COOK— The city council here, last week, gave preliminary approval to an eight-percent levy increase for next year. The decision, which will be revisited before a final levy is set in December, came following City Administrator Theresa Martinson’s presentation of the proposed 2020 budget.

The proposed budget projects operating revenues, including local government aid and property taxes, at $572,780 next year, with expenses projected at $584,650. Those numbers are likely to be refined over the next few months and city officials stressed that they hope to trim the levy increase as they do so. “We are just putting it at eight percent with the intent to reduce it,” said Martinson.

Martinson said she will continue to meet with department managers to review budgets, looking for ways to lower the preliminary levy. The city’s Truth-in-Taxation meeting is set for Dec. 19.

Spending in many areas will be similar to 2019. “So, virtually the same budget from last year,” Martinson said.

The 2020 proposed budget does not include funding for any of several items on the city wish list, such as alley paving, siding for an addition to City Hall, the IRRR residential and commercial redevelopment program, or Community Center paving. Nor does it include replacement of the maintenance garage building. Although it is not in the budget, the council discussed the need for the garage building. Martinson said that it would be purchased this year, and the city would look at a grant.

The city also hopes to identify funding sources for airport capital projects, including a new airport fuel system, relocation of the AWOS and beacon, taxiway construction to a new hangar area, residential demolition, and the addition of an airport maintenance building.

The city will be setting aside $7,000 for three elections next year, including the 2020 presidential vote. Martinson wondered if there would be interest in looking at mail-in-ballots in place of Election Day precinct voting, which could save the city money.

Martinson said she expects the city will save about ten thousand dollars next year by purchasing insurance through the League of Minnesota Cities.

Trail update

Councilors also heard from Bruce Beste of the Voyageur Country ATV club. Beste highlighted three fully-funded projects of interest to the city. The first and almost-completed trail project includes a bridge to be built across the Vermilion River between Echo Lake and Elephant Lake. The IRRR-funded bridge, with a total price tag of $1.25 million, is 14 feet wide and will span 185 feet across the river, with overlooks on each side. Beste noted that the three bridge beams will be arriving very soon with completion on track for Sept. 6, and a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 20.

Beste also summarized a trail enhancement project to be built this winter between Crane Lake and Vermilion Falls. Another project the group is working on includes possible connections coming into Cook, utilizing roads between County Rd. 24 and County Rd. 361. “At County Rd. 361, the Quad Cities Trail system, Prospector Trail system, and the Taconite Trail, are all going by Pfeiffer Lake,” he said. “There is a 1.9 -mile disconnect from those three trail systems.” He said the group is working with the IRRR for funding to connect that trail system through the woods without using Hwy. 1.

Beste said his group has been partnering with many organizations, government agencies and landowners to improve trail access and he asked if the city to consider a city ordinance opening streets and alleys to ATV use. Martinson said that when a state law was passed in 2016 giving ATVs the ability to drive on county roads, the city did pass a resolution to support the responsible use of ATVs on county roads outside of the city limits, as well as city routes, yet to be determined.

Martinson said opening the city snowmobile route to allow ATVs should include the Cook Snowmobile Club, residents, and businesses in the discussion. Beste noted that on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Cook Community Center the DNR is holding an open house revisiting the master plan for the Arrowhead/David Dill Trail and providing updates.

Other business:

In other action, the council:

 Heard that city-owned Last Chance Liquors is fundraising for firefighter turnout gear. The liquor store is partnering with the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association and MillerCoors to help raise funds for needed gear. Donations can be dropped off at checkout counter through Sept. 11.

 Approved JPJ Engineering invoices for $4,891 and $622 for the River Street Bridge, as well as $11,632 for Hwy. 53 Commercial Corridor Infrastructure, and $2,500 for the city’s library site plan.