Council discusses plowing, generators

Talk about it

At Monday’s Two Harbors City Council Meeting, councilors were concerned about a move by the DNR to leave the Agate Bay area unplowed in the winter.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the State of Minnesota took the snow plowing line out of a contract with the city to maintain the area.

The new Agate Bay public access boat launch was opened in June, but the area has long been used for many outdoor recreation activities.

The breakwall is a popular walking route often combined with the Two Harbors Lake Walk and the view of the two ore docks is an iconic one of the town for tourists and residents. Ice and winter fishing is popular in the area and it is a necessary boat launch for rescue squads in the event of an emergency.

In 2006, a man from Big Lake fell off one of the ore docks visible from the breakwall and into the water. Rescue teams had to launch from Agate Bay to reach the site quickly, Mayor Randy Bolen said at the meeting.

The council didn’t make a final decision but may look into negotiating with the DNR.

The councilors also discussed a new back-up generator for the city and the possible benefits of a sand filtration system in the wastewater treatment plant to take care of mercury.

Tags: two harbors city council, news