Herald Journal,
June 9, 2003
Winsted council likes 4-way stop, but county would have to agree
By Julie Yurek
A four-way stop at Main Avenue West and McLeod County Road 1 is something the Winsted City Council discussed Tuesday.
However, the idea is only just that an idea.
"I would like to see a four-way stop there," said council member Tom Ollig at Tuesday's meeting.
"I'd like to see it 30 miles per hour through town," said Mayor Don Guggemos.
There are certain times of the day where it is very difficult to get onto County Road 1 from Main Avenue, Guggemos said.
The city will be meeting soon with the McLeod County commissioners to discuss a four-way stop, 30 miles per hour speed limit on County Road 1, turn lanes on County Road 1 at intersections, and signage along Highway 7 indicating where Winsted is, Guggemos said.
Resident Aaron Kubasch submitted a petition of 50 signatures in support of a four-way stop at the proposed intersection to the council.
"It probably won't help us with the county, but it shows how important it is to the people," Guggemos said.
Police Chief Mike Henrich informed the council where he feels turn lanes should be present. He mentioned eight intersections that should have turn lanes.
He also included a passing lane at the intersection of County Road 1 and Linden Avenue West, however, the road would need to be widened, he said.
He did bring the matter to the county not so long ago, he said, but his request was turned down.
Police fees
The council approved a fee schedule that Henrich submitted for the police department that would charge for such items or services such as accident and police reports, breath tests, fingerprinting for jobs, and driving records.
Henrich also proposed charging residents and businesses for excessive false alarms.
There are some alarms that officers are responding to regularly, Henrich said, which may mean overtime pay.
Usually a city allows two to three false alarms before charges start, Henrich said. "There is a learning curve when people first get these systems."
No set fee was established. City Administrator Brent Mareck, Henrich, and Fire Chief Chuck Kirby will meet to discuss where to draw the line in the number of times called to a false alarm and fees. Ollig suggested Mareck look into what other cities do for this issue.
Other fees include:
Accident reports
. . . $5/copy, 25 cents/addt'l sheets
Police reports
. . . $5/copy, 25 cents/addt'l sheets
Video tape copies
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 per tape
Audio tape copies
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 per tape
Fingerprinting for jobs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 per card
Breath test for alcohol
. . . $5 per test at police department
. . . . $10 per test at person's home
Driving records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 per check
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