by April Scheinoha
Reporter
The Thief River Falls City Council approved various repairs, including several at the Carnegie, during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The council approved repairing the elevator at the Carnegie. TK Elevator Corporation will replace a broken hydraulic line and deteriorated electrical line on the elevator at a cost of $70,394.37.
Richard Baker, economic/community development director, said the hydraulic line was leaking in the control room and corroded the electrical line. The elevator has been out of service since Aug. 28. It is believed it will take two weeks to make the repair.
City Council approved repairing the foundation and front steps of the Carnegie. Bill Kaushagen Masonry will complete the work at a cost of $2,800.
Baker said the cement railings, southwest windowsill and southwest corner of the foundation are deteriorating. Water is now leaking into the basement storage room from an area between the cement railing and front stoop. A leaking downspout is suspected of causing the deterioration of the foundation corner and windowsill.
City Council approved a modernization proposal for the elevator at City Hall. TK Elevator Corporation plans to upgrade mechanical and electrical systems on the elevator for $80,384.88. American Rescue Plan Act and the city’s City Hall Furnishings, Fixtures and Maintenance Fund will cover the cost.
City leaders have discussed improving the elevator for years. Baker said they had been told it would be tough getting parts if any parts failed and the elevator would be down for months. Council member Mike Lorenson said employees have been stranded in the elevator in the past.
The council approved repairing the Thief River Falls Public Library garage/loading dock wall. Bill Kaushagen Masonry will complete the work at a cost of $3,000. The wall is deteriorating.
City Council accepted a 2024/2025 Toward Zero Deaths grant from the state. The Thief River Falls Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office will evenly split the $18,500 grant to cover overtime costs related to TZD enforcement. Such enforcement targets distracted driving, seat belt violations and Move Over Law violations.
The council approved an agreement with Northland Securities to handle the sale of the city’s General Obligation Bonds. Northland Securities will be paid $28,885.
The city is seeking bids for $6,225,000 in General Obligation Bonds for water, sewer and street improvement projects, and arena equipment. It is selling the bonds to cover $870,000 in water projects, $440,000 in sewer projects, $2,585,000 in street improvement projects, and $2,330,000 for the ice plant at Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center.
City Council approved opening the police investigator position. The position will be open for 10 days to members of the Law Enforcement Labor Services union. If it isn’t filled through that process, it will then be opened to the public.
Brady Meunier previously submitted his resignation from the position, indicating that he wanted to return to patrol duties. The council then opened the position. However, after Meunier learned that he wasn’t guaranteed to return to patrol duties, the council rescinded that motion. The council has now reopened the position.
The council approved filling the position of cemetery technician. The position will be open internally to Teamsters employees for 10 days. If it isn’t filled through that process, it will then be opened to the public. The council terminated Tom Harbott from the position Aug. 21 due to nondisciplinary issues.
City Council approved working with David Drown and Associates to create and grade the position of lead public works maintenance. Council member Steve Narverud said this is still a work in progress and would give city leaders something to fall back on if they need to do so. He said no decisions have been made yet on how this would occur, but he said this is the first step of what city leaders hope is an equitable solution after the retirement of Mike Olson.
The council held a first reading for a proposed amendment to city code regarding building permits. If approved, building permits would be required when fire alarm systems are being installed. The council is expected to consider the matter at an upcoming meeting.
Fire Chief Rick Beier said more local electricians, as opposed to individuals specially trained in such installations, are now installing fire alarms. Noting the electricians do a good job, Beier said they don’t know all the ins and outs of the systems. “There will just be more uniformity to these systems being installed,” he said.
Narverud announced that leaf vacuum operations are set to begin Monday, Oct. 7 and run through Friday, Nov. 8. Leaf pickup starts with Ward 1 on Mondays and ends with Ward 5 on Fridays.
The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.