The Crookston City Council met on Monday night inside the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with a Cub Scout Presentation. Cub Scout pack #44, which is kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade, led by Randy Prudhomme. They took a tour of City Hall earlier in the day, and the scouts learned about what the city government does. Prudhomme shared what the scouts learned in a presentation and introduced them to the Council members.
The Council also heard a presentation from the Downtown Crookston Development Partnership on their walkability study. No action was needed from the board as the presentation was informational.
The Consent Agenda included approving the City Council meeting minutes from November 8 and approving City bills and disbursements in the amount of $190,967.88. The Council approved both items unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Nine public hearings were held on the proposed assessments for federally funded city construction projects 975-983. The public hearings were an opportunity for the public to address any concerns they may have, but no comments were made. Below is a list of the nine projects, the total cost of the projects, and the amounts to be assessed.
- 975: Stephens Drive – Hoven Lane to Radisson Road by Street Reconstruction. (Total Estimated Cost $375,428.25.: Amount to be assessed $69,996.00 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 976: Grant Street – North Front to Widman Lane by Street Reconstruction. (Total Estimated Cost $160,428.81.: Amount to be assessed $23,400 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 977: North Front Street – Sixth Street to Sherman Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $344,620.06.: Amount to be assessed $46,430.00 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 978: Riverside Avenue – Victoria Street to Summit Avenue by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $128,544.57.: Amount to be assessed $43,306.05 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 979: Elm Street – Fourth Street to Summit Avenue by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $236,839.10.: Amount to be assessed $18,000.00 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 980: Fourth Avenue North – North Broadway Street to Alexander Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $104,772.013.: Amount to be assessed $27,973.64 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 981: Central Avenue – North Ash Street to Albert Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $130,434.64.: Amount to be assessed $22,500.00 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%.
- 982: Seventh Avenue South – South Main Street to Marshall Street by Bituminous Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $67,000.48.: Amount to be assessed $21,375.00 at a recommended term of 2-10 years at 3%)
- 983: South Broadway Bridge – South Main Street to Houston Avenue by Concrete Mill & Overlay. (Total Estimated Cost $643,529.21.)
There were then nine resolutions to approve the assessment amounts for the proposed projects following the conclusion of the public hearings. City Administrator Amy Finch talked about the proposed assessments for the projects. “As part of the assessment process, a public hearing needs to take place,” said Finch. “What happens now that the resolutions have been approved is that they will be certified over to the county. If anyone is interested, we do have all this information, and people can contact us, and we can run through the numbers again.”
As Finch mentioned, the board approved all nine proposed assessments in the amounts listed above.
There were also public hearings for unpaid water and sewer charges for current services and authorizing the abatement for a Housing Incentive Program. Following the public hearings, there was a resolution to approve the sewer chargers for current services in the amount of $5,833.57. A part of the resolution was also the approval of code enforcements in the amount of $3,806.39. and mowing charges for $3,278.29. The board approved the resolution unanimously. Public Works Director Brandon Carlson said the numbers for the assessments are steady with previous years.
HOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
There was also a resolution to approve the three properties that qualified for the Housing Incentive Program. Finch discussed the program and why the three properties qualified. “There were three properties that applied to the housing abatement in 2020-2021,” said Finch. “The properties are fully valued, and upon proof of payment of their taxes through the county will be eligible to have their taxes abated for those two years. The city’s share of that comes out to $2,700 for the two years that are abated.”
The three properties that qualified for the abatement were 616 5th Ave South, 705 Euclid Ave, and 1609 Hoven Lane. The board approved the resolution for the abatements.
NON-CONSERVATION TAX-FORFEITED LAND
The next item on the agenda was a resolution to approve the classification of Non-Conservation Tax Forfeited Land located in the City of Crookston. City of Crookston Building Official Greg Hefta explained what decision was before the board. “Basically, what they’re looking for in a Non-Conservation land can be anything regarding the environment that means the piece of land is not buildable on,” said Hefta. “The city determines whether something needs to be conserved within the city, and in the cases of these lots, it’s pretty common.”
Six lots were included in the resolution, and the board approved the request unanimously.
POOL REPAIRS
There was then a resolution to authorize pool repairs and increase the budget and expenditure costs not to exceed $30,000. The pool has a few pipes and other issues that need to be immediately addressed to prevent further damage. The estimated cost of the repairs is $15,000, and $11,000 will be pulled from reserves within the budget to fix the problems. The new pipes should last into the foreseeable future. The board approved the request for the repairs.
TRANSFERRING OF CITY FUNDS
The following resolution was the approval of transferring funds now that the 2020 city audit has been complete. Finch explained what funds can or would be transferred where. “This set of entries will close out two older funds that we had,” said Finch. “There are some reclassified bonded funds in there, and I just needed to clarify with Council a few changes that have been made. The biggest adjustment came from the airport fund. With the shifts that are taking place, we will be able to shore up the deficit in that fund which is great news.”
The board approved the transfer of the funds unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was a resolution approving payment to 2020 David Drown Associates. Due to staff transitions at the city, the November 17, 2020, invoice of $22,000 owed to David Drown Associates has gone unpaid until it was recently brought to the attention of city staff. The board approved the request unanimously.
The Ways & Means meeting scheduled to take place following the City Council meeting was canceled due to a lack of agenda items. The next City Council meeting will take place on December 13, where the “Truth in Taxation” hearing will take place. The public is invited to attend.
