Mayor says hello

• Randy Bolen

Two Harbors Mayor Randy Bolen and council member Seth McDonald spoke with a resident Thursday during the mayor’s first of monthly “Community Night” one-on-one sessions in his office at city hall. Matt Suoja

Talk about it

The first Mayor’s Community Night, where Two Harbors residents can meet with elected officials, took place Thursday. Seven people showed up to talk with Mayor Randy Bolen and council members Seth McDonald and Steve Detlefsen. Residents signed in and met individually with the city leaders from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

When asked about the one-on-one sessions versus and open forum, Bolen said he spoke with mayors throughout the region and heard that both styles were used. He said residents would be more apt to speak freely in his office at city hall. “It’s not as intimidating,” Bolen said.

Questions were fielded about the deer hunt, utilities, street repair, and the golf course, Bolen said. Plans are to have the mayor and rotating council members at each monthly meeting.

“[I want to] make sure they are a part of the conversation,” Bolen said.

Meetings are scheduled 4:30-7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at city hall.

Golf course

A revamped website for Lakeview National Golf Course is up and running at www.lakeviewnationalgolfcourse.com. According to the site, the official opening day for play is today.

THEDA

Council member Seth McDonald, a member of the Two Harbors Economic Development Authority, made a motion to take away the $50 paid to the group’s members per meeting at Monday’s council meeting. He said it eats too much into the $10,000 budget. He received support for the motion from other THEDA members. The motion passed Monday with some council members dissenting.

Bolen recommended paying the members less rather than not paying them at all. He said THEDA is a big committee that is important to the community for economic development.

“[There’s] always the option to not accept it,” Detlefsen said of the pay.

Public affairs

The Two Harbors Public Affairs Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. Monday to discuss a new parking ordinance.

At previous meetings, council members discussed establishing commercial areas where people can park on both sides of the street, having daily calendar parking (odd days park on odd number side and vice-versa), having a sign when people come into town about how parking works, and no boulevard parking unless you live in certain areas of the city where there is no other option.

The in-city bow hunt is also expected to be discussed.

Labor negotiations

There will be a special meeting of the city council at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers at city hall to talk with Bill Sample, the city’s labor relations consultant, to consider ratifying union contracts for city workers. The city has budgeted no raise for workers.

Tags: two harbors, news, golf, money