CROSSLAKE — Families should see new playground equipment at the Crosslake Community Center for their kids this year.
Alden Hardwick told the Crosslake City Council on Monday, Feb. 14, that all five phases of the new playground were purchased using $187,000 from funds raised through the Parks and Library Foundation, plus $50,000 in city park dedication fees.
Hardwick recognized the Crosslake Ideal Lions for a recent $40,000 donation for this project.
In total, the community has raised $237,000, Hardwick said.
The council accepted $153,170 for the PAL Foundation for the playground equipment from the following: Dietz family, $80,000; Crosslake Ideal Lions, $40,000; Christmas for Kids, $10,000; anonymous gift, $5,000; Crosslake-Fifty Lakes American Legion Post 500, $1,000; Cedar Chest, $600; and individual donations totaling $16,570.
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Public safety
The council agreed to ask the Crow Wing County Highway Department for “no parking” signs on both sides of part of County Road 3 for safety reasons. The exact part of the road will be identified later.
The police department received permission to replace six pistols; to buy holsters and optics for the firearms using donated funds; and to replace four rifles. Total cost is $7,946.
The council received a 2021 annual report from the police department. Police had a total of 2,628 calls for service in Crosslake in 2021, which is the highest in the past five years.
Police had 736 calls in Mission Township in 2021, just under the total calls in 2019 of 745.
In January, police had 241 calls in Crosslake, which included 40 emergency medical services calls, 91 traffic stops and 10 property damage accidents. Calls to Mission Township in January totaled 69, which included 46 traffic warnings and seven traffic citations.
Firefighters had 50 calls in January, including 35 EMS calls, one motor vehicle accident with injuries and one building fire.
North Ambulance reported 92 callouts in January.
In other business Feb. 14, the council:
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- Agreed to donate $250 to the Emily Food Shelf.
- Agreed, after discussion, to finish a room in the basement of city hall to store confidential records, which currently are stored in a third office in the administration area that Mayor Dave Nevin would like to use as a mayor’s office.
- Voided a policy to use interactive television at city council and commission meetings that was adopted in March 2020. The council will look at a League of Minnesota Cities policy regarding council members attending meetings online via Zoom.
- Approved a liquor license ownership transfer for Jenson’s Ye Olde Wharf from Gail Jenson to Katheryn (Jenson) Palmer.
- Approved a right of way vacation process and an ordinance amendment regarding vacating streets.
- Received an Economic Development Authority update and year-end report.
- Authorized updating the five-year capital plan for roads and equipment.
- Agreed to buy a new skid steer for $67,200, snow blower for $31,800 and mower for $11,200.
- Accepted Corey Nelson’s resignation and agreed to post job openings for park maintenance and seasonal groundskeeper.
- Approved a community center usage policy.
- Agreed to buy for the parks department a Heavy Duty Rotary Broom for $5,535, a mower for $3,650, new weight room equipment for $34,797, and a playground border for $6,415. Eight outdoor security cameras will be replaced for $6,800.
- Accepted cash in lieu of land for park dedication for the Sesin Subdivision.
- Approved a draft amendment to the city code to allow a youth representative to serve on the Parks, Recreation and Library Commission.
- Approved a survey to gain community input to help the parks, recreation and library department with long-range planning and development of city amenities. The survey will be done on Survey Monkey through spring and summer.
- Met in closed session to discuss land negotiations/settlement after the regular meeting ended at 10:37 p.m.
Council member Dave Schrupp participated online via Zoom from Florida
This meeting can be viewed at “City of Crosslake - YouTube.”
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.
