Video cameras on the way

Talk about it

The Two Harbors City Council met in its chambers Monday, Oct. 8. All councilors were present but Simonson and Detlefson.

Police Department updates

The Two Harbors Police Department has received bids for a video surveillance system to be installed in key areas around town. The department reported that it will be better able to keep an eye on places like the breakwater, the band shell and the skate park where there have been incidences of vandalism. The equipment will be purchased with forfeiture funds received by the department.

For some crimes, including drug offenses and DWI, the property of a convicted offender may be subject to forfeiture. In drug-related crimes, that money may be used to advance local crime prevention efforts or other projects.

The police department will send an officer to Drug Abuse Resistance Education training. The Lake County School District will fund the $6,800 DARE program for the schools.

Chief Kevin Ruberg reported that 10 deer have been harvested in Two Harbors in the city’s bow hunt—six fewer than last year. There have been no complaints or problems reported by hunters or residents related to the hunt.

Wrangling over utility poles

The city of Two Harbors is attempting to determine the ownership of 20 utility poles, City Attorney Steve Overom said. There have been ownership questions raised by Frontier Communications, which owns some of the poles around town. The county-wide broadband project has seen some delays due the disputes since wires must be strung along the poles.

Some of the documentation that would clarify the issue dates back to 1926, but efforts are being made to resolve the matter quickly. The council is aiming toward a two-week resolution date so that work on the broadband project can move forward smoothly.

Minnesota Street Rod Association Fall Campout

Gary Ojard and members of the Minnesota Street Rod Association reported to the council that their three-day event generated an estimated $250,000 in revenues for local businesses.

The group has received many favorable comments from attendees who enjoyed the weekend and the community. The MSRA expects that word will spread about next year’s Fall Campout and it will encourage more people to head to the North Shore for the festivities.

Carmody 61 Opens

The City of Two Harbors, Republic Bank, the State of Minnesota, and Carmody 61 collaborated to make the October opening of the new food and beverage establishment possible. Monies owed by Legends’ business owner created a tangle in Carmody’s plan to purchase the restaurant equipment left in the building. Both the City of Two Harbors and Republic Bank had security interest in the equipment and the State of Minnesota had placed a tax lien on the building’s contents as well. The parties were able to broker a deal with Repubic Bank forgiving a substantial amount of the monies owed, the state of Minnesota releasing its lien and the City of Two Harbors negotiating an agreement to forgive the remaining debt—half if Carmody 61 stays in business for a year, and the other half if it remains for two years. The deal was seen as a win/win for Two Harbors and for Carmody 61.

Tags: two harbors, news