State Representative, Natalie Zeleznikar stopped by the Two Harbors City Council meeting on Monday night to talk about efforts that will help to revitalize trades education at the high school level. Classes in construction, auto mechanics, health and child care occupations will be part of that effort. Zeleznikar spoke about the establishment of a Nursing Center of Excellence and Equity at the post secondary level. These efforts will provide career training that will help grow the workforce at the local level. She also highlighted health care bills that will affect people state wide. One of those bills will allow residents who are hospitalized, are in a nursing home or are in a disability group home, to have a family member with them during the time of their hospitalization. This bill will address the problem, not uncommon during the Covid pandemic, where patients were not allowed to have a loved one with them during a health crisis. Additionally, there are a number of issues related to child care that Zeleznikar will be working on to keep that industry viable in the state.
Chief of Police, Rick Hogenson was on hand, during time set aside for a public hearing, to answer questions about the plan for Two Harbors police officers to wear body cameras. The plan is similar to one adopted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Silver Bay Police Department and has been discussed thoroughly at previous Council meetings. The Council voted unanimously to approve the request. Chief Hogenson indicated that during the period of time allowed for public feedback, the department received no emails or phone calls from folks seeking information or wanting to comment on the use of body cameras.
A public meeting to discuss a possible moratorium on cannabis businesses will be held on July 22nd. There is a lack of clarity from the Office of Cannabis Management on how cannabis dispensaries are to be licensed and regulated and the Council needs to have these questions answered before moving forward with designing ordinances that will allow for such businesses to operate in the city. After the public hearing, the Planning Commission will be tasked with devising a zoning plan that will cover cannabis shop operation.
The Council approved a recommendation from the Public Affairs Commission to allow for a maximum of three vendors at Burlington Bay. Vendors will be required to position themselves on the north side of the beach so as to not block the view of the bay for campers. Permits are granted on a first come, first serve basis.
The next Two Harbors Council meeting will be held on July 22nd at 5:30.
