BEMIDJI-Following a public hearing and second reading of an ordinance at its last meeting, the Bemidji City Council will decide whether or not to keep Hillside Avenue Southwest closed or not.
The ordinance up for final reading would revoke a previous ordinance the council approved in May. The original ordinance was intended to vacate a portion of Hillside Avenue Southwest. Following the passage of that ordinance, though, the city received objections and requests to reopen the road.
Because of the response, the city brought forward the new ordinance for consideration. During a public hearing at its July 20 meeting, the council heard from citizens both in favor and against the prospect of revoking the street vacation on Hillside.
Following the hearing, Public Services Director and City Engineer Craig Gray said if Hillside were to be reopened, improvements such as adding gravel and mowing shoulders would need to be made. If the city were to keep the vacation in place, additional signage would be put up and the road would then be motor graded and dirt would be added.
After reviewing the details, second reading of the ordinance was approved. On Monday, the council will consider the third and final reading of the ordinance.
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Another ordinance the council is scheduled to discuss Monday would prohibit off-sale liquor stores outside city limits to deliver alcohol into Bemidji.
The ordinance states "intoxicating liquor shall not be transported or be delivered by any means whatsoever by any person, firm or corporation into or within the city of Bemidji except as permitted."
Additionally, the ordinance contains the wording "delivery or transportation of intoxicating liquor by persons, firms or corporations licensed to engage in the sale and delivery of intoxicating liquor at wholesale is hereby allowed and permitted within the city."
Bemidji City Manager Nate Mathews described the ordinance as a way to prevent stores from outside the city limits from delivering in town. The reason for this is the city's two municipal liquor stores.
The liquor delivery ordinance will is scheduled for first reading.
During the consent agenda portion of Monday's meeting, the council will be presented a resolution to enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for a Toward Zero Deaths Campaign. If approved, the Bemidji Police Department would enter into a grant for traffic safety enforcement projects from Oct. 1, 2015-Sept. 30, 2016.
The meeting will be at City Hall and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
