COOK- Cook’s public library will be open longer hours following action by the city council here last week.

The council agreed to increase staffing and hours for both the head librarian and the library assistant following the recommendations of the Cook Library Board and Friends of the Library, both of which had sent letters to the council urging the change.

The change, which takes effect Sept. 1, will increase hours for Librarian Crystal Phillips from 22 to 32 hours per week, while increasing hours for the library assistant from eight to ten hours per week. The Friends of the Library, which is now a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, approved funding the library assistant position until the end of 2017, but will not be funding the position after that. While the volunteers at the library are critical, membership with the Arrowhead Library System requires that the library be staffed not less than fifty percent of the time by paid employees. The groups also recommended changing the Tuesday library hours to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and extending closing to 5 p.m. on Fridays to accommodate students for afterschool library opportunities.

The groups told the council that the current broadband project also played a part in the recommendation because increased hours are needed for the planned outreach efforts. The library and librarian will be needed for Internet training sessions. City Administrator Theresa Martinson told the council the city has funds in the budget to support the recommendation.

In other business, the council:

•Approved a peddler’s license for Darold Riihiluoma of Ricco’s Antiques and Collectables. Riihiluoma told the council he plans to set up directly across from the Cook Area Farmers Market on Saturdays with the same hours and has obtained permission from the landowner. He informed the council that he was seeking the license because he was not allowed to sell his antiques at the farmers market, as the market bylaws do not allow those items to be sold. He also told the council he went to the stores in town that sell antiques and talked with other dealers say he wouldn’t be selling the same items. Martinson told the council Riihiluoma had submitted all necessary insurance requirements and completed paperwork.

• Received an update from MnDOT on a Hwy. 53 striping project that will repaint lines and crosswalks on the highway. The council also discussed the danger in crossing the highway and the difficulties in getting MnDOT to address the safety concerns. Council Kim Brunner asked about slowing down traffic coming through town. Councilor Storm said, “MnDOT controls the highway…will it take a fatality to get them to do something?” Storm also suggested that it could take action from community groups to help solve the issue.

•Discussed the issue of a blighted property. Martinson told the council she hoped there would be a resolution by next week. If there is no progress in resolving the issue by Aug. 10, the council approved to order repair and cleanup of the property, or to remove buildings in disrepair.

• Heard more information regarding the planned bow hunt in the city for this fall. Registration deadline is Aug. 24 at noon. Orientation is Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Cook Community Center. Hunting will start Sept. 16.

• Heard an update from Councilor Storm on the development of the Lake Vermilion Trail. Storm reported the progress of the joint powers, master plan, and promotional efforts and outreach. “Planners are physically walking the trails.” Organizers have worked to revise the vision and goal statement, working on public relations and communications through festivals and events, and social media presence.

• Storm alerted the council to be on the lookout for poison hemlock, which has been, “explosive all over.” She asked to be contacted if anyone finds it within the city, or needs help in identifying. “It is very tall, very big, and very bad,” she said.

•Approved payment of $24,324.28 to Tony’s Construction for partial payment estimates regarding the Cook Care Center-City ROW and $3,369.25 for infrastructure improvements.

•Approved a hiring update for the JD class B requirement for the City Maintenance position. The update allows applicants to not have the required class B at hiring, but they will still need to obtain it once hired.

•Approved Brian Gramling for appointment to renew his five-year term commitment to the HRA board.

•Approved an SEH invoice for $13,405 pertaining to the master plan with airport layout plan.

‰Approved Lakes Gas Propane bid at $.875 per gallon.

•Approved a certificate of support from the City of Cook to the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center for their USDA grant application for the cultural center facility.