The council set the fee during their June regular meeting.

Residents whose lawns need mowing receive a 10-day notice in the mail to mow their property. After 10 days of non-compliance, a bill is sent. If the bill isn't paid, the cost is assessed to their property taxes.

City hires airport engineering firm

The council voted 4-0 (Councilor Gary McCord absent) to hire engineering firm Karvakko, of Bemidji, to help with projects at the Pine River Regional Airport.

Karvakko was one of three firms represented at the city's May 27 planning meeting. Other firms vying for the job were S.E.H. of Brainerd and Bolton & Menk of Mankato.

WSB & Associates, the city's current engineering firm, will finish the existing airport projects including taxi-lane and apron paving and security fencing. The city cannot retain an engineering firm indefinitely; it was time to contract with another firm.

Anderson plans duplexes

The council also set a variance hearing for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 for Cheryl Anderson. The property is currently zoned for single-family dwellings. Duplexes are considered multi-family dwellings.

Last fall Anderson bought two lots on 215 York Street abutting Forbes Pond. The lots are 2,600 and 2,700 square feet. She'd like to put in two duplexes, 1,000 square feet per unit with a single car garage for each. Anderson plans to sell one unit in totality and rent part of the other duplex while she lives in the remaining portion. Site plans and drawings will be available for public inspection prior to the variance hearing this fall.

Council accepts NCLA payment

The council voted to accept a payment of $2,889 from NCLA, a furniture manufacturer. NCLA - located at 24th Street SW Ð recently went out of business, selling its equipment at auction for $28,893. The business owed money to the City of Pine RiverÕs revolving loan fund and to Ponto Lake Township. Ponto Lake supervisors agreed to accept a reduced payment of $26,004 and the City agreed to accept a reduced payment of $2,889.