By MaryHelen Swanson

Over 120 people wanted to be a police officer in North Branch. Thatís how many applications there were for the newly created police officer position.

City staff whittled the number to eight and then to three for final interviews.

The City Council, Monday night, Oct. 11, approved the hiring of John Conrad, Jr.

Conrad recently completed a tour of service in the US Army where, since fall of 2002, he served in various capacities in the military police both in the United States and overseas.

When he returned to Minnesota he passed the Minnesota Reciprocity Examination which allows him to be licensed as a peace officer in Minnesota.

Conrad has completed all of the necessaries requirements including a background check, physical exam, drug and alcohol testing and now has city council approval.

Conradís shift will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. His hourly wage determined by the 2005 law enforcement labor services contract is $17.18. Money for this position is in the 2005 budget.

Conrad will be on probation for a period of 12 months.

Perhaps the added officer will help with another issue brought up by a resident and a businessman on Aug. 22.

At that time, David Powell and Jack Cole had concerns with the speed of traffic near the intersection of 8th Avenue and Elm Street (near Central Park).

They also had issues with activity in Central Park after curfew.

At that time the two gentlemen asked the city to consider installing crosswalks at the intersection, a four-way stop sign and possibly speed bumps.

The men were told by city staff in August to report any issues at the park concerning large numbers of kids to the police department.
City staff was directed to look into the other issues.

Monday night staff presented a report on the number of accidents recorded at that intersection. There have been six since 2002.
The majority of accidents had no injuries, one fatality occurred, but the driver suffered a heart attack north of the intersection (it was a one-car accident) and in one of two accidents this year one person suffered a broken nose. It was also noted that both vehicles failed to yield at the intersection.

In her explanation of the situation, City Engineer Julie Dresel said crosswalks are usually painted at locations where there is a sidewalk or pathway at both corners of an intersection. There is sidewalk at only on quadrant of this specific intersection. Dresel reminded everyone that the state law requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians attempting to cross at intersections applies whether or not there are painted crosswalks.

The intersection, she went on, does not meet criteria for a four-way stop sign according to the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

The manual, she said, specifically says that stop signs are not to be used for speed control.

A crash problem, she went on, is considered at an intersection with five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period.
She also noted that some studies indicate that crashes tend to increase when multi-way stop signs are erected where not warranted. These are usually rear-end crashes.

As for speed bumps, Dresel said North Branch does not install them on public roadways as they become an issue for snow plowing.
For these and other reasons, Dresel recommended to the council that no changes be made at the intersection at this time.

Councilman Larry Erickson said he had not heard complaints from long-time residents in that neighborhood. He suggested that the new resident living on the corner may not have been aware of the extent of activity at the intersection.

Councilwoman Theresa Furman was a little more hesitant to accept the recommendation from Dresel.

But it appears that at this time, nothing will be done to change the intersection. Currently there are stop signs on the east-west corners of Elm Street.

In other business, the council:

ï Set a public hearing for Nov. 14 on assessments for the 383rd Street improvements. The project area includes the site of the proposed new nursing home west of the freeway behind Tanger Outlet Center. Total costs of the improvements for streets and utilities will be $991,566.40. The benefited owner at this time is Chisago County as a transaction for the sale of Green Acres Country Care Center has not been finalized. The county agreed some ago to pay the assessment. That cost will be $625,000. The remainder of the costs will be paid by the city from trunk fees.

ï Set a public hearing for Nov. 14 on the proposed granting of a business subsidy relating to tax increment financing for the new senior living complex being proposed by Ecumen. Information about this proposed business subsidy are on file at city hall and is available for public inspection.

ï Approved the purchase of video taping equipment for the council chambers, awarding the project to Dascom Systems Group, Inc. for a cost of $12,639. The funds will come from the 2005 General Fund, but will be reimbursed to that fund when cable franchise fees are received by the city in 2006. Two cameras will be installed in the chamber and a feedback eliminator will be included to help with the podium microphone problems.

ï Removed discussion of Luchtís Crossing (Green Acres property) from the agenda at the request of Shade Tree Communities. The issue will be addressed at the October 24 meeting. Shade Tree hopes to have issues settled regarding a proposed housing development at that meeting so they can close on the purchase of the Green Acres property by mid-November.

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