by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Numerous housekeeping matters were on the agenda Tuesday, Jan. 3 as the Thief River Falls City Council reorganized for 2023.
City Administrator Angie Philipp administered the oath of office to council members who had been elected in November. They included Mayor Brian Holmer, and council members Megan Bourne (Ward 1), Mike Lorenson (Ward 3), J. Scott Pream (Ward 5) and Steve Narverud (council member at large).
The council approved committee assignments for 2023.
• Utilities Committee – Brian Holmer, Lorenson, Pream and council member Anthony Bolduc
• Public Safety/Liquor Committee – Bolduc, Bourne, Narverud and council member Jason Aarestad
• Public Works Committee – Lorenson, Narverud, Pream and council member Michele McCraw
• Administrative Services Committee – Aarestad, Bourne, Holmer and McCraw
• Budget/Finance Committee (ad hoc) – Holmer, Lorenson and McCraw
• Personnel/Labor Committee (ad hoc) – Aarestad, Holmer and Lorenson
• Long Range Planning/Annexation (ad hoc) – Holmer, McCraw and Narverud
• Strategic Planning Work Group – Bolduc, McCraw and Philipp
• Building Work Group – Aarestad, Lorenson and Narverud
The council approved appointing Narverud to serve as acting mayor in Holmer’s absence during calendar year 2023.
City Council tabled renewing a taxi license for Northland Taxi until its paperwork is completed and the city can follow up on it. Holmer said Northland Taxi didn’t have an ASE mechanic certify its vehicle.
Six days later, the council held a special meeting to consider the request after the owner had Speed’s Auto Service, an ASE-certified mechanic, inspect the vehicle. Before the council renewed the license, Aarestad said he was disappointed that the council was holding a special meeting to consider the renewal. He indicated that he wants every business to be successful, but he said owner Randall Anenson had handed the paperwork in late.
Anenson replied that he was on the verge of closing. He changed his mind after business picked up and he was able to purchase a new vehicle.
Aarestad told Anenson that it cost the taxpayers money to hold the special meeting. He added that he didn’t expect the state to hold a special meeting if he turned in his business paperwork late.
Anenson had two mechanics inspect the vehicle before Speed’s conducted its inspection. He believed they were ASE-certified. “I thank you guys for having this special meeting,” he said.
Narverud and McCraw also voiced their frustrations. McCraw told Anenson, who has owned the business for eight years, that the city’s requirements haven’t changed.
Anenson replied that Speed’s was able to inspect the vehicle the day after the Jan. 3 council meeting.
The inspection should have been done before the due date, McCraw replied.