The Ranier City Council on Monday accepted a preliminary engineering and environmental review for water system improvements. The project assessed the costs and repairs that would be needed for the aging and failing water system to regain reliable water service.
Mayor Ed Oerichbauer said that the $7,000 report started last March was submitted by the engineering firm, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson of Grand Rapids. It is the first step toward renewing the system. It contained an environmental review as required by USDA Rural Development and will serve as a basis on which construction bids and funding searches will be conducted.
In addition, the council approved the 2009 city budget of $176,054.
Kim Nuthak, city clerk, explained that the while the 2008 budget totaled $126,134, the bulk of the difference in the new budget is with accounting changes and not in new costs.
The salaries of the city clerk, the water maintenance position and water clerk had been paid from both the city general fund and the liquor store budget. The change will place the full salaries in the general budget.
“This way we can track payroll easier,” she added.
Nuthak also reported that the proposed 2009 city tax levy would be $30,850. This is a $1,520 increase over the 2008 levy of $29,330. She said the budget committee met for three hours to trim costs wherever possible and settled on the 2-percent increase. The budget will be presented to county staff in September.
The council approved the area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau appointment of Steve Lindberg. It also approved the annual one-quarter page advertisement for the city to be placed in the CVB Planner’s Guide for $350.
City dock repair work to be done by John Arnold at a cost of $500 to $1,000 was approved by the council, as was Sjoblom’s Landscaping offer to mow the triangle area between the entrance and exit lanes entering the city.
The council approved the Ranier Municipal Liquor Store operating statement for July. The store showed a net profit of $4,838, from net sales of $38,298. Monthly operating expenses totaled $15,708.
It also approved a request from liquor store manager Gretchen Cole to conduct floor maintenance that would require closing the store for a half day closing on a Tuesday in September.
“We would be starting at 6 a.m. and expect to be done by 3 p.m.,” said Cole.
Cole also thanked the council for work in creating a successful centennial event.
The council approved payments of $ 47,335 in monthly city bills and for the 2008 rural fire dues.
Oerichbauer read a letter from the Rainy Lake Orchestra to council Trustees Fred Woods, Brenda Bauer and John Walls thanking them for the space and for setting up the outdoor performance space that resulted in standing room only crowds during the weekend festival.
