The battle over who will maintain the Round River Drive ATV trail continues to fester.
The Akeley Council has approved a resolution to sponsor the Paul Bunyan ATV Trailriders in order for the club to procure grant-in-aid funds to maintain Round River Drive.
But the move follows a decision by the Hubbard County Board in October to grant sponsorship to the Timberland Dirt Devils.
The Akeley council met with members of the Paul Bunyan club in a special meeting at the end of November, passing a motion to become the sponsor and subsequently sending in the application by the Nov. 30 deadline.
At Wednesday’s meeting, a sponsorship resolution was formally adopted, with mayor-elect Brian Hitchcock opposed.
The Nevis Council, which had also been asked to sponsor the Paul Bunyan Trailriders, took no action on the matter earlier in November in the wake of the county commission’s decision.
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David Schotzko, area supervisor for DNR Parks and Trails, said a final decision on the matter will likely be made next week.
The Akeley Paul Bunyan ATV Trailriders were asking for a $43,704 grant; Timberland Dirt Devils were requesting $22,000.
The club that is granted sponsorship is reimbursed on a percentage basis for labor, equipment and liability insurance. The amount of the grant is determined by the Department of Natural Resources.
Ideally, Schotzko said, the two clubs would combine and maintain the trail. Club members parted ways seven years ago, originally planning to divide maintenance of the ATV trail by east-west boundaries. Another option was one club being in charge of ditches, the other the state forest. “But it’s easier to manage with one club.”
An agreement was subsequently reached with the Paul Bunyan Trailriders.
Last year, the two clubs vied for the maintenance grant, Kramer’s group earning the nod due to the five-year agreement. The decision was made to go to a one-year contract.
The contract begins in June. Objectives include maintenance, addressing trail issues in a timely manner, improving the trail northwest of CSAH 25, improving the washed out trail along Highway 64 and keeping open communication with other area clubs.
In other action, the council:
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- Approved a $192,449 levy, up 1.83 percent, $3,454, from 2014.
Funds added to the capital improvement account and salary increases led to the escalation, clerk-treasurer Sebrina Hegg explained.
By fund, $13,815 will be levied for the general fund, $1,000 for the cemetery, $22,155 for fire protection and $4,000 for pumper replacement, $102,006 for streets and $49,473 for police.
- Approved wage increases for city workers.
The police chief position will become full-time at 32 hours a week in January with benefits. The hourly wage was increased from $15.68 to $17.11.
The clerk-treasurer’s salary will be $16.56 per hour; the deputy clerk’s wage will remain at $11 per hour. The Public Works supervisor’s salary will increase to $14.32, the part-time person will see no increase at $11, as will the casual maintenance worker at $10.15. The liquor store manager will make $15.15 per hour.
- Tabled discussion on changes being proposed to the Eastern Hubbard County Fire District joint powers agreement, pending legal advice.
Proposed changes to the membership wording on the fire board is drawing ire.
The amendment states a second commissioner from each municipality can be “either elected or appointed,” at the discretion of the municipality.
But the city is citing state statute 471.59, which states: “the joint board established under this subdivision must be composed solely of members of the governing bodies of the governmental unit that established the joint board.”
- Approved sending a letter of support for ice racing on 11th Crow Wing Lake.
- Reported a loss of $861.81 at the liquor store in November, with a year-to-date profit of $23,181.
