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Board struggles with public access issue CROW WING COUNTY BOARD Senior Reporter Public access to public land was a goal for Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday.
Commissioners reaffirmed their desire to get access either by a cartway, which grants them passage, or other legal means to tax-forfeited land in Long Lake Township. John Sausen, assistant county attorney and Brainerd attorney Virginia Knudson, who represented Long Lake Township homeowners, both argued to stop the cartway plan but for different reasons.
Sausen suggested eminent domain proceedings would give a better guarantee of public access to the acreage that borders Russell Lake. Knudson questioned why the county wanted to pay to upgrade a road for access to a lake she described as a "glorified swamp" and the property as marginal land. A road is there but it is not a large one. The county would pay to maintain a road or a cartway.
The property was once open to public access but when records to confirm its existence as a town road could not be found, the property owners put a gate across to restrict access. Although they granted access to county workers and the DNR to reach 80 acres of nearby state land, general public access is restricted.
Sausen said people hunted on the land in the past but the gate left the county land-locked from access to its tax-forfeited property. Long Lake Township is bound to provide a cartway but is asking for a $20,000 cash bond from the county. Sausen said the township board has an attorney who advised that amount but the township has refused to say what the money will be used for.
Long Lake Township Supervisor Tom Malloy said the town board would rather not get involved. Malloy said in general the money would go for legal fees if the township was sued, administrative costs or appraisal fees.
Land Commissioner Tom Cowell asked for an itemized list for the $20,000. He said the lake was shallow but the public should have the right to go there for a variety of recreational reasons.
Knudson said there were concerns for safety in regard to firearms and how the county would monitor the land's use. Cowell said if problems arise the county will address them along with the DNR.
Sausen asked whether to continue to pursue it and said the $20,000 bond was one reason he was in favor of eminent domain. Commissioners suggested more conversations with the township supervisors and continued work on the cartway.
In other business, the board:
Offered the job of emergency management director with additional work in risk management for the county to John Bowen.
Accepted resignations of Ray Corrella and Melanie Quillin from the Human Rights Commission and is considering adding two at-large positions to allow other interested volunteers to participate.
Heard the nighttime tornado drill was canceled because the law enforcement dispatch center was busy with a report of a possible hostage situation with a suicidal individual that turned out not to be the case.
Agreed to review zoning ordinance amendments at a later date.
Learned the Riverside Drive project is waiting for information from a consultant before scheduling a final public meeting probably in the middle of May with construction expected in August.
Discussed limiting its dog enforcement ordinance to Unorganized Territory and letting the townships fend for themselves. A public hearing will need to be scheduled before changes are made to the county's dog ordinance. The issue is expected before the board in May.
Heard recent wildfires burned about 13 acres of Norway pine stands on county land. Cowell said the county will determine damages and try to collect for them.
RENEE RICHARDSON can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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