City-wide cleanup scheduled for June in Littlefork
The Littlefork City Council discussed Thursday a restoration of the Jackpine Savage statue that stands on Littlefork’s Main Street.
Damage to the statue caused by the weather and wear would be restored with more than $3,500 in proceeds recently received from Koochiching County forfeited timber lands.
Also discussed at Thursday’s meeting was recent City Park vandalism by youths who spray-painted sidewalks, two pump houses, a satellite toilet and the concession stand as well as the bell in front of the Fire Hall. The suspected vandals will likely be made to correct the degraded property, according to City Administrator Mike Fairchild.
Littlefork’s city-wide cleanup will be scheduled in June and the date will be advertised, according to Fairchild. At no charge, the city will haul away leaves, sticks and branches, provided the debris is bundled or bagged.
The council also discussed the need to thin-out and harvest old trees in Lofgren Park which would prevent further toppling of brittle trunks in future wind storms.
Discussion on the Littlefork Ambulance Service facility continues, according to Fairchild. Estimates are still being calculated on the addition to the Fire Hall, which will house the service. Guidelines which define procedures and day-to-day operations for the service are currently in review by the council as well as attorney Joe Boyle. Those documents and bylaws are expected to be finalized in the near future. Ambulance Service Chief Tom Donahou, present to give his report to the council, said there were 13 ambulance runs in April.
The old bar stools from the Littlefork Liquor Store will be put up for bids, according to Fairchild. The city has purchased new black-vinyl swiveling stools with back rests, which will be arriving any day.
A new bartender, Rachael Fry, has been added to the liquor store staff.
Fairchild reports the liquor store’s net sales for April as $36,144 — showing an increase of $6,800 from April 2008. Year-to-date sales also show an increase of $19,000 at $128,465. The year-to-date profit for the store is $13,491.
The search for a new Littlefork pound master will be advertised and the council made an agreement to buy former (and interim) pound master Jerry Anderson’s kennels and two dog houses.
The council was updated on the fiber optic access lines being installed currently at the Littlefork-Big Falls School by the Paul Bunyan Company.
A water drainage problem at the site of the Larson Apartments on Main Street where the buildings are downhill from the sidewalks placed in the 2002 Main Street construction project was addressed. The council agreed to meet with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to discuss a resolution for the problem on the state highway.
The council also agreed to proceed with a new all-terrain vehicle ordinance to govern city streets. Currently, state laws would apply to ATV drivers who are cited for improper operation.
Recent L-BF graduate Paul Imhof was hired by the city for summer employment.
