Nevis City Council considers ATV signage

The Nevis City Council on May 9 picked up last month’s discussion of street signs reminding ATV users of state law and city code about operating within city limits.

Council member Sue Gray said she considered these rules in light of citizen complaints in the North Street area and suggested signage reminding the public that ATVs:

• may not be operated in the city between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. except to drive home.
• must abide by the posted speed limit – 20 mph on residential streets.
• must keep to the extreme right of the street.
• must have standard equipment, such as headlights, tail lights, brakes and a dead man’s throttle.

She also suggested including a reminder that violations are a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $250.
Planning commissioner Emily Whitaker suggested adding that minors on ATVs must wear helmets.

As council members debated where to place the signs, City Administrator Dawn Veit reminded the council that citizens specifically requested signs on North Street and near the disc golf course at 7th Avenue and Pleasant St.

Mayor Jeanne Thompson suggested posting reminders of ATV rules in the newspaper, noting that signs are expensive.

Council member Teresa Leshovsky questioned whether the violators are campsite visitors, and Veit suggested mailing a letter to resorters, but Whitaker verified that the target audience is not resorters but “the public.”

Council member Blair Reuther suggested formatting the signs similar to the DNR trail signs in the Paul Bunyan State Forest.

The council tabled discussion of the signs until next month.

The council approved the purchase of temporary fencing to enclose the municipal liquor store’s beer garden during seasonal events.

Muni manager Erin Rhoades was not present at the meeting, but had submitted two price quotes and recommended the less expensive option – 30 six-foot wide by three-foot high sections of temporary picket fence for a total of $869.

Council member Katie Rittgers made a motion to purchase additional panels up to a $1,000 limit, including delivery. The motion passed unanimously.

Reuther asked why the liquor store has been paying Arvig more than $500 per month for internet service. Veit said this was because there have to be separate internet lines for the off-sale and on-sale point-of-sale systems, the bar and the Firepersons’ Relief Association’s pulltab sales.

In consent items and general business, the council:

• Tabled a resolution submitted by Heidi Gustafson to apply for a $125,000, 50:50 grant from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Corporation (MASC) to build a skatepark in the city, since Gustafson was not present to answer questions about the request. Veit said Gustafson told her that if she is unable to raise the funds for the city’s match, she will refund the grant and try again for another year. Thompson wanted to know how the MASC would feel if this happened, and said she doesn’t like taking their money and not using it if it is wanted elsewhere.
• Approved a variance requested by Cindy Kaumans, owner of Cindy Lou’s Restaurant, allowing a seasonal deck to be placed in the parking area on the north side of the building. The deck is to have a 6 foot setback from the alley and be removed each year by Oct. 15. Gray, who also sits on the city’s planning and zoning commission, said that if the property is sold, the variance will go with the property.
• Approved a one-year renewal of the city’s coverage with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). Agent Brian Hein with First National Insurance Services in Walker presented a summary of the city’s coverage and advised the council and staff to notify the LMCIT of changes, including new property and higher replacement costs. 
• Approved financial reports for April, showing general fund receipts totaling $574 and disbursements totaling $26,975, and liquor store receipts totaling $63,168 and disbursements totaling $66,759.

The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 13 at city hall.