Nisswa: Business owner seeks safer highway intersection

The council agreed Wednesday, Nov. 18, to have town’s public works committee evaluation his issues.

Jon Melberg, who owns On Techniques within the Northland Middle, stated he’s compiled a working tab of accidents he’s seen on the southbound intersection of Freeway 371 and Smiley Highway. He requested to take away the choice to show left, in impact closing the freeway median for turning automobiles.

Highlighted circle area is the intersection north of the Sportland Corners stoplight of State Aid Highway 371 that a Nisswa business owner appealed to the Nisswa City Council to make safer.

Highlighted circle space is the intersection north of the Sportland Corners stoplight of State Support Freeway 371 {that a} Nisswa enterprise proprietor appealed to the Nisswa Metropolis Council to make safer.Display seize from Crow Wing county GIS mapping.

“My solely acquire will not be searching my window and seeing one other accident,” he stated, noting it’s worse within the winter due to visibility.

He’s come near being in an accident himself twice at that intersection, and an worker had a totaled car from that intersection, Melberg wrote in a memo to the council.

“This intersection has to go. It’s harmful,” he wrote. “Not simply to those who select to make use of it as an alternative of going to the stoplights, however drivers like myself that take a left on the service street to bypass it to utilize the stoplights. Oftentimes I see individuals race throughout to keep away from oncoming site visitors. Then others and myself included are liable to the rushing automotive getting throughout.”

Metropolis Administrator Jenny Max stated the Minnesota Division of Transportation is conscious of preliminary conversations about this intersection. She stated the general public works committee might evaluation the intersection’s historical past and produce any data or doable motion again to the council

Troy Scheffler, Merrifield, additionally spoke throughout open discussion board relating to a police officer who is called in a lawsuit Scheffler filed in opposition to town. He spoke about a proposal he made town to “bump him (the officer) lose” from that lawsuit.

The council took the next precautions by the tip of the 12 months within the wake of surging COVID-19 circumstances and up to date governor orders:

Closed metropolis corridor to walk-in site visitors whereas permitting workers to schedule appointments with the general public on an as-needed foundation.
Allowed town administrator to observe metropolis corridor staffing ranges and to permit working remotely as crucial.
Transitioned all public conferences to a digital platform with members and workers attending in individual, in addition to others throughout public hearings in the event that they’re comfy doing so.

Max additionally stated the council chambers audio visible upgrades have been scheduled to be put in the week of Dec. 7 with funds from the Coronavirus Support, Reduction and Financial Safety Act.

Hearth Chief Shawn Bailey’s written report famous firefighters helped the neighborhood in October by packing meals for individuals in want with The Outreach Program.

Firefighters had 31 calls in October, together with 27 emergency medical providers calls and one every lacking individual, energy line down, grass fireplace and constructing fireplace.

Police Chief Craig Taylor’s written report for October listed 175 requires service, 106 site visitors warnings, 18 site visitors citations, 31 company assists and 7 EMS calls. Officers accomplished numerous trainings.

The council:

Agreed to undertake the Crow Wing County short-term rental ordinance, which means the county will take over licensing, enforcement and investigations. This creates consistency by the county and takes the burden of enforcement off town. Beforehand, town allowed three short-term leases per parcel per 12 months.
Agreed to change construction measurement necessities in response to the “shouse” development coming into the realm. “Shouse” refers to pole barns or outsized garages being constructed with dwelling quarters, and the aesthetic doesn’t conform with Nisswa’s residential zoning.
Agreed to alter rules for grading and street building in shoreland areas relating to measurement of rocks to be consistent with Division of Pure Sources rules.

In different enterprise Nov. 18, the council:

Realized town obtained official discover that Lake Shore and Nisswa have been authorized for a Gull Lake Path $2.4 million grant.
Agreed to shut metropolis corridor for Christmas Eve on Thursday, Dec. 24, with workers taking trip or compensatory time.
After holding a public listening to during which Monica Anderson spoke, authorized a request by Anderson and Donald Deline to vacate a managed entry lot within the plat of Gull Lake Shores.
After holding a public listening to during which nobody from the general public spoke, authorized an ordinance modification for chapters of town code relating to commissions and committees efficient initially of 2021.
Accredited a 5.5% quarterly sewer charge improve, from $154.67 to $163.18 per equal residential connection, and to maintain the connection charge at $10,000, each for 2021.
Licensed unpaid sewer expenses and unpaid skilled charges to the tax roll.
Accepted a proposal to not exceed $4,875 from Baker Tilly (previously Springsted), town’s monetary adviser, to conduct a compensation examine replace for all metropolis worker positions.