The Crookston City Council met on Monday night in the City Hall council chambers.
CROOKSTON AREA COMMUNITY FUND PRESENTATION
The meeting began with one presentation from the Crookston Area Community Fund in regard to the organization inviting grant applications in support of charitable, educational, and public-purpose projects that will enhance or improve the quality of life for residents and/or visitors of the Crookston area. The Crookston Area Community Fund will consider grant applications of $500 to $10,000, with a total amount of $25,000 available for 2024 grants.
“The Crookston Area Community Fund has an open application right now for grants to be submitted until April 1,” said Crookston Area Community Fund Chairperson Shirley Iverson, “We will consider grant applications from any nonprofit organization or public agency whose project addresses one of the multiple items that enhance livability.” The funds will be distributed to applicants who meet the following criteria for fund usage: education, economic development, health care, environment, recreation, and cultural/community services.
If you are a government agency or a nonprofit organization looking to apply, you can visit Crookston City Hall and receive the application forms and guidelines. The applications are also available on the Northwest Minnesota Foundation website or the Crookston Area Community Fund Facebook page. For more information, contact Shirley Iverson at 218-280-2854.
2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT APPROVED
The council reviewed three bids that were received in regard to the 2024 street improvements for the city. The three bids came from Spruce Valley Corporation out of Middle River, RJ Zavoral and Sons, Inc. out of Grand Forks, and Knife River Materials out of Bemidji.
The council ultimately approved the lowest responsible bid to Spruce Valley Corporation in the amount of $1,149,801. “It’s Excellent. We accepted a bid that was approximately nine percent lower than our city engineers estimate,” said City Administrator Corky Reynolds, “That’s outstanding! This is value for us, so we’re excited about that.”
The 2024 street improvements will include-
- Houston Avenue reconstruction from Hunter Street to South Ash Street
- North Broadway bituminous mill and overlay from Sixth Avenue Northwest to Fisher Avenue
- Third Avenue Southwest Bituminous reclaim/milling and Paving from Old Trunk Highway 75 to Bruce Street
COUNCIL APPROVES CLIFTONLARSONALLEN, LLP TO UNDERTAKE FINANCE DEPARTMENT DUTIES (TEMPORARY)
The final item on the agenda was the resolution regarding CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, to provide assistance with respect to the Finance Director’s duties and responsibilities. “Michelle from CliftonLarson and an individual who will be assisting her,” said Reynolds, “Will be undertaking (on a temporary basis) some of the Finance Directors duties. Assisting department heads with questions regarding the budget, where they are at, and what expenditures they have made. They will also look at various reporting requirements and reports that need to be made to the state and federal government.” The council approved the resolution to accept the services of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, to assist with the finance department duties.
The city sent out advertisements regarding the opening of the Finance Director position since the recent resignation of former Finance Director Audrey Passa. The city will plan on reviewing and finalizing applicants by April 16.
The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the March 11 council meeting. It will also include the approval of bills and disbursements in the amount of $478,387.42. The Crookston City Council will meet again on Monday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.
To watch the full meeting, click here.
