Moorhead City Council Meeting

November 24, 2014

Public Hearing – Make Moorhead Home Property Tax Rebate Program

Moorhead had a great year in home construction, announced Moorhead City Manager Michael Redlinger. Lisa J. Vatnsdal, Community Development Division Manager added that 2014 housing construction activity year to date has already surpassed 2013 annual housing production. Vatnsdal noted that a post-purchase survey of 2013 homebuyers conducted this summer shows very high levels of satisfaction with Moorhead’s neighborhoods, affordability, education, and parks and recreation.

The Council approved the granting of the two-year property tax abatements to 232 properties totaling $148,500. In the first two years, there were 206 new construction and 26 for remodeling. The Council established the program in 2012 to increase new residential construction and improvement to existing residential properties. Each of the Moorhead taxing groups City, Clay County, and the School District participated in the program, which made the program more appealing and therefore more successful.

All three taxing entities recently extended the Make Moorhead Home Property Tax Rebate Program through 2016.

Public Hearing – Property Tax Exemption

The Council approved a property tax exemption for the construction and operation of lease office space located at 817 Center Ave. The JA Group LLC received a tax exemption for the redevelopment of the former “Masonic Building” on Center Avenue, which has been vacant for over 20 years. Kvamme Travel will be the main tenant with space available for two additional tenants. The total benefit to the applicant is estimated at $12,000 in property tax exemptions over three years.

Per the agreement, Kvamme Travel will retain six fulltime positions and one part-time position. Wages for the positions retained are above the minimum wage of $9.15. In addition, it is expected that there will be more employees hired with the two other leased spaces.

Moorhead Municipal Airport Continues to Expand

P. Fisher was granted a land lease agreement for a private hangar at the Moorhead Municipal Airport. The plan includes the construction of a 72 x 88 foot non-commercial hangar adjacent to the new taxiway. According to the report, airport development continues with the completion of the new taxiway and the two private hangers under construction. The full report is available on the City website.

Approved the Advanced Funding request from the City Municipal State Aid Street Account

Each year, the State of Minnesota distributes a portion of the money collected through the State gas tax to all cities with a population over 5,000. The funding formula is based on each city’s population and street mileage. Cities may allow the fund to accumulate or they may borrow against future funding in order to use the funds to finance projects that exceed their annual allocation.

Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds are allocated to the cities at the beginning of each year. The City’s current account balance is sufficient to meet the funding needs of projects that have already been awarded, but is not sufficient to construct all of the projects that are currently in design. The City has a number of projects in various stages of design and construction that rely, in part, on MSA funding. During the 2015 construction season, staff anticipates having up to six State and Federal Aid construction projects that will either be starting or finishing construction.

Pumpkin Recycling Results

Thanks to those of you who participated in this year’s “Take Jack Back” campaign organized by Clay County.

We collected over 27,000 pounds of pumpkins at our City of Moorhead recycling collection centers. These pumpkins are being organically composted to grow more pumpkins right here in Moorhead instead of going into our landfill. “Take Jack Back” will be back next year after Halloween, so please help us spread the word!

Tree Trimming in

South Moorhead

Moorhead Public Service (MPS) has contracted with Carr’s Tree Service (Carr’s) to trim trees on the south side of Moorhead beginning on November 24, 2014. Carr’s will be trimming trees in areas that contain MPS’ overhead power lines. This work will occur within the area located primarily south of Center Avenue and west of Highway 52/Southeast Main Avenue, with some tree removal on 20th Street South along the railroad tracks.

Trees on Moorhead’s south side need trimming to meet MPS’ safety and reliability standards. The north and south sides of the city are trimmed in alternating years. Trimming is done during the winter season to minimize damage to the trees and backyard lawns.

Transfer Station Closure

The City of Moorhead Transfer Station will close at noon on Friday, November 28, 2014. The Transfer Station will re-open on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 8:00 am.

Moorhead Concordia Christmas

Concert set for December 5 – 7

The 88th annual Concordia College Christmas Concert, “Arise, Shine, for Your Light has Come” will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in Memorial Auditorium.

The concerts are staged with exceptional lighting and a new full-sized mural that will illuminate this year’s theme. Nearly 450 student musicians will create the most beautiful collection of Christmas music you’ll hear during the holiday season.

For more information on the concerts visit ConcordiaChristmas.com.

A New Cask Was Tapped

I had the opportunity to participate in the grand opening ceremony for Junkyard Brewing located on 1st Avenue North. This is an exciting story for me to tell as I have been around Aaron and Dan Juhnke pre-taproom days and watched their project unfold.

The Juhnke brothers epitomize what the spirit, vision, and steadfast commitment of the American dream can become. Aaron and Dan asked me to join Mayor Williams in making a few remarks at the ceremony and without hesitation I eagerly embraced the opportunity to give them my support. I threw out a challenge to the packed taproom that night: “Let’s not just come out for this grand opening ceremony tonight, I challenge all of you to come back and support Aaron and Dan every night going forward.”

Our small businesses play such a crucial role in the growth and vitality of Moorhead’s economy. With the entrepreneurial minds we continue to see along 1st Avenue North, Main Avenue, Center Avenue, 8th Street S., and many more, we will enhance services and foster private sector ingenuity for decades to follow. I encourage all of you to get out and give your local small businesses a whirl, after all this Saturday is “Small Business Saturday” in Moorhead and around the country.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

See you around town!