The Lake Shore City Council on Monday, April 26, approved the annual agreement between the city’s police department and the Gull Chain of Lakes Association to have a police officer enforce aquatic invasive species laws at the Department of Natural Resources public access during the 2021 boating season.
This public access is across the road from Zorbaz on Gull
GCOLA will pay $35 per hour, up $3 an hour from last year, for up to 345 hours of service, or $12,000. The officer will provide general security and enforce state laws regarding the illegal transfer of aquatic plants and prohibited species.
The agreement covers all wages and city costs to provide the officer.
In other police department business, the council agreed to pay part-time police officers $23 an hour, up from $19 an hour. Police Chief Steve Sundstrom did a wage comparison of area police departments that use part-time officers and found Lake Shore paid considerably less than those communities by more than $3 an hour.
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He sought the pay increase so Lake Shore can remain competitive for quality candidates, and said the officers deserve the pay.
The police department’s monthly activity report listed 103 traffic-related incidents and 39 miscellaneous calls for March.
Traffic incidents included 86 traffic warnings and 13 traffic citations. Miscellaneous calls included three suspicious activity calls, three theft/fraud complaints and one property damage complaint. Lake Shore police assisted other agencies four times.
In other business Monday, the council:
Awarded the lowest responsible bid and contract to pave Robinhood Way to Anderson Brothers Construction for $148,359.74. City engineer Dave Reese, with Widseth engineering firm, said the city received two bids, and both were lower than the engineer’s original estimate. Robinhood Way will be improved between the intersection with Little John Road to the northern end of the city-maintained segment.
Learned the Lake Shore Wastewater Treatment Facility and its staff received an operational award from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in recognition of exceptional compliance with its wastewater permit. The city contracts with the Pine River Area Sanitary District for wastewater operations.
Appointed Greg Schwanbeck as an alternate to the Park and Recreation Committee.
Authorized a gambling premises permit at Bar Harbor for the Nisswa Lions Club.
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.
