City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MINUTES – 3-19-01 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in reconvened regular session on Monday, 03- 19-01 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Acting Mayor Dave Gottenborg, Council Members John Waller III, Paulette Nettestad and Denise Magnusson were present. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk- Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Greg Ballard, Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press, Dave Weaklend of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Wayne Runningen and Bonnie Weaklend were also present. Acting Mayor Dave Gottenborg reconvened the City Council meeting on Monday, 03- 19-01 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Acting Mayor Gottenborg discussed the ongoing work of the Facilities Committee in addressing problems with the present City buildings regarding accessibility. He distributed a listing of various options to the City. Council faces a decision as to whether it is important for the City to maintain a presence downtown. Lake Region Electrical Cooperative (LREC) former headquarters building offers potential to City to expand services. Council Member Nettestad said she has two concerns. One is the City’s presence in downtown and the costs to City at this time. Can we afford it? Acting Mayor Gottenborg said maintaining a presence downtown isn’t his first concern. City’s presence will not guarantee that existing businesses will stay open. Moving to LREC building offers room to offer more services to public. Looking at the price per square foot, it’s a deal. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson pointed out that LREC building solves a lot of problems. Is it worth a $100,000 to $120,000 additional costs to move? LREC Manager Dave Weaklend said a spreadsheet expressing the City’s capital needs for the next 10 years would help Council decide if they can afford the project. Committee can continue work on this, but they would like some direction from the Council. Council Members Waller and Magnusson would like to see a spreadsheet working with Option 1. Magnusson said she is not comfortable with Option 3. Council indicated that if the City can afford Option 1 or 4, they are most in tune with City’s philosophy. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to do a ten year forecast of the City’s costs for capital. Motion passed unanimously. Economic Development Committee would like to meet with Economic Development Authority according to Weaklend Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer