Centerville Tidbits
Businesses, Residents Ask For Speed Study
The paint on Main Street is still fresh, but local businesses and residents have already asked the City of Centerville to request that a speed study be conducted along CSAH 14 from Centerville Road to I-35E. A letter signed by five business owners stated that they believe speeds through the area should be reduced to 35 mph to enhance safety and promote business.
City Administrator Dallas Larson told council members at their Sept. 16 meeting that the request, if made, would be forwarded by Anoka County on to MnDOT, and “may have unintended consequences.”
Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers advised that before the council took action, those individuals in favor of the study acknowledge that the speed study request could result in an increase in the speed limit and “cause them greater grief than they have now.”
One council member added, “Perhaps a better thing would be to instruct the Centennial Lakes Police Department to actively enforce the speed limit.”
Council requested Larson to send a letter addressing the issue to businesses and residents on the area of Main Street currently signed at 45 mph. Council also requested that a speed trailer be placed on westbound Main Street on a temporary basis.
In other action, the council:
• Listened to a presentation by resident Hatim Quamhieh, who represented a number of residents regarding alleged damage done to Clearwater Drive during recent construction activity. City Engineer Mark Statz will research the issue.
• Heard a presentation by Cub Scout Lucas Nelson of Pack 432, who invited residents to consider decorating the city for the holidays with wreaths and swags, the sale of which will support local scouting activities.
• Received the monthly police report from CLPD Sgt. Pat Aldrich, who stated that speeds are down in the park [reserve].” The placement of a speed reduction warning sign near the Peltier Lake Boat Landing was the subject of concern by City Attorney Kurt Glaser, who recommended that it be moved to give drivers ample warning of the change in speed limit. It was relocated by Anoka County over a month ago.
• Awarded the sale of $2,475,000 in General Obligation Improvement Crossover Refunding Bonds. The sale effectively refinances Series 2006A, resulting in what Northland Securities’ George Eilertson described as a significant savings to the taxpayers of Centerville— partially brought about, he said, by the city’s “fantastic” bond rating. The bond term was also shortened by four years. Wells Fargo Brokerage Services was the low bidder at a true interest cost of 2.722%, resulting in a net debt service reduction of $263,561.
• Approved an interfund loan from the Sanitary Sewer fund in the amount of $360,440 to reimburse the 2006 Municipal Improvement Fund for the purchase of excess property acquired as a result of the 21st Avenue/Backage Road Improvement. Only a portion of the property was used for the road, and until the property is sold, City Administrator Dallas Larson said, it is more appropriate to finance the purchase of the remainder of the property from city fund balances.
• Adopted an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for H1N1.
• Declined to take action on a request by Forest Lake Contracting (FLC) for a contract time extension due to swamp deposits.
• Voted to approve FLC’s pay requests for the Peltier Lake Drive and 2009 Street Improvement Projects in the amounts of $105,522.67 and $49,017.61, respectively.
• Agreed to support Mayor Mary Capra’s suggestion to use up to $1,000 in Economic Development Authority funds to hold a city-wide “Good Turn” food drive to benefit the Centennial Food Shelf or Second Harvest. Capra suggested that donations made to places of business in the city would qualify residents to win Cougar Cash and increase business traffic. If area businesses support the drive, the event will likely be held in mid-November, possibly in conjunction with a health fair.
• Scheduled a special work session for Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. to review the city budget and letters of interest for the council vacancy (story Page 1).