Delwayne Hahn
Contributing Writer
Isanti County Parks Director Barry Wendorf presented the proposed Isanti County Trail and Bikeway Master Plan during the April 4 Braham City Council meeting.
He outlined for the council members the existing trail system within the county, including the one “standalone trail” – the Cambridge-Isanti Bike-Walk Trail – as well as other trails in and around the cities of Braham, Cambridge and Isanti.
He went on to trace the history of a trail group that involved Isanti County Public Health, Isanti County Parks, Allina Medical, Cambridge-Isanti Schools, the Outdoor Edge and the Isanti County Highway Department. This group, operating under the label Bike Isanti County Committee, “looked at the opportunities within the county for biking, hiking, snowmobiling, potential ATV use.” He went on to say the group found “very minimal opportunities” for these activities.
Contrasted to these limited opportunities are those in neighboring counties, which are more extensive, Wendorf said, listing examples such as the Sunrise Prairie and Swedish Immigrant Trail in neighboring Chisago County. These discoveries led to the creation of the master plan, which he shared with the council.
The plan arose out of the work of a study by Architectural Resources, a Duluth consulting firm, as well as community stakeholder meetings. The Braham Area School District, city of Braham and Allina Health were part of the stakeholder groups, he said.
In conclusion, he reviewed maps of the existing trails in the county, including the 17 Rice Loop Trail in the Braham area.
During the discussion, Wendorf was pressed for how Braham would be involved in a future bike trail connecting the city with Cambridge.
Feelings of being left out had arisen at last month’s meeting when the request for a $1,000 planning grant from the Parks Department had been considered. At that meeting, a decision to postpone a commitment until Wendorf could appear had been made.
The same concern arose after this presentation. Past feelings and the desire to “see something more solid” were cited, and although there was favorable inclination toward the project as a result of the presentation, some concern was expressed over giving the $1,000.
Isanti County Commissioner Terry Turnquist said the financial request was coming from the Isanti County Parks Department, not the County Board.
However, Turnquist said: “You are definitely going to be part of that plan. So give them the money, don’t give them the money; it’s definitely going to happen. By no means are you guys being forgotten about. It might be a good gesture to show your support, but don’t feel pressured about it.”
The final decision was to grant $500 now to contribute to the planning process with the possibility of giving another $500 when the final plan is presented and shows Braham is included.
City Audit
Mike Burkhardt of Burkhardt and Burkhardt led the council through the 85-page audit of the city’s financial statements.
At the end of his presentation, Burkhardt pronounced the city’s financials in “fine shape” and expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the city’s “good staff” in carrying out his work.
He indicated near the end of his presentation that after doing the city’s audit since 1989, this may be his last, as he hopes to retire from the business he founded. Citing plans to travel next year with a church mission group, he did hold out the possibility that he might be back one more time.
In other news, the council:
• Denied a request from the Kanabec County Historical Society for financial assistance. City Administrator Sally Hoy noted state law prevents making “general donations to historical societies to use at their own discretions.” She further pointed out “cities are allowed to appropriate money for the purpose of commemorating the anniversary of any important or outstanding event on the city’s history.”
• Approved gambling permit applications from the Braham Warriors Wrestling Club for a bingo fundraiser on May 13 and from the Braham Chamber of Commerce for a bingo raffle event in combination with Appreciation Day on June 3. Also approved was a temporary 3.2 beer license for a beer garden by the Braham Fire Department in connection with Appreciation Day.
• Increased the mattress and box spring pickup fee from $25 to $28 for the 2017 Spring Clean Up Days May 12 and May 13. All other fees remain the same.
• Set a special City Council meeting for 4:30 p.m. April 14 for the purpose of hearing from the Braham EDA regarding funding for extending broadband service to the city’s industrial park.
– The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 2.