Two Harbors Committee Of The Whole & City Council Meeting ;May 22, 2023
Keith Larson of the Lake County Veterans Memorial Association presented a proposal for a Public Veterans Memorial to be built near the city’s waterfront. The primary purpose of the memorial is “to remember and honor all our Lake County military veterans who have served our country and the families who have supported them throughout the years”. Larson asked the council to consider donating or leasing the land near the site of the Edna G. for construction of the memorial. Bolton & Menk provided architectural renderings for the proposed memorial.
If approved, the Lake County Veterans Memorial Association will start fundraising for the project.
The Memorial Association is a non-profit organization and Larson indicated that the city would not bear any expense for the construction of the memorial. The memorial would include six granite stones for each branch of the service with appropriate service seals and service flags on 25 foot poles. There will be space for wreath laying ceremonies and an American flag will fly above the memorial on a 35 foot pole. The memorial will make a nice gathering spot as the city considers making other improvements to the waterfront.
Former council member Miles Woodruff was appointed to the Edna G. Commission at Monday night’s council meeting. Woodruff served on the Edna G. Commission and on other committees during his eight year tenure as a council member. He will serve a four year term.
Good news from Saint Paul! The $11 million funding bill for the Highway 61 project has passed both the House and Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk. Several council members noted the efforts of Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Natalie Zeleznikar for pushing this bill.
Council authorized the purchase of a 2023 International CV515 truck with an 11 foot contractor dump body to replace a 1997 Chevy 1-ton truck. The new truck will cost around $96,000 and is available from a local dealer. This is good news for the Public Works Department as supply chain issues continue to impact the availability, by up to two years, of heavy duty equipment.
The Council also accepted two recommendations of the Finance and Budget Committee authorizing monies for the 2023 Neighborhood Revitalization Mini-Grant program in the amount of $12,000 and $40,000 to the City Housing Redevelopment Authority.
Finally, the Council accepted a recommendation from the Utilities Committee to call a special meeting for the purpose of considering a request by John Luepke, of Serene Quarters, for permission to connect gas, water and sewer lines to the property he is developing on East Stanley Road. That meeting will be held on May 30th at 5:00 at City Hall.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for June 12th at 6:00 p.m.
