Ranier begins preliminary work toward new water lines, By Tom LaVenture, Staff Writer

RANIER — The Ranier City Council Monday approved a proposal to begin a preliminary engineering and environmental review for water system improvements at its meeting.
The proposal begins a process to assess and repair an aging water system that has suffered numerous failures in recent years.
Mayor Ed Oerichbauer recommended the $7,000 proposal, which was reviewed by the Water Committee. It was submitted by the engineering firm, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson of Grand Rapids, and would result in a study and report of the total work and costs required to regain reliable water service within the city.
Oerichbauer said the report would help the council begin requesting funds from various agencies. Ranier Trustees John Walls and Dan Klocek were present and voted to approve.
According to the proposal letter, SEH will begin with collecting and analyzing historical water use data, including operations, user rates and maintenance records. The study will identify improvement needs and develop alternative system upgrades, along with cost assessments. There will be an environmental review as required by USDA Rural Development.
The council also approved the Water Committee’s request for the purchase of a magnetic sign for the vehicle used by the city maintenance worker. According to the city Clerk Kim Nuthak, the city has acquired the Sunset Cove line and some 40 new customers to city services. The sign will help residents recognize the worker as a city employee in the performance of required duties.
The Buildings, Streets and Grounds Committee reported that there may be a Polar Bear Plunge event in Ranier next year, but there won’t be one this April. Nuthak spoke with project leaders earlier last week and said they decided there would not be enough time to get needed publicity for the event. Had the project moved forward there still would have been some insurance issues to resolve.
The council approved the Budget Committee’s notice of $5,500 in annual dues for the Rural Fire Department.
The council added Edward Jones to the Banking Depositories for the City. According the clerk, after the city acquired the Sunset Cove line, they decided to invest some of the remaining with Edward Jones.
In other news, the council approved the Municipal Liquor Store operating statement. The February operating statement showed a net profit of 3.3 percent or $882. That compares to the same time last year with a 14.18 percent net profit or $4,058.
The meeting concluded as several Ranier residents and guests filled the community center to kick off the city’s Centennial Celebration. There was cake and the mayor read a proclamation to declare that Monday, March 17, 2008, marked the 100th anniversary of the Koochiching Board of Commissioners vote to incorporate the Village of Ranier.
More news about the celebration will follow this week.