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CROSSLAKE — Crosslake Chamber Director Cindy Myogeto asked the city council for assurance that County State Aid Highway 66 would be completely open for Crosslake Days on Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 22-24, for all the traffic and activities planned those days for the annual festival.
She didn’t get that assurance, but the council agreed at its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 12, to have City Engineer Phil Martin make an offer to Casper Construction, the contractor for the sanitary sewer expansion project.
Martin told the council he was hopeful the road in the project area would be paved Wednesday, Sept. 14, but then the weather forecast calls for rain the next three days.
Knowing the city is anxious to get traffic flowing through that area, he received permission to talk to the contractor Tuesday, Sept. 13, about agreeing to open the road after applying temporary striping and in return the city would consider the project substantially complete.
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That means the city would waive liquidated damages, or a contractual “penalty” for not having the project done on time.
An update on the city's website at cityofcrosslake.org said the contractor completed final paving Wednesday, Sept. 14, and intends to put a temporary pavement marking on the road.
Once placed, CSAH 66 will be open to traffic. The work is weather dependent.
The final pavement marking is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 21.
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Phase 1 of the project - from just before the fire hall to Daggett Pine Road - is accessible to residents and business traffic but people should expect minor delays as trail construction continues.
All access to property in Phase 2 is from Ox Lake Road. Only school bus and emergency vehicle traffic is allowed on CSAH 66 north of Daggett Pine Road.
The council was told it does still owe Casper $700,000 once work is completed. Martin said after paving the road and adding temporary striping, workers would still be doing restoration work, paving driveways and putting dirt behind curbs.
Police Chief Erik Lee said again, he is embarrassed that motorists are ignoring “road closed” signs and driving on the road in the project area.
“People are still going through while they are actively working and they have to stop,” Lee said. “They are stopping work every time someone comes through that area.”
He said police will now issue citations to people who ignore barricades and drive through.
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Public safety
Lee received permission to order a 2023 Ford SUV Police Interceptor for $43,021 to replace a 2017 vehicle. The vehicle will need to be outfitted with equipment.
The council agreed to buy four older model, refurbished, permanent radar signs for $13,440 to put on roads where needed.
Crosslake police reported 301 incidents in August in Crosslake, including 28 agency assists, 69 traffic warnings, eight traffic citations, 12 ATV incidents, five property damage accidents, three damage to property incidents, two thefts, one burglary, 56 emergency medical service calls and five fires.
Police have had 2,147 incidents so far in 2022 in Crosslake. That compares to 1,673 by this time in 2021 and 1,331 by this time in 2020.
Police reported 84 incidents in August in Mission Township, including 53 traffic stops, 16 traffic citations, four agency assists and one each property damage accident and ATV incident.
Police have had 586 incidents so far in 2022 in Mission Township. That compares to 453 by this time in 2021 and 330 by this time in 2020.
Crosslake firefighters had 78 calls in August, including 47 EMS calls, 10 agency assists and one grass fire.
North Ambulance reposted 112 calls in August.
Council member Dave Schrupp was absent Monday.
In other business Monday, the council:
- Approved donations of $56,342 from the Crosslake Firefighters Relief for a 2022 GMC truck; $24,795 from the Parks and Library Foundation for playground installation; and $936 from the PAL Foundation for a pickleball picnic table.
- Received a thank you letter for Police Sgt. Jake Maier from Joshua and Tamara Reding for his handling of a situation regarding the road closure.
- Granted permission to the Crosslake Chamber to host a Crosslake Days chili cookoff and to close part of Pioneer Drive between Reed’s Market and Ace Hardware for a cornhole tournament and street dance Saturday, Sept. 24.
- Heard a request from the Goodrich and O’Brien Lake Association for a paved walking path along Bonnie Lakes Road as more people move into that area year-round. One mile of the 3.25-mile road is in Crosslake with the rest in Fairfield Township. Residents will ask that township for support as well, and will continue to work with the city.
- Approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and Teamsters General Local #346 regarding paying more to three police officers resulting in approximately $3,500 for the remainder of 2022.
- Appointed City Administrator Mike Lyonais and Mayor Dave Nevin to participate in a project management team for the Crosslake pedestrian and intersection improvement meetings with Crow Wing County.
- Agreed to re-establish copying service at the library at 25 cents per copy with a limit of 25 pages until another business in Crosslake provides this service.
- Approved a proposal from Thelen Heating and Roofing for $24,400 to replace two HVAC systems at the community center that are 25 years old. Two more units will be replaced next year.
- Agreed to open the leaf dump from 6:30 am. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
Find recordings of Crosslake City Council meetings on the city's YouTube channel.
Nancy Vogt, editor, 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.
