City Council meets at City Hall at 126 N. Marshall Ave.
This schematic shows the layout of a housing development proposed by Litchfield Opportunity Zone Inc. for the northeast section of town between Cottownood Avenue and CSAH 34.
Above: a photo of a similar development to one proposed by Litchfield Opportunity Zone Inc.
Affordable housing has been on the “wish list” of the Litchfield City Council and several county employers for years, with a dozen businesses recently contacting the city and Meeker County about their need for workforce housing. A lack of adequate housing appears to be stagnating the city’s growth.
At the same time, the rising costs of construction materials and labor, plus the burden of installing sufficient public utility infrastructure, has priced new homes and apartments out of the reach of many people who would like to find housing in the Litchfield area because they work, or would like to work, in the city.
According to a pre-application filed by David Tysk, president of Litchfield Opportunity Zone Inc., an Eden Prairie-based corporation, it is not economically feasible to construct the housing infrastructure necessary without some form of public assistance, like tax increment financing, in which a portion of a development’s future property taxes are used to cover the cost of utility extension and roads to a new development.
At the Aug. 1 City Council meeting, Tysk presented plans to develop a 10-acre parcel in northeast Litchfield into townhouses, two 31-unit apartment buildings and single family homes. The project would require extending Seventh Street about 1,000 feet between Cottonwood Avenue and County Road 34, plus extensive sewer and water line work.
Prior to undertaking such a large project, the county and city have decided to invest in a housing study. The county would coordinate this study, with Litchfield paying its “fair share” of the undertaking. It is anticipated that the study would take three or four months.
If all goes well, Tysk anticipates being able to start work on the first phase of his project during the 2023 construction season. Negotiations related to the size, scope, and timeline of the project, and what participation by the city in the street extension should be, will be conducted. A public hearing related to Tysk’s request for a TIF district would be part of the process. The construction phases of the project are expected to extend over three years.
The city’s historic restoration refund program appears to be attracting several more downtown improvements. Brennan Rosenow intends to renovate the former Pizza Ranch building into a micro-brewery. On Aug. 1, the council approved roof repairs and door replacements for that project, along with similar work on the north part of the building, also owned by Rosenow. His project would be eligible for about $8,000 in refunds once completed.
The council also gave the green light to extensive tuck-pointing work on the American Legion building.
Rotary donates AED for Legion Park
The Litchfield Rotary has donated an automated external defibrillator cardiac restart device to the city, to be placed at Legion Park by Lake Ripley. Mark Nicholson, representing the Rotary, told the council that, once unit was installed, the city would have to furnish electricity, occasional battery replacement and annual monitoring for the device, which would cost about $500 per year. The council gratefully accepted the donation; outdoor AED devices like this are valued at $7,195.
Paying for the rec center
The council looked at figures from City Administrator Dave Cziok, explaining how, if voters approve a half-cent sales tax in November, the council could budget the city’s portion of the proposed recreation center without raising property taxes. It would involve using $1 million in available cash, and budgeting about $60,000 per year into the operations and debt payment budgets. The sales tax would raise an estimated $360,000 per year in additional revenue for the city. The figures do not factor in additional bonding allotments from the state or local fundraising, which would augment revenue more.
Street overlay bid approved
City Engineer Chuck DeWolf announced that four bids were received for overlaying several streets, and that the low bid of $846,376.85 from Mid-Minnesota Hot Mix of Annandale was under his original estimate. Mid-Minnesota will complete the work this fall on Gorman Avenue, Pleasure Drive, and short sections of several other streets.
A Dassel man accused of assault, making threats and several other charges following an armed standoff last week made a first appearance Friday in Meeker County District Court.
Aaron Mitchel Peterson, 31, faces charges of second degree felony assault, felony threats of violence, gross misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and multiple counts of gross misdemeanor unlawful possession of a firearm.
During his court appearance, bail was set at $200,000 cash or bond for unconditional release, and $100,000 bond or $10,000 cash for conditional release.
Peterson was arrested following a standoff with law enforcement at a rural Dassel home that lasted more than 24 hours. The incident ended without injury to either Peterson or law enforcement, despite indications that Peterson might have been shooting at officers during the incident, according to a news release from the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began at around 5:30 p.m. Aug. 1 with the report of a man, identified as Peterson, threatening to shoot family members and to harm law enforcement if they responded. The report also indicated Peterson intended to go from his residence in the 17300 block of 745th Avenue to a relative’s home nearby. As part of its investigation, law enforcement determined that Peterson might be in possession of firearms, which he was prohibited from possessing following a November 2020 incident, according to the news release.
Meeker County Sheriff’s deputies and the Kandiyohi-Meeker SWAT team responded to the scene at about 9:15 p.m. Law enforcement established a perimeter around the property, but officers’ attempts to convince Peterson to leave the home failed. A chemical irritant was projected into the house, but that also failed to get Peterson to cooperate and leave the house.
SWAT teams from McLeod County, Hutchinson Police, Wright County and Willmar Police were called to assist and relieve the Kandiyohi Meeker SWAT team as negotiations continued throughout the night Aug. 1 and day Aug. 2.
Law enforcement obtained an arrest warrant for felony terroristic threats during this time as well, and at approximately 9:45 p.m. Aug. 2 Peterson surrendered.
An investigation determined that there were indications that during the standoff Peterson shot at law enforcement, according to a sheriff’s office news release. A search warrant executed on the residence on Thursday confirmed this when detectives located numerous spent casings and bullet holes in the walls of the residence. Investigators also nine firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and trace amounts of methamphetamine.
The investigation is ongoing in an effort to learn how and where Peterson obtained the firearms found at his residence.
Other agencies assisting at the scene of the standoff included Allina Ambulance, Dassel Fire Department, and Woodland Centers Mobile Crisis Response Team.
During a regularly scheduled Board meeting on Aug. 2, the Meeker County Board discussed a resolution to give portions of 415 Ramsey Ave. S. to the Economic Development Authority. The property is approximately one acre in area and is currently vacant land.
Meeker Memorial Hospital purchased the land using funds generated through the operation of the hospital, for anticipated future expansion of the hospital campus. Upon review, on Feb. 12 the Hospital Board unanimously voted to donate the land for residential development in the hopes of creating affordable housing options for the city of Litchfield.
Commissioner Julie Bredeson opposed the move, saying that the property belongs to Meeker County and in the interest of the residents of the county, other options should be explored rather than giving away the land.
General consensus of those in support of the conveyance indicated that, since the Meeker County Hospital Board voted to convey the land, the Board of Commissioners should vote accordingly.
The resolution to convey the property passed 4-1 with Bredeson dissenting.
Broadband support
In a show of support for rural Meeker County, the Board voted to approve support for Meeker Cooperative’s initiative to bring broadband to area residents, primarily to properties in the vicinity of Lake Erie, Long Lake, Richardson, Dunns, Collinwood and Big Swan.
Personnel changes
The Board approved personnel changes with the hiring of full time Assessor Technician Tiffany Blair to assist with customer service in the Assessors office, as well as social worker Daniel Smith, whose primary focus will be conducting assessments for Minnesota Choice services. Also approved was the hire of administrative clerk Ciara Heaton and public safety paramedic Mike Molitor.
In addition, the Board approved hiring Dr. Jeff Ho as a part-time casual medical director. Dr. Ho’s position provides medical advice to the sheriff’s office and oversees the community service officer paramedic and community paramedic programs. He will also oversee all medical training for the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.
Regional program seeks administrator
In other items, the Supporting Hands program is looking to hire a new administrator. Renville County has agreed to step in to run the program until a new Administrator is chosen and a hiring committee has been formed to search for candidates for the position.
Animal shelter plans events
The Meeker County animal shelter will be conducting some fundraising activities in October, including a bowling event Oct. 22 and a French toast breakfast at the Litchfield Legion on Oct. 23. They will also be doing a Jordan’s Way Fundraising Campaign at the shelter to raise funds for supplies, food and medications for rescue animals.
Reid Becker and his daughter, Isabel, 7, enjoy a spin on the Scrambler ride Saturday evening on the midway at the Meeker County Fair.
Brooke Polzin listens to instructions from the judge as Trace Ludwig and Teagan Ludwing work with their goats on proper positioning Friday afternoon.
A display in the old barn celebrates the Meeker County Fair's 150th anniversary. Along with a timeline of major fair events, the display included photos, old newspaper clippings and covers of many of the fair premium books from past years.
From the Friday night concert by a major country western performer, to the always popular demolition derby, to the various livestock shows and auctions, and of course, the midway rides and games, the Meeker County Fair had something for seemingly everyone.
It was the kind of birthday celebration — this was the fair’s 150th year — anyone might hope for.
Country star Neil McCoy’s concert Friday night — preceded by a bull riding event in the grandstand arena — was a sellout of the 1,000 tickets available. And Saturday night’s demolition derby drew a standing-room-only crowd, as well.
It was difficult not to notice the overflowing parking areas on the fairgrounds south and west sides. Fair traffic was so heavy Friday and Saturday that the under-construction parking lot at Litchfield High School had to be used.
All that helped to overcome the much-needed, but maybe ill-timed rain that arrived Saturday and Sunday.
See more photos on Page 2.
— Brent Schacherer
Six generations of the Roberg family have been actively involved in their farm’s operation since it was started in 1876.
The Roberg family was recognized last week as the 2022 Meeker County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
The Roberg family is a six-generation farm. The farm was started in 1876 by Andrew and Mary Roberg. Throughout the years of operation, their farm has seen many different changes. Starting with chicks, pigs, and dairy cattle is now a crop and turkey raising operation.
Their commitment to agriculture was highlighted — along with one farm family from each county around the state — during FarmFest last week at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.
Mary and Andrew Roberg passed their Meeker County farm down to their son, John and his wife, Olive. They had two sons, Dwaine and Howard, who are the second generation on their farm. After farming for several years together, Dwaine and his wife, Elaine, took ownership of the farm. Dwaine raised all the crops, while Elaine milked the cows. They had four kids, Debi, Loren, and twin boys Larry, and Garry.
Garry and Larry both lived on the farm with their wives and kids. Garry married his wife, Fern, and they had five children, Jackie, Angela, Tim, Stacy, and Amy. Larry and his wife, Joyce, have two kids, Jason and Joyce. The fifth-generation to remain actively working on the farm are Tim and his wife, Michele, and Jason and his wife, Cindy.
Jason and Cindy have four children: Weston, Andrea, Leanna, and Nolan. Tim and Michele have four children as well: Mikayla, Grace, Roman, and Luke. Weston is the first person of the 6th generation to be actively farming.
From 1876 to 1991 their farm had chickens, pigs, crops, and dairy cattle. In 1991, Garry and Larry started raising breeder turkeys. After milking dairy cattle for 48 years in 1997, Larry and his wife sold the dairy cows to upscale their turkey and crops operation.
Loren and his wife, Janet, manage the crops, and the family members help with fieldwork. Tim, Jason, Larry, and Weston all manage their own turkey operations. Elaine shows her support by making meals for the family.
The family is heavily involved in their community. Elaine has been involved in Nordland Lutheran Church for many years. Larry has driven a bus for several mission trips and occasionally drives for the ROSE Center in Paynesville, and served on the Paynesville E-Free Church (PEFC) board. Joyce served as church secretary at PEFC.
Cindy serves as part of a homeschool co-op group. Weston was active in sports and is a volunteer coach for Paynesville wrestling. Gary served on the PEFC elder board. Fern served on the Meeker Co-op Round-up board and on the Paynesville School Board. Joyce and Fern were instrumental in starting the Koronis Eager Beavers 4-H Club. Tim and Michele are active in Paynesville school activities, church youth group and mission trips. Tim has coached wrestling at ACGC and Paynesville schools. Loren is on the Paynesville CENEX board. Janet was treasurer of the parish guild of the Assumption Parish in Eden Valley. She is also a Rosary leader and does Eucharistic adoration.
Profiles of all the 2022 farm family of the year honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, extension.umn.edu/farm-families.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
