14th Street hearing goes quietly

A public hearing regarding the 14th Street improvement project got only one public comment during Tuesday's Cloquet City Council meeting, despite the fact that some residents don't like county plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 14th Street.

Those folks were in the minority, said SEH project engineer Dan Hinzmann during a presentation Tuesday. Because the project uses state aid funding, he said the state would have required an intersection improvement there over the next 20 years. Given a choice between a signal and a roundabout, public input was "somewhat resoundingly" in favor of the roundabout.

The sole comment was simply a request that if the intersection with Washington Avenue is closed, that workers put detour signs up "before Stanley Avenue."

While the county remakes the roadway, including a wide multi-use pathway along the east side of the road from Washington Avenue to Cloquet Avenue, the city will be replacing the aging utilities underneath the street.

Assistant city engineer John Anderson said the bulk of the water and sewer lines are 70 to 90 years old and near the end of their lifespan. Made of cast iron and clay, some are even in danger of collapse, which would mean expensive emergency repairs.

The estimated cost of the city utility projects is just over $2.4 million, with the bulk of that to be paid through sales tax dollars, plus an estimated $656,000 in assessments to adjacent property owners.

Because the hearing was held virtually, the council tabled its vote on the utilities part of the project until its Oct. 20 meeting to give residents time to submit comments via email or phone. To comment, email [email protected] or call 218-879-3347.

If the council approves the project, bids would be awarded in January, with Phase 1 construction beginning in May. Find the PowerPoint online at http://www.cloquetmn.gov or stop by City Hall.

Also Tuesday:

• Councilors said OK to the city staff working toward a new sales tax bill that would pay the costs of improvements to Pine Valley park, including both hockey arenas, the ski jumps, trails for mountain biking, Nordic skiing, running and the chalet at an estimated cost of $8.3 million. The state legislature now requires such sales tax requests to have a regional impact, and the city and others are working to get regional park status for the woodland park, which features one of two remaining ski jump complexes in the Northland. The legislature would have to approve the sales tax first, then local voters. Peterson said it will likely take years to pass the bill, but staff want to get it introduced before the legislature convenes in 2021.

• Councilors approved a list of 15 new election judges for the General Election on Nov. 3. The city had to find additional judges as many longtime, older judges elected not to work this year because of Covid-19 health risks. The pandemic has also created additional election judge duties.