by April Scheinoha
Editor
Soon, lead and galvanized water lines will be replaced in the City of Thief River Falls. At its meeting Tuesday, April 15, the Thief River Falls City Council approved seeking a loan/grant for the project.
The city is applying for a loan/grant from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. The loan/grant would be for $1,442,500 or the as-bid cost of the project. If the city and its contractors complete the project in a timely fashion, the city will be reimbursed its costs for the project and the loan will be forgiven. If the project weren’t completed in a timely manner, the city would have to pay back the 2% interest rate of the loan.
In an interview with The Times, Water Systems Superintendent Wayne Johnson said the loan/grant is for the city’s portion of the project. Last fall, the city learned it had received a $768,000 grant to cover the cost for homeowners whose water service lines are affected. About 80 homeowners have lead or galvanized water service lines, and the latter grant will cover the entire cost of replacing the service lines from the house to the curb stop at no cost to the homeowners. Johnson said it is hoped that the project will start in July.
Faye Auchenpaugh, Carol Ihle, Cheryl Lee and Ruth Ostby appeared before the council to talk about the flower basket program. Their organization, the GFWC Zehlians, has taken over responsibility for the program. As part of the program, hanging flower baskets are placed downtown and along Third Street.
The Zehlians are currently raising funds for 120 hanging flower baskets, which cost $75 each. As of the council meeting, they had already raised $3,000. They plan to have the flower baskets up through September.
The Boy Scouts will assist the Zehlians in watering the flowers; however, the Zehlians are looking for more volunteers, especially volunteers who would be available in late summer. Auchenpaugh said two volunteers are needed – one to drive the all-terrain vehicle and one to water the flowers. It is estimated it will take a minimum of an hour and a half to water the flowers. She noted 7 p.m. is the best time to water the flowers due to traffic.
The Zehlians will use an ATV and water tank previously donated by Arctic Cat for the program. Ihle said Hubert’s Outdoor Power recently serviced the ATV and Cenex has agreed to provide gasoline for it. City of Thief River Falls staff will hang the baskets. The city will also continue to store the equipment needed to water the flowers.
In the past, the flower basket program was handled by the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce and last year by Pam Dallmann and her family.
To the Zehlians, council member Michele McCraw said, “I appreciate you guys taking on this project.””
To volunteer or donate to the program, call or text 218-686-1503 or 218-689-7636.
City Council adjusted administrative fees for contracted grass mowing completed as part of city code compliance.
Inspections are usually completed every other week during the growing season. Private property owners are found to be in violation of the ordinance if grass and weeds are higher than six inches.
Offenders will now be assessed a $50 administrative fee for the first offense and $100 for any offenses committed after the first offense in a calendar year. These administrative rates apply for calendar year 2025. Those rates are in addition to the rates for mowing and trimming the parcel if the property owner doesn’t comply within seven days of the first letter. According to Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Myers, offending property owners are charged $44 for grass mowing and $22 for trimming.
In the past, the administrative fee was $10, which was applied to the initial invoice one time. Council members were provided a list of administrative fees assessed by six communities, including Thief River Falls. Thief River Falls had the lowest administrative with $10. The remaining ranged from $75 in Maplewood after a third inspection to $300 in Coon Rapids after failing to comply with the first notice.
In separate, related motions, the council approved loans to PHT Properties, which is co-owned by Patrick Thibert. Thibert plans to move his Edward Jones office to the former site of Blue Moon Appliance, 303 Main Ave. N.
City Council approved a Commercial Energy Renovation Loan to replace windows, doors and the roof of the building. The $100,000 loan has a 2% interest rate for a period not to exceed 84 months.
The council also approved a Commercial Storefront Renovation Loan for the building. The $35,000 loan has a 3% interest rate for a period not to exceed 60 months.
Both loans are provided through the city’s Revolving Loan Fund. Richard Baker, economic/community development director, said the dollar amounts of each project far exceed the loan awards.
City Council approved a Mamava XL pod at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The city will pay $25,200, including shipping, for the pod that enables nursing mothers to nurse in a private area. The city will be reimbursed its cost as part of a Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Partner Award. A similar pod is located in Hugo’s near the pharmacy.
The council approved purchasing 20 new Glock duty pistols, sights and holsters to replace aging duty handguns for the police department. Costing $18,000, the equipment will replace 10-year-old handguns and holsters that are starting to wear out. Police Chief Marissa Adam said the city will save $600 per year in ammunition since the city is switching from .40-caliber to 9 mm handgun rounds.
City Council approved hiring Colin Bruggeman as a patrol officer pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements. Bruggeman will be the 16th full-time officer on the department. The council has approved employing 17 full-time officers.
The council approved a variance request for Steven Westerman, 904 Alice Dr. Westerman sought the variance to install two solar panel arrays in his side yard. Baker noted the variance was sought since there was a debate as to what constituted a side yard or backyard on Westerman’s corner property. One solar panel will be mounted to the south sidewall of a shed and the other will be mounted to the ground between the shed and a utility easement.
City ordinance stipulates that ground-mounted solar energy systems must only be located in the backyard; however, Westerman’s home has a small backyard with little to no space for the panels.
Next-door neighbor Alice Wassink earlier contacted the city, asking what would happen if the panel became broken when individuals were mowing her yard. Westerman said he would pay to repair it.
Jana Martin, who lives across Greenwood Street from the property, voiced concerns to Baker about the panels emitting noise and leaching into the ground. Baker told the council that he isn’t aware of any soil leaching unless the solar panels were ground up in a landfill. A humming noise, according to Baker, would occur at larger solar farms.
Westerman said the solar inverters, which will make noise, will be located in the shed.
Even though the council has approved the variance, Westerman will also need to seek a building permit.
City Council tabled discussion regarding potentially posting the full-time position of building official. Council member Steve Narverud asked for the matter to be tabled, so city leaders can have discussions with the current building official.
Since June, the city has contracted with Greg Hufnagle, former city building official, to provide such services through his business, True Check LLC. He formed the firm to inspect buildings and offers consulting work for multiple municipalities. The two-year agreement may be terminated for any reason by either party with a 60-day written notice.
The council approved spending $1,678.52 with Paint & Glass Interiors to purchase and install new carpet in the office of the public works director. Council member Jason Aarestad, who owns Kenny’s Floor Service, abstained from voting. Adjacent carpet is being updated as part of the City Hall remodeling project.
City Council approved an appointment and a reappointment to the Community Development Advisory Board. Tony McLean was appointed to the board while Steve Lillestol was reappointed. Each seat has a three-year term.
The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.