Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Walker council notifies counties it cannot fully fund ambulance service; approves multiple permits, purchases and project payments
Summary
On July 1 the Walker City Council approved Resolution 33-2024 informing Cass and Hubbard Counties the city is "financially unable to meet the needs of the Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area without assistance," and approved a series of procurement and permit actions including payments tied to library construction, pickleball court resurfacing, a repaving contract and acceptance of DNR grant funding.
The Walker City Council on July 1 approved Resolution 33-2024 notifying Cass and Hubbard Counties that the City of Walker "is financially unable to meet the needs of the Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area without assistance," a move intended to alert county partners to the local funding shortfall for ambulance services.
The resolution was moved by Councilmember Jim Senenfelder and seconded by Councilmember Gary Wilkening; the minutes record unanimous approval (5-0). The council also approved a range of administrative, procurement and permitting actions during the July 1 meeting, most by unanimous votes.
Key approvals and financial items recorded in the minutes include:
- Payment of $306,135.51 to Hy-Tec Construction for library construction professional services and materials (consent agenda).
- Application for Payment No. 9 to R.L. Excavating, Inc. for $169,621.36 for Northwest Area Project services (consent agenda).
- Final payment of $60,222.67 to Anderson Brothers Construction Company for Walker City Park pickleball/tennis court resurfacing (consent agenda) and an earlier contract approval to hire Anderson Brothers to repave two sections of Summit Avenue for $80,745.75 (Public Works item).
- Approval to purchase a 72-inch Exmark mower for $16,944.49 and trade in the old mower (Public Works).
- Authorization to change Walker Bay Spirits’ point-of-sale system to Propelr and to purchase a Delta 1 POS system at an estimated $2,000–$2,500 to lower fee costs (M/S Senenfelder/Wilkening).
- Approval of multiple event and street-closure permits, including the 4th of July Parade routing with ADA compliance conditions, a Military Vehicle Convoy public display permit and the Reeds Fall Classic and Expo sidewalk use and street closure (Public Works items).
- Approval of Park Use Permits for community events and a Temporary On‑Sale Liquor License for Walker Bay Live on Aug. 1, 2024; the council tabled a Walker Pickleball Club request to add two 16-foot shade structures pending additional information and plans.
- Acceptance of DNR grant funding to improve land fishing access near Lake May and Leech Lake off Railroad Avenue (Public Works); the minutes record acceptance but do not list the grant amount.
Most of these motions were recorded as passed by unanimous roll call (Ayes: Hansen, Moore, Senenfelder, Wilkening, Worth). Where dollar amounts are recorded in the minutes, they are cited above; the minutes do not record additional financing details such as funding sources beyond references to "raised pickleball funds" for certain park expenses.
Next steps listed in the minutes include follow-up on donation requests, additional review of the City Attorney RFP responses by a volunteer committee (Councilmembers Senenfelder and Hansen), and returning draft ordinances and policy drafts to future meetings for further review.
