Akeley council OKs $56,631 campground paving pending county sign-off

The Akeley City Council on May 13 approved a $56,631 estimate from Bemidji Bituminous to pave the city campground, but the work is contingent on written confirmation from Hubbard County that no county permit is needed because the road width will not increase. Council member Dan Riggs presented the paving estimate and said county staff told him the project should not require a permit if the road footprint is unchanged.

The decision came after a brief review by Parks lead Dan Riggs and discussion of logistics. Dan Riggs moved to accept the Bemidji Bituminous estimate to be paid from the park fund pending written approval from Hubbard County; Dale Nelson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Brian Hitchcock and Council members Bobbie Wosika and Dale Nelson joined Riggs in the recorded unanimous vote.

Council members also asked maintenance staff to confirm whether previously planned dock repairs had been completed; maintenance lead Reid Watson said dock work remained on his list and that some trees had already been removed. Council asked that any required permissions or written confirmations from Hubbard County be provided to the city before contracting for paving.

The council did not set a firm construction start date at the meeting. The action recorded was an approval of the estimate and funding source (park fund) conditional on receiving written county confirmation. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for the following month, when staff can report back on the county’s written response.