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Park Rapids council approves firefighter appointments, certifies solar assessment and hires airport fee estimator
Summary
Council unanimously approved three volunteer firefighter appointments, certified a special assessment for a rooftop solar project at the Amish Oak property, authorized an FAA-required independent fee estimate for the airport master plan, and approved payables totaling $34,643.04 and prepaids of $175,130.35.
The Park Rapids City Council unanimously approved multiple routine actions at its June 24 meeting, including the appointment of three volunteer firefighters, certification of a special assessment tied to a rooftop solar installation, and authorization for an FAA-required independent fee estimate for the airport master plan.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved Resolutions #2025-109, #2025-110 and #2025-111 to appoint Jackson Leckner, Mike Heegard and John Hoscheid as volunteer firefighters. “I would like to congratulate and welcome the three new firefighters we approved tonight,” City Administrator Angel Weasner said later in the meeting.
Weasner explained the special assessment relates to the Amish Oak property: “this is the Amish Oak property and they’re putting solar energy on top of their building. This request came from the St. Paul Port Authority. They are the group doing these clean energy assessments,” she said. Council subsequently approved Resolution #2025-113 authorizing city officials to execute paperwork to certify the assessment.
On the airport master plan, Weasner said an Independent Fee Estimate (IFE) is a requirement from the Federal Aviation Administration and that Karvakko Engineering submitted the lowest responsible bid. Council approved a professional services agreement with Karvakko Engineering under Resolution #2025-114.
Finance action included approval of payables totaling $34,643.04 and prepaids of $175,130.35. The consent agenda also authorized a series of vendor payments (including Bonded Lock & Key, Cumber Construction, Hawkins, Johnson’s Jet-Line, Living at Home/Senior Connections, MVI, Neo Electrical Solutions LLC, Sanitation Products Inc., Streicher’s) and recorded donations to the city as of June 24.
Fire Chief Joe Carlson, who led the department’s hiring process, said the department interviewed 10 applicants, conducted physical agility tests and oral interviews and selected the three candidates to bring the roster to full strength. He also noted an engine crew deployed to Bemidji for a 48-hour relief shift and that June call volume was the department’s lowest for the month compared with June of the previous year. Liquor Store Manager Scott Olson added that June sales are trending up ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
All motions recorded in the minutes carried unanimously. The council adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
