Posted: 3/10/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
Andersen Corporation and those living in the area of the new industrial facility will be able to take advantage of the new extension of Golden Avenue now that the North Branch City Council has agreed to move forward with the project.
At its March 8 meeting, the council voted unanimously to order the improvements and preparation of specifications and plans for the Ash Street and Golden Avenue project.
The project involves construction of the extension of Golden south (an urban street) of 400th Street to Ash Street.
The city reviewed a feasibility study for the project Feb. 9 and held a public hearing this week.
There was no one from the public speaking to the project.
The city is providing the street access at Golden to the Andersen Corporation and water improvements that go along with it by this fall.
The project includes bituminous surfacing of Golden and Ash, storm sewer, and a bituminous pathway on the north side of Ash and east side of Golden.
Water and sewer improvements will also be made, including a lift station at the wastewater treatment plant.
Estimated cost of the project is $3,980,000, to be funded with state aid monies, trunk water and sewer funds and assessments.
Street and storm sewer for Ash Street will be covered 75 percent by state aid and 25 percent by assessments.
Golden is to be 100 percent assessed for this work.
Trunk funds will be used for oversizing, over depth and collection system for the watermain and sanitary sewer. Trunk funds will be used for the lift station and controls. City properties will also be assessed.
The project should begin this July and be completed by July 31, 2005.
In other business, the council:
ï approved a license variance for Boy Scout Troop 411 to operate a concession stand at Thursday night soccer games for the North Branch Soccer Association from May 27-July 29. The Transient Merchant License needed runs for only 30 days.
The council felt that since the troop was non-profit and a local group, the variance could include the 10 days (for the concession stand) that would run outside of the normal 30-day license. The actual license was also approved;
ï tabled action on water and sewer fees for the development known as Wildridge, west of I-35, until the water commission can be contacted for input into a change in fee structure. It will be addressed at the next regular council meeting;
ï moved to award the bid for garbage hauling to Terryís Disposal at $2,372.76 a year. . Four bids were received;
ï supported a resolution from the League of Minnesota Cities opposing a constitutional amendment limiting state and local spending. City Clerk Bridgitte Konrad noted that such an amendment could have a significant impact on the cityís ability to make local decisions and deal with emergencies or projects that may arise.
The amendment, which is endorsed by the Taxpayers League, would, according to the resolution proposed by the League of Minnesota Cities, institute tax and expenditure limitations at the state, and potentially local level, that could only be overridden by a vote of the people.
Councilman John Pace Jr. said the state shouldnít be sticking its nose in city business and if the people donít like the way the council runs things, they have the power to vote to make a change. Mayor Gloria Karsky also noted that the council is held accountable and is responsible to the citizens rather than to the state.
According to the resolution, tax and expenditure limitations that would ìseverely erode decision-making at the local level and the ability to provide the basic services residents and businesses expect and deserve;î
ï acknowledged the nomination of the city staff by the NB Chamber as Chamber Allstars; and
ï noted that there will be a council worksession at 6 p.m., March 11.
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