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Rushford council approves bond authority for Winona State student housing, appoints new city clerk and EDA member
Summary
The Rushford City Council approved using the city's bonding authority to support Winona State University's Series 2026B student housing project, appointed Tiffany Jacobson as city clerk and filled an EDA citizen seat. Donation resolutions for local emergency services were also approved.
The Rushford City Council on Jan. 12 approved local bond financing authority for Winona State University's Student Housing Revenue Note, Series 2026B, and made several personnel and appointment decisions during a meeting at City Hall.
John Olson, representing Winona State University, told the council that the university is operating at about 105% capacity and needs additional student housing. "There is no risk to the city for this bond; WSU is just using our bond authority," Olson said, adding the project will be located south of campus on Main Street in Winona, with a ground breaking set for Jan. 13 and construction beginning in February. Councilor Judi Pronk moved to approve the bond authorization; Councilor Jim O'Donnell seconded. The motion carried.
In other business, Mayor Leigh Volkman recommended Deputy Clerk Tiffany Jacobson for the City Clerk position after reviewing her cover letter and resume; the council approved the appointment on a motion by Councilor Nick Smith, seconded by Councilor Andrew Linder. The council also appointed Sally Ryman to the open Economic Development Authority citizen seat (moved by Andrew Linder; seconded by Jim O'Donnell).
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a slate of regular appointments and designations: council liaisons to boards and commissions (including Jim O'Donnell to the planning commission and library board, Andrew Linder to trees/trails/parks and the airport commission, and Judi Pronk to community education and the safety committee), annual agency designations (Health Officer/Ambulance Dept: Chris Watres, MD; Animal Control: Robert Brand), banking depositories (Primary: Merchants Bank; Secondary: Rushford State Bank), the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper, and the law firm team of Mike Flaherty and Dwight Luhmann as prosecuting attorneys. The consent agenda motion was moved by Jim O'Donnell and seconded by Andrew Linder and carried.
The council also approved two resolutions acknowledging donations to emergency services. Resolution 2026-001 recognized Darlene Nielson's gifts of $2,000 to the Rushford Ambulance Service and $2,000 to the Rushford Fire Department. Resolution 2026-002 recognized David Kasper's donations of $1,000 each to the ambulance and fire departments; both resolutions were approved by motion.
The council deferred approval of Dec. 22 minutes to the next meeting. The session adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
