CROOKSTON CITY COUNCIL DOESN’T APPROVE FIRE HALL MESSAGE BOARD

The Council also held the continuation of three public hearings for Franchise Fee Agreements with Ottertail Electric, Red Lake Electric Cooperative and Great Plains Natural Gas Company.  No one present at the meeting had any discussion during the public hearings and the franchise agreements proceeded to the regular agenda where the resolutions passed unanimously with no discussion.
Following the passing of the resolutions was the first readings of, the Ottertail Power Electric Franchise Fee Ordinance No 76, the Red Lake Electric Cooperative Franchise Fee Ordinance No 77, and the Great Plains Natural Gas Company Franchise Fee Ordinance No 78.

The final item on the regular agenda was a resolution to approve the purchase of a reader (message) board for the fire hall.  During the November 13 Ways & Means Committee meeting, the council had heard from city staff about how the previously approved purchase for $6,000, but it wouldn’t be a high-quality reader.  The request was to up the approval to $13,500 for better model through Daktronics, a South Dakota based company.  The additional $7,500 to cover the increased cost is available in the Fire Department budget due to the department receiving several grants throughout the fiscal year.  The message board never came to a vote, however, as no one seconded Councilman Clayton Brigg’s motion to approve the resolution.

During Reports and Staff Recommendations, Finance Director Angel Weasner said there is a change in time for the next council meeting for Truth in Taxation.  “The Truth in Taxation meeting will be held on December 10,” said Weasner.  “The meeting will begin earlier than normal, at 6:30 p.m.”

Baird also commended City crews on hanging holiday decorations in the cold weather over the past week and noted Crookston will host the first of five possible Go-Kart events this weekend.