On behalf of his company, Dave Serrano appeared before the Littlefork City Council Thursday to suggest that it coordinate a wetlands management plan with Arro of the North LLC.
Serrano told the council that it made sense to start looking at all of the city’s property for areas of suitable development; lands that could be converted to wetland conservation to offset the current delay in the industrial park project development; and other wetlands in the city that could be banked.
Councilor Rob Polkinghorne said he didn’t think the city really had much more suitable land to develop, noting about 20 acres to the northeast by the fairgrounds as the only substantial area.
Serrano said an issue may arise in the future when the city wants to begin mitigation to develop wetlands. “Then you have to show that the rest of the city has been looked at for options,” said Serrano. “The problem is not just wetland delineation, but also sequencing for mitigation. The longer you wait, the longer it takes — maybe up to two years before you can put a shovel in the ground. Anything not decided in the fall must wait until the following May.”
The council agreed that Serrano should present some examples and costs for his services, and begin by looking at boundaries on an aerial map with City Administrator Mike Fairchild.
The council has not made a decision as to what entity, including itself, should be the legal governing unit for wetlands.
In other business, Keith Barstad of the Maintenance Department told the council that a favorable water sampling showed no corrosives such as lead or copper in the city’s water. Barstad also reported that only 30 new water meters remain to be installed.
The council approved an additional $1,000 to fortify an existing restoration plan for the city’s ice rink enclosure, damaged recently by a wind storm. They discussed planning a possible community work bee to finish the project.
Bids for the long-planned Aspen Street water main replacement will be opened Sept. 15 in the Koochiching County board room. The council scheduled a meeting the following day on the 16th at 7 p.m. to review and award those bids.
Some confusion exists for the council on whether the long-discussed air conditioning units for the Littlefork Medical Center are really wanted by residents or the center. Mayor Shane Williams obtained a quote for a dual vent LX140 unit at approximately $800 each but noted little interest on the part of LMC, as well as an apprehension to store them.
“We’ve been waiting for an answer for a year,” said Councilor Noel Schroeder. The council acted on implementing the air conditioning based on requests from family members of LMC residents. The council approved obtaining a quote on five of the units, and then a purchase at the lowest quote.
Ordinance 98 on revised house addressing and 911 signing for city residents was approved.
Lengthy discussion on the lack of progress for an improved Littlefork Ambulance Service facility ensued.
After several suggested structures to house the service, and an approved levy by the Ambulance Service Taxing District Board, no proposal is on the table. Fairchild said a meeting is needed between the service and the council at this juncture. But several councilors were skeptical that another meeting restating the same issues with no realistic plan, would be worthwhile.
“They need a constructive idea, on paper, that’s realistic and within their budget,” said Williams. The council scheduled an open meeting with the service at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9.
Discussed was a Littlefork property that several councilors believe is a health hazard. The council agreed to seek a determination by the Koochiching County Health Department, and then proceed with condemnation if necessary.
Littlefork City Council News Notes
• Littlefork City Council approved an extension of summer maintenance employee Jeremy Popp, until the start of school.
• Filings for council positions for the city of Littlefork open Aug. 26. Openings on the council include a 2-year mayoral seat now filled by interim Mayor Shane Williams; two 4-year council positions; and one 2-year councilor term now served by interim councilor Rob Polkinghorne.
• Truth in Taxation hearing dates were set by the Littlefork City Council for Dec. 9 with Dec. 11 for continuation if necessary.
• The Littlefork City Council approved setting city gravel rates at $1.75 per yard. Companies outside the area have requested crushing authorization, and the desire to purchase gravel.
• A call for propane bids was approved Thursday by the Littlefork City Council.
• Littlefork Councilor Loren Lehman reminded the city council that several boxes of city records need to be sorted and removed from the Littlefork Fire Hall, and stored elsewhere.
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