A Nevis area resident's request for a groomed walkway on the Heartland Trail this winter is facing a roadblock.
Eddie Adrain, who resides on Boulder Lake, came before the Nevis Council this week to request city maintenance personnel assistance, if he can acquire funding through the DNR.
The council gave tentative approval, but David Schotzko, DNR Trails and Waterways supervisor, contacted after the meeting, said, "safety issues throw up a red flag."
Additionally, he said, no funding is available. Money for trail grooming and other costs are realized through license fees. "It's a fund integrity issue."
In winters past, when the alternate trail becomes rough, he said snowmobilers move to the asphalt trail, creating issues for pedestrians - "especially at night."
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Schotzko said Thursday he will be looking at the trail proposal, "but I see too many concern."
At Monday's meeting, maintenance supervisor Don Umthun said estimating costs for plowing two miles with a pickup is "really tough." Initially, it would require an hour or two, but by March, or when the trail drifts shut, the task would become arduous - and time consuming.
"The DNR got on our case about riding a lawnmower on the trail," he said. "I don't know if they would allow a truck." And the plow would likely damage the trail surface, he noted.
In other action, the council:
-Agreed to investigate a water runoff issue on Evergreen Court at the request of homeowner Angela Otterness.
Umthun suggested seeking an excavator's opinion on the matter.
Poor engineering caused the problem, mayor Ray Melander said. "She has a legitimate complaint with the city and we need to get this straightened out.
"This was a first attempt (in Nevis) to put together a subdivision," Melander said. "It was a learning experience." In the future, the city, as opposed to the developer, will hire an engineer.
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-Reported liquor store earnings of negative $809 in October, $37,966 year to date. This amount is up $5,319 for the same period in 2007.
As has been procedure for the past 18 years, the council endorsed the pool league at the liquor store.
-Will solicit sealed bids for repossessed vehicles.
-Reviewed deputy Jeff Stacey's summary of activities.
Stacey visited businesses and facilities within the city and surrounding area, each given a form to complete on location and emergency contacts. These will go into a database organized by address.
"Eggers were apprehended on Halloween," he reported of "locating a suspect in an egging vehicle."
-Endorsed national designation of the Lake Country Scenic Byway.
