The Crookston City Council met on Monday night and approved a resolution to approve City of Crookston bills and disbursements in the amount of $292,795.47; a resolution Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on Improvements on 5th Avenue South Street Construction; a resolution appointing Election Judges for the 2018 Primary and General Elections; and a resolution to appoint members to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
They also passed resolutions calling for a Public Hearing to consider Amending the current Franchise Agreement with Ottertail Electric Company, Red Lake Electric Cooperative, and Great Plains Natural Gas Company, and to consider a New Additional Economic Development Rate to the City of Crookston Water and Wastewater rates, as well as a resolution to consider a Business Subsidy Policy. These economic development incentives had been proposed for the Council’s consideration by the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA).
The Council also approved a resolution adopting a Special Assessment Waiver Policy, whereby certain assessments against tax-forfeited properties now owned by the City of Crookston, (such as fines for snow removal, mowing and delinquent utility bills) would be waived, rather than being assumed by a new property owner.
After department head’s reports and staff recommendations, Colleen McRae, of the Downtown Crookston Development Partnership (DCDP), commented that the turnout for the evening’s “Party on the Patio” in downtown Crookston was a great success, and that the group plans to hold several similar events throughout the summer. “We think about 75 to 100 people turned out tonight, along with vendors from the Irishman’s Shanty and Draft’s serving food,” said McRae. “We had some student visitors from China, who are at UMC right now, who came out to play some games and do some art projects, along with Regal the Eagle, who was fantastic. The patios have been really positively received so far this year. The DCDP plans two more patio events planned. We gifted the patios to the City of Crookston, so anyone businesses interested in signing one out can contact City Hall. We’re hoping that they help to create some excitement downtown and that people use them as an opportunity to showcase their businesses.”
WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE APPROVES CENTRAL PARK CAMPGROUND APPLICATION, CVB AUDIT
The Crookston Ways and Means Committee (City Council and department heads) met after the Crookston City Council meeting on Monday night and approved a Certificate of Support for RiverView Health’s USDA Rural Development loan application. RiverView is applying for a USDA Rural Development loan for a new building project to the tune of $39 million for a 70,000 square foot project. The loan will be around $33 million dollars. “RiverView continues to explore the feasibility of a new Inpatient Hospital Unit and clinics,’’ shared Carrie Michalski, RiverView President/CEO. “We are now seeking City of Crookston and Polk County governmental support to access $33 million in low-interest loan funds through the USDA.’’
Mayor Wayne Melbye said the Council was eager to support the project. “RiverView is looking to do an expansion on their building, which is very nice. They plan to do some updating, from what I understand, and were just looking for a show of support from the City that we agree that RiverView is an asset, a good business, supportive of the community, which in turn is supportive of it,” said Melbye. “This is a statement of assurance that we are behind them, and we’re glad to hear that they intend to stay a part of the community.”
The Inpatient Unit portion of RiverView’s main building has served the community since the 1950s, but its age and limitations are recognized as a growing concern. The RiverView Board of Directors is looking at the retirement of the space with a renewed investment in an improved Inpatient Unit that will enhance care and better accommodate the needs of patients, their families, and RiverView’s care team. The addition will be attached to the 2001 building addition.
RiverView’s frontline staff, physicians, and leadership have been working on plans for replacement facilities for over 18 months. Securing financing is the last piece to making the project a reality for the community.
RiverView Health Chief Operating Officer/Vice President of Operations, Chris Bruggeman, expressed his gratitude for the City Council’s support.
CENTRAL PARK CAMPGROUND GRANT APPLICATION
The Ways and Means Committee also approved submission of the Central Park Campground Grant application. The application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission is due at the end of July, so the approval needed to come at this meeting to get the application in by the end of the month. Crookston has been part of the Red Lake River Corridor Enhancement Project Joint Powers Board since its beginning along with five other cities (East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, Fisher, and St. Hilaire) and three counties (Polk, Red Lake, and Pennington).
The goal of the Red Lake River Corridor Enhancement Project is to improve services along the Red Lake River to create a premiere River Trail for tourists and residents. The councilmen had discussion and asked City Administrator Shannon Stassen several questions about the project and Mayor Melbye said if they get the grant, they should look at getting a committee together of people that use RV campgrounds to make sure the Crookston RV Campground is first class and people will want to use it.
CENTRAL PARK – CAMPGROUND COST ESTIMATE
Roadways and RV Gravel Pads: $410,000.00
Water Main and Services: $110,000.00
Sanitary Sewer/Lift Station: $350,000.00
Electrical Services: $62,000.00
New Bath House/Storm Shelter: $450,000.00
Total Estimated Cost: $1,382,000.00
The City of Crookston match for the grant would be 25 percent, or $345,500. City Administrator, Shannon Stassen, explained that the grant process is highly competitive, and that, if the Central Park project is awarded, funding wouldn’t be received until 2020, at the least. The plan is for a total of 45 campsites in the park. The council went with staff recommendation to approve the Central Park Campground proposal and with the approval, the resolution will be included on the July 23 city council agenda.
City Administrator, Shannon Stassen explained the layout of the proposed campsites and bathhouse/storm shelter in Central Park
CHAMBER AND CVB AUDIT PAYMENT
The Ways and Means Committee also discussed the Crookston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) Audit payment. The City of Crookston had agreed to pay for auditing services for the Crookston CVB when policies and procedures were created for the CVB. A request had been made by Chamber Executive Director Terri Heggie for the City to pay for audit services. The cost of the audit is estimated to be around $5,000 and would include both the CVB and the Chamber of Commerce. “The CVB and Chamber work very closely together, and so it’s time to do an audit,” said Melbye. “Terri asked if the audit could be done of the Chamber’s books as well, as since they are in need of some funds, it makes financial sense to do the two together, help them get their books up to date, and make it clear where they stand in regard to their finances.”
Chamber Executive Director, Terri Heggie remarked, “I’m very pleased with the Council’s decision to go ahead with the audit, and we’re looking forward to getting that process started.”
The Chamber is an independent non-profit organization that receives no funding from the City of Crookston. The City and Chamber do have an agreement for the Chamber to operate the CVB and receive 95% of the lodging tax that is collected from visitors that stay in local hotels. The remaining 5% is held as an administrative fee at the City. An audit of the CVB is an approved expense from these funds.
CITY CODE OF CONDUCT
The Ways & Means Committee’s final agenda item for the night was to consider adopting a City Code of Conduct, as discussed in the June 4, 2018 meeting with a representative from the League of Minnesota Cities. After considerable discussion about the necessity of such a Code, and its redundancy to the City Charter, the Councilmen voted 6-3 to approve the City Code of Conduct, with Tom Vedbraaten, Bobby Baird, and Jake Fee voting nay. “We just thought it was important to get this Code of Conduct on paper, so everyone knows what is expected of you, and what protocols should be followed,” said Melbye. “This is just kind of a guideline for what is expected of the Councilmen and spells out the consequences if some things go awry. It’s really not that different from the verbal understandings we have; this is just in black and white for everyone to see.”
The Crookston City Code of Conduct reads as follows, and will be presented for a vote of the Council at their July 23 meeting:
Crookston City Code of Conduct
The city council of the City of Crookston determines a code of conduct for its members, as well as the members of the various boards and commissions of the City of Crookston is essential for the public affairs of the city. By eliminating conflicts of interest and providing standards for conduct in city matters, the city council hopes to promote the faith and confidence of the citizens of Crookston in their government and to encourage its citizens to serve on its council and commissions.
Standards of Conduct.
No member of the city council or a city board or commission may knowingly:
-Violate the open meeting law.
-Participate in a matter that affects the person’s financial interests or those of a business with which the person is associated, unless the effect on the person or business is no greater than on other members of the same business classification, profession, or occupation.
-Use the person’s public position to secure special privilege or exemptions for the person or for others.
-Use the person ‘s public position to solicit personal gifts or favors.
-Use the person’s public position for personal gain.
-Except as specifically permitted pursuant to Minn. Stat. 471.895 accept or receive any gift of substance, whether in the form of money, services loan travel entertainment, hospitality promise or any other form under circumstances in which it could be reasonably expected to influence the person, the person’s performance of official action or be intended as a reward for the person’ official action .
-Disclose to the public, or use for the person’s or another person’s personal gain information that was gained by reason of the person’s public position if the information was not public data or was discussed at a closed session of the city council.
-Disclose information that was received discussed, or decided in conference with the city’s legal counsel that is protected by the attorney-client privilege unless a majority of the city council has authorized the discloser.
-Engage in discriminatory, retaliatory or offensive behavior when interacting with each other, staff and the public.
-Treat each other, staff or members of the public in a manner that is disrespectful or that may foster a hostile and unprofessional environment, whether in the workplace or at city-sponsored social events.
