The Park Rapids City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 13 committed to purchasing a fire truck costing more than $1 million.
Under its consent agenda, the council approved a purchase agreement with MacQueen Equipment, LLC, for a new fire truck for the Park Rapids Fire Department.
The purchase agreement calls for an Enforcer top-mount pumper at Sourcewell consortium pricing of $1,037,500, plus a performance bond of $2,752, deliverable in 38 to 41 months.
According to a staff report in the council’s agenda packet, in view of cost increases set for Feb. 1, the finance committee recommended signing the purchase agreement retroactive to Jan. 31.
The staff memo says the cost of a new engine has doubled in the last five years, but the purchase agreement will lock in MacQueen’s pre-Feb. 1 price.
The city will continue to budget for the purchase, increasing the amount charged to the townships and expecting the Relief Association to fundraise approximately $150,0000 toward the purchase, the memo states.
The council heard a comment from Christine Bettendorf, treasurer of the Park Rapids Senior Center.
Bettendorf noted that the center closed due to furnace malfunction in November 2023, resulting in the fire department being called, and afterward the city identified several building code issues that must be resolved before it can reopen.
Bettendorf asked that the city waive or pay the fire call fee and the center’s base utility charges until the center can reopen. Mayor Ryan Leckner referred the matter to city staff.
In consent items and general business, the council:
- Appointed city election judges for the presidential primary on Tuesday, March 5. Appointees include Terry Collette, David East, Colleen Elkington, Debra Frentress, Sarah Gwiazdon, Lynnette Hartman, Carmen Lockhart, Angel Weasner, Marie Nordberg, Zelda Novak, Scott Olson, Berit Score, Dawn Rouse, Larry Novak and Darlene Wallick.
- Authorized staff to certify the special assessment for costs from a water line service repair to Tonya Kramer’s property at 306 Central Ave. N. According to a staff report, the repair cost $13,375, of which Kramer paid $2,500 on Jan. 26. The remaining $10,875 will be assessed against the property at 5% interest for 10 years.
- Authorized staff to certify the special assessment for costs from a water line service repair to Sandra Lutgen’s property at 203 Main Ave. N. According to a staff report, the repair cost $8,077, which will be assessed against the property at 5% interest for 10 years.
- Held a public hearing about Revel Brewing’s application for on-sale/Sunday wine license. After receiving no public comment, the council unanimously passed member Liz Stone’s motion to approve the license.
- Approved a letter of support of Friends of Itasca State Park’s 2024 state bonding request for the Itasca-Heartland Connection State Trail. The group is seeking $6.25 million to build Phase 2 of the trail, connecting the newly constructed tunnel under U.S. Hwy. 71 at the park’s south entrance to Emmaville, 14 miles east.
- Approved a letter of support for Youth Emergency Shelter & Supports (YESS), acknowledging the need in Hubbard County and supporting the nonprofit organization’s fundraising efforts.
- Approved fire contracts between the city and the Hubbard County townships of Arago, Clay, Clover, Henrietta, Hubbard, Lake Emma, Straight River and Todd and the Becker County townships of Savannah and Two Inlets, effective April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.
- Approved an amendment to the city’s tower site lease agreement with Verizon Wireless. This amendment extends Verizon’s lease for an additional 20 years starting Jan. 1, 2025, with an initial annual rent of $25,000 increasing 23% per year.
- Accepted $52,225 from the Kitchigami Regional Library System to upgrade the heating and cooling system at the Park Rapids Area Library.
- Paid Apex Engineering Services $4,270 for work on the Fair Avenue street and utility project ($3,808) and the Depot Park tennis courts ($462). .
- Paid Berkley Risk Administration $333,641 for workers’ compensation premiums ($143,480) and property/casualty coverage ($190,161).
- Paid Automatic Doors & More $1,695 to repair the Rapids Spirits Liquor Store’s exterior entrance door.
- Paid Electric Pump $3,576 for emergency repair of a sewer lift station.
- Paid Ferguson Waterworks $2,709 for spring supplies, including six Mach 10 water meters.
- Paid Great Plains Fire Inc. $4,503 to repair leaking fire pump mechanical seals.
- Paid Tech Check LLC $3,435 for three-year license renewals of Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced Protection and Server Protection subscriptions, which expired Jan. 31.
- Approved 2023 end-of-year journal entry transfers. City Administrator Angel Weasner explained that council approval is required annually for transfers between city funds.
- Approved payables totaling $368,448 and prepaids totaling $244,262.
The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 26 at city hall. This is a specially scheduled meeting due to the party caucuses on Tuesday, March 27.
Robin Fish is a staff reporter at the Park Rapids Enterprise. Contact him at rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com or 218-252-3053.
