The Crookston City Council met on Monday in the City Hall Council Chambers.
COUNCIL DENIES ENGAGEMENT WITH BRADY MARTZ
The council was presented with the resolution regarding engagement with Brady Martz to perform specific accounting services. This resolution was ultimately not approved by the council by a 4-2 vote. Voting against the resolution was Kristie Jerde, Clayton Briggs, Tim Menard, and Morgan Hibma. Voting for the resolution was Henry Fischer and Dylane Klatt. Council member Joe Kresl was not present at the meeting. After discussion, council members who disapproved of the resolution talked about going a different direction with the accounting services.
“My biggest concern is that we had some concerns with our audit last year with Brady Martz,” said council member Kristie Jerde, “When we originally talked about doing this reconciliation and practice. We had already asked questions about if we chose to go to a different firm for different concerns and reasons, why would we go back to them for best practices?”
The council approved the time change regarding the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:00 p.m. on December 11. State Statute says no Truth in Taxation hearings can be held before 6:00 p.m. and they had announced an earlier start time. A special council meeting will follow the Truth in Taxation meeting immediately.
The council also approved a contract agreement with the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) concerning the Ag Innovation Campus Road construction project in the amount of $453,000. “The council agreed to enter a contract with DEED, and we received a grant from DEED,” said City Administrator Corky Reynolds, “This is for assistance with the construction of AIC road.”
The council also approved a resolution regarding authorization to execute the Minnesota Department of Transportation grant agreement for the Crookston Airport Improvement related to T-Hangars. MnDOT will be providing money to the airport, and this resolution was the terms of the agreement to accept the funding.
The council approved two contracts with Ehlers Associates to provide municipal investment advice and advisory services to the City of Crookston.
The council approved Norman County to be added to the Special Operations Group Joint Powers Agreement. “This is a law enforcement group that expands from North Dakota and Minnesota,” said Reynolds, “Norman County wished to become party to that agreement, and it requires approval from all of the previous parties. The council said, ‘That would be fine, add Norman County.’”
The final item the council approved was the resolution regarding the special assessment and trunk area policies and procedures for public improvements and maintenance costs for the City. “This was the Special Assessment Policy for the City of Crookston,” said Reynolds, “This document changes the way streets will be assessed for re-construction or overlay, those types of things.” This resolution establishes the rate to 30% of the total cost to be assessed to the adjacent landowners.
The suggested rate to be assessed to developers was 100% of the cost. After discussion with department heads, it was determined that 50% would be set to developers with the ability to have the flexibility of the rate on a case-to-case basis, based on benefits for the City.
The consent agenda included approving bills and disbursements in the amount of $467,767.67. It also included the resolution regarding donations to the Parks and Rec Department in Memory of Brenda Desrosier, Connie and Merece Lubarski, and Wayne Melbye. The final item on the consent agenda was the resolution regarding the UMC homecoming event to have One N’ Only of Euclid dispense liquor on the premises of the Crookston Sports Center.
To watch the whole City Council meeting, click here.
