Electric rates going up

The Elbow Lake City Council held a brief meeting last Monday night in the Sanford Room of the Community Building. Elbow Lake’s City Superintendent Greg Jacobson informed the council that progress on the new water treatment plant is slow but things are progressing.

“They should be done with the underground work this week or early next week and then cement will be poured.

Elbow Lake Fire Chief Nathan Porter reported the department responded to seven medical calls last month, two car accidents, one car fire, and one mutual aid call with the Barrett Fire Department.

Thorson Memorial Library Director Lucy Anderson said the Elbow Lake public library had a good October with ten percent more checkouts than last year. She said there are many events going on in the library as we approach the holiday season and the annual art sale will start on Black Friday.

Mayor Deb Hengel reported that a rate study has been done by Missouri River Energy on Elbow Lake’s electric rates and a two percent increase was recommended. She said this rate increase will go into affect in January, 2022.

Mayor Hengel reported that she had met with Sheriff Mark Haberer who told her his department has sent out several citations for being in violation of the city’s nuisance property ordinance, including abandoned vehicles.

Parks and Recreation committee member Tom Grout reported that the new playground equipment for the Elbow Lake Athletic Park has been ordered, and the splash pad steering committee has been meeting. They will be working with the Elbow Lake Community Fund on fundraising and putting together a final design.

Jacobson also told the council the street work on West Division is done with the crosswalks completed.

He also said the recent city cleanup day had 49 loads of garbage disposed of and one and one quarter garbage trucks filled.

Hengel told the council that the first mile of the walking path, along Highway #54 and west along Highway #25, is also completed and offers some nice scenery.