City emergency services and the public works department have expressed concern with the area, City Engineer Julie Dresel told the city council Monday night, because parked cars are creating a bottleneck on the relatively narrow boulevard. There s increasing traffic on Maple Street, she explained. The existing street section does not allow for parking along the street and safe passage for emergency vehicles. Off-street parking is available for businesses and apartment dwellers in the area and serves satisfactorily, she said. The council agreed to move forward on a plan for an updated Central Park basketball court.
Plans call for replacement of the court and existing fence, with additional sidewalks to be added.
The council approved Buetow and Associates, St. Paul, to research potential cost estimates for a new fire hall structure in North Branch. By design, all pertinent information concerning a new fire hall will be compiled and formally presented to the public prior to a November 7 referendum vote, City Administrator John Moosey said. Details on the proposed structure will be made available in order to provide our residents an opportunity to make an informed decision in November according to Moosey.