It’s been an eventful summer for Crookston Public Works. KROX talked with Director of Public Works Brandon Carlson to get updates on what is happening around the City.
SANITATION: UTILIZATION OF GARBAGE SERVICES
City Council members and the Public Works Department are seeking an agreement on garbage services and systems in Crookston. “We sell bags right now at local stores, and the colored bags get picked up weekly by our sanitation crews,” said Carlson. The garbage services are reportedly utilized by under five percent of Crookston residents. The community currently pays for garbage services on a drive-by fee on their water bill. The city is looking to decide on the current garbage services within the next month. “This is a conversation that council will have in the next month or so,” said Carlson. “We either need to buy a new garbage truck, or we need to stop the service.” The drive-by fee for the Sanitation Department alone collects up to $100,000 in revenue.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mosquitos are always an issue in the Summer months in Northwest Minnesota. Crookston Public Works spends a fair amount of time counting and analyzing mosquitoes in the area. “We’re still counting mosquitoes; larvicides are coming to the end of their cycle,” said Carlson. “So we’re going to put more larvicide out for mosquito control.” The larvicides are meant to catch water from storms coming through the area. Therefore the water won’t allow mosquitoes to reproduce in that area.
According to Carlson, mosquitoes haven’t been a significant issue in the Crookston area. Therefore Public Works has held back on their spraying procedures at times. “When you go spray, you’re killing everything: mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, bees, and anything else that comes in contact with that pesticide,” said Carlson. “We have gotten up to 50 after one rain, but we don’t spray until we reach 100-count.” The most recent count from the department was 30 after rainfall.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The Crookston Water Department recently drained the North Water Tower. This maintenance service occurs every five years on the water towers. There were valve issues when working on the water tower. “When we shut the valve off, the valve won’t reopen now. So, we’re going to have to dig that up and replace that valve,” said Carlson. “However, the cleaning is done, and we’re about ready to put it back in service we just can’t at the moment.” The parts are in to replace the valve and the Water Department is waiting for the go-ahead to repair it.
STREET PATCHING REPAIRS, STREET SWEEPER
Crookston residents may have noticed the patchwork being done on the streets throughout town. “The guys are doing a lot of street patching right now, whether it is potholes or holes that were dug up for repairs and utilities,” said Carlson. “The street sweeper had a bearing issue with it, but that’s getting fixed. That will be back in full swing as soon as we can.”
The AG innovation road (across from Titan Machinery) has undergone sub-cutting operations and added gravel so that the road will be prepped for future curb work and black top. “This is sort of a park project, but they moved the utility crew from Spruce Valley down to the central park to get the water, sewer, and electrical installed there,” said Carlson. Following the dirt work at Central Park, the area will receive new pads for campers to park on, and every station will have a full hookup for water, sewer, and electricity.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT
The Wastewater Department ordered a rake for lift station 4 and is working toward installing this rake. The purpose of the rake is to keep the debris out of lift station 4. “The installation is essentially similar to a seaweed rake that goes out on pontoons,” said Carlson. “wWe must remove the top of the structure outside of lift station 4. We will install the rake, then install new grading.” Currently, the Wastewater Department is reviewing measurements and delivery of the rake.
