do you think that evolution is for elected officials?

While I think my questions back then were justified, I can see the other side of it after being “in the trenches.”

I think the biggest evolution is that before being elected, I thought the city would grow on its own if you simply provided necessary services and minimize taxes. However, I have come to understand that the city has both direct and indirect roles to play in community development.

Yes, we need to provide the basic services and manage taxes, but at the same time we need to invest in “placemaking” amenities that enhance aesthetics, increase social offerings and promote openness. Studies have shown those are key elements to strengthening community attachment and make a city more attractive for new residents and new businesses. That is important because we are competing with other communities for those new residents and businesses, and in the end growth is the best way to limit future tax increases. Plus the more attached people are, the more likely they will stay and get involved in the community. That in turn helps make a community more resilient.

Fortunately, Hutchinson does well in these areas, and that is one reason I think we came through the great recession and job losses as well as we did. However, it is important not to take this for granted, because it is an ongoing process. On the other hand, this is not something that all elected officials understand. The level of understanding is one reason why some cities do better than others.

People who have watched City Council meetings or worked with you on the council have described you as thorough or hands-on. You come prepared to meetings with several questions and requests for city staff and others. Can you describe what your preparation was like before meetings, and why was it important for you to be so fastidious in your duties?

I know I asked more questions than others, but I took the job seriously. My intent was to increase my understanding and to help insure that we got things right because we (the council) were signing off on them. That was especially important to me when adopting policies, because that is the primary role of the council. Sometimes my questions were just to help explain something more to the public or share something someone brought up to me.

My prep would include reading the information provided carefully and doing additional research if needed. That might include researching online to understand something better, going out to look at something, asking questions before the meeting, looking at what other cities have done, looking at League of Minnesota Cities info or looking at city plans and policies, local ordinances or state laws.

I would also consider other options, look to see if something was missing or if there could be tweaks to make it better. I would also try to give staff a heads up before the meeting so they would not be surprised.

You’ve now served 10 years as Hutchinson’s mayor and four years as a council member. Has serving in each of those roles given you different perspectives of City Council? Did you prefer one over the other, and if so, why?

Stephen Wiblemo / Leader archives 

Steve Cook was sworn in as Hutchinson’s new mayor in 2005 following his election win over former mayor Marlin Torgerson. Cook served five terms, or 10 years, as mayor until he was defeated by current Mayor Gary Forcier in 2014. Then in 2016, Cook campaigned for and won his current seat on the council.

In Hutchinson, the mayor really doesn’t have any more “power” than the rest of the council members. The mayor basically leads the meetings and represents the city in official and ceremonial duties. Decisions are made by the council as a whole and the mayor has one vote like the other council members.

All council members can ask that something be placed on the agenda. Perhaps most interestingly, the mayor cannot make a motion to initiate a council vote, so in that way you could say that the other council members have more power. Personally, I enjoyed serving in both positions and I approached both jobs with the same diligence. However, not being responsible for some of the ceremonial responsibilities over the last four years was a nice change, because it took extra time.

In the past two decades you’ve been part of some very important decisions the City Council has made. What do you feel have been some of the council's biggest successes during that time, and were there any decisions you look back on now and question?

There have been many things that have taken place across all areas of the city that I am proud of. However, I think one of the most significant was the hospital privatization, because of the benefits that it provided to the city, Hutchinson Health and its patients.

Another was the success in getting voter and legislative approval for the half-cent sales tax. Dedicated to helping pay the debt on the new water and sewer plants, the tax has allowed us to stabilize rates and free up operating revenue to address capital needs and build fund balance in those departments — just as was advertised. Hopefully voters will approve a renewal to help with other community projects when that is possible in the future.

The most important, though, has been the financial improvements that have been put in place. This includes the creation of the debt management plan, the community improvement fund, reallocating LGA between the general fund and the capital projects fund, the annual transfer agreement with Hutchinson Utilities, and five-year budgets.

In addition, the resource allocation, facility and fleet committees were formed and/or developed improved methodologies, which help vet projects and prioritize investments. The number of city vehicles has also been reduced and the life of others extended.

Finally, a variety of other financial policies were adopted. Combined with previously existing documents like our five-year capital improvement plan, these improvements help us to manage city funds better, minimize tax increases and minimize risk. That is a credit to city staff and councils over that time, and our improved bond rating reflects the value of those efforts. Hopefully beginning to add money incrementally each year to the large fleet fund and creating a levy stabilization fund will be added to the mix.

As far as any decisions that I question, I can’t think of any, except ones that didn’t get approved. Ideas like raising the age to purchase tobacco, the welcoming resolution and the invocation were the right thing to do, even if they were not popular by some. Along that vein, failure to approve additional study of the State Theatre was a missed opportunity. I am worried about downtown. Hopefully the council will take a more active role on items included in the Imagine Hutchinson downtown “vision and action plan." Reconsidering the State should be a part of that. Even though times are tough right now, that doesn’t mean we should stop planning for the future, taking advantage of opportunities and being creative to keep moving ahead.

Why did you want this to be your final year on the council? Do you plan to remain engaged with city government in other capacities? Have you ruled out another run for the council or some other elected body?

I planned to retire from 3M this year and did so Oct. 1, so at the beginning of the year I started thinking that retiring from the council at the end of my term this year made sense, too. I put a lot of time into my council duties and often used vacation for city activities. That was my choice, but freeing up time for family and to do some other things was appealing.

There are things unfinished and more to do, but that would always be the case. I also feel the city is in a better place than when I was first elected. So in the end the time was right.

While I don’t see future elected office in my plans, I hope to stay involved in some city activities. In particular, there are several history related projects that I would like to work on.

Brandon Begnaud won the election to fill your shoes on City Council Seat 3 this November, and like you when you were first elected, he ran on promises to rein in spending. Is there any advice you would give for the council’s newest member?

I think “reining in spending” is a typical campaign statement for any candidate. In reality, though, you see what we have been doing at the city level and we have been managing spending and limiting tax increases pretty well. For example, over the last 10 years our tax levy increase has averaged just 1.9%, with some years seeing no general fund levy increase.

My advice would be to embrace the progressiveness, partnerships and collaboration that are hallmarks of Hutchinson’s success. Remember that amenities and placemaking matter. Do your homework. Be open-minded and plan for the future. Remember you represent everyone — not just the few who show up at meetings, call you or post on social media.

Get involved in the League of Minnesota Cities and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Great sources of information are the annual city budget document and the annual financial report (CAFR). Lastly, appreciate the knowledge and skills of city staff. We are blessed to have outstanding employees who want to do the best for the community. Good luck!

We don’t usually get to choose what people think of us or how we’re remembered, but what would you like your legacy on the City Council to be?

Someone who was thoughtful, committed, forward-thinking and who always tried to do the right thing.

Sheila Murphy

The majority of federal COVID-19 relief funds spent by McLeod County went to assist small businesses.

The county's $4.37 million share was part of $853 million given to Minnesota cities, counties, food shelves and food banks earlier this year, and distributed through early December. The county also helped some cities and townships distribute their relief funds.

"There are businesses that told us that money saved them," said McLeod County Administrator Sheila Murphy.

The county directed $2 million to local businesses. The second largest expense was $817,542 for public health and safety payroll, followed by $498,524 to help schools facilitate distance learning and $420,886 for economic support.

Relief money was also spent on county personnel diverted to new tasks, public health expenses, telecommunication expenses, personal protective equipment, medical expenses, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and unemployment benefits. All said, the county spent $4.69 million, which includes funds distributed to it and to local cities and townships it cooperated with.

Cities such as Hutchinson that administered their own relief funds distributed everything they had been given as well, often favoring business support.

"We were very lucky," Murphy said. "Townships and cities spent almost all their money. ... They did an excellent job."

Not all counties saw local governments distribute the whole of their funds. According to state data, 10 counties returned money to the state, including $457,070 from Fillmore County, $32,055 from Swift County and $7,175 from Redwood County. Statewide, payroll for public health and safety employees received the most funding ($311 million), followed by small business aid ($181 million).

Minnesotans following state mandates know businesses aren't out of the woods. Relief funds targeted expenses that came before the most recent pandemic restrictions most seriously targeting indoor dining, bars and gyms. Restrictions on bars and restaurants are set to last through Jan. 10, and it is unclear if there will be an extension.

A state bill passed Dec. 14 that extends unemployment benefits for 13 weeks also marked $216 million for business relief. Of that money, $88 million is for businesses that have lost 30% or more in revenue in 2020. Those businesses are expected to be contacted directly. Another $14 million is for movie theaters and large convention centers. Counties will be responsible for distributing another $112 million.

McLeod County has not yet received its share of funds, but it is expected to have $692,438 to distribute and $17,310 for administration.

"They are expecting to send counties the certification process around (Dec. 31)," Murphy said in an email. "Once counties complete the certification process and it's received by the state, they will receive their money in about five business days."

Counties have until March 15 to determine who receives funds, which must be distributed by April 1. Remaining funds are returned to the state. More details are expected following the Jan. 5 McLeod County Board meeting.

Funds are intended to be distributed based on need. Other new funds distributed to businesses, and money previously distributed from the federal relief fund, will be considered in determining county distribution.

RELIEF FUND DISTRIBUTIONS

McLeod County distributed federal relief funds it received, as well as funds for partnering cities and townships, to numerous local businesses, nonprofits, organizations and schools impacted by COVID-19.

The following distributions were approved at McLeod County Board meetings.

Businesses and nonprofits:

• Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism: $18,650
• Parkview Dental: $20,000
• City of Winsted: $5,902
• Forever Smiles PLLC: $20,000
• The Cottage Farmhouse, LLC: $1,008
• The Pinske Edge: $20,000
• The Blue Note/J&N Schlagel Enterprises II: $20,000
• Subway of Hutchinson Inc.: $20,000
• KDUZ KARP Radio/Iowa City Broadcasting Inc.: $20,000
• Bumps Family Restaurant Inc.: $20,000
• Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc.: $20,000
• Wheel and Cog Children’s Museum: $13,920
• Security Bank & Trust Company: $8,075
• Plato Woodwork Inc.: $20,000
• By Mae: $18,847
• Rahn Painting & Contracting LLC; $20,000
• Meghan’s Place Inc.: $20,000
• Lillian’s/Purse Proud Inc.: $20,000
• Alsleben Meats LLC/Alsleben Brothers Packing: $20,000
• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Inc.: $342
• The Hair Lounge: $10,280
• Mraz Machine Tool: $20,000
• Seneca Foods: $20,000
• Millerbernd Manufacturing Co.: $20,000
• Unhinged Pizza of Glencoe Inc.: $20,000
• Molly’s Cafe/MFK Management Inc.: $20,000
• America’s Fitness Center: $20,000
• AmericInn Lodging & Suite/OM Shridham Inc.: $20,000
• April Hanson/Fringe Hair Studio: $20,000
• Aveyron Homes Inc.: $20,000
• Below Zero Frozen Yogurt LLC: $7,000
• Benny’s Meat Market/Schwarzrock Meat Market Inc.: $20,000
• Bobbing Bobber Brewing Co. LLC: $20,000
• Brownton Bar & Grill/JKDC Inc.: $19,559
• Cal’s Clips: $4,236
• Catherine Fasching: $20,000
• Christ Lutheran Church of Glencoe: $20,000
• Church of the Holy Trinity: $20,000
• Clay Coyote Gallery & Pottery/Clay Coyote Arts Inc.: $20,000
• The Corner Bar and Grill of Winsted LLC: $16,247
• Crow River Habitat for Humanity: $4,200
• Days Inn Hutchinson/Northstar Hospitality LLC: $20,000
• Dimax Corporation: $20,000
• Equul Access Inc.: $9,000
• Encore School of Dance: $15,000
• Form-a-Feed Inc.: $20,000
• Fringe Hair Studio LLC: $20,000
• Garbers’ Meats Inc.: $10,194
• Genesis Salon and Enso Spa LLC: $20,000
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: $16,340
• Grace Lutheran Church: $1,070
• Happy Hour Inn/Happy Hour Inn KENKEI Inc.: $20,000
• Hutchinson Family Dentistry P.A.: $20,000
• Innovative Foam Inc.: $19,244
• Janet Popelka Hairstylist: $3,992
• Maria's Mexican Restaurant 2: $19,999
• Minway Inc./Subway Restaurant: $20,000
• The Paint Factory: $20,000
• Pro Maintenance Inc.: $20,000
• Pure Life Chiropractic and Wellness Center Ltd.: $18,551
• Quade Electric Inc.: $20,000
• Quade Investments LLC: $20,000
• RAM Buildings Inc.: $5,931
• Salon 210/Emma Oglesby: $10,000
• Sam’s Tire Service/Calemart Inc.: $20,000
• Silver Lake American Legion Post 141: $13,184
• Squeaky’s Grill and Bar/Hutch Bowl/Little Crow Bowling Lanes: $20,000
• St. Anastasia Catholic Community: $20,000
• Winsted Chiropractic Clinic: $20,000
• Big Rig Truck Wash: $17,922
• Bombshell Beauty: $10,000
• Cactus Jack’s II aka C&K E Bar and Grill: $20,000
• Cedar Crest of Silver Lake: $20,000
• City Meat Market of Brownton: $20,000
• City of Plato: $3,000
• CR Electric: $375
• Crow River Golf Club: $20,000
• Downtown Clothing Company aka DH Clothiers Inc.: $20,000
• Glencoe Dairy Queen aka Dakota Treat Inc.: $20,000
• Glencoe Fitness aka Smedley Fitness LLC: $17,145
• HFIT 360: $20,000
• Hueser Grain: $9,002
• Hutchinson Countryside Retreats aka Pheasant Run Retreat: $20,000
• Immanuel Lutheran Church of Acoma: $5,762
• Lazy Loon Brewing Co.: $20,000
• M & N Structures Inc.: $15,900
• MAND Enterprises LLC aka Main Street Sports Bar: $20,000
• McCormick’s Family Restaurants Inc.: $20,000
• Metal Trade Solutions LLC: $20,000
• Olson Chiropractic Wellness Centre: $14,219.17
• Pizza Ranch aka J&D Lake Ranch 2 Inc.: $20,000
• Shari’s Hair Design: $8,326.32
• Stepping Stones Therapuetic: $17,043
• Te Deo LLC aka Glencoe Family Chiropractic: $20,000
• Tetra Pak Processing Equipment Inc.: $20,000
• The Hair Studio: $6,733.65
• The Pantry Inc.: $885.98
• Twin Cities & Western Railroad: $20,000
• Wheel and Cog Children’s Museum of Hutchinson: $6,080
• Wright Farms: $20,000
• 10-4 Pumping: $20,000
• AWI Manufacturing Inc.: $6,129
• Berger Plumbing, Heating and AC: $18,000
• Brechet Inn Bed & Breakfast: $12,350
• Buffalo Creek Community Church: $20,000
• C&C Striping LLC: $4,085
• Cornerstone Hardscapes Inc.: $2,000
• Delta Fabricating: $1,217
• Faith Presbyterian Church of Silver Lake: $3,756
• FRF Production: $5,663
• Glencoe Co-op Association: $5,561
• Glencoe Fitness aka Smedley Fitness LLC: $2,784
• Hutchinson Elks Lodge 2427: $20,000
• Immanuel Lutheran Church Brownton: $4,322
• Izzy’s Auto Parts: $15,000
• Juul Contracting Company: $20,000
• Knights of Columbus Council 8253: $13,000
• La Zacatecana: $15,314
• McLeod County Choppers: $6,863
• Michelle Nemitz: $15,000
• Neisen's Bar and Grill (Biscay): $20,000
• New Trail Farm LLC: $12,709
• Our Savior’s Lutheran Church: $15,543
• Our Savior’s Lutheran Church: $2,141.68
• Pro Nails aka Sang Nguyen: $14,250
• Revier Welding & Fabrication: $2,550
• Silver Lake American Legion Post 141: $5,707
• St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church: $20,000
• St. Peter Lutheran Church: $7,500
• St. Peter Lutheran Church: $2,560
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: $8,957
• State Theatre Hutchinson aka Earthly Delights Ltd: $20,000
• Taqueria del Buen Pastor LLC: $13,868
• Tara Shonerd: $10,000
• Tidy Tightwads: $20,000
• Vacuum Gallery: $7,383.62
• Vineyard United Methodist Church: $20,000
• All That Dance: $10,793
• Beckers Bowling Buddies: $2,500
• Better Half Embroidery: $2,833
• BG Jewelers: $3,589
• Brownton Rod and Gun Club: $6,437
• Bryan’s Service: $3,582
• Car Shop Inc. aka F & L Corporation: $20,000
• Carol’s Daycare: $3,500
• Chicken Head Farm: $752
• Church of St. Pius X: $317
• Compass Occasions LLC: $11,413
• Country Kids Child Care: $4,608
• Creative Curbing Solutions: $17,298
• Cynthia Patnaude: $1,374
• Delta Fabricating: $1,060
• Enchanted Swap and Sell: $6,202
• Faith Presbyterian Church of Silver Lake: $4,595
• First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Glencoe: $15,924
• Frederic Werth Realty: $7,100
• Froemming Innovations: $3,974
• Ginger’s Daycare: $2,000
• Glencoe VFW Post 5102: $20,000
• Grounded Gardens: $5,370
• High Tides Swim Club: $2,680
• Hometown Music Inc.: $5,526
• Intensity Signs & Graphics: $6,816
• Jerry Scharpe: $15,097
• K&D Enterprises: $2,234
• Kay’s Creations: $648
• Main Street Antiques: $5,111
• Moe Ventures Inc.: $20,000
• Pla-Mor Ballroom: $19,106
• Pony Express Pony Rides: $2,200
• Spirit Communications LLC: $8,058
• St. Boniface Catholic Church: $6,737
• Stylist for Men and Women: $6,434
• The Glencoe Carwash: $19,617
• TNT Painting, LLC: $7,200
• Venus Salon & Spa: $5,483

Education partners:

• Glencoe-Silver Lake School District: $130,028
• Immanuel Lutheran of Hutchinson: $2,931
• New Discoveries Montessori Academy: $17,098
• First Lutheran of Glencoe: $5,000
• Hutchinson School District: $230,000
• Lester Prairie School District: $39,326
• Holy Trinity of Winsted: $10,829
• Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart School District: $7,328
• Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District: $39,593
• First Lutheran School of Glencoe: $1,921
• New Century Academy: $11,073
• St. Anastasia of Hutchinson: $4,397

For the city of Brownton:

• Noah's Ark Preschool/Immanuel Church: $1,209
• Noah's Ark Preschool/Immanuel Church: $308

City and township reimbursements:

• City of Brownton: $28,565
• City of Brownton: $14,663
• City of Brownton: $3,246
• Winsted Township: $3,899
• Acoma Township: $9,052
• Hutchinson Township: $22,598
• Bergen Township (city of Plato): $10,000
• Hutchinson Township (Gopher Campfire): $7,795
• City of Brownton: $6,042
• City of Silver Lake: $30,992
• City of Silver Lake: $23,767
• City of Stewart: $435
• Bergen Township: $13,625
• Hassan Valley Township: $12,12,998
• Helen Township: $644
• Hutchinson Township: $2,700
• Glencoe Township: $5,096
• Winsted Township: $9,166
• Sumter Township (Faith Lutheran Church): $1,880
• Acoma Township: $606
• Helen Township: $9,632
• Helen Township (city of Plato): $5,431
• Hassan Valley Township: $761
• Lynn Township: $7,837
• Penn Township (Brownton Fire Department): $1,311
• Penn Township (New Auburn Fire Department): $1,311
• Winsted Township: $335
• Sumter Township: $900

Community resilience:

• Hutchinson Music Boosters: $5,994
• City of Brownton: $1,137
• Feeding Children International of Stewart aka Food for Kidz: $20,000
• Silver Lake Ambulance: $20,000
• Adult Training and Habilitation Center: $5,323
• Buffalo Creek Watershed District: $5,140
• HOMES: $14,000

Community partners:

• McLeod Emergency Food Shelf: $20,000
• Southwest Initiative Foundation: $20,000
• Common Cup Ministry: $20,000