COOK- The Cook City Council took care of a relatively light and routine agenda at its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 16.
Resident Tom Soderberg appeared at the meeting to discuss safety concerns regarding lighting and street signage.
City administrator Theresa Martinson informed the council that in response to a request by Soderberg three street lights are being added on Lund Rd.
“When that street was developed and infrastructure was put in the idea was the road would continue once more homes were built, and now that has happened,” Martinson said. “So I approved three additional lights on Lund Rd. for safety.”
Soderberg also had asked the city to consider putting up speed limit signs on Johnson Rd., but Martinson said that the city does not have the authority to do so, as the road is classified as a county road.
Soderberg suggested that speed limit signs should also be placed on Gopher Rd., as people are unaware that they are in the city of Cook because of the lack of signage. Martinson said that traffic engineers have recommended that that the council should consider signage for the city as a whole rather than look at isolated streets, and recommended that the council’s transportation committee meet in January to review possible needs and options. The council did, however, pass a motion to place a speed limit sign on Gopher Drive.
The crosswalk by the old Cook school crossing Vermilion Dr. is also unmarked, Soderberg noted, and it would be the county’s responsibility for providing appropriate signage and markings.
“The other one that’s up by the tire shop that’s also a county road is marked,” Soderberg said.
The council also discussed possibilities for providing more benches to accommodate pedestrian traffic in the city. It was noted that benches along River St. were provided as part of a beautification grant, and that the city could encounter right-of-way issues in placing benches elsewhere.
The council approved receipt of a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant for new snowblowing equipment for the airport. Under the agreement, the city’s portion of the overall $32,878 expense is only $1,644. The state will match that amount, with the bulk of the funds, $29,590, coming from federal aviation aid. The council also authorized auctioning a 2008 snowblower attachment that is obsolete.
An invoice from SEH for $7,200 for work related to updating the airport zoning ordinance was approved.
Martinson reported that she has submitted an application to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for funding for the proposed housing study for Cook and hopes to hear about that by the end of the month. It is anticipated that the study will kickoff in early 2024.
The council reviewed plans for a community-wide celebration to be held on Sunday, Nov. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cook Community Center, Sunday Fun Day. A luncheon of pulled pork sandwiches, chips, coleslaw and cookies will be served, and free-will offerings will be accepted. The event will feature games, raffles, baskets, and more, and promises fun for the whole family. Funds raised will go to support programming at the community center.
In other business, the council:
• Re-appointed Sharon Ratai as a resident member to the Cook Housing Authority Board.
• Approved license renewals for the Old Muni and Cook VFW.
• Approved compensation of $10.85/hr. for election judges and $11.85/hr. for the election judge supervisor.
• Received an update on the mail-in survey responses for the city council regular meeting time. Martinson noted that responses received thus far are running in favor of changing the meeting time from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. She also reminded council members that the December meeting would start at 6 p.m. as it is the annual Truth-in-Taxation meeting, which is required to be held in the evening.