Town Crier - April 16th City Council Meeting

The regular City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16th to accommodate the Blandin Leadership Graduation in Winsted. The meeting will begin with a discussion of private docks on city property. This issue is the most relevant along Kingsley Street, where the city owns the property on the east side of the street out to Winsted Lake. The city is aware of at least three (3) individuals that make use of this property for dock access into the lake.

The issue for the city revolves around a court case where an individual jumped off a private dock on city property and ended up becoming severely injured. The individual sued the city for damages and won. The city’s insurance company is recommending the following should the city want to allow private docks on city property:

1. The dock owner should agree in writing to defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless for claims arising out of the existence of the dock.
2. The dock owner should carry adequate insurance, in the amount specified by the Minnesota State Statutes, and the policy relating to the dock should name the City as “an additional insured.” A certificate of insurance would be required to be presented to the city each year.
3. The dock owner should maintain the dock to certain specifications as outlined in the agreement or permit.
4. The dock owner should install warning signs in English and Universal symbols indicating “NO SWIMMING” and “NO DIVING” and/or “PRIVATE DOCK—KEEP OFF.”

The City Council will review the following possible solutions:

A) Create an ordinance that establishes a dock inspection program, so that the city may be able to enforce the above criteria. A fee would most likely be established for the administration of the ordinance.
B) Don’t allow any private docks on city property.
C) Other

In another matter, the City Council will consider setting a public hearing to authorize Living Services Foundation (St. Mary’s Care Center) to issue health care facilities revenue bonds. St. Mary’s is planning a comprehensive upgrade to their facilities as well as an 8,000 sq. ft. expansion project to accommodate a new medical clinic to be operated by Ridgeview Medical Center-Winsted Clinic.

The City Council will also review bids for the 2008 airport improvement project and lawn mowing services. In addition, Waste Management will present a quarterly report to the City Council.

The Winsted City Council will meet to discuss these items at their meeting on Wednesday, April 16th at 6 p.m. in the Winsted City Hall Council Chambers. If you need more information on an issue, call City Hall and ask for the City Staff Report (not all agenda items have a corresponding report) which will provide you with background and financial information on the topic. Meetings are broadcasted live on Winsted Channel 10 at 6 p.m. and replayed on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at
10 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

The “Town Crier” is created using the preliminary agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. For a complete listing of all agenda items please visit www.winsted.mn.us or pick an agenda up at City Hall.