ORR- The Orr City Council approved an eight-percent proposed levy increase Monday and accepted the resignation of Councilor Hannah Manick, creating a vacancy for the remainder of her term.
According to information provided with the meeting packet, the increase will give the city room for capital planning that includes a new public works truck and a possible ambulance and fire complex.
The eight-percent figure is the maximum levy the city may adopt, with state law requiring cities to establish that ceiling in September. The final levy approved in December may be lower.
Manick submitted her resignation after a change in personal circumstances required her to move outside Orr. The resignation was effective Aug. 21, several months before her term was scheduled to expire.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our community,” Manick wrote. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the decisions and work that have helped shape the future of the city over the last three and a half years.”
The council approved a resolution accepting the resignation, declaring the position vacant, and removing Manick from the city’s Park State Bank account.

Water meter issues
City officials are asking residents to help verify their water usage after problems emerged with Orr’s meter-reading equipment, software, and aging transmitters.
Administrator Angela Fabish said some readings have been unusually high or inconsistent. About six customers recently received readings that appeared abnormal, including one that was reportedly off by approximately 3,000 gallons.
Some high readings could be traced to running toilets, but others could not. Problems with the meter reader’s battery also delayed a recent round of utility bills.
The city plans to include a notice with upcoming bills asking residents to check their physical meters and submit readings or photographs. Maintenance employees could assist residents who cannot reach their meters.
The city has applied for Community Development Block Grant funding to replace the system and is seeking matching money from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
Councilor Bruce Black said the city needs to establish accurate readings before the problem becomes more widespread. The council did not decide how billing discrepancies will be handled if physical readings differ from amounts already charged.

Ambulance rates
The council approved higher ambulance rates effective Oct. 1.
The charge for an advanced-life-support emergency transport will increase from $1,800 to $2,000, while a basic-life-support emergency transport will rise from $1,500 to $1,700. Nonemergency BLS transport will increase from $1,200 to $1,300, treatment without transport from $200 to $250, and mileage from $23 to $30.

Airport projects move ahead
Engineer William O’Halloran of Bollig Engineering reported that work was nearing completion on new airport approach and runway-end identifier lights. Construction began Aug. 3, but parts delays and wet weather are expected to require a change order extending the project schedule.
Trees identified as approach obstructions must also be removed from adjacent state school-trust land. The DNR agreement is expected to cost less than $3,000 and provide the city with 10 years of access to remove the trees and control regrowth.
The project summary suggested that DNR payments to Orr could cover that expense, but Fabish corrected that statement. She said the city does not receive annual payments under its existing DNR airport agreement.
Orr received approximately $9,500 for the DNR’s use of city facilities during this summer’s wildfire response. About $6,000 was subsequently spent repairing an airport drainage problem and replacing a community-center pump following that use, leaving approximately $3,000.
The council also approved two MnDOT companion-grant resolutions, a contract with KGM Contractors of Angora, and a notice to proceed for the airport hangar and apron project.
Black voted against the actions after being told that abstaining was not an available option. Black has previously abstained or voted against airport funding measures because of his objections to the government requirements attached to them.

Security cameras
The council tabled a proposed policy governing access to security-camera footage after Councilor John Jirik raised concerns about privacy, confidentiality, and the potential for inappropriate monitoring.
The policy was developed after law enforcement requested footage connected to a vehicle going into a ditch. The camera was installed at the former city hall, now used as the fire hall, after someone tampered with a sign and other property. It also captures passing vehicles and people across the street.
Fabish said the two employees who installed the camera can currently view its footage through their phones, while she does not have access.
“It would be safer for us as the city if it’s administrative use only,” Jirik said. “The administrator can give police officers permission to access all that stuff through there. I think we’re really on a slippery slope if we give any more access to that because there’s certain rules and stuff and privacy and confidentiality.”
Council members called for removing the existing employee phone access and revising the policy to define who may view footage and under what circumstances. The proposal will return after further review.

Other projects
Work has begun on replacement of piping at the wastewater treatment plant. A hydrant was removed and replaced, and the contractor planned to take the Imhoff tank offline while establishing a bypass. Residents could experience a water shutoff of approximately two hours while the new hydrant is pressure-tested.
Heather Holman told the council she is organizing an informal group of community members to develop local events in the absence of an active chamber of commerce. Ideas include expanding activities associated with Orr’s Snow City Christmas celebration, holding a skating party and food events, and strengthening connections between downtown and the school area. The group could also assist with fundraising.

Other business
In other business, the council:
• Renewed a memorandum of agreement with Minnesota North College involving the college’s paramedic, paramedicine, and emergency medical technician programs, reviewed its Data Practices Policy, and approved online certified ambulance-coder training for Ambulance Director Donna Hoffer. The $1,155 cost will be submitted to Cook Hospital for educational reimbursement.
• Reinvested a $160,000 certificate of deposit through RBC for six months at 4.05 percent.
• Placed a dock project on hold because the city does not own the property and questions remain about responsibility for administering construction.
• Received updates on painting at the Legion building, a new city park sign donated by the Orr Lions Club, and a rotted power pole serving the skating-rink area.
• Received an update on vegetation maintenance around the airport’s automated weather-observation system ahead of a Sept. 30 meeting with MnDOT.
• Received a report on a weekend water leak at the community center.
• Approved using money previously budgeted for an Easter event that was not held as a donation toward the pickleball project.
• Moved regular council meetings from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in January.
The council’s next meeting has been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. because of the Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day holiday.