Two Harbors City Engineer, Joe Rhein, brought an update on the Lighthouse Road improvement project to the City Council at Monday night’s meeting. Preliminary survey work has been completed and the plan will be for design work to be done over the winter months. As Spring approaches, a public hearing will be scheduled and the Council will be able to study the design and make any changes they feel are appropriate. The project will extend from 1st Avenue to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and will involve the installation of public utilities and reconstruction of the street. The city has received $2.4 million in grant funding to cover the construction aspects of this project. The Council approved the expenditure of $296,950 for professional services to Bolton & Menk for the survey and the ongoing design work.
Residents can expect a 5% increase in water and sewer rates, beginning in January. The projected increase for a family of four will be about $7.50 a month. Rates at the Burlington Bay campground will also increase. The last time the campground saw a rate increase was in 2003.
The Council voted to have the brush pile that has accumulated at the Fairgrounds removed. The cost for the removal will be $9,750. Apparently, some contractors have been using the site to dump materials which is not the site’s intended purpose. There was some discussion among Council members about the possibility of installing cameras at the site so that the City has more control of how it is used.
The Public Arts Commission has been discussing the possibility of a mural project. Elements of design and theme have not yet been decided on but the Commission members will be talking about the idea with the Public Works Department. Stay tuned for further details.
Veterans Day is being observed on Monday, November 11th. The first Council meeting in November will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at 5:30.