The Pine River City Council discussed several long-term projects during its Tuesday, Feb. 12, meeting, including the city water project, 2020 street projects, the dam project and an airport master plan.
At the January council meeting, council members learned that bids for work on the city water tower came in higher than anticipated. The lowest bid for well house replacement came in at $1,075,000 and painting came in at $758,700. The city had estimated those projects at $800,000 and $740,000, respectively.
The city received grants to help pay for the project. Engineer Bryan Drown informed the council in February that additional grant funding was approved by the Public Facilities Authority and Small Cities Grants for an additional $1.215 million. Drown said the city share of $304,121 could be paid for with a 20-year loan at 1 percent interest. Drown said the existing debt for past water projects will mature soon and this loan could simply take its place.
The city is also starting to plan for 2020 street repair projects. City Public Works Director Mike Hansen is beginning to communicate with businesses and homeowners on the roads in question.
With a looming project to replace the Pine River Dam with a rock riffle design, environmental groundwork is being done to prepare.
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Finally, the municipal airport is in need of a new master plan to qualify for Federal Aviation Administration and Minnesota Department of Transportation grants and funding for airport development.
In other business Feb. 12, the council:
• Agreed to terminate a revolving loan with Cozy Cottage Cafe on Barclay and establish a new loan with the same conditions and collateral but with updated language.
• Added Blackline LLC to the Blackline Conversions revolving loan agreement.
• Approved use of the Minnesota Deferred Comp Plans for optional retirement funds by city employees.
