Resurfacing Highway 371 from Nisswa to Pine River may happen in 2010 if proposed legislation designating stimulus funds for the project passes, the Pequot Lakes City Council learned Monday.
The project originally was scheduled for 2012.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has identified safety concerns at the traffic light at the County Road 11/First Street access, in front of Lakes Latte and Northern Food King, and proposes to close it.
MnDOT would install new pedestrian ramps on the east side of the intersection and construct curb, gutter and sidewalk with pedestrian ramps on the west side.
MnDOT says the close proximity of the service drive to the intersection on the east side creates a traffic safety problem.
"This project is an opportunity to include traffic safety measures that solve this problem. We propose to close the access to the service drive by extending the curb and gutter and sidewalk across the connection, both north and south of Main Street," MnDOT wrote.
The city council unanimously agreed to sign a letter in support of the project.
Public safety
In January, firefighters had three good intent calls - one related to carbon monoxide detector, one fire alarm and one chimney.
Calls were to Breezy Point, Pequot Lakes and Maple Township.
Police conducted more than 445 checks of homes, businesses and fish houses in January, with five open doors found at area businesses.
Police had more than 310 individual complaint reports. Activity included 79 traffic warnings, 31 citations, 14 traffic control, 12 agency assists, eight property damage accidents, seven driving complaints, seven alarms, four traffic arrests, four animal complaints, three thefts, three tobacco violations, two damage to property, two fires and one assault.
In other action Monday, the council:
Authorized the library to apply for a $35,000 grant from USDA to buy furniture and equipment for the children's room at the library.
Agreed to hold a public hearing at the April council meeting to consider vacating the portion of Front Street that runs between Beverly Rathcke's property. The request has to do with the access that was closed at Highway 371 and Front Street.
Authorized an easement through city property for TDS/Arvig Telephone Co. to run a fiber optic line.
Adopted an ordinance amending the city code relating to use of pre-existing lots of record, non-conforming structures and uses, minor ordinance amendments and setting up escrow accounts for plats.
Adopted an ordinance amending the city code relating to parking requirements.
Approved a service contract with the Kitchigami Regional Library System for the city library, provided Kitchigami covers all costs. Crosslake approved a similar contract for its library.
Appointed Laura Hofius to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
