At its March meeting, Mabel council members voted to approve the purchase of a new 3,000-gallon tanker fire truck. Members of the fire department had formed a committee to research the cost and companies to replace the existing 2,000-gallon tanker. Chad Loppnow, head of the committee, told the council that Custom Fab & Body out of Marion, Wis., came in with the best bid at $190,400. Payment for the new truck will come from the fire equipment fund. No taxpayer dollars will be used.
City Council Member, Gary Morken, asked if the committee had checked the state bids to purchase the truck. The committee had not and agreed to do that to see if the cost could be reduced. The old truck will be given to the City of Mabel for use by the Public Works Department. They will sell the stainless tanker portion and the radio will be installed in the new truck.
The final plans for the daycare center went out for bids and three contractors responded. They were Caledonia Lumber with a $404,589 bid, Tollefson Construction at $411,700 and Gingerich Construction came in at $489,950. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) informed the council of possible financing through the Red Light Program, where federal dollars could be used for a loan at no interest or 1% interest. The program has to go through a co-op like the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company.
Kirsten Wyffels, EDA President, suggested that the city inquire about this loan and ask for $450,000 to cover the cost of building the daycare center and any additional expenses. A meeting was set with the phone company for Monday, March 19 to pursue this financing. A special EDA meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. and a special council meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Councilman Morken asked if the city had a current lease agreement with the daycare provider. City Clerk Karen Larson said that one was signed and should be looked at again to see if everything is current. Morken also questioned if the daycare provider had submitted a formal business plan so the city can feel confident that the projected revenue will be adequate to make the lease payment each month. Mayor Jim Westby said he would get a business plan from the daycare provider.
The EDA reported that Joe Houdek requested a revolving loan from rural development for $60,000 to help pay for renovations on the old Hwy 44 Bar & Grill, which will be renamed Joe’s Roadhouse. The loan is at 2% interest, to be paid in three years. The city will keep the interest money for other job creation ventures.
In other business
• Residents can purchase trees and shrubs through the tree program. Orders must be received by April 6. Call (507) 493-5299 for details.
• Students from Mabel-Canton sophomore class requested permission to use the road and Steam Engine Park for the 5K prom fundraiser on May 12. The request was approved.
• A public hearing for the Wellhead Protection Management Plan was held at the start of the council meeting. Jennifer Ronnenberg, a representative from the Minnesota Department of Health explained the 10-year plan. The council approved it for implementation.
• Bills were approved to pay in the amount of $84,232.
• The new Ford ¾ ton city truck was ordered and will arrive in about eight weeks. The old truck will be sold by sealed bids to be reviewed on April 11.
A special council meeting will be Tuesday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the daycare center bids. The regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m.
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