Clearbrook City Council February 10
Clearbrook City Council February 10
The Clearbrook City council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 10 as they did not have a quorum on Monday. The February minutes were approved.
Gary Prosser who has been working with music and trees for Main Street gave an update. Money has come in to cover the music with the collection of jars in business places. There have also been donations for the project. The location of the system would be located in the Liquor Store and controls to shut if off at certain hours. Cheryl Grover helped to write a grant for $5,458.35 to put trees back on Main Street. There were 5 sources with 2 responding to the request. The trees that were planted by the construction company with the sidewalks did not last. They have contacted Nature’s Edge Garden Center from south of Bemidji. They would be digging out the dirt and putting in new mulch. Watering was brought up for the trees. Prosser has checked with some of the business places to see if they would be able to help with the watering.
Ryan Solee Chief of Police had his report with 29 incidents. They included 911 Hang Up 1; Disturbance 1; Extra Patrol 1; Harassment 1; Information Only 3; information Only Traffic Complaint 1; Juvenile Misc. Missing or Lost Person 1; Medical 4; Mental Health 1; Missing Lost Person 1; Motor Vehicle Theft 1; Property Damage 1; Suspicious Activity 2; Information Only 1; Traffic Stop 4; Vehicle Lock Out 1; Welfare Check 3.
Ryan Rude, Clearbrook Fire Chief, stated that the meeting with the township officers went very well. There is a 3% increase in the fire contracts for the townships. They include: $2,475.33 for Clover; $7,115.39 for Dudley; $6,2024.88 for Eddy; $1,792.37 for Greenwood; $12,448.84 for Holst; $34,207.89 for Leon; $1,434.42 for Pine Lake; $5,804.58 for Sinclair; $357.97 for Leonard; $4,173.79 for Clearbrook for a total of $76,016.35 increase for 2026. That is $2,214.97 above 2025 amounts. They did not get approved for the CVA’s a cerebrovascular accident machine. They had 7 medical calls, 1 meeting, 1 training and 1 fire call that was canceled for the month. They will be starting to raise funds for 15 units of masks, tanks and packs for the department. Some are 25 years old. Cost for 15 units would be $160,000.
Kara Weems, Manager of the Municipal Liquor store, reported having a positive ending balance in January of $26,000 with insurance for the year and other items already being paid. They raised $1,000 for the pool with bingo on Saturday night which is being held monthly. They had a Super Bowl party at the liquor store.
Utilities and Maintenance with Mark Snobl and Nick Rankin. The Water Treatment plant is in service but there are a couple left on the punch list that have not been completed. There are two streetlights that are not working properly. They are going to have Danny Brein look at them. They may still be under warranty from the construction.
The main generator for the lift station is giving a problem. They will be checking on that as well to see if it is under warranty.
Items from City Clerk Lucie Thompson
Garbage pickup. A survey was sent out in the billing to see if residents were in favor of or against city wide garbage pick-up service. The mail was sent out two weeks ago and some residents had not received the mail. They had only 15 replies so far with ½ yes and ½ no. Will wait to see on more replies.
The Audit update for 2024 is all done. The bill from Clifton, Larson and Allen LLP for the 2024 audit was paid in the amount of $22,785.00. They will begin working on the 2025 audit.
The 2026 fire contracts were signed with a 3% increase with no problems.
There is a need for a new City Attorney. Stephen Larson is phasing out of his city attorney clients. He had sent a letter to Ashley Boomgaarden who he felt could potentially take over the position for the city. She has recently opened an office in Bagley and the council will set up a meeting with her to visit with her and get information on a proposal with fees.
Bryce Torgerson is interested in buying property from the city and the Elevator so that he can build a building to store his snow removal equipment. The council thought it was OK that they would also get tax revenue instead of an empty lot.
Resolutions were passed for donations for January. They included: $25,452.13 from Clearwater County Auditor/Treasurer for the Clearbrook Fire Department for the LUCAS Machine (Opioid settlement disbursement); $40.00 from Norman and Gwen Skarison to the Clearbrook Fire Department; $732.00 from jars around Clearbrook to restore the Music on Main Street; $50.00 from Donna Rae Jacobson to restore Music on Main Street; $50.00 from Breanda Engen to restore Music on Main Street; and $200.00 from Bruce and Mandy Nelson in to restore Music on Main Street in honor of Sue Voxland.
Claims were paid in the amount of $86,153.16 monthly and additional claims of $347,158.41. Of that amount $180,497.00 was for the Rural Development Water and Sewer project.
The next meeting will be the second Monday in March.