BY JEAN RUZICKA
jruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Akeley’s Paul Bunyan is about to undergo cosmetic upgrades.
After months of legal wrangling with the statue’s creators, the Krotzer family, a contract has been drafted between the city and John’s Body Shop for repair work caused by vandalism as well as restoration of the statue.
The council’s endorsement of the agreement comes at the advice of the League of Minnesota Cities.
The project has been on hold for months while the city waited on advice from the League. The Krotzers maintained they had rights to complete all restorative work on the statue.
John’s Body Shop halted work on the project when the objections were raised.
The project will be completed at the previously agreed upon amount of $3,823.50, the council learned. All but the $250 deductible will be covered by insurance.
In other action, the council:
n Agreed the Akeley property tax levy for 2014 will see a decrease of nearly 8 percent from this year’s amount, the council giving final approval to a $207,495 total levy.
By fund, $24,845 will be taxed for general fund purposes, $750 for cemetery, $21,100 for fire protection and $4,000 for the department’s pumper truck replacement, $100,800 for streets, 44,500 for police and $11,500 for the capital improvement bond. The total levy amount is down $15,897 from this year’s.
n Accepted the resignation of council member Troy Hegg, who has moved outside the city.
“You have been an asset to the city for a number of years,” mayor Jerry Tatro told him.
The council agreed to declare a vacancy and advertise for letters of interest.
n Learned a community meeting to discuss the future of tourism in Akeley will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Senior Center.
n Approved the contract with the Eastern Hubbard County Fire District for 2014 in the amount of $21,094 plus $4,000 for the equipment fund.
n Reported a net profit of $7,778 at the municipal liquor store in August, a $35,580 net income year to date.
n Approved lift station repairs totaling $4,620 and a contract with Tyler Tech for utility billing maintenance for $1,287.
