City of McIntosh gets a new clerk and fills seasonal maintenance position

The regular meeting of the McIntosh City Council was held on Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Community Center.

The Mayor, Toby Strom called the meeting to order. All members of the Council were present. The City also has a new City Clerk. Melissa Finseth, who was a City Council member has resigned her Council seat and has been hired as the McIntosh City Clerk.

There was no news from Marcus and Millichap, the listing agents for Poplar Meadows Senior Living, and the Council discussed listing the property with a local realtor at a future date.

Toby reported about the shed at Roholt Park being taken down on Thursday, July 16th.

The City Council reviewed the 2015 Audit that was presented to the Council by Colleen Hoffman from Hoffman, Philipp and Knudson PLLC in Thief River Falls. She explained the audit and proposed some changes to the Fire Department Pension Fund, as there may not be enough funds paid into that account for it to pay all retirement plans. Currently, Colleen stated that she was pleased, overall, with how well the past few years have been financially with the City.

Road patching was the next item that the Council discussed. A decision was made that the City would spend $15,000 in street repairs. City Maintenance Manager, Larry Hedlund, will determine where the biggest need for street repair is.

The Carlin Funeral Home contract was discussed and the council will renew the contract at the same annual fee as last year.

A building permit was issued to George and Patricia Osland for building a single car garage at their home. North Country Lumber will be doing the work.

City Maintenance employee, Rocky Knudson would like to start to replace the current incandescent lightbulbs with LED Bulbs in the community center and Bjella Building. The first spot will be in the both buildings bathrooms. Melissa Finseth, the City Clerk, will look into seeing if there is any rebates available.

The Council decided that the City Maintenance Crew will be responsible for the mowing at Poplar Meadows. Julie Christianson, the site Manager had been mowing this spring, but the Council feels that her time is best spent on managing the facility.

A resolution was approved by the Council for the City’s Election Judges.

Councilmember, Steve Urness informed the Council that there have been complaints on the shop sizes that are being built around town. The Mayor and Council agreed that there is nothing to be done, and the owners are taxed accordingly.

Wanda Stordahl informed the rest of the Council that the City of McIntosh signs have a lot of weeds growing up and around them. She also discussed detailed information concerning the trees which border her property and McIntosh Housing, Inc. Toby said he would speak to the McIntosh Housing Board.

Toby announced that Justin Carlson was hired as a seasonal employee for the City Maintenance Department and will be doing trimming and mowing at City properties around town.