The City of Wayland has rectified somewhat of a snafu in the fire service agreement with the Gun Lake Tribe.
City Manager Larry Nielsen told the City Council Monday night that an amendment to the agreement for fire service includes the Wayland Fire Department and the Hopkins Area Fire Department. The latter department is being contracted for two properties within Hopkins Township, including the Jijak Foundation grounds used for tribal education and special events.
The Hopkins department was not included in the original agreement, prompting Hopkins Township Supervisor Mark Evans to remark last month that it was a slap in the face to Hopkins, besides not being good policy because its the closest fire service for Jijak and the other parcel in the township.
“This makes for a much cleaner, much simpler agreement,” Nielsen told council members.
Hopkins now will be first responder for the two local parcels and it will bill the City of Wayland for its service.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council:
• Unanimously adopted a resolution supporting a liquor license for Arne Rodriguez and Aqua In Vino on South Main Street.
• Welcomed Jordan Cadahia as newest police officer, bringing the local force to full strength, “for the first time in a long time,” according to Chief Steve Harper.
• Examined a proposed increase in rates from Republic for curbside recycling, from $2 to $2.16 per month per unit. Council members indicated they probably will not seek other bids because Republic’s costs have been lower than others and it may not be worth holding up the contract, which expired Oct. 31.
• Appeared to be ready to finance half of the cost of buying a new front end loader through Hastings City Bank at an interest rate of 1.68%. The city will pay $83,709 in cash and finance $83,500 for the new unit.
Councilman Tim Rose cast the lone dissenting vote, insisting the city avoid going into any debt and paying in cash entirely for the loader.
• Seriously considered changing the lease arrangement with the American Legion and Dr. Bruce Sexton to for use of the public parking lots on East Superior and South Main streets downtown. The Downtown Development Authority wants to cease its involvement in leasing, turning it over the city, while the DDA still picks up the tab for snow removal and striping.
• Reappointed Chase Johnson to the DDA for another four-year term and named Jason Hancock to replace Karen Gregersen on the board for her unexpired term ending in December 2018.
• Was told by Main Street Director Ingrid Miller the annual Art Hop will be held in the downtown on Friday, Dec. 1.
