Fall hunting seasons, Mountain Lake Trail relationship is discussed
The Mountain Lake City Council approved an agreement with Casey’s at their Monday, August 17 meeting to place a trailhead for the Mountain Lake Trail on park-like property to the east of the business.
The location is just off of Cottonwood County Road #27 and near the southern edge of the trail. This spot makes the kiosk and information to be placed at the site visible to visitors entering Mountain Lake.
The maps at Island View Campground and the boat landing are being updated to be included in the info center at the trailhead.
One of the Active Living Plan’s goals called for the extension of sidewalk the entire length of 3rd Avenue to Casey’s.
Hunting season, lake trail safety measures to be undertaken
Jason Kruser was at the meeting to discuss safety issues concerning the fall hunting seasons and the relationship of the west end of the Mountain Lake Trail. He had visited with council members at and October 2014 meeting, and thanked the council for the city’s efforts at that time to raise public awareness during the fall hunting seasons.
Kruser hunts on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at the west end of Mountain Lake. The trail winds through the property.
Also discussed was the location of, and authorization to, cut “rustic paths” on city, private and DNR property. Kruser is concerned about the safety of people using the “rustic paths” during the fall hunting seasons. The “rustic paths” reduce the ability of hunters to hunt safely on land that is open to hunting. In addition, erosion on the steeper portions of the “rustic paths” is cause for alarm.
Kruser suggested placing more warning signs along the trail, and that the council should consider closing a portion of the trail during mid-November’s deer hunting slug season.
Council members agreed to invite the DNR to the next council meeting to further discuss these issues.
In other business
* Held a public hearing on the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP). Jeff Gladis, Housing Director for Western Community Action updated the council on the current program. The City of Mountain Lake received a SCDP Housing Grant in 2014 to make health and safety and/or energy efficiency improvements for 20 houses to income-eligible homeowners in a target area in Mountain Lake. That target area was recently expanding to include the entire city. Ten homes have been, or are, in the process of being rehabbed. Three more applications are being processed. The program ends December 31, 2016.
* Discussed a Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP) offered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. It appears that, through the program, the city could make the purchase energy-efficient items, including street lights “budget neutral.” The council agreed that representatives of the program be invited to the next council meeting to explain the program in detail.
* Agreed to hold a special 2016 Draft Budget meeting on Monday, August 31, at 3 p.m., in the City Council Chambers in Mountain Lake City Hall.
* Discussed the public nuisance at 1701 3rd Avenue with the property owner. Photographs of the property taken earlier in the day were presented, showing the clean-up work completed and the clean-up work remaining to be done. The property owner will attend the next council meeting.
* Discussed a Wi-Fi proposal for Island View Campground from Frontier. Mediacom declined to prepare a proposal. Mountain Lake City Clerk/Administrator Wendy Meyer will request a proposal from MVTV.
* Heart questions about the Mountain Lake Public School’s indoor swimming pool’s published hours, and is the pool is open during those hours. Clerk/Administrator Meyer will contact the school for the information.
* Discussed the quotes for the lease or purchase of new color copiers, as requested by city staff. The council approved leasing a color printer, and a black-and-white copier/printer/scanner, as budgets allow, from New Star Sales of Mountain Lake.
* Tabled the Oath of Office for new Mountain Lake Police Officer Will Pohlmann to the next council meeting.
* Addressed items presented to the council at its Monday, August 3 meeting. City resident Gloria McKissick, council members and city departments involved discussed the concerns McKissick had shared. She was encouraged to call police when there are issues with her neighbor’s dog. In addition, the utility billing cycle and the utility bill at 502 10th Street North were reviewed. The property was re-shingled in July without a permit, and the shingles used do not meet state building codes. Council members discussed enforcement options. The council voted to place a statement in the file to protect the city if there are property insurance problems stating that no building permit was applied for and that no inspections were made. Steve Carson, City Building Official, also recommended that the penalty for not obtaining a permit that exists in current city ordinance be reviewed. This will be discussed at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
* Tabled a request to purchase land.
* Reviewed the updated list of Conservation Improvement Plan Rebates, effective August 1, 2015; information abou the Affordable Care Act’s “Cadillac Tax” and the City of Gaylord’s swimming pool.
* Heard from two city residents during the Public Forum portion of the council agenda. Adam Sayles asked that a non-binding referendum be held regarding the downtown redevelopment project underway in the northwest corner of Block 8. It was explained that a non-binding referendum is prohibited by state statute. Residents who would like to express their opinions on the project should bring written statements to city hall, and Clerk/Administrator Meyer will forward them to the city council and the Economic Development Authority. Brandon Green, owner of property at 507 10th Street North, asked is the city intends to re-attach a utility bill previously attached to 505 10th Street North, a recent tax-forfeited property. A recommendation to the council will be discussed at the next Utility Commission meeting.
