The U.S. Senatorial race isn't the only close one in the state.
On a 100 to 101 margin, Akeley voters once again corked a measure that would have allowed the municipal liquor store to be open Sundays for on-premise consumption.
The voter decision echoes that of a couple of years ago, liquor commissioner Cliff Johnson said, when voters nixed a similar proposal by a handful of votes.
Sunday liquor sales, if approved, would have been introduced on a trial basis as a means to increase revenue, he said.
The issue stirred the electorate, Johnson noted. More votes were cast on the "prohibition" issue than for candidates, all tolled.
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"We talked about a recount," Johnson said. But it would have required a 25-signature petition and costs may have exceeded $200. "And who knows if it would change anything."
In other action, the council:
-Will review a proposal from Widseth, Smith, Nolting to draft a capital improvement plan addressing improvement to the existing gravel roads.
Maintenance supervisor Frank Thelin is spearheading the initiative, inviting Levi Holsapple to speak to the council on the matter this week.
In a letter to Thelin, Darren Laesch of Widseth, Smith, Nolting said the first step would be to prioritize road improvements based on road condition, maintenance cost, traffic demands, economic development and public input.
Once this is established, Laesch would provide the city with a road improvement plan containing costs and a timeline.
"It will be an iterative process that will balance costs with feasible budget," Laesch explained.
He also agreed to analyze the city's sewer and water needs.
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-Reported liquor store earnings of $6,113 in October, $22,299 year to date.
-Reported the hunt continues for a city auditor, Miller McDonald resigning.
-Approved the purchase of software for the meter reading "gun" at a cost of $750 per year for three years.
-Adopted the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flags Rule identity theft prevention program.
