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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Council approves amendment to city’s blight ordinance

E.M. Schultz
Posted 1/17/20

ORR – The city of Orr is taking measures to address blighted and undesirable properties. The city council, on Monday, voted to adopt a new ordinance that amends the previous blight ordinance to …

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Council approves amendment to city’s blight ordinance

Posted

ORR – The city of Orr is taking measures to address blighted and undesirable properties. The city council, on Monday, voted to adopt a new ordinance that amends the previous blight ordinance to make it clear that the city will not tolerate any structures or uses of structures that may be potentially harmful to the public welfare, health, and safety.
Under the new language found in the ordinance amendment, the city will penalize any person, firm, or corporation that is non-compliant. Those wishing to read the ordinance may do so during the regular office hours at the office of the city clerk. A copy will also be posted at Orr City Hall.

Department updates
Ambulance Director Donna Hoffer says they have a new member who is currently taking an EMT course. They also have four people who wish to attend the Arrowhead EMS Conference in Duluth, for which the council approved travel and training expenses. The department has also returned an iPad and two cell phones to city hall, as they are not currently needed.
The ambulance service also managed to remain in the black for the year, despite some overages in training and contract labor, as well as an overage in equipment expenses, which was due to the needed purchase of vacuum splint kits. Higher than anticipated revenue helped the service’s finances in 2019. Those additional revenues came from a modest increase in the hospital levy, as well as higher county reimbursement for their out-of-city runs. They also improved their interest earnings from a CD at Northstar Credit Union.
The city is considering a bid from Thomas Long & Son Trucking for snow removal. Tony Vukelich, who previously took care of snow removal from downtown, informed the city he will no longer be able to do that job.
Water and Sewer department head Paul Koch has returned to his position after taking medical leave. He thanked Rocky Hoffman for taking on the extra workload while he was away.
Hoffman said things have been slow at the airport since last month. He is currently working to remove the snow from around the lights.
According to Chet Nieman, the liquor store saw a $7,700 revenue increase over 2018.
The Fire Department has received its new GMC tender truck and has already put it into service.

Other business
In other business, the board:
Appointed the Timberjay as the city’s legal newspaper for 2020.
Tabled the appointment of the city’s legal counsel for 2020. The Klun Law Firm is currently acting as the city attorney on a trial basis.
Approved expenditures in the amount of $172,388.49.
Appointed Benchmark Engineering as the city’s and airport’s engineering firm.
Appointed American Bank of the North, RBC Investments, League of Minnesota Cities 4M Fund, and North Star Credit Union as the city’s financial institutions.
Appointed Mayor Joel Astleford as the noxious weed inspector for 2020.
Designated Councilman Tom Kennebeck as Acting Mayor in the case that the current mayor is unable to perform his duties.
Approved the contract for Sterle and Company as the city’s 2020 auditing firm.
Approved mileage reimbursement rates for 2020. The IRS issued new rates for the year, with the rates for business travel dropping by half a cent to 57.5 cents per mile and medical or moving miles dropping by three cents to 17 cents per mile.
Approved a slight increase of $176 for Liquor Liability insurance for the Orr Municipal Liquor Store and Community Center for 2020.
Approved the city’s Pay Equity Report, which is to be filed with the State Auditor’s office on Jan. 31. The compliance report indicates that the city should be in compliance.
Approved the renewal of property/casualty insurance coverage with the League of Minnesota Cities for 2020. Some of the valuations appeared questionable, but the council decided to approve the coverage anyway to avoid having to pay for an outside appraisal.
Renewed the city’s ProCare Services Contract with Stryker for LUCAS and Lifepak. In order to remain compliant, LUCAS and Lifepak must be certified and serviced annually.
Approved the deposit of $37,348.87 from the Cook Orr Hospital Health District levy into the ambulance fund checking account. This money will be used for operating expenses.
Appointed Astleford and Kennebeck to the 2020 Airport Committee.
Appointed Councilwoman Erika Cote and Councilman Lloyd Scott to the Ambulance Committee.
Appointed Kennebeck and Councilman Bruce Black to the Cemetery Committee.
Appointed Cote and Scott to the Fire Department Committee.
 Appointed Astleford and Black to the Liquor Store Committee.
Appointed Kennebeck and Black to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Appointed Astleford and Cote to the Community Center Committee.
Appointed Kennebeck and Cote to the Tourist Information Committee.
Appointed Astleford and Black to the Water/Sewer Committee.
Approved election judges Dana Erkila, Rosie Hoffer, Carol Woerhle, and Paulette Scott. Erkila will act as the head judge.

Orr city council, blight ordinance