A petition seeking voter approval of major spending decisions was presented to the city of Staples this past week.

The petition was received, City Administrator Nate Mathews told the council Tuesday, Oct. 27. He had turned the petition over to the city attorney Joe Krueger for a legal opinion. The council later set a time and date for a special session to canvass results of the Nov. 3 election, and also added the item to consider the petition for a charter amendment at that session It will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. at the city council chambers .

The city charter states the city has 20 days to "report on" a petition received from the citizens.

Any petition must also be signed by a number equal to 20 percent of those who voted for mayor at the last preceding city election.

The petition asks the city to amend the city charter by adding a provision stating that any and all major improvements exceeding $50,000 or manpower additions exceeding an annual cost of $50,000 shall be subject to voter approval. The amendment further calls for a published disclosure statement from the city listing the cost, purpose of the improvement, negative impact, real estate tax impact and special assessment impact on property owners.

There was no one attending to discuss the petition and the council did not discuss it.

In another matter, an agreement between the city and Wadena County regarding the city plowing snow on Wadena County Road 30 this winter was sent back to the council's Public Works Commission for further considerations. The PWC had okayed the plan based on a verbal understanding. However, the written agreement from the county contained several additional tasks that were not in the original understanding.

In other matters, the city council:

o OKAYED three separate requests from local groups to conduct raffles in upcoming weeks.

o APPOINTED Kevin Grondahl to the Staples Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).

o APPROVED an agreement with MnDOT for the city to maintain and operate the city's airport.

o APPROVED a resolution in support of a Park and Recreation department grant application for funding for the city's Legacy Trail. Phase I is a 1.5 mile long paved trail located on Staples Airport and Staples Motley School District property.

o APPROVED a Conditional Use Permit for the Staple Food Corporation (Ernie's Food Market) to install gasoline /fuel pumps at 1350 Highway 10 East in Staples as part of the Ernie's Supermarket Development.

o AND HEARD City Administrator Nat e Mathews report on his recent activities.