---

Lindstrom City Council met August 20 for a regular meeting. All members were present.

The meeting began with a presentation from MnDOT representatives Amiee Jefferson and Molly Stewart.  The group explained there will be a 14 mile project on Highway 8 that will span from Chisago City to Taylors Falls (Hwy 95 intersection). The section is in need of repaving.

 Stewart told the council the past and current study focuses on driving safety, travel times, improvement of walking and biking along Highway 8 and protecting wetlands including lakes. 

Jefferson told the council, currently MnDOT is looking at roundabouts at Karmel Avenue, Lincoln Road (Co Rd 20), Redwing Avenue with potentially another at Andrews Avenue in Center City.

Stewart said MnDOT is looking at a four lane section being installed from Chisago City to Lindstrom to ease the heaviest (currently) traveled part of Highway 8.

Stewart added that MnDOT  has looked at the possibility of making the westbound section of Highway 8 through Lindstrom as two directions that would allow more access to stores with slower traffic along the eastbound.  Stewart told the council the project would require 30 feet extra on the north side which would involve the removal of businesses and homes.  

Stewart said that option is up to the city, but guessed it would not be financially feasible for the city.  

Council asked the group to look into an underpass along the channel for pedestrians, on the west end of town.  

Council member Greg Krueger said, if a roundabout is installed along Lincoln Road it would make parking and getting out in Lindstrom virtually impossible due to non-stop traffic.  

Stewart noted all of the council’s concerns about protecting the small town feel and walkability of the city and said they would take those notes back to MnDOT. 

Council then moved to new business and heard from City Planner Kendra Ellner about a property on Maple Street. The owner would like to build a new garage in the rear off the alley, and remove his existing garage and driveway which accessed from Maple Street.  Ellner said the new garage will exceed the 25 percent overlay allowance and will result in a 32 percent impervious surface.  The planning commission has already discussed and recommended approval.  Council passed the new request unanimously.

Ellner next told the council a resident on Glader Lane has requested a garage extension.  The extension would deviate from the Shoreland Overlay District requirements for bluff and bluff impact zone setbacks.  Ellner said with the expansion, the final setback will be at 24 1/2 feet. Council passed the request unanimously.

Council then had a lengthy discussion about allowing recreation vehicles on city streets.  The proposed ordinance would allow licensed UTV/ATV’s to operate from 8am until 10pm.  This would include the use of golf carts (which the state currently does not have an age restriction required to operate) as long as they have a slow moving vehicle sign on the rear of the golf cart.

Licenses would be purchased at city hall and would be good for three years.

Council member Mike Hilber said he was “not thrilled” about allowing golf carts to be included.  “We potentially could have nine year olds driving golf carts in our city” he added.

Council took a vote which passed 4-1 with Hilber voting against.

Council then approved an agreement with Bolton Menk to draw up plans for a temporary sewer bypass at lift station 2. The lift station needs to be raised and upgraded next year when the city’s road construction will include Stacy Trail.  Council approved the study for up to $21,000 unanimously.

Council then agreed to place the 12 foot Dala horse donated by Unruly Acres at the city-owned property at Highway 8 and Maple Street.

Maintenance supervisor Matt Fraley told the council there is 750 feet of fence that needs to be removed along Highway 8 in the Fairview Cemetery.  Fraley said the fence has no footings and has heaved over past winters.  Fraley would like to install footings, powdercoat, and reinstall the fence which would cost around $25,000 which is paid for by the Cemetery Projects Fund, portion of which comes from sale of plots and State Local Government Aid.   Council approved the footings unanimously.

Council adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

---