Blackduck council approves resolutions, assessor contract and property conveyances

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the Blackduck City Council approved several routine but consequential items: an annual electronic-fund-transfer delegation (Resolution 2026-07), the 2026 assessor agreement with Bel Tramy County, and a package of property conveyances related to a former MnDOT rail-bank parcel.

Resolution 2026-07: staff explained the resolution is an annual delegation authorizing the city administrator to make electronic fund transfers. Council members noted typographical errors in the draft (a date that should read Feb. 9, 2026) and agreed staff would correct and reprint the document for signature. The council then approved the resolution.

Assessor agreement: the council approved a contract for 2026 with Bel Tramy County to serve as city assessor at a total cost of $5,451. A council member described the fee as a bargain and the motion carried.

Property conveyances and purchase agreement: the council approved a conditional conveyance of state-owned rail-bank property from MnDOT to Philip Patch (as the intended buyer), a resolution authorizing sale of the rail-bank property (Resolution 2026-08), and a purchase agreement between the City of Blackduck and Philip and Tammy Patch. Staff reported escrow funds had been received and that the city would be reimbursed for costs associated with the conveyance.

All motions passed by voice vote during the meeting; the transcript does not provide a roll-call tally. Council directed staff to make minor corrections to resolution language and to proceed with closing processes for the property conveyances.