Harris council approves temporary higher repair spending limit, authorizes letters over Pinewood Apartments heat loss

The Harris City Council on Feb. 9 approved a temporary increase in the fire department’s spending authorization for apparatus repairs and authorized staff to send letters concerning prolonged loss of heat and related safety issues at Pinewood Apartments.

The Fire Chief reported 18 calls year-to-date and detailed ongoing safety concerns at Pinewood Apartments, including a prolonged loss of heat. The chief requested raising the approval threshold for fire apparatus repairs from $500 to $2,500 so crews can address urgent repairs without returning to the council for routine small expenses. Councilmember Pearson moved to increase the spending limit to $2,500 for a three-month trial period; Councilmember Siedow seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

The chief also requested authorization to send letters to the property owner of Pinewood Apartments and to the Minnesota Attorney General documenting safety concerns and coordination with county and state officials; Councilmember Siedow moved to authorize sending the letters, seconded by Councilmember Borash, and the motion carried unanimously.

In personnel business tied to the department, the council approved hiring C.J. Olson for the Harris Fire Department on a motion by Councilmember Borash, seconded by Councilmember Pearson. Separately, the council discussed aging portable radios, failing batteries, and uncertain grant funding for upgrades; Councilmember Siedow moved, seconded by Councilmember Borash, to purchase five replacement radio batteries for testing, and the council approved the purchase unanimously.

The meeting record attributes requests and operational details to the Fire Chief; no first name for the chief is given in the transcript.