Advertisement

Marquette Council gives go-ahead for emergency evacuation route survey

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its Feb. 14 regular meeting, the Marquette Council gave Bart Nies, with Delta 3 Engineering, the go-ahead to perform a survey for an emergency evacuation route off the bench.

The council considered two possible routes that would go over the bluff and come out in McGregor, near Eagle Drive. The route would be gravel and used strictly for emergencies. One option would forge a new road through city property and another, using an already existing road, would travel through both city and private property.

The first option, Nies said, would be a bit shorter. Option ‘B,’ while longer, is better situated for constructability, since it’s already established, he noted.

Mayor Larry Breuer favored the second option, as it’s still utilized by recreational enthusiasts and has more development potential. He said he’s spoken with the property owner, who has given his blessing for the route. In fact, said Breuer, a route would be beneficial to the property owner, who, he intimated, has future development plans, such as housing or a hotel.

“I think we should take serious consideration and work with the property owner,” Breuer said. “There would be more of an option to get money back to the city.”

The council wasn’t on-board with the idea, however. Without the private property owner in attendance or providing documentation of his thoughts, going with that route would be risky, said councilwoman Cindy Halvorson.

“The council has never spoken to his gentleman,” she said. “There are just too many variables.”

“‘B’ is a wildcard,” agreed councilwoman Pam Brodie-Fitzgerald, who called the possible housing development or hotel “someday options. We need to get this done now. ‘A’ goes through land we already own. Everyone’s walked it, and we know where the culverts and switchbacks are.”

Breuer brought up the idea of surveying both, but the council declined, not wanting to incur additional costs.

“It doesn’t mean we can’t do something down the road,” Brodie-Fitzgerald said of option ‘B.’

Nies said the survey will be performed as soon as possible, before the leaves are on the trees.

No wake buoys

The council discussed the continued cost of putting in, then taking out, the “no wake zone” buoys each year.

“It’s not cheap,” said city manager Denise Schneider, who noted that, over a 5.5-year period, the labor of taking the buoys in and out cost $9,870.

“It can be dangerous,” said Jason Sullivan, the city’s public works director. “Each weighs 300 to 400 pounds. You need a crane on a boat.”

Sullivan said the city’s buoys are also in disrepair. Of an original 13, only two or three are currently salvageable, he explained.

Breuer said not having buoys is not an option, as the city doesn’t want to be held liable if an incident occurs. Councilman Steve Eagle agreed.

“If you’re a boater, that ‘no wake zone’ is priceless,” he said. “Even with it, there’s still enough wake it can be an issue.”

The council agreed it would be a good idea to discuss possible solutions and funding options with the casino this spring.

Cable franchise fees

Schneider said residents with service through Mediacom or Alpine may have been wrongfully charged cable franchise fees since at least 2013. The city never approved or officially authorized the franchise fees, she stated, adding that she has not found any communication or documentation. 

The council gave city attorney Dan Key the go-ahead to send letters to the cable providers in order to learn more about the situation.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet