Wendt and Hegge appear before council
The Littlefork City Council approved Thursday an additional and final loan of $10,000 to the Littlefork Fire Department for the completion of the Fire Hall.
Fire Chief Dan Wendt was in attendance to report that the department had reviewed its budget and found only minimal amounts that could “rearranged,” and was therefore adhering to his original request.
Among the projects to be finished are handicap-accessible bathrooms. “Either way, we’ll do what we can,” said Wendt. “But we need whatever is available. After all is said, it is a city building.”
Mayor Jerry Anderson, who requested at the last meeting that the Fire Department search its own budget, replied: If it was just up to the city, the building, as a fire department, is usable now.
Anderson and the council agreed to lend the money with the understanding that the department will try to accrue $2,000 to $3,000 from its budget at the end of its fiscal year.
“This is closure,” said Anderson.
Sam Hegge made a proposal to the council as “a contractor/developer” in regard to the Littlefork Ambulance Service, on which he also serves.
Hegge presented two floor plans of a new building, which he would own, to house the city’s ambulance service. Hegge explained that the building could be leased by the service at about $1,000 per month, with $300 of that amount accrued toward the purchase price, if so desired. Hegge said the building would be constructed on the lot south of Deerwood Bank and would include a large meeting room, two ambulance bays with room for other equipment, a laundry, shower, EMT lounge and a mechanical room for the proper disposal of blood-born property.
Hegge would need a two-year commitment on leasing the building. The current ambulance building is not compliant with the state, all agreed.
Ambulance staff explained that combining the ambulance service with the newly remodeled fire hall was thoroughly examined, and found to have several obstacles to efficient ambulance service. The council was receptive to Hegge’s proposal and told him to first present it to the ambulance service.
“From a development standpoint, it’s a need that everyone agrees on,” said the mayor. “But is it an affordable need?”
There was extended discussion on the issue of wetlands governing and the issuance of spring building permits. City Administrator Mike Fairchild proposed that the council spend approximately $2,000 and hire a Lake of the Woods consultant to give an assessment of potential wetlands in the city. Fairchild is concerned about possible building permits that will be requested soon when the city has not made the decision to assign the county as the legal governing unit for its wetlands; or to take on the role itself. Councilor Shane Williams has expressed interest in being trained for the task.
Councilor Rob Polkinghorne suggested attaching a letter to any issued permits that would instruct property owners to check with Ryan Heinen of the Koochiching County Soil and Water Conservation District. Councilor Noel Schroeder was adamantly opposed to that idea.
Polkinghorne responded: “When it comes right down to it, he’s the big dog in the room.”
Anderson said that before anyone else was hired, he thought the council should further consider the counsel of attorney Joe Boyle as well as Commissioner Wade Pavleck.
Councilor Loren Lehman reported that the writing of a new ordinance regarding the addressing of property owners was discussed in committee. Proposals included that house numbers not be under 4 inches high, and be in contrast to the structure. Signs would be required at the edge of properties more than 50 feet from the road. Structures beyond 50 feet from roads would be marked with the county’s E911 blue signs, possibly posted at mail boxes. Once-a-year training that deals solely with locating addresses was suggested. Sign posts could be supplied by the city, but properties requiring county signs would be assigned the cost. At this juncture, the city agreed not to utilize any part of the county’s GPS system for locating 911 calls.
LITTLEFORK CITY COUNCIL NEWS NOTES
• Littlefork Council met with County Highway Engineer and Commissioner Wade Pavleck prior, and approved Thursday to proceed with the Aspen Street Water Main Replacement on the portion of Highway 217 to the corner on Aspen.
• Littlefork Council tentatively set May 10 as Customer Appreciation Day at the liquor store.
• The demolition of the snowmobile bridge at Beaver Brook by Richard van Druenen was approved with a waiver of any liability for Littlefork and a stipulation that the site be entirely free of materials.
• The dates for Littlefork’s city-wide clean-up have been set for May 1 through 15.