Milaca council approves lead-line replacement bidding, sealcoating contract and $10,500 water-tower inspection

The Milaca City Council on April 16 approved plans to seek bids for replacement of lead and galvanized water services, awarded a city sealcoating contract, and authorized a $10,500 inspection of the municipal water tower, while also reporting new grant awards and approving community event permits.

City Manager Tammy Pfaff said the city is pursuing multiple funding sources and reported that the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program awarded Milaca $8,000, bringing that grant total to $13,000 to support development and events. Pfaff also noted that seasonal revenue declines are common because the annual tax settlement does not arrive until July.

Public Works Supervisor Gary Kirkeby told the council the lead/galvanized-service replacement project is funded through the State of Minnesota's drinking water revolving loan fund. He said initial estimates of 98 affected households were reduced to 26 after inspections, allowing the city to accelerate the work and potentially finish the project in 2026 instead of over three years. The council authorized bid solicitation toward the end of May on a motion by Councilor Ken Muller, seconded by Councilor Tim Poorker; the motion passed with members voting verbally 'all in favor.'

Kirkeby also presented two sealcoating quotes: Pearson Bros., Inc. for $60,680 and Allied Blacktop Co. for $66,610. He said choosing Pearson would put the project $10,680 over the department's line item but that a $30,000 savings from a plow-truck purchase kept departmental costs below projections. Mayor Dave Dillan and council members accepted Kirkeby's explanation and approved awarding the work to Pearson Bros., Inc. (motion by Lindsee Larsen, seconded by Ken Muller).

On the water tower, Kirkeby said both KLM Engineers and Stantec recommended an inspection and that the city was due for its standard five-year review. "Both the interior and exterior would need to be sandblasted and then painted," Kirkeby said when describing the scope of a future rehabilitation. KLM quoted $10,500 for the evaluation; the council approved that expenditure (motion by Tim Poorker, seconded by Lindsee Larsen). Kirkeby told the council the larger rehabilitation is budgeted for 2027 and that the council will later select a logo and color for the tower.

The council also approved MnDOT Grant Agreement #1061954 for Taxiway Improvements Phase 3 and heard that Public Works Supervisor Kirkeby has applied to the Blandin Foundation to add an accessible fishing pier and swings at Rec Park. Fire Chief Jesse Gerads reported the department is fully staffed and that staff located a potential rescue truck at an auction site in Wisconsin for in-person inspection. Mayor Dillan noted the Liquor Store's 80th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for May 23, 2026; the council also approved five special-event applications including Milaca Rec Fest and the Milaca Meats Memorial Weekend Rib Fest.

Most motions recorded in the minutes were approved by voice vote; when a mover and seconder were recorded, those names are included in the council minutes and are reported here. The council adjourned at 6:25 p.m.