Fire contracts approved by Gonvick City Council
The Gonvick City Council approved the 2016 fire contracts with a 5% increase. A meeting and dinner was held on February 23 at the Gonvick American Legion for the purpose of going over last year’s calls and updating the fire contracts. 2016 fire contract summary included Greenwood $1,635.00; Hangaard $3,043.00; Pine Lake $12,144.00; Winsor $6,933.00; City of Gully $694.00; City of Trail $523.00; Johnson $4,955.00; Eden $9,382.00; Gully Township $8,246.00.
2015 breakdown of calls and meetings for 2015: Medical Assist 26; Vehicle Accident 2; Structure Fires 2; Grass Fires 10; Fires – other 4; Misc. other 1; Mutual Aid 8; Trainings 11 and meetings 11 for a total of 75.
Breakdown of calls by location for 2015: Eden TWP. 4; Johnson TWP. 1; Pine Lake TWP. 7; Greenwood TWP. 1; Gully TWP. 2; Winsor TWP. 5; Hangaard TWP. 0; City of Trail 5; City of Gully 4; City of Gonvick 16; Clearbrook Mutual Aid 5; Oklee Mutual Aid 2, Fosston Mutual Aid 1 for a total of 53. Meetings and trainings were 22 to bring the total to 75.
2015 charges paid by City of Gonvick for the fire department included: General Liability Insurance $3,122.50; Electricity $5,696.21; Heat/Propane $420.00; Civil Defense – Fire Siren $38.00; Worker’s Compensation $2,026.00, Municipality share 45% $2,250.00 Office Supplies $300.00 for a total of $13,852.71.
Gonvick Fire Department expenses for 2015 included: Fireman’s Relief $25,466.52; Fire Repairs/Maintenance 48,696.37; Fire Misc/Supplies $3981.10; Fire Fuel $1,767.89; Fire Telephone $1,078.16; Fire Rent $2,750.00; Fire Other Services/Charges $22,915.38; Fire Compensation $2,300.00; Fire Capital Outlay $242,922.88 (which include the building addition) for a total of $311,878.30.
City Clerk Stacy Halvorson reported that as part of an audit of the League of Minnesota Cities Trust disability plans the city is required that all eligible employees be enrolled in the municipal pool disability plan administered by Ochs, Inc. Current, City Maintenance Joe Amundson is the only enrollee under Madison National’s Short Term Disability Plan. The council approved the enrollment for Stacy Halvorson at $5.00 per month.
The Council is looking for an individual for grounds work under the Experience Works Program. Information about the position can be obtained by calling the Gonvick City Clerk at 487-5243. Do not have to be a Gonvick resident. The council approved hiring Marni Fawver to clean the community center when needed.
Estimates are being obtained for replacing the shingles at the community center either with steel or other materials. Stacy will send out letters asking for donations in the spring.
Mayor Lauris Krogstad recommended that the council should start thinking about preparing a plan of action on the upcoming challenges the city will be facing with the aging water infrastructure. According to Governor Dayton’s plan to modernize Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure and protect water quality the City of Gonvick is currently rated #196 on Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Project Priority List. He also reported that the Annual Bridge Inspection report from Clearwater County and it will be put on file for the city.
Stacy Halvorson reported that the 1994 Ford plow truck was sold to Tommy Maruska for $3,500 and the money was deposited into the heavy equipment fund.
Bills were paid for General $11,662.48, Water and Sewer $3,461.26, Fire $2,952.81 for a total of $18,076.55