The city council approved ordering a new rescue vehicle for the Paynesville Fire Department at their Wednesday night meeting.Low bidder for the rescue vehicle was Amtech Emergency Products, Rock Rapids, Iowa, in the amount of $139,559.
Work on a new well for the city of Paynesville started Thursday. The city will put the new well in use as soon as it is completed.
Fire Chief Jim Freilinger informed the council they had five companies request specifications for the vehicle but only two submitted bids.
The bids came in quite a bit less than what the fire department committee had anticipated. They had estimated the new vehicle would cost up to $180,000. "We were real satisfied with the bid," Freilinger said.
The committee had looked at several vehicles during the past year.
The chassis for the new rescue vehicle will be delivered in February, but the truck box won't be ready until June or July of 2001.
The council also approved purchasing a defibrillator at a cost of $1,000 and three sets of turnout gear (protective pants) at a cost of $2,781 for the fire department.
WilGlo Acres Addition
Pete Carlson, city engineer, informed the council that the roadway into WilGlo Acres Addition will not be completed until next spring, unless the weather improves.
However, the contractors are trying to complete the Second Street frontage road before pulling all their equipment out of town for the winter. Prior to the rain and snow, crews had shifted their attention to the smaller project in hopes of finishing it before winter set in.
The curb and gutter was completed by Monday, Nov. 13, on the frontage road. The street should be paved by the end of the week (Nov. 17).
Due to the recent rainfall, construction crews have not been able to get back into the WilGlo project.
"It's too risky to do anything more now," Carlson said. "The weather is changing too much, thus we'll let it sit until spring."
Carlson has talked with developer Willie Scheel, and Scheel approved the delay.
The contractor will smooth out the rough roadway for better drainage, making it easier to access next spring.
"We knew it was risky going into the project at such a late date," Carlson said. "The contractors will try to get in as quickly as possible in the spring," he added.
The storm sewer and water main work has been completed.
Carlson explained they just ran out of time before winter weather moved into the area. Bauerly Brothers plan to close their asphalt plant on Friday, Nov. 17.
Summer recreation
The council approved a payment of $3,102 to Community Education as the city's portion of the 2000 summer recreation program.
There were 704 youth enrolled in one or more activities. There were 26 activities offered.
Matt Dickhausen, community education director, informed the council there is a strong balance between recreation and enrichment activities.
"We are attempting to keep the fees low," Dickhausen said. "There have been several scholarships provided to students who can't afford to participate."
Total cost of the summer recreation program was $18,874. Registration fees covered $12,669.
Dickhausen assured the council the difference will be divided equally between the city of Paynesville and Paynesville Township.
New city well
The city of Paynesville recently finalized the purchase of a quarter acre of land for $4,000. Earlier this year the city had purchased four acres of land at a cost of $40,000. However, the site for the new well wasn't adequte, and another quarter acre was purchased for the new well.
Ron Mergen, public works director, said they expect to start drilling the new well on Thursday.
Once the well is drilled, it will be on line as soon as possible, Mergen said.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has allocated $650,000 for the two new city wells and a water main. The project is estimated to cost about $630,000.
Other business
•The council acknowledged a letter from Giltz Company that terminated the purchase agreement for a site in Diekmann Business Park on Hwy. 23. The Giltz Company was unable to obtain site approval from their tenant for the location of a Dollar Store.
•The council declared the concession stand at the Veteran's Memorial Park as surplus property and it will be sold by sealed bid. The city will be advertising for bids in the near future.
•The council canvassed the 2000 election results. Incumbents re-elected were: Mayor Jeff Thompson with 981 votes and council members Harlan Beek (779 votes) and David Peschong (630 votes). The mayor's term is two years, while council seats are for four.
Voters defeated the questions to allow liquor establishments to serve liquor on Sunday. The issued failed 534 voting against serving liquor on Sunday to 508 in favor of Sunday liquor sales. (See related story.)