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Councilmembers raise concerns about visible junk on city entry corridors; city addresses malfunctioning Hawk pedestrian signal
Summary
Council Member Dale Helms urged a citywide cleanup to address junk vehicles and debris; staff said nuisance authority and notices could be used. Separately, staff reported a malfunctioning Hawk pedestrian signal on Bigland that has been turned off and referred to MnDOT for inspection.
At the April 28 work session, Council Member Dale Helms urged the city to pursue a visible cleanup of entry corridors and public rights-of-way, citing unlicensed or junk vehicles and debris that make some entrances “look like a dump.” Helms asked whether enforcement or a public outreach effort with possible fines was feasible; staff said they would drive the routes Helms identified, review specific properties and can use nuisance notices where authority exists.
Later in the meeting Mr. Stordahl reported a recurring issue with a Hawk pedestrian signal on the south end of town at Bigland that had been intermittently flashing. Staff temporarily turned the signal off, placed pedestrian signs in traffic lanes and contacted the Minnesota Department of Transportation to inspect; MnDOT did not provide a firm timeline. Mr. Stordahl said staff will also consult police for possible increased presence during busy periods.
Why it matters: visible blight can affect perceptions of public safety and property values; a malfunctioning pedestrian signal is a traffic-safety issue that the city has temporarily mitigated while arranging inspection.
Next steps: staff will inspect properties flagged by council, pursue nuisance notices when warranted, and coordinate with MnDOT on the Hawk signal repair.
