Littlefork City Council assessed at its Thursday meeting the wind damage from the July 11 storm that ripped through the town.
The worst destruction was the uprooting and breaking of some of the city’s oldest trees, reported Mike Fairchild, city administrator. Insurance will cover the removal of what remains of several trees, he added.
“Some of those trees were 70 to 150 years old,” said Fairchild. But the downing of others helped open up camp grounds in the area. “We start fresh there, and see how we can improve it,” he noted.
Metal fascia on the Littlefork Liquor Store was destroyed and will be replaced by insurance. Not covered will be some damaged older playground equipment as well as dugouts in Lofgren Park. Dugouts will be replaced by the city maintenance department. Fencing around the softball field will also be replaced, according to Fairchild.
The Littlefork Fire Department 2009 budget was approved in the amount of $59,445; over the $50,690 in 2008. The largest increases in expenditures are in building operations, equipment repair and purchase, gas and oil, and safety.
Two bids for the Littlefork Medical Center were approved Thursday.
The Safe Patient Handling Bid (patient lifts) was awarded to SMT Health Systems for the amount of $105,868. The Radiographic System Replacement bid went to Pacesetter Medical for the amount of $46,479.
The Littlefork Municipal Liquor Store June revenues were $74,500; down $5,000 from June 2007. Fairchild attributes it to summer’s low-temp start. Revenues are at $175,000 year-to-date; up $4,000 from last year at this time. The year-to-date profit amount is $6,000 and Fairchild anticipates that the Texas Hold Em games will bring increases.
Fairchild reports the sewer main extension project began Monday.
The $250,000 Koochiching County and Littlefork project to replace the Aspen Street water main will also soon be underway. The council passed a resolution Thursday to reconstruct the portion of Aspen Street from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue. The storm sewer portion of costs is approximately $72,000; of which Littlefork must contribute $30,000. The remainder of that portion will be paid by the county.
The last stop for a review of the language of a drafted E911 signing system will be to City Attorney Joe Boyle. The council is expected to approve the ordinance at its August meeting.
The council approved election judge compensation at the rate of $8 per hour.
Appointed to represent the Littlefork Council on the Koochiching County Development Association will be Mayor Shane Williams and council member Glenn Weigold. Shane Williams was appointed chairman of the KCDA.
The council reviewed a letter from County Highway Engineer Doug Grindall regarding the upgrading and rebuilding of Fairwood Avenue. State aid money will help to increase Fairwood to a 10-ton road as well as widen and resurface it.
The council will meet this Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall and expects to approve the proposed 2009 Ambulance Service Budget and the 2008 collectible 2009 Tax Levy. The Taxing District Board of Directors meets to adopt the proposals tonight at 7 p.m. at the Littlefork Community Building.