By MaryHelen Swanson

Residents of North Branch living along 410th Street and in two housing developments that use 410th as an access to County Road 30 were on hand at the Dec. 13 council worksession. The road is gravel and has a hill that, according to the residents, poses safety issues, especially while traveling fast.

While most road projects are assessed back to those living along the road, in a most unusual situation, the council is hearing that people who do not live directly on 410th would be willing to help pay for the paving.

But City Engineer Julie Dresel says according to the Chapter 429 process, only benefiting property owners are assessed. In that instance, "benefitting" means those living along the road.

While the session last Thursday was primarily for the council to discuss issues, they did allow members of the public to speak to the 410th Street issue.

Councilwoman Theresa Furman said she was interested in what they had to say.

The comments ranged from those who thought they had been promised a paved road to those who didn't really want the road paved.

They were, however, almost unanimous in wanting the speed limit lowered.

"Do some studies," said one resident on Greystone Avenue, who also said that taxes should be used to pay for improvements.

"And lower the speed limit."

Dresel reminded them that a speed study had been done by Mn/DOT in 2004 and it was not determined there was a need to lower the speed.

The conditions haven't changed, she said, adding it's unlikely Mn/DOT will changed it now.

Ken Jedneak, a Greystone Ave. resident, noted that he had mailed pictures to the mayor. When it rains, he said, you can't get down the road.

410th is north of town. The new Roger Johnson park is off this road.

Some folks expressed frustration that nothing is done about the condition of the road.

But others along 410th said, "yes" it gets bad but the city does come and take care of it.

That included Gary and Ellen Johnson who live on 410th. They moved there knowing the road was gravel but that was OK with them. Gary Johnson said his secret to getting home each night is to drive 30 mph. Concerning the speed, he asked, what will it be like if it is paved?

He hasn't had a year when his mailbox hasn't been taken out.

The Johnsons said they wouldn't want the cost fully on the residents of 410th as there are not many who live directly on the road.

Mayor Gloria Karsky asked the others filling the seats in the board chambers if they would be willing to help pay for it. They were enthusiastic.

Dresel and City Administrator Brigitte Konrad said they'd have to get legal counsel on whether others, not living on the road, could pay for the improvements.

One man suggested that the fair thing to do is to use the taxes of those living in the developments to pay for the project.

Still, it came back to speed.Some felt there would be speeding whether it was paved or not.

"Can we petition to go to 30 mph?" asked one man.

Mn/DOT has to do the study, Dresel said, they factor in what the people are comfortable driving and physical aspects of the road.

Dresel said state law dictates that Mn/DOT make the decision on speed limit.

She did note that in 2008, the city will be doing a grading project on the hill at the intersection.

At the end of the discussion, Councilor Kathy Blomquist asked how to make it fair to those who want to pay for paving.

Dresel said before those decisions are made the city must talk to its financial consultant and attorney.

As this was just a worksession, no action was taken, but the council did seem agreeable to paving if there was a way to do it.

Konrad said she would seek answers as fast as she can.

It was decided that at the first meeting in January, there would be a resolution to request a speed study.

The council also discussed a sidewalk snow removal policy which was prompted by a letter from David Melby who was upset that businesses in downtown have to clear their own sidewalks while others beyond the two-block area are cleared by the city.

The council also discussion possible cable usage by the public including city video equipment.They also ideas discussed options or using cable franchise funds for communication improvements.

Suggestions included upgrading the sound system in the council chambers, replacing the community billboard at the intersection of Main Street and Forest Blvd., replacing the banner behind the council table to say North Branch so cable viewers would know right away what they were watching, installing a projector screen in the chambers, purchasing a document camera, and providing each councilor with a laptop computer.

The cost of these items would be around $19,000 and would be paid from cable franchise fees. There is currently over $41,500 in the fund, with 2008 projected revenue of $27,000.