Small Town News

Update on fiber optic project given to Gibbon City Council

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Mark Erickson, City Administrator for the City of Winthrop, attended last Wednesday's Gibbon City Council meeting to give an update on a fiber optic to the home project. Erickson stated that Blandin Foundation recently had awarded a matching grant for up to $40,000 for a feasibility study.

The timeline for completing this first grant was short and thus did not allow him to get to all eight cities before the deadline, explained Erickson. Arlington, Gaylord, Fairfax and Winthrop have agreed to take part in the study. Now Erickson is asking the city councils of Gibbon, New Auburn, Henderson and Green Isle if they are interested in jumping on board.

Once it is determined which cities want to take part, a firm would be hired to see if fiber to the home would make sense. He explained that he was hopeful that the study would be no more than $60,000 or a $30,000 match for the cities. This would work out to be about $3 per person or a maximum of $2,500 for the City of Gibbon.

While it is a big undertaking, Erickson felt it was a wonderful opportunity. He was hoping that a firm could be hired by the end of July with the study completed in October or November. The administrators from Fairfax, Winthrop, Gaylord and Arlington were scheduled to meet Friday.

Erickson stated that at this point this was just information and that he would return for the July Gibbon meeting to get feedback from the Council.

Replacing a furnace at the Gibbon City Hall has become a problem. For the second month, the project was tabled after two bids were reviewed.

The city initially asked for a quote from Iskason's Plumbing and Heating for a furnace. Then it was decided that Lakeside Plumbing & Heating should be given an opportunity to give a price. Unfortunately, Iskason's quote was printed in the newspaper, so the Council decided to have both companies rebid.

The new bids have Lakeside offering the furnace for $480 less. However, it was pointed out that Iskason is a main street business, paying property tax. The purchase was tabled until the July meeting.

Dust control on 11th Street on the east edge of Gibbon has become a problem. The tar was recently removed because it had deteriorated and replaced with gravel. City Clerk Jim Berger stated that the city should be doing its annual dust coating in June. It was decided to add the portion of 11th Street that is in the city limits and the street in front of Southview Living Center to the project. It was also noted that it would be possible at that time for city residents to pay for a portion of their alley to be dust coated. Anyone interested should contact the city clerk.

Stacey Marquardt attended the meeting to explain why she erected a fence without a permit and after the police chief had told her not to. After a brief discussion it was noted that this was a misdemeanor and the Council directed that matter to the police department to decide if a citation should be issued. The Council also directed the Planning and Zoning Committee to review the fence to see what the next step would be.

Mayor Dennis Nau reminded the Council that the 125 th Anniversary of Gibbon is coming in 2012. The mayor asked if the city wants a celebration, does the city want to put money into it and is there someone who wants to run a committee? Berger was asked to check with the individuals that had suggested a 120th celebration to see if they were still interested in helping to organize.

The appearance of some of the doors in the community center was discussed. The mayor asked the councilman to take a look at the doors and think about how to improve their appearance.



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© 2011 Winthrop News Winthrop, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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