CONRAD- The Conrad city council met via Zoom last Thursday night and covered a host of familiar topics from recent months, including the water main loop project, the Katherine Farmer housing addition and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.
After a brief public hearing and an explanation of the current market from Nate Summers of D.A. Davidson and Co., the council voted unanimously to enter into a General Obligation Loan Agreement for the new housing development and then approved an agreement with Dorsey and Whitney for bond counsel on the issuance of $3.3 million in bonds for the housing addition.
Summers noted that the coronavirus pandemic has created instability in bond trading markets, and interest rates have actually gone up even as other sectors have seen them go down.
Engineer Luke Wilson of Clapsaddle-Garber Associates provided an update on the south side water main loop and reported that he’s been “pretty happy for the most part” with what he’s seen. The working crew got in before the rain the week before, and Wilson said there are only a few punch list items remaining.
“I drove down there and took a look, and it looks fantastic,” Mayor Jeff Martin said. “I think it’s going to come along nice, and that grass is going to grow pretty quick.”
Wilson added that he hopes to get concrete at the golf course re-poured by this summer.
City Clerk Lori Stansberry told the council that the city qualified for a $700,000 Sewer Revenue loan at two percent interest for the new grinder at the wastewater treatment plant, and a motion to approve entering into the agreement carried unanimously.
The council briefly discussed a REACH grant application from Lauren and Les Marts before unanimously approving it, as they plan to purchase the building that currently houses Shear Bliss and the neighboring building to the south while making improvements. They will receive $23,000 in REACH funds from the city.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the council:
· Set a public hearing for May 14 on a budget amendment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.
· Approved the consent agenda as presented.
