Brainerd City Council: Steps taken to share the road

In the wake of a crash between a vehicle and bicyclist, a city of Brainerd committee is asking the city to take steps to improve bicycle safety in the city.

On the evening of May 23, Troy Thompson, 40, was crossing Oak Street on a motorized bicycle from the Cenex gas station near the intersection with Ninth Street with his dog when he was hit by a westbound 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Kerri Nord, 50, Nisswa.

City Engineer Jeff Hulsether reported the crash has spurred members of the city's Walkable Bikeable Committee to improve bicycle safety by painting sharrows on signed bike lanes throughout the city.

The city's engineering department evaluated the city's bicycle corridors and determined the routes under city jurisdiction encompass about 100 blocks of streets. The standard marking spacing is two per block on each side of the street, or to mark the city's system, about 400 symbols.

The council unanimously approved a motion to spend up to $500 from the traffic control budget to purchase paint required to mark sharrows on the streets in the city's jurisdiction. Council member Kelly Bevans said crews are currently out painting crosswalks in the city and will finish that task before painting the sharrows. They will begin painting the sharrows by the middle or end of July, he said. City Engineer Jeff Hulsether said $500 will purchase enough paint to paint all the sharrow symbols.

According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, shared lane markings, or sharrows, are used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. The sharrow is used in combination with a variety of uses to support a complete bikeway network.

"It is not a facility type and should not be considered a substitute for bike lanes, cycle tracks, or other separation treatments where these types of facilities are otherwise warranted or space permits," NACTO reported.

The bicycle routes under Crow Wing County jurisdiction would need to be approved by the county and may need to be painted by the county. The sharrow markings are a little more than 3 feet wide by a little more than 9 feet long.

In other business, the council:

Learned the South Sixth Street reconstruction project, scheduled to begin in spring of 2017, has been pushed back to the spring of 2018. The city had been approached by the Minnesota Department of Transportation about pushing back the start date, which the city agreed to.

Adopted a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

Accepted with regret the resignation of paid on-call firefighter Kevin Tengwall, effective June 30. He has served more than 21 years with the Brainerd Fire Department.

Approved conditional job offers to Erik Flowers, Nick Haglin and Steve Isle for the position of paid on-call firefighter. Job offers are subject to successful completion of various pre-employment checks.

Accepted with regret the resignation of Brainerd Police Sergeant Joy Larson, effective July 5. Larson has worked for the department for a little more than 12 years. Council member Mary Koep noted Larson will be "greatly missed."

Authorized the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission to establish a new sergeant eligibility list, for a recommendation to promote a police officer to sergeant at the Aug. 1 city council meeting. The council also authorized the commission to certify the next three names on the current police officer eligibility list, in order to replace the officer who will be promoted to sergeant.

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Approved a new contractor license for Ron-Son Contracting Inc., Ramsey.

Received a written report from Fire Chief Tim Holmes on the fire department's activity for the month of May. The department fielded 41 calls for service during the month, with 10 of those calls canceled enroute. Of those 41 calls, 23 were within the city of Brainerd.

Approved a lawful gambling application submitted by the Mission Township Firefighters Relief Association for a raffle on Aug. 13 at the Eagles Club, 124 Front St.

Approved a quote from Anderson Brothers Construction for concrete work and placement of the rain garden in Lum Park for a total cost of $5,887.

Adopted the city of Brainerd-Crow Wing County and city of Pine River Public Transit Operating Policy.

Approved a street closure request from the Brainerd Jaycees for the annual Street Fest on July 29-30. The event will close portions of Front, Laurel, South Seventh and South Ninth streets in downtown Brainerd during the event.

Approved a contractor payment to Short Elliott Hendrickson for the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport utility extension project in the amount of $64,194.

Approved a contractor payment to Hy-Tec Construction for the Memorial Park restrooms project in the amount of $77,041.

Approved a contractor payment to Northwoods Landscaping for maintenance in downtown Brainerd in the amount of $2,375.

Adopted an ordinance annexing two parcels at 11427 Easy St. from Oak Lawn Township into the city of Brainerd. The property owners, Robert and Andrea Marohn, had submitted an annexation request. The council also held a public hearing and final reading of the ordinance.

Held the first reading of proposed ordinance No. 1452, which amends Brainerd City Code Section 421 relating to the Uniform Fire Code. The amended code provides for an appeal process for someone billed by the fire department for fire services.

Called for citizen applicants for the Cable TV Advisory Committee, Rental Dwelling Board of Appeals and Walkable Bikeable City Committee.

SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett .