Crookston City Council met on Wednesday night for a short end of year meeting. The meeting began with a plaque being presented to Councilman Bob Quanrud who was attending the final meeting of his second term on council.
“It’s been a great eight years, and I look forward to the new mayor and council coming in,” said Quanrud.
“It’s been a great ride, great experience I haven’t regretted, and there are some good things in the works I look forward to.”
The following items were approved on the consent agenda; minutes for the December 10 meeting, resolution accepting a donation from American Crystal Sugar Company to the Crookston Fire Department, resolution to issue a warrant for Tax Increment Financing District No 3-4, resolution to issue a warrant for Tax Increment Financing District No 3-7, resolution for 2019 Liquor License, resolution for 2019 License renewals, resolution for Barrette Street tax revenue transfer and a resolution transferring funds from the Municipal Land & Building fund to the Library fund. Councilman Bobby Baird removed the resolution for bills and disbursements and a resolution for a transfer from the Small Cities Development Program fund to the Northwest Multi-County HRA from the consent agenda.
The first pulled resolution was for the City of Crookston Bills and Disbursements in the amount of $210,512.31. Baird questioned why the City was paying an additional $6,658 to SEH when the council had already approved a payment to them in November for the inspection. Public Works director Pat Kelly explained that the November charge was for the inspection, the City will make several additional payments during the process to generate the data into a report. The resolution then went to vote and passed 6 to 0, with Councilman Dennis Regan absent, and Councilman Dale Stainbrook, serving as acting mayor for Wayne Melbye (absent), also not voting.
The second pulled item was the transfer of $20,000 from the Small Cities Development Fund to the Northwest Multi-County HRA. Baird asked why the city was hiring someone from Mentor and not using city or local staff. City Administrator Shannon Stassen explained that the Northwest Multi-County HRA had managed every Small Cities Grant he had been involved with, adding they are a part of the whole process from writing to the grant to administrating the funds. Councilman Tom Vedbraaten asked if the [City] people were qualified to manage the grant to which Stassen said no, he doesn’t believe anyone has that experience while noting that the Northwest Multi-County HRA specializes in this type of grant and manage them for several other cities including Thief River Falls. According to Stassen, the administrative fee from the Northwest Multi-County HRA is 15 percent. The resolution also passed 6 to 0.
During staff reports Crookston Finance Director Angel Weaser also noted that all candidates from the last election need to complete and turn in their campaign reports. Police Chief Paul Biermaier also encouraged the community to use common sense tomorrow while on the roads as he expects them to be slick. Chamber director Terri Heggie noted that membership letters are being mailed out and she encouraged businesses to renew their memberships. All the City Staff also thanked Quanrud for his service, while Quanrud thanked the Mayor, Council, City Administrator, Finance Director, department heads and employees for all they have done for the City while wishing good luck to incoming council and mayor.
