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| 2 on FL Council try roundabout end-run |
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| Wednesday, 15 July 2009 | |
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Jennifer Larson Staff Writer Mayor Stev Stegner and Forest Lake City Councilwoman Jackie McNamara have been steadfast in their opposition against a roundabout at Lake Street (US-61) and Broadway Avenue (CR-2). And at Monday night’s regular council meeting, the two tried to put the kibosh to the project at the downtown intersection. They were successful as a motion to approve supplemental agreements for engineering died without a majority support. Council members Jim Dufour and Susan Young favored moving ahead with the work totaling $102,900, while McNamara and Stegner did not. The scope of services include $25,300 for landscape and irrigation design for the roundabout, $53,550 for improvements to the sidewalk, street lighting and utilities on Lake St. In addition, $9,450 surveying to describe easements for land acquisition as well as $14,600 for relocation coordination of Xcel Energy facilities. Young said that a majority of the council has approved the project so it is not killed. She suggested Bonestroo, the city’s engineering firm, continue as the design is 30 percent complete. McNamara said the council should reconsider how traffic should be handled at that intersection. City Administrator Chip Robinson said it is difficult to forge ahead without approval of the supplemental agreements. Although Councilman Bo Bogotty was absent, his ability to vote was called into question. Stegner believes there is a significant conflict of interest because Bogotty is proprietor of Average Joe’s, a newly opened restaurant and bar downtown. The establishment will be operated by Bogotty, his wife Vicky, and a partner. The building is owned by Forest Lake-based Gaughan Companies, a real estate brokerage firm. It is the mayor’s opinion the new traffic plan and parking give direct benefit to Bogotty’s business. In addition, Stegner says the councilman has the chance to vote on the roundabout plan that takes property from other land owners while keeping his business in tact. “I don’t think his business interest creates a conflict that he can’t vote,” said City Attorney Dave Hebert. However, Stegner asked Hebert for a legal opinion in writing to be presented at the next council meeting slated for Monday, July 27 at 7 p.m. In other news: •The council awarded the lowest of three bids for the 2009 seal coat project to Asphalt Surface Technologies in the amount of $121,166. •The council accepted the donation of a large wetland parcel in the northwest portion of the city adjacent to Bixby Park near US-8. Located on the property is the storm water treatment pond for the Faircrest development. By bringing the property under the city’s control, both the treatment system and wetland complexes contained on it will be protected. •The council agreed to give the county two nominees for one open manager position to the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District. McNamara abstained from the vote as her husband was nominated for consideration. Wayne Moe, Scandia, and Richard McNamara, Forest Lake, will be included on the lists of nominees submitted by municipalities that are wholly or partially in the watershed district. •The council granted an outdoor entertainment permit to Paulette Smith, 1007 SE 12th Ave., to hold an event from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 18. The event is a family reunion. Social Bookmarking ...       |
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