CROOKSTON - The Crookston City Council's Ways and Means Committee recently approved a plan to move up the installation of carpet/flooring and LED lighting for the Lake Agassiz Regional Library.
The Crookston Daily Times reported the board wanted to accelerate the upgrades to coincide with other renovations at the library, including new bathrooms, furniture and fixtures.
The project has been made possible by a $125,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust, which also offered to match local funds up to $25,000. LARL Crookston Branch Director Chris Boike said about $13,200 has been raised so far.
The Times said the City Council formerly planned to use money from its capital improvement budget and put the carpeting and lighting projects on the 2019 and 2020 calendars. However, some thought pushing the whole project forward would bump up the "wow factor" and save money.
The City Council approved a decision to move money from the Municipal Land and Building Fund to help cover the costs. Another $30,000 in library reserves also will be used.
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Sparkey Electric's low bid of $29,000 for the LED lighting was approved as well as Northern Lumber's $37,774 bid for carpet/flooring. Both are Crookston businesses.
Fosston canopy demolition
FOSSTON, Minn. - Two outer canopies at the entryway to Fosston High School recently were demolished because of deterioration and safety concerns.
A report in The Thirteen Towns newspaper said much of the deterioration was not visible at the surface, but structural testing revealed excessive damage under the tilings. The design also was known the hold heavy snow and cause avalanche-like slides, the report said.
The piers next to the building will remain intact as well as the angle iron mount for the sky roof panels.
St. Alexius plans gala
DEVILS LAKE - The CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake Hospital Foundation is planning its Red Carpet Gala for Friday.
The Devils Lake Journal said organizers again will focus on raising money for the hospital's emergency room expansion. A Fund-A-Need auction also is planned to raise money to help purchase a Korebalance machine for the physical therapy department.
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The benefit will kick off at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Building with dinner, raffle tickets and entertainment from Divas Through the Decades. The event is open is everyone.
"Hospital prices are so much more than anything else," said Foundation Director Anna Walter. "All the money we raise stays local. CHI is corporate, but the foundation is local."
Grafton siding bids
GRAFTON, N.D. - The Public Utilities Committee in Grafton recently reviewed bids for steel siding for the Grafton Water Department.
The project calls for siding on the west and north exterior walls of the main building as well as the penthouse structure, according to The Walsh County Record.
Pastorek Construction of Grafton submitted the lowest bid at $37,710. The story said the budget allowed for $30,000, but the roofing part of the project came in under budget.
Water Department Superintendent Kevin Sevigny asked the committee to approve the excess roofing funds be used for the siding.
"The brick that will be covered by this siding project, the tuck pointing is falling out, the brick facing is falling off. Something really needs to be done," he said.
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The siding project is expected to take place this summer after the roof project is finished.
Polaris settlement
THIEF RIVER FALLS - Polaris Industries Inc. recently announced a $27.25 million settlement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
A story in the Thief River Falls Times said the agreement settles two 2016 late-reporting claims. Polaris also began a recall of select RZR XP/XP 4 1000 models.
"Rooted in our long-standing commitment to our customers and dealers is our guiding principle of 'safety and ethics always' and a drive to continually grow and improve as a company, and we have," said Scott Wine, chairman and CEO of Polaris.
The CPSC said the company received information that the RZRs contained a defect that could catch fire and pose burn hazards to drivers and passengers but that it did not immediately notify the CPSC.
