The Crookston City Council held a variety of public hearings during their meeting on Friday night. Seven public hearings were held for proposed street improvements and one for unpaid code enforcement and utility charges. Public hearings were also continued from July 23 franchise fee agreements with Otter Tail Power Company and Red Lake Electric Cooperative.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS –
Project No. 960 McGrew Street from Washington Avenue to Lincoln Avenue by reconstruction. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $8,399.99.
Project No. 966 Park Lane from University Avenue to Locken Boulevard by reconstruction. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $32,800.
Project No. 967 Spruce Lane and Fir Lane Extension of Cul-de-Sacs on East Side of Barrette Street to approximately 350 feet East full construction including water, sewer and storm. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $198,497.81.
Project No. 968 Ash Street Approximately 200 feet South of Loring St. to East 3rd Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $35,397.00.
Project No. 969 Second Street from Market Street to Ash Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $21,600.00.
Project No. 970 Third Street from Main Street to Broadway by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $8,400.00.
Project No. 971 Fourth Street from Broadway to Elm Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $18,000.00.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
Following the public hearings were resolutions to adopt each of the street improvement projects and to assess for the unpaid charges for code enforcement and utilities. That was followed by the first reading of Ordinance No. 82 for the Otter Tail Power Company Franchise Fee and Ordinance No. 83 for the Red Lake Electric Cooperative Franchise Fee. City of Crookston Finance Director Angel Weasner said the Public Utility Commission requested the updates to the franchise agreement to set a cap on the utilities for all classes. “Back in November of 2018, we had a $2,500 cap on the industrial cap,” said Weasner. “The Public Utility Commission is requesting that the cap is on all classes. So, we are just adding a cap of $2,500 to all classes that have an electric franchise fee capability.”
LED LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
The consent agenda was also passed unanimously by the city council, which included approving the November 12 meeting minutes, approving bills and disbursements in the amount of $407,726.76, accepting a donation from Otter Tail Power Company for an LED light event at the Crookston Fire Hall, and approving a Violent Crime Enforcement Team Grant. Resolutions to award bids for a project to switch to LED lighting at various city buildings were also passed. The resolutions are to award bids to RBB Electric for City Hall ($5,987.00), the Crookston Fire Hall ($3,330.00), the Crookston Airport ($3,130.00), and Crookston Street Shop ($2,667.00). Additional resolutions are to award bids to Valley Electric for the Crookston Police Station ($7,395.00), Crookston Park Shop ($4,095.00), and Crookston Water Plant ($2,995.00). “The work will start as soon as the contractors are available and could take up until February,” said Weasner. “Most likely because it is interior work, it won’t take that long, but it is up to their schedule and what they’re going to be working on.”
The City of Crookston is still reviewing bids and energy audits for the Library, Crookston Sports Center (CSC), and Highland Park before determining whether to proceed with an upgrade on those buildings. “I have not met with any of the contractors for the library, so I am unaware of that,” said Weasner. “The CSC, we are waiting for the results from the energy audit from Red Lake Electric Cooperative. And Highland Park, we are still looking to see what the cost is and what the payback might be.”
