The Crookston City Council met on Monday night in the City Hall council chambers.
SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION
The meeting began with a presentation regarding the Small Cities Development Grant by Crookston EDA Project Coordinator Kayla Hanson. CHEDA has applied for $1.2 million to the Minnesota Department and Employment of Economic Development (DEED) small cities program. The grant that was submitted has been deemed “competitive,” according to DEED. The funds will be used for commercial projects, mixed-use rentals, and capital improvements for low-income homeowners if granted the funds.
“Essentially, this is a re-habilitation project,” said Hanson, “We want to rejuvenate the infrastructure that we have currently. We are an older community with homes that could use the assistance, and again, this stresses the rehab piece, not the remodel piece.”
The terms in the grant agreement include an 80/20 (80% grant funding/20% owner of property in question) for commercial properties, a 70/30 split for mixed-use properties, and the grant requires no match for homeowners. “Especially targeting the low income,” said Hanson, “We know that those homeowners don’t have the funds laying around, so we want to see those properties improved.”
During the presentation, Hanson explained that the initial plan is to target Ward 4 and the Slums/Blighted areas that currently reside. The next project that would take place would be the revitalization of the Sampson’s edition. If granted the funding, CHEDA estimates that projects will begin operations in 2025.
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES THE POTENTIAL PURCHASE OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL
The agenda items kicked off with City Administrator Corky Reynolds summarizing what transpired during the previous Ways and Means meeting, which was a closed meeting that took place on February 12. During the meeting, the Committee discussed negotiations regarding the purchase of Washington School; however, nothing was finalized during the discussion. “At the meeting, there was no firm price or no written offer,” said Reynolds, “Or statement from the school district about the price and what they wanted. I understand they have to put in an additional thought about any equipment or what could be forthcoming.”
It was determined by the Committee that the purchase of the school kitchen and playground equipment would be included. From previous talks, the city and EDA believe Washington School could be an ideal location for daycare and other childcare activity facilities.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
The council approved the resolution regarding the confirmation by the City of Crookston to be a part of the coalition proposal submitted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to the Federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA). “The state of Minnesota is requesting federal dollars,” said Reynolds, “These are federal dollars that are going to be available to states to do things like de-carbonization and looking for alternatives to put in homes for water heaters, windows, and siding.”
The MPCA is the lead entity coordinating this grant request to the federal government. The agency is looking for confirmation the city is still looking to be part of this particular coalition. “We are very fortunate that we are the only out-state outside of that seven-county metro area,” said Reynolds, “The city has been requested to be a part of this application, and this could result in roughly 22 million dollars that could be coming available to Crookston.”
The final item was regarding approving a contract with Palmer Masonry in Crookston to provide concrete services related to the modular bathhouse in the Central Park campground. This will be a pre-constructed unit and will serve as the restroom area. The concrete services will provide the “footings” or the foundation where the bathhouse can be placed.
The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the February 12 meeting. It also approved bills and disbursements in the amount of $407,675.14.
To watch the full city council meeting, click here.
