City also pursues DNR agreement to fix dock
RANIER — The Ranier City Council voted Monday to combine all of its committee meetings into one schedule so that members do not need to wait between meetings.
City Clerk Kim Nuthak told The Daily Journal that sometimes a committee meeting may not last the entire time allotted, causing committee members to have to wait until the next scheduled committee meeting time. The change will allow members to move through all the committees’ business without pause.
Also Monday, the council voted to continue pursuing a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that would give the city a grant in the amount of $50,000 to help fund replacing the Spruce Street dock. The city of Ranier had approved the agreement in the 1990s, but according to Ranier Mayor Ed Oerichbauer, the DNR did not file the proper paperwork to enter into the contract.
Monday’s action simply calls for refiling an already approved contract. Ranier will also receive a permit from the DNR to replace the dock.
The council approved a job description for assistant manager at the municipal liquor store, which is very similar to the manager’s duties. It states that the assistant manager will assume all management duties in the absence of the manager.
The council agreed to allow Cedulie LaVigne of Cedulie’s Photography to rent the Ranier Community Building to take indoor photographs. LaVigne will rent the space for $20 per hour with a minimum of one hour for each appointment, and Nuthak will oversee LaVigne’s use of the building.
It was noted that this is a single issue agreement with LaVigne and it does not set precedent for hourly rentals.
In addition, the council approved the purchase of and installation of cedar posts to replace curb stops at the voyageur statue, Ranier Beach and Ranier Park. The cost is $250 for the 17 posts and $470 for installation by Luke Davis.
The council approved a building permit application for John and Brenda Bauer to build a deck on their Ranier property.
Oerichbauer told the council that Nuthak had completed certification to become the city’s water operator and that she deserved a “pat on the back for that.”
Councilor Fred Woods mentioned that Ranier resident Barry “Woody” Woods recently returned money and turned away business from his fishing guide business due to perceived “harassment” by the U.S. Coast Guard in reference to guide licensing.
“Why can’t we work on lifting the (Ranier) bridge rather than chase business away from here,” he said of the Coast Guard.
Oerichbauer said that he would look into the matter and Ranier resident Arden Barnes questioned whether the guides that “Woody” was working with were indeed licensed. Councilor Woods said that they were all licensed.
