The Litchfield City Council had a work session prior to the regular meeting Monday to discuss a couple of items related to the state historic building grant. During the regular meeting, the Council approved of a request-for-proposal to hire a construction manager to oversee the façade improvement project and approved of a selection criteria matrix.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the matrix bases the amounts awarded for each project based on the square footage of the building façade which seemed to be the fairest way to determine the amounts awarded for each property. He says the Council also approved of an item from the Heritage Preservation Commission on Monday evening which was a second story window replacement project for John Braun’s building at 215 North Sibley Avenue.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved of adding 4 hoops at the Litchfield Area Recreation Center, contingent upon getting a donation for that project from the boys and girls basketball clubs. He says the Council approved of job descriptions for the Office Lead who will oversee day-to-day operations at City Hall, and for a new City Planner position.
Mayor Dingmann says the City will be advertising these two positons. He says the Council also approved of the purchase of a pick-up on Monday evening for the wastewater department and for two vehicles for the police department, and approved of the reappointment of Jared Culbertson to the Litchfield Police Commission. The next Litchfield City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 17th – due to the President’s Day holiday on February 16th.
The annual American Legion High School Oratorical Contest for the 7th District was held this past Sunday at the American Legion Post in Willmar. First place honors, and a $1,000 scholarship, went to Eileen Bosch of Willmar.
Eileen is a junior at Willmar High School. She will represent the 7th District at the state contest on February 28th at the Anoka-Osseo American Legion Post. Second place honors, and a $600 scholarship, went to Ayden Hilker – son of Jeremy Hilker and Krystal Chapin of Litchfield. Ayden is a junior attending Litchfield High School.
The Oratorical Contest asks students to prepare an 8-to-10-minute oration which must be on some aspect of the United States Constitution with emphasis on citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The champions of each contest advance to the next level.
Americanism Chair Reuben Nathe of Litchfield conducted the contest in Willmar. He was assisted by several other volunteers from the 7th District.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to consider a local option sales tax. After the hearing, and a time of discussion, the Board decided to table the matter until the February 17th meeting.
During the hearing, Public Works Director Phil Schmalz said that the implementation of a 0.5% local option sales tax in Meeker County is estimated to annually generate an additional $1.3-million in local transportation revenue. He says the Local Option Sales Tax revenue is restricted to transportation use only and specifically the projects outlined in a project list adopted by the Board. Schmalz says Meeker County would be one of the last counties in Minnesota to adopt either a local option sales tax or a wheelage tax. He says all of the surrounding counties have a local option sales tax. Board Chair Beth Oberg was concerned about the public having enough notice about the issue and recommended tabling the matter for two weeks.
The Meeker County Commissioners approved of the purchase of a new Schulte XH1000 Series 5 Mower with Flex Arm from Trueman Welters of Buffalo at a cost of $73,067.20; approved of the purchase of a new Diamond 72” Drum Mulcher OD ProX2 from Farm-Rite Equipment of Dassel at a cost of $39,500.
The Board also approved of the purchase of one 2026 Chevrolet 1500 Regular Cab Long Box from Davis Motors of Litchfield at a cost of $37,080 plus license and fees, and approved of the purchase of one 2026 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Short Box from Litchfield Automotive Sales at a cost of $37,455. In addition, the Commissioners approved of the purchase of two 2026 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Short Box pickup trucks from Litchfield Automotive Sales at a cost of $37,455 each, in the event the Chevrolet vehicle is no longer available at the time of purchase.
The 54th annual Peanut Butter & Milk Festival is underway this week as ten people from Hartford, Alabama are visiting their sister city – Litchfield. The group is busy touring area farms and businesses and enjoying some winter activities.
Litchfield High School FFA President Emmett VanDerBill says he’s hosting Geneva County High School student Hunter Brooks and he enjoyed snowmobiling on Sunday on Lake Manuella as that was something he’s never been able to do before. Emmett says he got to go to Alabama last fall for the annual exchange trip and he enjoyed learning about the cotton and peanut industries.
Emmett says he will get to tag along with the Alabama guests on Wednesday as they tour Steffes Auctioneers, Litchfield High School, the Litchfield Area Recreation Center, IRD Glass and Bushmills Ethanol. He says everyone is welcome to the Potluck Banquet on Thursday evening at St. Philip’s Church which begins with social half hour at 6:30 – bring a dish to share.
Litchfield High School FFA Vice President Bianca Forsberg is hosting Geneva County High School student Callie Cotton. She says she got to go to Alabama last fall and really enjoyed the day that they got to travel to the beach in the Florida Panhandle.
Forsberg says she gets to accompany the Alabama visitors as they travel to Benson to see the Mini Sota Agricultural Museum. She says they are really looking forward to their day of skiing and tubing at Powder Ridge on Thursday.