The Park Rapids City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 23 heard a request from Kori Nelson, founder and director of Youth Emergency Shelter & Supports (YESS), for a letter of support for development of a youth homeless shelter in Hubbard County.
Nelson said YESS has been invited to apply for the United Way and Northwest Minnesota Foundation spring grant cycles. “The grants that we’re applying for will want letters of support,” she said.
So far, they have the support of the Hubbard County Board, the Nevis City Council and all three school boards in the county to move forward, said Nelson, and they will be going to the Akeley City Council in February.
As for potential barriers, she said, City Planner Ben Oleson told her the city’s zoning ordinance only allows six residents in a residential facility, while YESS is hoping to shelter up to 10 youth.
Mayor Ryan Leckner referred the request to city staff, and City Administrator Angel Weasner said a letter would be brought to the council’s Feb. 13 meeting for approval.
Airport engineering contract
The council also approved a contract for airport engineering services with Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson and Associates (TKDA).
According to the contract in the council’s agenda packet, the city agreed to retain TKDA through Dec. 31, 2028.
Also included in the packet is TKDA’s schedule of hourly billing rates for 2024, ranging from $15 to $34 per hour for a Technician I to $67-$100 for senior management.
In consent items and general business, the council:
- Paid Flaherty & Hood, P.A. $1,463 for legal services on labor and employment matters.
- Paid Elsner Well Drilling, Inc. $7,895 for water repair at 203 Main Ave. N. including a curb stop valve, curb box key, saddle, 125 feet of Municipex waterline, tracer wire, SnakePit lid, winter/frost charges, directional boring, trackhoe, labor and city licensing fees. The homeowner will be invoiced for these costs..
- Paid TKDA $3,161 for engineering work regarding the airport terminal area taxilanes project.
- Acknowledged five donations to the city on Jan. 11 totaling $7,077, including a $5,000 gift designated for the public library.
- Approved payables totaling $32,695 and prepaids totaling $175,161.
Prior to their regular meeting, council members also held a work session for Board of Appeal and Equalization training.
The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at city hall.
Robin Fish is a staff reporter at the Park Rapids Enterprise. Contact him at rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com or 218-252-3053.
