Eagle River council discusses Elm Drive stump dump options and proposed three-way stop after nearby crash

City staff told the Common Council that misuse of the Elm Drive stump dump and expanded access to Town of Lincoln residents has increased the drain on DPW resources. Administrator Robin Ginner recommended closing the site to private use and offered an alternative — purchasing a dumpster to place at the DPW shop for City resident yard-waste disposal — but acknowledged logistical and accessibility concerns raised by DPW Foreman Brad Adamovich and others. Council took no action and directed staff to continue investigating options.

Ginner also presented a safety request following a Jan. 20 accident involving a Trees for Tomorrow employee attempting to exit near Sheridan and Silver Lake Road. She listed limited visibility, higher pedestrian and bicycle traffic following a recently installed sidewalk, trailer traffic to the T-docks and quarry truck traffic as safety concerns prompting consideration of a three-way stop at that intersection.

Police Chief Tyler Salvinski cautioned that "stop signs don't stop speeding" and recommended increased speed-enforcement in the area. Councilmember Jerry Burkett asked for a formal request from Trees for Tomorrow and suggested contacting residents near the proposed stop for input; Councilmember Kim Schaffer said groundwork and enforcement planning should precede signage changes. Several council members agreed to revisit the proposal at the March meeting with additional information.

No ordinance or traffic-control device was approved at the Feb. 10 meeting; staff were asked to gather constituent feedback and report back.