3.1 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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