by April Scheinoha
Reporter
The City of Thief River Falls will soon be in the fifth season of the year – the season of road construction. At its meeting Tuesday, May 16, the Thief River Falls City Council accepted the low bid for the 2023 Street Improvements Project.
Agassiz Asphalt LLC of Newfolden had the low bid of $1,262,015.40. Its bid was 11% below the engineer’s estimate.
Other bidders were R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. of East Grand Forks, $1,310,654.22; and Knife River Materials of Bemidji, $1,438,710.50.
The improvements include:
• Reconstructing the base and pavement on portions of Arnold, Duluth and Knight avenues between Ninth and 13th streets (not including 13th Street). That improvement would also include resurfacing pavement on 10th, 11th and 12th streets between Arnold Avenue and Highway 32 (excluding avenue intersections)
• Completing the cul de sac at the Robson Court development
The council approved reconstructing the bank near the handicapped-accessible fishing pier at the dam. Quality Spray Foam anticipated that the project will cost $17,000. The entire amount may be covered by funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If not, Public Works Director Travis Giffen said that the Red Lake Watershed District has indicated it may participate in funding the project.
In April 2022, the area sustained damage from flooding. Last fall, mudjacking was utilized to fix the pier. However, rainwater continues to pool on the east side of the sidewalk and find its way underneath it.
City Council approved summer work hours for City Hall staff and other departments as appropriate. Summer hours were set to start Sunday, May 21 and will end Saturday, Sept. 2. Employees will work Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. During the rest of the year, City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In the future, the council may consider whether to make the change permanent. Part of the future discussion may include whether City Hall should be open until 5 p.m.
Council member Mike Lorenson indicated that he has heard from a few city residents who liked summer hours because it enabled them to conduct business with the city outside of their own working hours. He encouraged residents to reach out to their council members if they have an opinion about the matter.
Council member Jason Aarestad advocating doing some research before making a decision. He recalled four people walking into City Hall to conduct some business after 4:30 p.m. one day while the Administrative Services Committee was meeting.
The council approved purchasing a fully-equipped police squad vehicle. The 2023 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor will be purchased from Guardian Fleet. It initially cost $63,378.27; however, the city is trading in two 2014 squad vehicles with a total trade-in value of $8,500. The police department will use its 2023 vehicle and equipment budget as well as about $17,000 from its DWI Fund to cover the purchase.
City Council approved a step change for Investigator Brady Meunier. City leaders reviewed Meunier’s pay, determining that his wage shall be moved from Grade 7 Step 1 to Grade 7 Step 2, effective Wednesday, May 17. As a result, his pay will increase from $34.27 per hour to $35.73 per hour. Meunier will move to Grade 7 Step 3 on Oct. 18, his original anniversary date.
The council held a first reading of a proposed amendment regarding easement requirements.
When Garden Valley Technologies began working on a project in the city, the firm encountered sheds, trees and obstructions in easements. City consultant Mark Borseth said the Planning Commission then reviewed easement ordinances in other communities, finding they were similar. The Planning Commission recommended subtle changes to the city’s ordinance, in particular, refining the definition of fences and formally allowing encroachments if an encroachment permit were approved.
The council is expected to consider the proposed amendment at an upcoming council meeting.
Mayor Brian Holmer signed a letter supporting a grant application from Safe Kids Grand Forks. The organization is seeking a Minnesota Safe Routes to School grant that would, in part, expand bike repair stations and bike maintenance classes in Thief River Falls. If approved, the grant would also enable the city to expand its Safety on Wheels bike helmet education program to third graders and offer bike rodeo activities.
Holmer signed a proclamation declaring May as Bike Month in Thief River Falls. The proclamation noted that BikeMn, Bike Thief River Falls and the League of American Bicyclists are promoting bicycling, bicycling tourism, and a greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety. Last year, the city was recognized as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by LAB.
The council approved Bike Thief River Falls as an advisory group to the Public Works Committee. Lorenson made it clear that the group is an advisory group and is only able to make recommendations to the council, which has the authority to make a decision.
Council members noted that the Public Safety Committee is considering allowing motorists to drive electric golf carts on certain city roadways. As part of that conversation, committee members are also considering allowing low-speed vehicle and electrified neighborhood vehicles to be driven. The discussions continue.
Holmer signed a proclamation for National Poppy Day, which will be observed Friday, May 26 in Thief River Falls. According to the proclamation, “at the end of World War I, the American Legion family adopted the poppy as a symbol of freedom and the blood sacrified by troops in wartimes.” This symbolism resulted from the poem “In Flanders Fields,” which refers to the poppies that sprang up after soldiers’ graves were dug in Belgium and France. The poppy is also symbolically showcased in England and Canada.
The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Committee of the Whole will meet immediately after the council meeting.