By Clark Natalie

It was announced at Mondayís Harris City Council (April 11) meeting that at the special session held on April 5, a new city attorney and city planner had been hired. The next regular Council meeting will be dedicated to reviewing the issues of the two positions and whoís responsibility it will be to take on each task, so there is no duplication of efforts. The agenda for the next meeting will be kept light so the council, the new attorney and the new city planner can focus on what is expected of everyone.

The Harris planning commission will be invited to the meeting, but it will not be a formal meeting for that group.

The city is also in the process of retaining a grant writer for the wastewater facility application. They have approached Bill Grasavage, who has come highly recommended. Grasavage usually takes on one project at a time, has worked extensively with DTED and is generally successful in his efforts. Details of the contract are being worked out and will be presented to the council to officially hire him either at the next council meeting or in early May. Grasavage has, on his own, started some of the work so that the Harris application does not fall behind.

City Engineer Chuck Schwartz also reviewed a number of items in his reports to the Council. He and a member of his staff inspected the building which houses Harris City Hall. The garage portion of the building has heat loss during the winter; it costs $3,000 - 4,000 a month to heat. The engineer is working on a plan that will insulate and convert the front garage area to become a meeting room and offices. Difficulties have arisen because of the required parking spaces should the improvements go through. A review of city ordinances is being done to see where they can come up with the spaces.

Schwartzís firm also reviewed Ginger Avenue with maintenance supervisor Mike Kirz, pending turnback of the street by Chisago County to Harris. It is estimated that it will cost approximately $300,000 to bring the street up to standards. Schwartz and Kirz will meet with Chisago County to discuss what work will be done before it is turned back.

Schwartz also commented on the I-35 corridor meeting he had attended. This is a study of I-35, both E and W, from 694 north to Hinckley. This group conducts an ongoing study of the highway, to identify hazardous areas and bottlenecks and recommend improvements to obtain funding. At the present time, they have identified $1 billion - $2 billion in improvements that are unfunded. The group is used as a tool to obtain funding.

Fire Chief John Pelant said Fish Lake Township is reviewing Harrisí application to provide fire coverage. Although the Harris contract would be higher to the township, it would save the residents of Fish Lake approximately $60,000 on their homeowners insurance, it was noted. This is because the location of the Harris department is closer and can arrive sooner, and also because of the rating the department had maintained. Harris is also in the process of gearing up its First Responders unit which would also be an asset to Fish Lake.

Pelant also brought up the issue of charges when the fire department responds to fires outside of its coverage area. Presently, they charge $450 for each call inside of their area. They propose to charge $1,200 to answer calls outside of their coverage area. This is approximately the same cost as an ambulance call, yet the fire department sends more men and equipment. There is also a proposal to charge for answering mutual aide calls to other departments, but Pelant wants to review this at the next fire chiefís meeting, so all of the departments would be charging the same fee.

The cost of responding, whether in their coverage area or out, will be billed to the property owner. It will be covered by most property insurance, but the amount will be due, even if there is no insurance. The city can use normal collection action to obtain repayment of these fees.

Pelant will have the new city attorney review this contract before it goes into effect.

In other action, the Council:
ï reviewed the services of Steve Thorp as building inspector and renewed his position for the balance of the year. A new contract will be drawn up and executed. There have been no complaints about getting the required inspections from Thorp, even though he performs the inspections on a part time basis. He can have the inspections done the day after they are requested, in most cases;

ï approved obtaining a loan from S & C Bank for the new public works truck. It will be at paid back in three years;

ï authorized Kirz to purchase a 6 hp gas trimmer and self propelled walk behind mower from Main Street Ace Hardware in North Branch. It was decided that any difference in cost from discount retailers will be more than made up in service that the hardware store can provide. It was noted that Main Street Hardware has been a strong supporter of Harris in many areas.

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