The Gary Sinise Foundation will be providing protective equipment for the Two Harbors Fire Department. Actor Gary Sinise, (Forrest Gump, Of Mice And Men, The Green Mile) established the Foundation in 2011 with the goal of honoring and supporting veterans, first responders and their families. The Foundation provides help for first responders that includes funding for critical training and equipment. In addition, the Foundation lends help to severely injured first responders by providing them with home modifications, mobility devices and adapted vehicles. The Two Harbors Fire Department will be receiving $18,838 worth of protective gear that will help keep our firefighters safe when they are on the job.
The Public Works Department has recommended that the City Yard Waste facility be temporarily closed due to the fact that people have been dumping material that the facility is not equipped to process. The site is meant to handle grass clippings, leaves and tree branches less than three inches across. Unwanted debris that has been found at the site includes large diameter tree branches, discarded concrete and other refuse. This has been an ongoing problem at the facility, and last year it cost the City $12,000 to chip unauthorized tree branches. Possible solutions that are being discussed include building a reinforced fencing system or the installation of security cameras and hiring a full time yard attendant.
After much discussion, the Council voted against the construction of a noise barrier that MnDOT has proposed for the south side of Highway 61 as part of the Highway 61 improvement project. The proposed barrier would have stretched from 4th Street, east to the northerly edge of the Burlington Bay Campground. The Council also voted to authorize city administrative staff and the City Attorney to develop documents necessary to move forward with the next steps for a proposed multi-family housing complex. There is very high need for such a development in Two Harbors and City Staff are eager to work with Vision, Inc. to move the project forward.
Finally, the Council approved a proposal for the City Administrator to enter into a contract with Eocene Environmental Group for an updated Urban Forest Management Plan. Eocene will be developing a plan to ensure the health and stewardship of trees throughout the city including a comprehensive approach to dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer problem.
The next Two Harbors Council meeting is scheduled for July 14th at 5:30 PM.
