Streets top city agenda

LAUREL — The city of Laurel hosted a public hearing for the one-and-six-year plan with Jim Litchfield Monday.

Litchfield was impressed by the downtown revitalization (DTR) project, saying, “the street project is a tremendous plus to the community, and businesses downtown will greatly appreciate it.’’

Andy Forney, DA Davidson, presented information about the creation of Street Improvement District NO #2021-2. The concrete project will run from Second and Spruce street to Third and Spruce. The Council approved the bid from TR Harris, Homer, for the project. Completion date is set for May 1, 2022.

Roger Protzman of JEO Engineers was present at Monday night’s meeting to discuss a few of the changes and additions made to the DTR project.

Water and sewer services were added with storm sewer services on Spruce and Third streets. Pipe footage was increased. A storm sewer was an addition on Cedar Street going south. Two inlets on the north exit and one on the west area were added.

Also approved at Monday night’s meeting is work on the street from the west end of the DTR project to the highway on Second Street. The top layer of the street will be ground and covered with a three inch asphalt overlay.

Money is included in the budget to do the three-inch overlay and grinding that will level the cement gradually into a slope. The manholes will be raised. The project will be done next spring. A proposal will be signed with Knife River.

Tim Harris, owner of TR Harris, Homer, who did the concrete work on Main street, has given recommendations on how to remove the snow off the new concrete downtown. No salt products should be used on the new paving sidewalks. Both ACE Hardware and Laurel’s Hometown Market are checking in to obtaining the products needed.

Approval was given to purchase a mounting bracket for the 2008 Chevy Silverado pickup for Boss V Plow for $2,134.20. Also approved, a snow blower for the skid loader at a cost of $5,079.75 and broom for the skid loader at a cost of $4,697.40. The city will purchase a new Boss V plow upon arrival of the 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup for $8,477.55.

Sebade Construction was consulted on Walnut Street in the Norris Addition. An area just off the highway is in need of repair. Several other contractors were also consulted. The city council decided to table the decision to get more estimates.

Sargent Drilling will drill three test holes in the Hillcrest area for a new water source.

At its meeting, the city council also approved the basic rental agreement details for the Community Center. Details are still being worked out. The city council tabled the Audio/Visual system for the Community Center pending more information.

Members also approved the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. This program offers assistance to homeowners who need help with paying for the water portion of their utility bill. This is a federal program with no cost to the city.

As part of its meeting, the council also approved building permits for Cole Beyke for a 20x14 shed; LCC High School Activity Booster Club for a 8x4 double-sided sign; Kyle Knudsen for a 40x 6 privacy fence; and Doug Krie for a 440 square-foot garage addition.

Finally, the council heard a report from Hillcrest Care Center Director Ruth Sands-Jerke.

There have been no outbreaks of COVID in the Care Center and staffing is good with a registered nurse hired to work weekends, she reported. The Care Center had a complaint survey in August that came back with no deficiencies.

The facility has numerous maintenance issues and needs, she pupated the council.

A new water softener will be installed shortly and a new water heater will be needed.

The air handler above the kitchen went out. The cost will be $9,400 plus installation.

A new security system is still about 10 weeks out for installation. Doors alarms are being set off at strange times.

The facility also has some communication issues.

A bid from Allied Connective is being considered for computer setup.

Neither fax machines work like they should and are needed for receiving doctor’s orders and faxing information to providers as well. This problem may also have to do with the phone system which also needs to be replaced. A bid for the replacement of the phone system will be obtained, Sands-Jerke said.

There are some facility updates needed for the assisted living side as well with the east side of the roof. Conversations are underway with the insurance agent about making a hail damage claim.

The assisted living is also in need of new table tops for the dining room so that the tables match and a new table with several leaves for the activities room.

The facility may need to update its TV provider as service is “bad” and residents are complaining, she said.