Gateway To The Chippewa National Forest
Deer River, Minnesota
03/28/22 - Council Minutes
ABOUT
Intro
I. Call to order 6:00 P.M.
II. Present - Mayor Steve Geving, council members Pat Richards, Barb Serfling, Dan Graf, and Sharon Geving. Also present City Administrator Mark Box, Police Chief Brian Castellano, Fire Chief Jordan Osse, and guests. Kim Brink Smith, Sarah Carling, and Gwen Smith.
III. Pledge and Prayer
IV. Minutes - After discussion, motion by Pat, second by Barb to approve the March 14th regular meeting minutes as amended. MCU. Motion by Pat, second by Barb, to approve the March 15th working session meeting minutes as written. MCU.
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V. Bills - After discussion, motion by Pat, second by Sharon to approve payroll, the bills for $12,914.00, and inter-fund loans to cover negative fund balances. MCU
VI. Attorney - Andy was not present.
Community News
VII. Gwen Smith - Motion by Pat, second by Barb to move Gwen Smith up on the agenda. Gwen is part of a group
from the Deer River Area trying to find a way to get Deer River community news written and distributed. There's a need for area news and events, so the group is talking and investigating a different way to do this. Three people have written for the newspaper in the past willing to write articles. We also need to give people a way to find event-type news such as Funerals, weddings, birthdays, school, and community-wide information. The Deer River Community Fund has some money to put towards this effort. Gwen said she is here only to give an update to the Council and will keep them informed as things progress forward.
Day of Action
VIII. Sarah Carling - Motion by Pat, second by Dan to move the Day of Action up on the agenda. MCU. Sarah Carling with CEDA gave an overview of the Day of Action. Kim Brink Smith said that the United Way has partnered with Kootasca Action and CEDA. Deer River has been chosen as the site for the Day of Action for 2021. The event happens on June 21st , and there could be up to 150 area volunteers. Sarah and Kim will be meeting with Mark and Sarah this week to go over possible projects. Motion by Barb, second by Sharon to name June 21st , 2022, at the Deer River Day of Action. MCU.
Fire Dept.
IX. Fire - Jordan reported on five calls for the month and stated that the calls are down year to date with only ten total calls for the year.
The five newly hired firefighter have started their training, and all is going well.
Bingo will take place in the high school commons on April 14th at 6:30.
The helmet order placed last September has been canceled due to the company not getting materials to make the helmets. Jordan will be starting the search for another supplier.
The new air compressor and cascade system have arrived. The air packs and bottles should be here soon. Motion by Dan, Second by Pat to approve the fire report. MCU
Police Dept.
X. Police - Brian reported that the calls for the month were up from last year by 25.
In February, the department was involved with an active shooter in the County. There were no injuries, and the suspect was taken into custody.
The vet clinic for Deer River residents will be on April 21 st . The vet will only be doing vaccinations. No medical exams or surgeries will be conducted.
Brian will be working on blight issues and asked residents to start their spring clean-up now.
Brian presented the State of Minnesota joint powers agreement for approval. Motion by Dan, second by Sharon to allow the Mayor and Mark to sign the agreement. MCU
Brian presented a Court Service Subscriber Agreement Amendment for approval. Motion by Dan, second by Sharon to allow Mayor and Mark to sign the amendment. MCU.
Motion by Dan, second by Sharon, to approve resolution 2022-11, a resolution approving the State of Minnesota Joint Powers agreement with the City of Deer River on behalf of its City Attorney and Police department. MCU.
Motion to approve the police report by Dan, second by Sharon. MCU.
Administration
XI. Administration - Mark asked if the Council wanted to pass a resolution of support that would support the state funding for the public safety benefit account. Funding for local governments that have public service workers out of work due to trauma. After discussion motion by Barb, second by Pat to approve resolution 2022-12. MCU Mark will also draft a letter of support to send along with the resolution.
Mark asked if the Council wanted to put the old buildings on the city's White Oak property out for bids. The bid requirements would have a timeline of when they need to be removed. We would advertise similar to last year for the excess property sale. They agreed to have the buildings put on a sealed bid format and remove them.
Mark had a quote for the furnace replacement at the White Oak building. Motion by Pat, second by Sharon, to replace the furnace for $8070.00 and bill to the Forestry Fund. MCU
Campus Life will be having a reunion this July. The event will be a one evening event held on the city's property north of the motel.
Party in the park will be held again this year on August 13th . This event will be similar to last year and be
held at Lundeen Park.
Motion by Barb, second by Sharon, to accept the quote for Northland Portables for the 2022 season. MCU There was a minimal increase in their service compared to last year.
Mark is working on another grant and asked for resolution 2022-13 to be approved. Motion by Pat, second by Barb to approve resolution 2022-13. A resolution agreeing to be the legal sponsor for the Outdoor Recreational Grant. MCU
Motion by Dan, second by Pat to accept the administrative report. MCU
Other
XII. Other - None
Adjournment
XIII. Adjournment - Motion by Sharon, second by Pat to adjourn. MCU. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by, Mark Box, City Administrator.
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Approved by the City Council at the regular meeting on April 11th, 2022, and signed by Mayor Geving.
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