By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills Public Works Director Kyle Mattson gave a brief update about his department gearing up for a busy summer season during last week’s regularly scheduled city council meeting.

During last Tuesday’s meeting, Mattson said the public works department has completed the pool coating project and both pools have already been filled and are ready for the season. 

Mattson said four loads of Class 5 gravel was ordered and spread in the Smith Park parking area. The department will be adding gravel to Willow Creek Lane leading to the dog park and The Barn.

In other news

• Heard the monthly report from Mills Liquors manager Lana Jacobson who stated the combined gross sales for the month were down six percent from last year and net revenues for the month were down 9.4 percent as a percentage of sales from the prior year. Jacobson said she is trying to turn the sales around and was open to the suggestions from the city council, but stated some of the decrease in sales could be due to additional liquor store establishments in the community. 

• Heard the monthly NY Mills Police Department report from police chief Bobby Berndt. The department responded to 108 calls for service during the month of April, while issuing three citations, 12 warnings and one arrest. Berndt also highlighted some of the activities the department participated in with students as part of the DARE program. 

• Heard the public works department has offered the position of public works maintenance position to Dylan Ness, who is in the process of pre-employment drug testing and a background check. 

• Heard the public service department received a quote from Core and Main for the final phase of the meter reading system to transition from AMR to AMI for $88,555.50. Mattson said there is over $93,000 in this year’s budget between gas, water and sewer to complete the project, which would allow the city to be notified daily for high water and gas use in the event of any appliance malfunction or burst water lines. The system can also monitor and control smart meter devices for low incoming water temperatures in the winter and are capable of being shut off remotely. 

• Approved a lease agreement between the City of NY Mills and Otter Tail County for space in the City Center building to house the Family Resource Center and other government services in the building. The Family Resource Center will be located in the lower level of the City Center building (former school), excluding the Extension office and storage areas occupied by other organizations. 

• Approved a building application from the NY Mills Booster Club to place batting cage turf in the Lund Park. The booster club will cover the cost of $10,200 to complete the project. 

• Approved a resolution to call for a public hearing to establish a NY Mills Park Board. The goal of the park board will be to advise the council regarding cooperative agreements with other public or private agencies, organizations and individuals, as well as recommend rules and regulations regarding the use of city parks and recreational facilities. The public hearing will be held on June 10.

• Acknowledged a $1,000 donation from the NY Mills Lions Club to the City of NY Mills to benefit the South Point Walking Trail Project. 

• Acknowledged the following donations to benefit the DARE program: $150 from Magnifi Financial, $250 donation from the Wadena Elks and $400 from the NY Mills VFW.

• Approved a joint powers agreement with the City of NY Mills on behalf of its city attorney and police department. 

• Held a public hearing concerning the Tekstar/Arvig branch agreement, as well as the MIDCO franchise agreement.

• Approved proposed properties that qualify for the property tax rebate program for new single and two-family homes.