Mountain Lake Fire Departments adds three firefighters
The cost for ambulance calls by the Mountain Lake Ambulance Squad were increased following action by the Mountain Lake City Council at their Monday, October 5 meeting.
The rate hikes are as follows:
+ $454.06 for Medicare calls.
+ $600 for private insurance (with the exception of Butterfield calls).
+ $700 for Butterfield calls.
Ranks of city’s firefighters increase
The ranks of the members of the Mountain Lake Fire Department increased by three after council members approved the hiring of Mark Pankratz, Scott Pankratz and Shawn Hardy.
In other business
+ Learned that the city is being asked to document heating and lighting costs for all city buildings and structures by the Minnesota Department of Commerce as part of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP). Those numbers are currently being gathered. However, another government entity will need to be found to bring the loan size up to the $250,000 threshold. The City of Windom does not anticipate participating in the program in 2016 and Cottonwood County has decided not to participate.
+ Approved the agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that adjusts the 2015 and 2016 Public Works I salary. The change made is the result of a recent pay study.
+ Heard from Mountain Lake Public School Superintendent Bill Strom and Mountain Lake Public School Board Member Pam Hoek about a Tuesday, November 3 vote on a new operating levy. Mountain Lake Public School District voters will be asked to approve a 10-year operating levy to replace the one currently in effect. Superintendent Strom explained the levy request and answered questions.
+ Heard a brief review from, and asked questions of, Rusty Fitfield and Jessica Green of Northland Securities concering the 2015B Electric Bonds proposal. Council members then adopted the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds and awarding the sale.
+ Reviewed the quote from Bargen, Inc. of Mountain Lake for a “blow and go” crack re-sealing of the Mountain Lake Trail. The council approved the hiring of Bargen to do the work this fall at a cost of $5,200, but to fund the repair from the 2016 budget.
+ Briefly discussed the 2016 Budget and Levy.
+ Adopted an ordinance revision to Mountain Lake City Code on the regulation of potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs following a review.
+ Heard a first reading of a revision to a city ordinance dealing with a transitional residential area. The Planning and Zoning Commission had discussed this interim use ordinance at their August 31 and September 28 meetings and approved amending the ordinance language. The commission ire recommending that “Highway 60” be added to the city streets/roads along which a transitional residential area for businesses can be located. The recommendation was reviewed and discussed by the council.
