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Laurel City Council works on water tower agreement

LAUREL — Laurel City Council members decided Dec. 9 to spend some time and money to make sure the water tower stays in good repair.

Members needed to make a choice between the maintenance proposal of Viking Industrial Painting or Maguire Iron, Inc. Both companies came down from the price they had originally quoted the city. Maguire Iron presented the lower bid.

Council members also considered an agreement with Lathan Asbra and access to Lot 10, however the agreement was tabled pending one more item.

The Council came to a conclusion to select Maguire Iron, Inc., to do upkeep on the water tower, with a contract for $27,218 per year for five years and $11,250 for the sixth year. Some legal negotiation still remain before a contract can be signed, however.

Council members reviewed contracts with Jake Dugger— Maguire Iron, Inc. and Brandon Vandermey — Viking Industrial Painting before making the decision.

In other action at the Dec. 9 meeting, the Council approved HSA amounts for employees. Last year’s amounts were $2,000 Individual and $4,000 Family. The council approved a move to Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance.

The switch could be done by Jan. 1. The HSA amounts will be maintained. Their present company, United Healthcare, presented an increase of 15 percent. Blue Cross Blue Shield would have a 6.2 percent increase over current rates. The ambulance service would also be in network with Blue Cross.

The city approved a resolution for the signing of the Year-End Certification of the City Street Superintendent form by the Mayor.

Virgina Lundahl expressed appreciation to the City Council for supporting Hillcrest Care Center to aid them in meeting regulations regarding the fire suppression system. Associated Fire has been paid and a down payment applied on pipe repair. Work began Dec. 9.

Lundahl also told the Council the Thanksgiving dinner at Hillcrest Care Center was very successful and included more than 30 guests.

The resident Christmas party at 2 p.m. on Dec. 8 included a Christmas sing-a-long and an ugly sweater contest. Hillcrest also hosted a Christmas coffee from 9:30 - 11 a.m on Dec. 9.

Hillcrest has received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. This rating is a testament to the excellent care provided by the employees of Hillcrest. The Mayor and council members congratulated Hillcrest on their 5-star rating.

A new billing system was instituted for Medicare on Oct. 1. Meals on Wheels is going well at Hillcrest. Volunteers have been dedicated delivering meals every day in all kinds of weather. Hillcrest has welcomed two new residents.

Chris Rasmussen, Laurel’s Economic Development Director, told the Council she is working to help Hillcrest access grant funding for projects.

The police report included: two fix-it tickets, seven warnings due to snow with good results for people moving vehicles, two animal complaints, three motorist assist calls, two hours of officer taser training, 180 building checks, 15 school traffic incidents, three citizen complaints, one nuisance vehicle and one traffic complaint.

Economic Development has been working on recertification. Fifteen visits were conducted over the last few months, and that is the number needed for the ED Recertification. Nicole Sedlacek from NPPD came over to help.

Rasmussen said the recurring themes from the visits were:

* Businesses want the City to have a ‘vision’ for the future.

* Overall good feeling about what Laurel has to offer, and they don’t want to lose any of it.

Rasmussen also noted that the Chamber Banquet plans are underway, and the date is set for Friday, Jan. 24. Chamber Board has revised member benefits.

For the Housing Study, an agreement was sent by Hanna-Keelan, and also the MFA Housing Study Funding contract. Hanna-Keetan will be in touch with us in the near future to set up meetings to come to Laurel.

Community Center Committee is meeting every two weeks. Grants are being researched, and committees are busy getting the info needed. Letter of Intent has been signed by Mayor Mark Patefield and returned to Jan Merrill for CCCFF grant in January 2020. The city was approved for the grant to fix up downtown.

The city was granted more funding then they had applied for. The City of Laurel has been approved for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award up to the amount $445,000 for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements.

Work has begun on updating info on Laurel’s website for ED Recertification. LCC high school student Amanda Rogers is helping with business updates.

Youth Philanthropy school promotions were done in November. Kevin Nordby presented the 2020 YPP to the students at LCC in Coleridge and Laurel.

City Administrator Mark McCoy’s report included

WASTE WATER: four manholes have been ordered and are to be installed by Plumbing and Electric Service on the 8” sewer main running along Clarmont Drive as per the budgeted amounts. We want to get this installation completed yet this year.

Kyle Knudsen has earned his Grade Two Wastewater Certification.

AUDITORIUM: A 5-10 year life roof repair for the City Auditorium roof was completed by Casey Roofing. Insurance money received for wind damage will pay for most of the cost.

FEMA: 870 Rd, Logan Creek Embankment Reconstruction Update: A site inspection for the flood damaged intersection at 3rd & Spruce St. was completed on Aug. 12. The intersection has been reopened. A site inspection for the Logan Creek / 870 Rd flood was completed on Aug. 12.

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