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|  Members of the Crosslake Fire Department with retiring firefighter Scott Johnson at the Crosslake City Council meeting on Monday, November 13. - photo submitted Johnson Honored as Retiring FirefighterWeb posted November 21, 2023 By Nancy Vogt, reprinted courtesy of the Echo Journal Retired firefighter Scott Johnson was recognized at the Monday, Nov. 13, regular Crosslake City Council meeting. Johnson, who retired as of Sept. 1 with 22 years of service, held positions as firefighter, captain and fire apparatus operator. He served as a lead engineer for many years. CR 3/66 Roundabout project Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Tim Bray talked to the council about a cost-share agreement between the city and county for the County State Aid Highways 3 and 66 roundabout and pedestrian and stormwater improvements project planned in 2024. A preliminary estimated final cost to the city for construction, contingency and engineering, minus $363,938 in a grant benefit, is $630,269. Mainly, Bray wanted to ensure the council understood how costs would be shared. Costs will still be refined and won’t be finalized until bids are received. While a detour can’t be avoided for this project, Bray said they’d do everything they can to mitigate the impact to the city and businesses. Public safety The council learned police reported 356 incidents in Crosslake and 95 in Mission Township in October. Crosslake activity included 164 traffic warnings, 30 traffic citations, one traffic arrest, three suspicious vehicles, two suspicious people, four suspicious activity complaints, one theft, three property damage accidents, 42 emergency medical services calls and one fire. Mission Township activity included 62 traffic warnings, 18 traffic citations and one each suspicious vehicle and property damage accident reports. Crosslake police reported 17 agency assists. The fire report listed 51 incidents, including 33 EMS calls and two building fires (mutual aid). The council agreed to support Ideal Township’s efforts to improve its transfer station. The township will seek a grant from Sourcewell’s Community Impact Fund. In other business Monday, the council: • Agreed to seek an engineering proposal from Bolton & Menk engineering firm for road improvements for year one of a five-year plan. This plan includes chipsealing 11.5 miles of city roads and doing mill and overlay on 2.6 miles of roads. • Accepted the resignation of Seth Wannebo as heavy equipment/ wastewater operator effective Nov. 20. The city will advertise to fill the vacancy. • Agreed to hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, to discuss what direction the city should take regarding a short-term rental ordinance. Currently, the city adopted Crow Wing County’s ordinance. • Agreed to set police Chief Jake Maier’s salary at $89,000 through 2024, and Sgt. Tony Marks’ hourly wage at $35.73 through 2023. Marks’ wage will increase to $37.51 per hour Jan. 1, 2024. • Agreed to have Alex Kuhn, of Breen & Person law firm, act as city attorney until the council appoints an attorney. • Agreed to add an entrance to the parking lot off Swann Drive in Crosslake Town Square at the request of Jim Anderson, of Crosswoods Development. • Named two unnamed roads - Sylva Lane and Retriever Road. Tabled a public hearing for the city to vacate the road right of way of Trout Beach on part of Manhattan Point Boulevard to get more information. Several people spoke against the request during the hearing. • Accepted the following donations: $11,832 from the Parks and Library Foundation for Pine River Overlook Park; $614 from the PAL Foundation for benches; $949 from the Crosslake Firefighters Relief Association for a refrigerator for the fire hall apparatus bay; $500 from B. Zahn for the fire department; $100 anonymously for the dog waste station; and $25 from Maureen Novak for the library. • Denied Warren Stock’s request for the city to maintain Island View Lane, but agreed to install “children at play” signs.  Scott Johnson
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