Gail Leverson of the Cass County Economic Development Corp. met with the Backus City Council on Monday, Feb. 4, to discuss taking part in a Small Cities Grant program.
Discussion on this subject began last year but was delayed because of elections. Similar grant programs have been used by Pine River, which received roughly $414,000, and Hackensack and Walker, which combined to receive $592,000.
Leverson mentioned the possibility of combining Backus’ application with Longville to attract more interest from the state. The proposed application for grant money would be to fund rehabilitation of low- to moderate-income homes or commercial businesses. The application would be designed for 10 commercial buildings and 15 residential buildings. A motion was passed to begin the application for this process.
In other news, the city council:
• Authorized the city clerk to pay for damage done to a Backus firefighter’s vehicle while transporting a trailer with rescue equipment back to the fire hall. The cost of damage amounted to $2,314.02.
• Rescinded last month’s decision to end the “freeze run” when it realized the policy began in 1984 to prevent city plumbing from freezing, not residential plumbing. A correction letter will be drafted and sent to relevant parties.
• Approved three years of training for the city clerk. The cost of this training amounted to $973.75.
• Approved $250 dues for membership to Cass County Economic Development Corporation.
• Began discussion for the purchase of reflective house number signs for all homes in the city. The signs would cost approximately $20 each. This expense is not in the budget. Sources of payment are to be discussed before a decision is made.
