City wide Clean-up Day for Crosby

by Kathy C. Bryan

The Crosby City Council met April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Crosby City Hall. Present was Mayor Dale Sova, Council Members: Deb Shankle, Buzz Neprud, Ed Vukelich and Butch Ferrari. Also present were City Attorney, James Gammello and City Clerk, Cindy Nelson.

Public Form: Resident Joan Hallada appeared before the Council with a recommendation to post flags in honor of those who serve in the military. She will forward the information she collected to the City Clerk for follow-up.

Resident Carla Lueck appeared before the Council to report an incident of falling on a City sidewalk. Mayor Sova stated Crosby has no formal plan in place for repairing sidewalks but believes the City would be responsible for tearing out the old sidewalks and would share 50 percent of the costs with the residents. The Council will take the matter under consideration.

Rick Schaefer appeared with a concern about the sidewalk in front of his property stating it was damaged by the City. Mayor Sova stated the City will pay 50 percent of the costs with Schafer.

The Iron Range Riders Club appeared before the Council encouraging them to finalize the ATV/Snowmobile Ordinance. The Police Department will present their suggestions at the next meeting.

Unfinished Business: Discussion about the sound system for Council Chambers, the City Administrator position, and the campground electrical situation were tabled. Two representatives from Project Play appeared to discuss Beach Improvement and donated $10,000 to build a city beach. The City will match the funds. Drawings were presented to the Council by a professional landscaper. A discussion ensued concerning using different materials for the project. A motion was carried to complete the project with timbers following the landscaper’s drawings at a total cost of $20,000.

New Business: Attorney Gammello stated the City will not pursue assessing MN DOT for two parcels of land in which the State holds the exclusive right-of-way. The City will get two bids to tar the Cemetery. A motion was carried to award Anderson Brothers the bid to patch the tar at the Park. Additional costs were also approved to widen the road to the gate. The resignation of Marilyn Hesch, Clerk/DMV was accepted by the Council with regret. The Council approved a wine and beer license for Maucieri’s Restaurant.

Fire Chief’s report: The Chief reported there have been five runs since the last Council meeting and there was an exercise overseen by Emergency Management at the hospital.

Police Chief’s Report: Kim Coughlin presented letters of recommendation for three Crosby Police Officers. Coughlin also informed the Council vehicle forfeitures will be stored at the bus garage. Rick Koop presented a preliminary proposal to curb vehicle and pedestrian accidents at the park to be reviewed by the Council.

Librarian’s Report: Peggi Beseres distributed the current Halleck Herald and announced there will be a Library Board meeting April 29 at 5 p.m. followed by Volunteer Appreciation Night at 6:30 and informed the council that ARC assisted with tax filings this year at the library. More people requested assistance in 2007 than 2006.

Public Works: The Council requested Steve Perpich to get the necessary repairs on the sweeper. A resident inquired about cutting down a tree on his property to build a fence. Council stated since the majority of the tree is on the homeowner’s property the City will not pay for the removal of the tree. A motion was carried to proceed on a new granite sign for the park at a cost of $7,200. The sign will be 10 ft. wide x 6 ft. tall and set in concrete.

Engineer’s Report: Mike Rude from Widseth, Smith and Nolting requested the Mayor and the Clerk sign the proposal for the Cuyuna Senior Campus allowing a $15,900 payment as part of the Developer’s Agreement. Rude updated the Council on ongoing construction projects. Rude recently met with Tim Chamberlain of the Serpent Lake Association, and Council Member Neprud concerning the rain garden project at the Park. Crow Wing Soil and Water has awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 that needs to be used by June. The DNR will also be donating money. A motion was carried to pay Widseth, Smith and Nolting with monies coming from the Serpent Lake Association and the Storm Water Fund for work on the rain garden project.

Clerk’s Report: City Clean-up Day will be May 17. Nelson reminded the Council the League Annual Meeting will be held in Rochester on June 11-13 and the League Regional Meeting will be held Oct. 8 in Wadena. A motion was carried allowing the Clerk to purchase a module for utility payments. A motion was also carried to hire one full-time and one part-time Clerk for the DMV.

Mayor’s Report: Sova distributed an organizational chart for the City. Two Council Members are in the process of scheduling Department Head reviews this week.

Attorney’s Report: Gammello will review the Dog Ordinance and present it at the next Council Meeting. A motion carried to release $45,000 to Serpent Lake Project. A landowner near Oak and Beach has inquired whether or not the Daisy Avenue property has been vacated by the City. Attorney Gammello will write a letter to the landowner stating it appears the property was vacated by the City, however, the City has continued to maintain the property.

The Council Meeting was then adjourned for a closed session. The Crosby City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.