WILLMAR -- The city of Willmar will reapply for two state recreation trail grants. The city applied last year but was turned down, said City Public Works Director Mel Odens.
A recommendation to reapply for the grants was approved Tuesday evening by the City Council's Public Works/Safety Committee. The council will consider the recommendation from city staff at the Feb. 21 meeting.
The first $100,000 grant will be sought to build a comfort station or rest area at the start of the Glacial Lakes Bike Trail near the Willmar Civic Center. The second grant of $50,000 to $100,000 will be used to enhance trails in the city limits. O
dens said revenue from the city's local option sales tax would be used to match the second grant.
In other business, the committee voted to recommend the Police Department enter into a joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, within the Department of Public Safety, to obtain a wireless identification-based information system unit, commonly called an IBIS.
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The joint powers agreement was recommended by Chief Jim Kulset who said an IBIS lets a law enforcement officer rapidly identify an individual using two index fingerprints. If the individual has a criminal history, the two-finger system can identify the person within approximately three minutes.
The BCA is distributing the wireless units statewide. Kulset said the units are provided cost-free to agencies during the first year of use. If an agency desires to continue the use of a unit for another year, the cost is approximately $45 to $60 per month for cellular charges and approximately $600 to $650 per year for maintenance charges.
In other business, the committee recommended approval for $1,300 in change orders associated with construction of the terminal and fixed-base operator building at the new airport.
The change orders will delete the cost of some unnecessary work and materials; pay for minor structural support beams and removal and replacement of unstable soil for the terminal; pay for additional concrete and reinforcement to accommodate a future mezzanine; and removal and replacement of unstable soil for the fixed-base operator building.
