Jerry Akerson rejoined the Pequot Lakes City Council on Tuesday, April 7, after a long absence for health reasons. City Administrator Nancy Malecha swore him in during a Zoom video meeting.

“I want to thank the whole council for putting up with my malarkey,” Akerson said as the council welcomed him back.

Akerson, re-elected in November 2018, missed all but three meetings in 2019 for health reasons. After Akerson requested a leave of absence until this April, the council agreed last November to seek applicants and appoint an interim council member.

Pete Clement, a former maintenance worker with the Pequot Lakes Public Works Department, was appointed in December and filled Akerson’s seat from January-March.

Emergency declaration

The council agreed to extend the mayor-declared local emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic until further council action.

This allows city staff and the mayor to take necessary action during the emergency. City hall and public buildings remain closed to the public.

The following people were at city hall for the April 7 meeting: Mayor James Tayloe, council member Cheri Seils, City Administrator Nancy Malecha, City Clerk/Treasurer Angie Duus, police officer Sheri Fyle and a resident.

Participating remotely were Akerson, council members Scott Pederson and Mimi Swanson, public works director Jason Gorr, police chief Eric Klang and a few others.

Public safety

The council acknowledged the resignations of firefighters Travis Aune and Erich Olson.

Pequot Lakes firefighters responded to six calls in February, including a snowmobile accident in Moose Lake Township canceled enroute; carbon monoxide detector going off in Breezy Point; snowmobile fire in Jenkins; fire alarm canceled enroute in Breezy Point; emergency medical services setting up landing zone in Jenkins Township; and an agency assist to police to clean up a fuel spill in Jenkins.

Pequot Lakes police had 189 calls for service in February.

In other business April 7, the council:

• Approved the 2020 fire protection agreement with the city of Nisswa for $1,860, which includes $1,748 for fire department operating costs and $112 for the Firemen’s Relief Association. The Nisswa Fire Department provides fire protection for the Inland Trails area of Pequot Lakes.

• Accepted a quote from The Woods Landscaping for $34,208 for a landscaping plan for the city's maintenance facility that was built off Highway 371 on a 3-2 vote with Pederson and Akerson opposed.

Pederson suggested the council change the zoning ordinance so such extensive screening isn’t mandated. He opposed spending that amount of money at this time with world events as they are, though he supported the plan and the quote. Akerson agreed.
The council adopted an interfund loan to pay for the landscaping plan with Akerson and Pederson opposed.

• Agreed to do a virtual road review tour of city roads, focusing on pavement conditions, maintenance needs, drainage problems, damage and hazards. Gorr will conduct a video recorded and narrated drive of the roads.

• Learned Michael Czech resigned from the city’s library board and Bob Peterson from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission. The council appointed Bonnie Eastvold to the HRA Commission through 2024.

• Heard an update on ice dam issues over the winter at the Cole Memorial Building and city hall, as well as on installation of handicap-accessible doors at the Cole Memorial Building. Ideally those doors would be installed before the fall election season.

• Met in a closed session to develop or consider offers or counter offers to buy property permanent easements on Rasmussen Road.

• Declared a dog dangerous after an hour-long hearing via Zoom. The council agreed the dog, whose owner lives in Mound and participated in the hearing via Zoom, bit a 5-year-old child in Pequot Lakes, causing harm. The child's mom was at city hall for the hearing.

Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.