During the recent Big Lake City Council meeting, the mayor and council heard an update from the county, prepared to accept bids for improvement bonds, and approved the purchase of a new brush rig for the BLFD.

Open Forum

Bettina Potter wished to recognize the first responders and the public safety officials in the city for their service. She also wished to address the issue of educating homeowners and renters who live alongside the lakes on how best to care for their bit of shoreline. She hoped the council would, in the future, consider a program to better educate residents and visitors.

She said that this would be her final open forum appearance, and encouraged other residents to go on record about issues around the city.

Sherburne County Annual Update

Bruce Messelt, Sherburne County administrator, gave an update to the board on the county’s last year. Commissioners Lisa Fobbe, Barbara Burandt, and Tim Dolan were re-elected last fall. Amanda Larson was appointed as the county’s new health and human services director. 

The county has maintained an approximately 10% growth rate. Economic growth is up as well, with new homes coming to the area regularly. 

Tax rates for the county have been decreasing over the last few years as home values rise. The county recently started using a tool called OpenGOV, which allows residents to view the county’s budget and experiment with making budget cuts and changes in different areas. Residents are encouraged to use this tool to make suggestions to the county in July. This way, recommendations and requests can be considered as the budget is being prepared for the next year, rather than having to field a lot of complaints when the budget is finalized. 

Messelt also reviewed the COVID-19 relief measures for the last year, and encouraged those in the audience to go to the county’s website for information on vaccination clinics. 

Purchase of Improvement Bonds

The council heard from Tammy Omdal of Northland Securities, the company which will be handling the sale of the bonds for the Infrastructure Improvement Plan (the overarching project to the street improvement plan.) Northland will receive bids on May 12, and the council will accept the best, lowest-interest bid at the council meeting that evening. Omdal explained the process of receiving and accepting bids, and answered questions from the council.

New Brush Rig Purchase for BLFD

The Big Lake Fire Dept. will be purchasing a new brush rig, an F550 type 6 engine. This new vehicle will replace the current brush rig, a 1996 F350. With only one bid being submitted to outfit the new vehicle, the cost will be $128,622.

Ken Halverson was concerned about the cost of the new vehicle, and he and Chief Seth Hanson discussed purchasing a different vehicle. However, the council agreed to the purchase after discussing the reasons behind the choice of that particular vehicle, and considering the recommendation of the joint fire board.

Department Updates

Chief Seth Hansen of the BLFD said the department had 35 calls for service for the month. One homeowner in Orrock Twp. has donated a house to the BLFD in order to practice a live burn. Upon inspection, the house was found to have asbestos. Once the owner removes the carcinogens, the live burn can be scheduled. The BLFD recently participated in a live burn hosted by the Becker Fire Dept. 

Acting Chief Matt Hayen said the police dept. had 1,009 calls for service for the month. He also spoke about taser training officers go through, wanting, in light of recent events, to let the council and audience know that there is a very low likelihood of a mix-up. 

Layne Otteson of the engineering dept. said he and his staff have been busy revising the design for the street improvement project, making plans to move a light pole on Glenwood Ave. in compliance with the Safe Routes to School Project, and working on an MS4 permit application. 

Ella Dotzler, student liaison, reported that the school board has been discussing a possible bond referendum for building and grounds work. CARES funding and the technology levy will be used to improve district internet connectivity. Students are back to in-person learning, though many students are currently out of school due to COVID-19 quarantines. If the number of cases continues to rise, the school may have to change back to hybrid or distance learning. Prom will be scheduled for June.

Administrator’s Report

The blighted property on Ridge Dr. will be cleaned up by city staff during this upcoming week (starting on the 26th). The fees associated with the cleanup will be added to the property’s taxes. 

Administrator Clay Wilfahrt also thanked the three women who ran for the open council seat in the special election, and congratulated Kim Noding on her win. The poll results were canvassed in a special council meeting the day after the regular meeting. Noding took her seat on the council, April 23. 

In Other Business, the Council:

• Approved the disposal of old wastewater treatment facility equipment;

• Approved wastewater treatment facility lift station updates, budgeted at just under $75,000;

• Named Mark Boeckman as an official Lake Liquors employee after his probationary period;

• Renewed agreements for the Farmers’ Market EBT and Market Bucks program;

• Passed an ordinance regulating targeting picketing in residential areas;

• Hired Bolton & Menk, Inc. to conduct a wetland delineation report at the future Brom Park for $2,400;

• Distributed certificates to recognize employees’ anniversaries of service with the city;

• Accepted a motion to allow restaurants to provide dine-in service in an expanded capacity.