Voices raised before parking rule is passed

At what was expected to be an uneventful hearing for a new countywide parking ordinance Monday, more than 20 people gave opinions, often straying from the details of the ordinance to complaints of trespassing, confrontation, and fear surrounding activities associated with Enbridge Line 3 pipeline protests.

The Carlton County committee of the whole moved on the parking ordinance May 4 for consideration without discussion. The Monday hearing had plenty of it. In the end, the board passed the ordinance with little fanfare, compared to the hearing before it acted.

Many of the comments centered around Magney Drive, a narrow road near Big Lake that is adjacent to Camp Migizi, the hub of pipeline protest activities in the Cloquet area. Pipeline protesters are using the side of the road to park while they are staying at the camp, private property owned by local resident Taysha Martineau.

Residents in the area have complained the road is unsafe for cars and school buses because of numerous vehicles parked on the side of the narrow roadway. Perch Lake Township, which has jurisdiction over Magney Drive, passed an ordinance this spring to allow for the posting of no-parking signs, along with the ability to tow vehicles.

Township supervisor Steve Olson said at the monthly meeting in March that he had requested signs from the county for Magney Drive. The response from the county asked how the township would enforce parking restrictions. Olson forwarded the township’s draft of a right-of-way ordinance to county attorney Lauri Ketola, who said the proposed ordinance would allow for the posting of signs and enforcement through the sheriff’s office or the Fond du Lac police.

After the meeting Monday, Ketola said the now countywide ordinance reflects concerns in the camp area and across the county. She said projects such as the pipeline and the coming water pipeline project in the Minnesota Highway 210 corridor require the free movement of large vehicles.

She said it was her job to make sure the county passed an ordinance that was “accurate” and “defensible.”

The worry around the protest area brought parking issues “to light” but the ordinance has a “broader application,” she said.

Martineau said the group at Camp Migizi is working on putting a road and parking on her property, but is hampered by a lack of funding. After the meeting, she made a plea on the camp’s social media channels for help in clearing room for vehicles.

Sheriff Kelly Lake said the ordinance is tailored after several in other Minnesota counties. She noted that Aitkin County has had one in place since 1978 and has not had to enforce it.

County commissioner Gary Peterson said the ordinance was open to wide interpretation and asked what would stop a disgruntled neighbor from complaining about a graduation party, auction sale, or a family gathering where excess parking fills the sides of the roadway.

Commissioner Dick Brenner said the ordinance can be examined and refined at any time by the board.

Ketola said enforcement could not be implemented until the county engineer ordered the area posted with signs. The ordinance won’t go into effect until it is legally posted in county newspapers. Ketola said she expects signs to first go up in construction project areas.

She reiterated on Wednesday the goal is public safety and not a “limit on free speech” coming from the camp. She said the hearing showed some heat from the public about the protest camp, but most people there supported the legality of the ordinance, including Martineau. She said she was happy about the discussion Monday. She expected some feedback from protestors, but said she was grateful to also hear from residents who spoke out about their issues with cars along roadways.

In other county news:

• The board passed a resolution ending pandemic restrictions for county activities as of May 31. Masks are not required and room capacity has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Meetings will still be streamed for public informational needs.

• About a half-dozen people who live by the Brookston Road complained about its condition. The gravel portion is scheduled to be upgraded and paved next year. Washboard stretches, speeding, and clouds of dust are a concern.

Commissioner Brenner later in the week said the highway department had inspected the road and has plans to add gravel, grade, and water this summer.

This spring, frost was slow to leave the roadbed, adding to its woeful condition. There is also a well drilling project and pipe installation adding to heavy traffic. Semi-trailers often use the road to avoid the scales at U.S. Highway 2 and Minnesota Highway 33.

• A Carlton County resolution defining county board authority beyond the power of the U.S. Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution was passed unanimously. It states that the board will not get involved in partisan political matters that do not have a direct effect on the budget, policies, ordinances or laws of Carlton County. As an example, no proclamations or resolutions will be issued for matters of political or ideological intent.