A number of local residents attended this week’s Two Harbors Council meeting to speak in support of the native gardens that are located at the Two Harbors Community Center and the City Library. The gardens were installed in 2020 as part of a statewide initiative to convert public spaces into gardens that would feature native plant species. In effect, native gardens create biodiverse spaces that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies while allowing for biological control of pest and insect species. This effort was funded by a grant from the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
There have been a considerable number of complaints about the current state of the gardens at both the Community Center and the Library. Tara Solem, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Manager, acknowledged that the gardens have not been maintained at the level that was originally expected. Dan Schutte, an environmental scientist and owner of Shoreview Natives in two Harbors, installed the gardens four years ago. Both Solem and Schutte pointed out that the original agreement concerning the care of the gardens was that the Public Works Department would maintain them. This clearly hasn’t happened. The North Shore Rotary Club has stepped up to work on restoring the garden at the Community Center. Both Solem and Schutte have offered resources and training for residents interested in native garden upkeep.
There are numerous reasons to support the presence of native plant gardens. They produce native pollen and nectar that support native birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife species. Popular horticultural gardens often do not produce nectar and need insect/pest control to survive. Native gardens help with erosion and require less water than lawns. They are “low maintenance” but they are not “no maintenance”. The Public Works Committee had made a recommendation to remove the nature gardens and install sod at the community center. The Council wisely decided to table that recommendation and will look into a plan that will allow for restoration and maintenance of the gardens.
Local resident Harold Ek, expressed concern over the number of recreational vehicles, campers and boat trailers that are parked along city streets. He also cited piles of tires, junk cars and discarded appliances that some people have sitting on their property. All of this violates city ordinances. Ek suggested that the Council have a “clean up campaign” to help remove the unsightly items from public view. Residents are reminded that there is an ordinance in place that requires that property owners not allow their lawns to grow over 6 inches in length. This includes vacant lots. Notices will be mailed to property owners who are in violation of this ordinance. After notification, the City will have crews cut the grass on property that remains non-compliant. Property owners will be billed for their non-compliance.
The Council accepted a recommendation from Bolton & Menk to award the bid for construction of the Airport Terminal Building to Max Gray Construction. Readers may remember that the funding of $1.2 million for the project comes largely from the Federal Aviation Administration. The plan is for the new terminal to be ready for use by the end of July next year. The Lighthouse Point Road redesign project is moving forward. The Public Works Department is recommending that the Council accept a plan from Bolton & Menk for services that will need to be conducted prior to actual construction. These services include topographic and archeological surveys and conditional inspections of structures that are in proximity to the proposed construction. There is also some investigation into right of way issues that needs to be done. The Council supported the recommendation pending some research by the City Attorney into platting that may have already been completed in the corridor where the construction will be done.
The Council accepted a proposal from MKSK to provide a scoping document that will summarize the work that has been completed by the folks who have been working on plans for the Agate Bay waterfront. MKSK services are free and they will provide a road map for the next steps in the waterfront master plan.
Finally, Jan O’Donnell was appointed as a member of the Library Board. The next Two Harbors Council meeting will be held on July 8th at 5:30 p.m.
