Bicycle enthusiasts began an initiative to make Two Harbors an official Bike Friendly City back in 2015. Such efforts, when adopted by a city, mean that city planners establish well connected and marked bicycling routes through their municipalities, including things like designated bike lanes and shared use trails that are regularly maintained.
Two Harbors City Planner Justin Otsea and Lake County Community Health Educator and SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) coordinator LaReesa Sandretsky presented the City Council with a proposal to locate bike racks in 10 priority areas throughout the city. Sandretsky indicated that funding for the racks will come from a grant that she has secured for this purpose. The racks will be designed in a way that will include a uniform color scheme and will have the city’s name on them. In addition, Otsea and Sandretsky proposed that bike routes in the city be designated as such and that city administrators consider bicycle accessibility as the city looks at expanding its portion of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. The Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal.
City Engineer Joe Rhein updated the Council on the archeological review that has been done on the site of the new municipal liquor store. The onsite field work has been completed with no findings of archeological artifacts. The State Historical Preservation Office will be reviewing the assembled data and it is hoped that ground will be broken for the liquor store in October.
The Public Affairs Commission is exploring the issue of cannabis use in public areas and will be working with the Edna G. Commission and other stakeholders to coordinate design and implementation of plans for the city waterfront area.
The Council is considering how to manage a proposed goose hunt at the city airport. City Attorney Timothy Costley stated that the city must have insurance to cover such an event and that MNDOT will need to give approval to the plan. There are a number of issues that need to be considered and Council members will be considering appropriate ways to handle the hunt should the plan move forward.
Area businesses that sell alcoholic beverages need to be renewing their liquor licenses. The Council approved the renewal of various licenses for 18 area businesses, contingent on completed application packets and approval of the Chief of Police.
Finally, Amber Koenig was appointed to the Two Harbors Library Board.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for September 11th at 6:00.
