Oath of Office administered to Bakke

The Gonvick City Council met for their November meeting. The Oath of Office was administered to Jason Bakke. He is taking over the remainder of the term on the council that was held by Dale Schmunk who moved out of the city. 

A motion was made to change the start time of the council meetings to 5:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. It will still be held on the first Wednesday after the fourth day of each month. 

Police Chief Dan Gazelka presented the October incidents with Animal 3, Court Order Violation 1, Juvenile/Misc 1, Public Assistance/Misc. 3, Suspicious Activity 1, Theft (by check) 1, Theft of Motor Vehicle 1, Trespassing 2, Traffic Stop 5, Arrests 1 and Citations 2 for a total of 21. 

The council had been information that the state has mandated that all police departments implement a new officer body camera policy. Portable Recording Systems/Body Cameras; PSR is a device worn by a peach officer that is capable of both video and audio recording and saving/storing images/video of the officer’s activities. The policy is available at the Clearbrook City office or on the website.

The blight issue with the trailer on the lot west of the gas station was discussed. Gazelka will check out the area. There is still a garden shed on the trailer lot on the north side of town that needs to be moved. 

The council canvased the election results. Running for the 2 year Mayor Term was Lauris Krogstad (incumbent) with 82 votes and 12 write ins. Running for the two (4 year terms) for Council Member were: Corrine Richards (incumbent) with 88 votes and Susan Sims with 72 votes. There were 6 write ins.  The absentee ballots from the county had not been sent in for the canvas. 

The three liquor licenses were renewed for The Trap at the same amount as last year for $1,625 total.

Sam Anderson from Karvakko Engineering has offered his services to go through the application process to get on Minnesota Pollution control’s “Project Priority List” for water infrastructure. The consensus was that it is too premature to start the application at this time. Mayor Lauris Krogstad information Mr. Anderson that when the council is ready to pursue with the first steps, they would be talking with engineering firms to find the one who best fills the needs of the city.

The Mayor informed the council that the state has mandated to all public water supply systems that they must develop a “Well Head Protection Plan” to be in place by 2019. The city will work with MN Rural Water and they will get them through the process.

The council approved the motion for the “Maintenance Pump Agreement” from Minnesota Pump Works for $363.55 for each annual inspection of the lift station.