Gravel roads in city to get tar

At the Aug. 9 Staples City Council meeting, City Administrator Jerel Nelsen told the council that a petition from property owners spurred an effort to get Sunrise Drive paved. The short road off of Prairie Ave. NE could be paved this fall after the city and landowners agree on a special assessment plan.

Another gravel road could get tarred by next year. Nelsen said when the new townhomes are built, the city plans to tar the portion of 6th St. NE that is currently gravel. Earlier this summer, the city paved a portion of 12th St. NE. “There won’t be too many heavily traveled gravel roads left in town,” said Nelsen.

The council also approved a new deferred special assessment policy to replacing the current one with out dated language. When the city applies a special assessment, certain people can defer the assessment if they meet the set criteria. The old language only allowed people over age 65 with an income under $6,500. The new policy goes by 125 percent of the federal poverty line as issued by the national Department of Health and Human Services.

Nelsen gave an update on the David Blonigan property, which has been declared a nuisance by the city. He said the case is still in court as a contempt of court hearing rather than a nuisance abatement standpoint. “We’re more worried about the nuisance,” said Nelsen. He said they are still pursuing the cancellation of his contract on the house.

Council member Doug Case suggested the council check surrounding cities to see if the Staples council salaries are similar to others.

Nelsen said the city department heads are working on their capital improvement plan. He said the 2017 budget depends on whether the Minnesota Legislature passes a tax bill in a special session. If there is no bill, local government aid (LGA) for Staples goes up a small amount. The bill currently on the table would mean a larger increase in LGA if passed.