Mac Council gets another offer for Poplar Meadows

The McIntosh City Council met in regular session on Thursday, May 12th at the Community Center.

All members of the Council were present, a quorum was met, April Council minutes were approved and the Council moved to old business.

Poplar Meadows was first to be addressed. Ron LeMer and Virgil Lerfald from McIntosh Senior Living were present to decline the purchase of Poplar Meadows at this time. Ron read a letter from the McIntosh Senior Living Board of Directors which stated that based on the preliminary analysis the board chose to decline the opportunity. “However, we are moving forward with a market study and associated financial projection and feasibility study,” the letter stated. Based on those results the McIntosh Senior Living Board may have an interest in the future, yet felt the City should move forward with listing the property.

Chris and Tricia Hove were present to submit a proposal for the purchase of Poplar Meadows on a Contract for Deed sale for the price of $2.1 Million. The couple is local and Tricia is currently the Director of Nursing at McIntosh Senior Living. The Council will look into the ability to sell the property under a Contract for Deed.

The Council spent time discussing the negotiations involving the sale of Poplar Meadows and chose to create a separate Board including two voting members of the City Council and two voting members of the McIntosh Economic Development Board.

Animal Control was reviewed and tabled, as last meeting there was the possibility of an Animal Control Contractor, but the Contractor would need to purchase liability insurance for the City to proceed with anything.

Building permits were approved for three projects in the City. Teresa and Clay Syverson will be building a new shop area; Beth Hagen will be building a patio and privacy fence; and Lee Narum will be adding a storage shed to the McIntosh Country Store.

The Club Bar & Grill recently purchased by Kim Bjerke was approved for a liquor license.

The Tractor Parade and Pull taking place at the end of August was on the agenda as the VFW Auxiliary will be the sponsor for the events. The Council approved the event with Steve Urness abstaining from the vote.

The Council approved the 2014 City Audit as presented by Colleen Hoffman from Hoffman, Dale And Swenson of Thief River Falls.

The McIntosh Fire Department received a grant from FEMA in the amount of $29,106 for the purchase of 5 SBA’s (Self Containing Breathing Apparatus). 

Council Member Melissa Finseth reported that the Dog and Cat Clinic held on Saturday, May 2nd went well. There were 50 licenses issued during the Clinic.

Wanda Stordahl informed the council that there are concerns with the properties that need to be cleaned up around the City. She also informed the council that the property off Highway 2 where the 125th Anniversary billboard is located is for sale and wondered in the City would be willing to purchase the land.

Mayor Toby Strom brought concerns with the benches around the City that need repair or replacement.

The Council would like to thank everyone who was involved with making Swing into Spring a success.

The next McIntosh City Council Meeting will be changed to Monday, June 15, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Community Center.