Backus City Council continues to study options for its wastewater treatment system.
Monday night the council approved soil borings on an 80-acre site to see if the site would be promising for incorporation into a wastewater treatment system.
Braun Intertec of St. Cloud will be conducting the soil borings at a cost of $4,000. If the site is promising, they will also conduct lab work and a report to the council for additional costs.
In the meantime the city's sewer committee will look at other possible locations in the Backus area that they might be able to use for wastewater treatment.
Their current system is failing and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has mandated that the city address the problem and come up with a system to address future growth.
The city's sewer committee and engineers are evaluating options for replacing the current system.
In other city matters, the council:
Passed a resolution to send a letter to Charter Communications stating that the city will not take legal action against Charter during its pre-arranged financial restructuring/Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Backus Mayor Brad Cairns said that the city has no grounds for legal action against the company.
Heard from Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug (ATOD) prevention Coordinator Kelly Felton. ATOD sponsored compliance checks on off-sale and on-sale local liquor establishments. Seventy-five percent complied by not selling liquor to minors. Three businesses in the county were charged - and convicted - in Cass County Court for selling to minors. One other business was charged and the outcome of that case is pending. ATOD also provides anti-drug curriculum in the schools for fourth and 6th-11th graders. A high school group, "Teens Leading the Way" focuses on keeping peers off of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Set hearings for two conditional use permits (CUP) at the August city council meeting.
One is for a state-licensed residential rehabilitation facility for adolescent girls located on 222 West Carpenter St. in Backus. The facility would provide in-patient care for 9-10 females, ages 12-18.
The second CUP request is for a Shamp's Meat Market billboard advertisement on Highway 371.
Approved purchase of paint for hydrant painting in town. Sentence to Serve individuals will provide the labor; the city will reimburse meals and mileage for the STS crew.
Approved their water/wastewater operator to check for leaks at curb stops in the city. Extensions will be added to buried curb stops so they are accessible above ground. The council will receive a list of leaky curb stops and the location of any leaks - whether on the city's property or the homeowner's property. If a curb stop itself breaks, it is the city's responsibility to replace it. Leaky pipes and fittings between the curb stop and house, however, are the homeowner's responsibility.
Accepted the resignation of Scott Wilson from the city's sewer committee. Now there are seven members on the committee.
Changed the city's lawn mowing fee from $75 per lawn to $125 per the first hour and $50 per half-hour increments thereafter. If residents fail to maintain their lawn according to city ordinances, they receive a warning letter from the city. Any weeds or grass taller than 6 inches or that has gone to seed is in violation of the ordinance. Following receipt of the letter, the property owner has seven days to mow the lawn. If they do not respond, the city maintenance workers will mow the lawn and the city will bill the resident for the service. If the bill is unpaid, the amount will be assessed to the individual's property taxes.
Accepted a $5,498 bid from Anderson Brothers for the Hazel Street and Highway 87 intersection road repairs. The bid includes turf reestablishment and raised, truncated domes on the pedestrian ramp.
Approved motorcycle parking on Park Avenue between Wood Street and Lakeside Drive; and on Rosalind Avenue between Wood and Carpenter streets during the Cornfest Bike Rally. The council also approved a beer garden license for Cornfest.
Approved the hiring of two temporary employees at $10.73 per hour for 14 hours to stain the Rocky Dock pavilion.
Renewed the liquor license for Willard's Saloon.
Acknowledged that city employees declined wage increases for 2010 in order to help the city's budget.
Agreed to pre-buy propane at $1.29/gallon for the city maintenance garage, airport building, city-owned town homes and city hall.
Made a donation of $450 to the Initiative Foundation. The city has been recipient in the past of many sizable grants from the Initiative Foundation, based in Little Falls.
