By MaryHelen Swanson

On Monday, Nov. 13, the North Branch City Council not only said the Pledge of Allegiance as the council meeting began, but, at the request of Mayor Gloria Karsky, they paid homage to a fallen hero.

Monday was Cpl. Johnathan Bensonís birthday and had been declared his day by the county board. The declaration also asked that Cpl. Benson, who died this fall of injuries received while on his second tour of duty in Iraq, be remembered each time the pledge is said, or the National Anthem is sung.

Later in the meeting, the mayor asked if the council was interested in creating some kind of memorial in North Branch to honor hometown heroes like Benson.

It was thought that perhaps they could add such a memorial near Boy Scout Garrett Smetanaís Eagle project in Central Park.

The council agreed that City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad should continue discussions with Orville Otterness and the American Legion.

Horizon bank requests

The city received a petition from Horizon Bank to have a portion of 10th Avenue reconstructed. Being they constitute 50 percent of the property owners along that block, the city agreed to proceed with a feasibility study.

City Engineer Julie Dresel said the other property owners, First National Bank and the resident living along that street, had been notified of the petition. They had no representative at the meeting Monday night.

After receiving the petition, officially, the council, with a motion by Kathy Blomquist and second by Larry Erickson, moved to reconsider a previous vote denying Horizon Bank two accesses along 10th Ave.

In a second motion, made by the same councilors, the council voted 3-2 to allow the two driveways. Councilors Amy Oehlers and Theresa Furman opposed.

Horizon Bank had asked for the two drives because it was trying to save the big oak tree on the front of the property and give employees their own access.

Later in the meeting, the council was informed that Horizon Bank wants to handle the cityís banking needs. Currently the cityís banking needs are done through First National Bank. It was noted that there are two credit unions and three banks in North Branch and Finance Director David Stutelberg suggested that the council might want to go out for requests for proposals (RFP) for this service.

Councilor Oehlers reminded the council that about a year former administrator Joe Lynch advised against going out for bids for outside services as the ones the city is using have what he called
ìinstitutional memory.î

Stutelberg, however, said unlike other services, such as auditing, where advice is offered, banking is the only service a bank would provide.

Sill, Oehlers thought the council should go out for RFPs for all outside services.

Councilor Furman agreed.

The mayor didnít think it was necessary to do all, and Konrad suggested, if they did seek RPFs, they not do all at one time.

Mayor Karsky suggested this be a subject for a worksession. The council, by vote, agreed to do this in February, Blomquist opposed.

In other business, the council:

ï Hired Kelly Engebretson as police officer. She is currently a Pine County dispatcher and has recently completed law enforcement requirements making her eligible to be an officer.

ï Hired Richard Sapp as police sergeant. He was chosen from three internal candidates. Administrator Konrad said ìany of the three could have done the job.î

ï Adopted a resolution declaring costs to be assessed for the Marketplace utilities project. A public hearing is the next step.

ï Approved allowing Anonymous Santa to use the old library building to prepare gifts for their holiday program.

ï Adopted Gateway South assessments with two residents in the area commending the city for lower than anticipated assessments and a good job. One of the residents did note she had a cracked driveway following the work from the heavy equipment.

ï Continued the public hearing on 400th/CSAH 30 street and utility assessments and Cherokee/Fletcher assessments to Dec. 11. The sale of the Sederberg property has not been completed yet.

ï Gave approval to NB Community Education to use Williams Park (near the fire hall) for community gardens for summer of 2007. Councilor Erickson opposed.