Page 2 | SATURDAY, OCT. 26, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
NEWS
Rice council suggests fire contract conversations Language to remain the same for Langola, Graham in coming year BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – The city of Rice plans to solicit fire contract feedback from area townships within the next year. Discussion about future contracts ensued at the Rice City Council meeting Oct. 21. With contracts for Langola and Graham townships expiring Dec. 31, clerk Julie Fandel
said a safety committee meeting took place which proposed the council explore lump sum billing for the fire department. Council member Chris Scheel was hesitant of the idea. Scheel said when the council tried lump sum billing in the past, the public voiced its disagreement; residents preferred per call fees because it was user based. “I’m willing to look at it either way,” Scheel said. “But at that time, we took a lot of flak, and we had to fight a long time to get that one contract reverted back to where it is now.”
Fandel also said she learned the fire contracts use tax capacity statistics from two years prior to the contract year because in year’s past the county was not able to provide up-to-date information. With technology ever advancing, Fandel said the delay is no longer a problem and asked the council if they would like to use current numbers. “Right now, I have the tax capacity for 2019, and by November I will have the one for 2020,” Fandel said. “So we could actually use real numbers. The second year would still be a 2.35% increase, but
that first number would be a real number rather than an estimate back to something if we choose to do it that way.” Scheel said contract language for the years 2020 and 2021 should remain the same to allow time for communication. “I don’t believe the time is now,” Scheel said. “Here we go, the last meeting in October. We would have to figure this all out in November, and we would be giving the townships whose contracts are expiring one meeting to decide if they want to go ahead with the contract.” The majority of the
adopt. “These animals here are truly homeless, and from front from front they deserve a second chance,” Davis said. “The Following an amendment to Sauk Rapids city still lives with the couple. shelter is a busy place and “We strongly believe most dogs are not used to ordinances earlier this year, the Sauk Rapids Public in shelters and the care being in a place this busy. Works Director has the authority to declare a snow they give to the animals,” They want to have a famemergency should there be a presence of or prediction ily to love and a said. of snow in excess of 4 inches, freezing rain, sleet or Jahnke home to play in.” other weather that could impede the duties of emer- “ A d o p t i n g In 2018, TCHS from them is a gency personnel or vehicular traffic. adopted out 558 smooth process Snow emergencies will be announced via radio dogs and 166 puponce you make stations. pies. Thus far in the decision. During snow emergencies, it is unlawful to park 2019, there have The shelter for along roadways until the roadway has been cleaned us is the way been 575 dogs and curb to curb. 120 puppies which to go. We don’t Homeowners in both Sauk Rapids and Rice know have found new what should also be aware of other winter season ordinanc- these dogs’ fuhomes through the es. shelter. Vicki Davis tures look like Snow and ice on public sidewalks are considered if “A lot of people someone a public nuisance and abutting property owners are doesn’t adopt them.” come here to get a homeresponsible for the removal within 24 hours after the October is Adopt a less dog to bring home,” snow or ice is deposited. Failure to do so can result Shelter Dog Month, but Davis said. “It tends to in a special assessment against the adjacent property Vicki Davis, executive di- make people feel good, owner. rector for the TCHS said like they did a good deed It is also unlawful to deposit snow from private anytime is a good time to for the world. People often return to adopt more property onto public streets and grounds. animals here.” Charlie has been part of the family for less than three months and has alLicense #BC681135 ready changed so much. “Whenever I watch Noah now, Charlie gives us more things to do,” Jahnke said. “Now if we go for a walk to the park, we are gone longer because we play fetch with her while we are there. We often have people stop us to pet her, things Locally Owned like that. Dogs are such a & Operated conversation topic. When we are out and about, people talk about the Twins, Free Estimates | In-Home Financing the Vikings, the weather and dogs. Now I feel I am Licensed & Insured a part of that with Charlie.” Call for a FREE Estimate and Consultation A month after adopting Charlie, she had to Erik: 320-761-5909 • Josh: 320-339-4540 have tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery Office: 844-275-4776 for a torn cranial cruciate 3622 30th Street SE #2 • St. Cloud, MN 56304 ligament. The injury is similar to a torn ACL in WWW.MY EX TER IO R P R O.CO M humans.
Winter parking
council agreed the city should give townships forewarning of conversations and changes so the townships can budget. Townships typically only host one regular meeting per month, and they operate differently than municipalities – having one annual meeting each March where voters set the budget for the following fiscal year. Fiscal year 2020 budgets were set this past March. Council members expressed their openness to approach township officials to discuss billing options, using current tax capacity numbers and changing contract dates
to better align with township annual meetings. “I’m happy (Julie and the safety committee) brought it up because then we can start those conversations now,” said Paula Kampa, council member. The Rice Fire Department covers fire and emergency services in Graham, Langola and Watab townships. Watab Township’s contract is in place until Dec. 31, 2020. In other council news: - The council reduced
Rice City Council page 5
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PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Mara Jahnke walks her dog Charlie around their yard Oct. 22 in Sauk Rapids. Mara and her husband, Jeff, adopted Charlie from the Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud in August.
“The recovery is taking some time, and Charlie is limited on some of the things she can do, but she is doing well,” Jahnke said. “She cannot do any stairs right now or get up into the truck, which she loves to do. As her recovery progresses, she will be able to get back to doing things like that.” For the Jahnkes, adopting Charlie from
the TCHS was an easy choice. “Charlie picked us really,” Jahnke said. “I don’t believe in coincidences, but rather God doing His work. Charlie and our family were destined to be together. That’s what made me go back to the shelter, and it’s a decision I won’t ever regret.”