LITTLEFORK — As the city moves closer to special events this summer, Littlefork councilors agreed Thursday that new signage in Main Street areas will add to the attractions.
The city will host the Littlefork-Big Falls All School Reunion June 30 through July 3.
Councilor Loren Lehman agreed to speak on behalf of the city at the All School Reunion. The selling of alcoholic beverages at the Littlefork Community Building and the district fairgrounds during the event was approved.
A flag park on Main Street which has been established by volunteer workers of the Littlefork Garden Club will be getting new signage honoring local servicemen. The council approved the purchasing of seven, 2-foot by 2-foot Alumacorr emblems of the U.S. military seals at $70 each, as well as a 8-inch by 12-inch bronze plaque at $390.
Littlefork City Hall will also have a new sign at the front of its property. The entities of the local Chamber of Commerce as well as the district fair which both operate from City Hall will be incorporated on the signage. Each entity is to pay individual costs
The all-new Jackpine Savage will make his debut at the coming celebrations. Now in the colorizing stage, the fiberglass statue will be trucked to its location next to Polkinghorne’s Hardware on Main Street in the last week of June. The old wooden character, which currently stands in the same location, will be moved away. Councilors in committee will discuss the fate of the old statue, with one suggestion that it be placed under the canopy of the Jackpine Saloon at the city’s liquor store.
In other business, the city received just one bid for the construction of the new Littlefork Ambulance Service facility adjunct to the Fire Hall. Because the bid of $164,753 was beyond the range of the estimated project budget, the council agreed to reject that bid as well as two electrical bids which could become outdated after a restart of the bidding process. The issue was to be readdressed in committee.
The council approved the ambulance service’s proposed 2011 tax levy and budget in the amount $158,100. Ambulance Chief Tom Donahou told the council that it has been a very busy time for the service, with about 15 runs already made in June.
“There’s been a lot of trauma,” Donahou said. Councilor Mike Fort praised Donahou and other ambulance staff for they way they had handled an accident on Highway 217, where Fort had also been on the scene. Noting that there had been two separate vehicle rollovers on that day, Donahou said the service has received excellent support from area first responders.
An election of 2010-11 officers for the ambulance service places the same individuals in those positions as last year, and are as follows: Donahou as chief; Lance Fry as deputy chief; Marty Guerard as secretary; Sam Hege as training officer and Laura Mannausau as scheduling officer.
The council also approved the city’s Fire Department 2011 proposed budget amount of $76,565.
Talks continue on Unorganized Township Road 168, according to City Administrator Mike Fairchild. At issue is the paving of the UT road on which a traffic counter recently revealed only moderate traffic. Fairchild said he is in conversation with Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavleck to find out if any county turnback dollars from Highway 332 could be used to pave the road.
Fairchild also reported that city employees are on task regarding multiple municipal improvements revealed necessary after a mock Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection. “There’s been good cooperation,” Fairchild said. “It’s going well.”
The council agreed to have Fairchild hire a professional to provide the city an electrical-load inventory for the placement of an adequate emergency generator for power outage events which interrupt municipally powered infrastructure. The cost of hiring the assessment is $400-$600, Fairchild reported.
The council was agreeable to the idea of having a wine-tasting event at the Northern Minnesota District Fair held on the city’s fairgrounds. Lehman explained that fair goers would pay one admittance fee to taste locally made wines. The event would be operated with an off-premise liquor permit and insurance through the city. The fair board would manage the event and proceeds would go to the fair.
Councilor Kevin Sather questioned what quality checks would be used to monitor workmanship during the surface restoration of the city’s water tower, a project slated to begin following the Fourth of July. The council agreed that unannounced checks should be implemented to ensure proper surfacing, and that the advisement of John Mattonen, city engineer, should be sought.
Fairchild reported that consistent decreased sales shown by the Littlefork Liquor Store are likely due to some new liquor establishments which have opened in the area. May liquor sales are down $9,000 from May 2009. Year-to-date liquor store sales are $143,549 which is a decrease of $27,500 from 2009. Fairchild said he expects the situation to improve with deer season and other coming events which will help level sales margins.
The council Thursday approved the installation of an ATM machine by Theisen Vending at the liquor store, at no cost to the city which will be paid a percentage of the profits.
The annual audit report which councilors expected Thursday did not occur as the accountant did not attend.
Mayor Shane Williams and Councilor Sandy Heem were absent from the meeting.
The date of the council’s regular July meeting will be changed, and is to be announced.
