The work to bring broadband internet service to more Lake Shore residents continues.

The Lake Shore City Council on Monday, Feb. 22, learned a grant application for broadband was not approved. The city’s broadband committee now says StarLink, a low orbit satellite service, may be the best solution for Lake Shore residents who don’t have access to broadband.

While still in beta testing mode, a full rollout of service is anticipated soon, the committee said in a memo. For more information, visit StarLink.com.

The city’s grant application submitted with Charter/Spectrum was not approved after TDS Telecom challenged it. Vendors serving the same region of any grant application project area can challenge a grant application. TDS services the proposed project area.

The city’s broadband committee confirmed TDS installed a new fiber node at 72nd Street and Jacobs Road to help the northern portion of the grant application project area. However, the committee is unaware of any additional expansions or upgrades by TDS, specifically in the middle portion of the grant application area, which is the north and west sides of Lake Margaret.

The southern portion of the grant application project area is in the Century Link service area, but Charter/Spectrum indicated the project isn't viable for just that one area.

Road improvement

After three public hearings, improvements to Robinhood Way in Lake Shore will be made this summer, the council decided, unanimously agreeing the road work is needed.

The council held the third public hearing before its regular meeting Monday. No one attended in person at city hall, and eight people took part via teleconference. A final tally of property owners indicated five favored the project and three were opposed.

The improvement will be between the intersection with Little John to the northern end of the city maintained segment, approximately 2,525 feet.

The city hired Widseth engineering firm for $40,000 to provide engineering services for the road project.

The only new information at Monday’s public hearing was results of a benefit opinion done by a licensed appraiser to estimate the benefits to properties resulting from the road improvement. Those estimated benefits ranged from an increased value of $15,000-$20,000 per buildable lot for a single family residence with lake frontage to $12,000-$16,000 per buildable lot for a single family residence with no lake frontage.

Assessments are around $13,700 per lot with eight lots assessed. The city owns one of those lots.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Learned police reported 77 incidents in January, including 46 traffic-related and 31 miscellaneous incidents.

Traffic related incidents included 32 traffic warnings, four traffic citations and one motor vehicle injury accident. Miscellaneous calls included four suspicious activity, one property damage complaint and one theft complaint.
Lake Shore police assisted other agencies seven times.

• Learned the police department will sponsor its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 3, at Fritz Loven Park.

• Approved a professional services proposal with Widseth engineering firm for Gull Lake Trail work. The proposal includes changes Nisswa made when it approved the proposal.

Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.