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City Council Minutes <br /> March 6, 2023 <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br /> 4. Open Forum <br /> No one appeared for open forum. <br /> 5.1. Official City Flag Winner Presentation <br /> Jeannie Haurum, 4208 Brown St, stated she would like get permission to have <br /> the flag put up where the other flags are on Main Street. Mayor Gardner stated it <br /> needs to be put on a future agenda. Ms. Haurum presented the winner of the flag <br /> competition, Pequot Lakes eighth grader, Jobey Tvedte with a gift basket, $100 <br /> and a signed certificate. <br /> COUNCIL MEMBER RONNING MOVED TO ADOPT THE OFFICIAL FLAG <br /> FOR PEQUOT LAKES. COUNCIL MEMBER CLEMENT SECONDED THE <br /> MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> 5.2. Lakes Area Food Shelf <br /> Mayor Gardner stated the Lakes Area Food Shelf sent a letter asking for$5,000. <br /> Tim Moore volunteer and board chair of the food shelf highlighted that the food <br /> shelf has been around for the last forty-three years and in the last three years <br /> they have seen the number of people coming in double. He said in 2020 they had <br /> approximately 4,200 people come in, 2021 was around 4,600 and in 2022 over <br /> 10,000 people. He stated these numbers are still increasing. He said this <br /> increase is due to a number of things happening like inflation and decrease in <br /> food stamps. Mr. Moore stated they did a focus group last summer to find out <br /> what they are doing right and where do they need to go to address the issues. <br /> He said people need to choose between food and utilities, transportation, <br /> housing, medical care among other things to remain healthy. He stated the food <br /> shelf would like to create a community hub to help address barriers. He stated <br /> many other organizations including Crow Wing County are in support of <br /> developing a community resource hub. <br /> Mr. Moore stated the core program will remain a food shelf but will add the <br /> community hub and expand the building to have private space. He stated they <br /> are one hundred percent funded by local donations and grants. He asked the <br /> Council to remember them when they start budget talks for next year. Discussion <br /> ensued about possible federal or state funding for food shelves. Discussion <br /> ensued about if the City should use taxpayer funds for this or should individual <br /> taxpayers make the decision to support the foods shelf. Mr. Moore stated that the <br /> federal government eliminated restrictions on the geographical region the food <br /> shelf can serve. Discussion ensued the food shelf is a valuable resource to the <br /> community. Discussion ensued using ARPA funds if there are any left over. <br /> 6. Planning and Zoning <br /> 6.1. Planning Commission Report <br />