by April Scheinoha
Editor
Sometimes projects are a little more expensive than initially thought. At its meeting Tuesday, June 3, the Thief River Falls City Council approved spending additional funds as part of the roofing project at Falls Liquor.
In April, the council accepted a $130,000 bid from Ackerman Construction to replace the roof. Each bid featured alternative clauses in the event of problems. Public Works Director Travis Giffen said city leaders expected there would be issues with the roof due to moisture and previous leaks at the city-owned liquor store.
After Ackerman Construction was awarded the bid, it conducted a deeper investigation, finding that over 75% of the insulation needed replacement and it would be more cost-effective for full replacement. Giffen worked with the contractor on the price, which was within the parameters of the existing contract. The additional cost is estimated to be about $62,000 for the purchase and installation of new insulation for the entire surface area.
Giffen verified the contractor’s suggested pricing with other individuals in the industry, finding that amount was on par with what someone should expect to pay.
City Council approved reclassifying four administrative positions, including the following positions effective Wednesday, June 4:
• IT coordinator, a position held by Joanne Olson, who is currently in Grade 6 and over Step 8 at $45.71 per hour and move her to Grade 7, Step 8 at $46.57 per hour
• Human resources coordinator, a position held by Les Backer, who is currently in Grade 6, Step 5 at $38.86 per hour and move him to Grade 7, Step 3 at $39,80 per hour with his next step in May 2026
• Senior billing clerk, a position held by Jeremy Treitline, who is currently in Grade 6, Step 4 at $37.54 per hour and move him to Grade 7, Step 2 at $38.27 per hour with his next step in August 2025
• Accountant, a position held by Jenny Davis, who is currently in Grade 5, Step 7 at $38.52 per hour and move her to Grade 7, Step 3 at $39.80 per hour with her next step in January 2026
Olson’s position is a part of the Management, Administrative, Professional and Supervisory union while Backer’s position is a non-union position. Both Treitline’s and Davis’ positions are part of the Teamsters 320 union.
David Drown Associates reviewed the job descriptions for the positions for reclassification. The firm recommended that the four positions move to Grade 7.
The council approved a gambling premises permit applications for Goodridge Area Development. GAD has been asked to supply its pull-tabs at the Schooner Bar & Grill. The Thief River Falls Amateur Hockey Association previously supplied pull-tabs there.
Council member Steve Narverud invited the community to the Kiwanis’ annual picnic at Northrop Park on Tuesday, June 24. The picnic starts at 5 p.m.
Bike Thief River Falls members invites the public to ride their bikes from the Multi-Events Center to Northrop Park for the picnic. They plan to meet at 5:30 p.m. at the MEC.
Mayor Mike Lorenson provided kudos to Water Systems Superintendent Wayne Johnson and the Electric Department. He praised Johnson for helping explain on Thief River Falls Radio what happened when the city’s water system violated a drinking water standard for turbidity or cloudiness in January.
Lorenson also praised the Electric Department, which helped the Zehlians place the hanging flower baskets in Thief River Falls.
The next council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.