In the city council meeting of March 10, the council held a public hearing for the street reconstruction project, at which 15 concerned residents made their voices heard regarding the project.

Public Hearing for Street Reconstruction

The process for the street reconstruction project began in 2019, but due to COVID-19 has been postponed until this year. Layne Otteson, city engineer, addressed reasons for the project on streets around the lakes, showing images of cracked pavement, soil erosion, and narrow streets.

Mayor Paul Knier proceeded to open the public hearing, and many residents had statements to make. Otteson had two anonymous letters to present, but anonymity is not allowed during a public hearing or an open forum, so they were not read. Besides the two unread letters, 15 residents spoke or wrote to the council regarding the project. All the residents had various concerns, and the council and engineer responded to most of them. For the sake of brevity, the two main issues will be discussed here, but a recording of the meeting is available on the city’s website for anyone who wishes to view the whole public hearing.

Many residents expressed concerns over losing the ability to park on the road on Powell St. N, the section north of Glenwood Ave. Otteson acknowledged that this was a mistake on his part. He said the plans were presented to the public in a way that was obvious to him, the engineer, that parking would be available in a few “bump-out” areas but not along the street in general, but he failed to make that clear to the public. The plan allows for 16 of these parking spaces, but more could potentially be added before plans are finalized.

The other major concern from residents was regarding widening Highland Ave. in preparation to eventually make it a through street. Residents were against this both because this would cut slightly into their yardage (even though the area is in the street’s right-of-way and technically controlled by the city) and because of the increased traffic on the road if it were to become a through street. There is already a lot of traffic on Lakeshore Dr., and to add a development behind Highland would only create more traffic. Council member Ken Halvorson said that it was essentially inevitable that Highland become a through street, since the city cannot keep the property owner from developing, and therefore it made sense to increase the road size now while construction is being performed anyway, saving money. He also said only three feet would be taken from either side of the road in order to make it 26 feet.

Big Lake Food Shelf Update

Sandy McClurg, director of the Big Lake Food Shelf, gave the annual presentation for the food shelf. All families in the area are eligible to receive food once per month, though families who come more often are not turned away. In 2019, the food shelf started offering “Freebie Fridays” in order to distribute perishables, rather than throwing them away. Now 100 families per week are being served by this program. Last year, the “Mobile Food Shelf” program began, serving elderly residents and others with mobility difficulties.

The food shelf “rescues” many pounds of food every month that stores would normally throw away, foods that are beyond their “best by” date but are still safe to consume.

The council proclaimed that March be named “Minnesota Food Share Month” in Big Lake.

Big Lake Public Library Update

Jeanette Burkhardt, director of the Big Lake and Becker branches of the Great River Regional Library, gave her annual presentation for the library to the council. In the last year, the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) suffered from being shut down due to COVID-19. After March, the library began to offer take-home projects for kids, rather than have events in the library, along with other creative ways to offer services to families that were virtual or socially distant, such as the story stroll and the kids and teens reading challenge over the summer. 

When the library was once again allowed to open, books were quarantined for three days after return to ensure they were safe for the next patron. Curbside pickup was made available was well.

GRRL is currently raising money to be able to continue to offer take-home crafts and activity kits. Their goal is to raise $500. To donate, patrons should stop by the library and request information on donating to the “Locally Growin’” event.

BLFD Monthly report

The Big Lake Fire Dept. received 25 calls for service in the month of February, trending upwards from last year. The department trained in search and rescue in February, and have been training with ladders this month. The training is currently taking place at a house that was donated to the fire dept. Chief Seth Hansen said he hopes the department will soon be able to have a live burn in the old building, so firefighters can practice for an emergency situation. 

Chief Hansen reminded citizens that conditions are dry at the moment, though he hoped the rain would help the situation. Regardless, conditions are right for wildfires, and he asked residents to avoid burning at this time.

BLPD Monthly Report

The Big Lake Police Dept. had 869 calls for service in February, with 17 total arrests. 

The department created parking passes for Lakeside Park, including for vehicle only and for vehicle/trailer.

Officer Tim Mickelson is a certified car seat technician. Individuals interested in having their car seats inspected can email him at TMikelson@BigLakePolice.com.

Student Liaison Monthly Report

School start times will change for the next school year. The curriculum will also be changing, with a larger focus on mental and emotional health. Secondary students returned to in-person learning March 18, for the first time this school year. Big Lake Online has become an official online school, and it offers different class options such as career-oriented courses and AP classes. The school is planning to have a normal prom and graduation this year, so long as COVID-19 numbers continue to drop.

Administrator’s Report

The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership is looking for responses to an online survey regarding area development over the next few decades. Anyone interested in taking the survey can access it at bit.ly/FW2030_Round2.

The city continues to work with the developer for Meadowview Estates.

Planning Commission

There was a public hearing on rezoning. The commission also discussed the new apartment building coming to Marketplace Dr. 

Economic Development 

EDA continues to work on rebranding the city. They are creating a process to give small loans to area businesses, which should be ready within the next month or two. 

Consent Agenda

In one motion for the consent agenda, the council:

• Approved minutes, claims;

• Prepared for annual Recycle Day, which will be held May 15;

• Appointed election judges for the April 13 special election;

• Approved liquor license renewals for several Big Lake businesses;

• Appointed Kristi DeCamillis to the Parks Advisory Committee;

• Agreed to purchase two Ford Explorers for the police department after a previous order for two Chevy Tahoes fell through;

• Appointed Matt Hayen as acting police chief while Chief Joel Scharf is out on medical leave;

• Approved a variance for Powell St. reconstruction.