Two Rivers proposes deck expansion to wrap around building

PRESCOTT – The Aug. 9 Prescott City Council meeting covered topics such as future planning for some local businesses, approving resolutions for vacating portions of some streets downtown and discussion of a future resource for citizens to access frequently asked questions and overlooked ordinances.

The meeting started with the approval of requests from the St. Croix Sailing Club to dock at the courtesy dock overnight and a temporary alcohol permit for St. Joseph’s fall festival in September.

The meeting moved onto approval of planning for the The Great Rivers second addition, a land plat that will serve as a park area for development residents. The addition will have a holding pond and grassy areas for recreation. Lynn Most, owner of The Great Rivers, was present to answer any questions or address concerns from the council.

The next item on the agenda was approval of a concept plan presented by Two Rivers Bar and Grill. The concept lays out an addition that would be added to the building that would serve as a deck area that wraps around the building. Thomas Tomaro and David Gram presented some of the concepts to the council. Gram is the co-owner and construction crew director.

“It’ll be a good-sized project,” Gram said. “We are going to keep everything in theme with everything the city has planned for the riverfront project and it’ll tie in well with what is planned for that and it will still have the lodge theme like we already have.”

There was approval of a resolution to vacate areas and portions along Lake Street, St. Croix Street and Hilton Street that would allow for alterations in the roads to ensure there is compliance and consistency along these streets.

A public hearing will be held on Sept. 27 to approve these resolutions. Property owners will be notified of the alterations and vacation of the properties affected.

“We are vacating only portions of the street where buildings were somehow built onto the street back in the day,” Mayor David Hovel said. “We are just getting any buildings off of our property so it does not block anything.”

The meeting ended after some comments from the board and discussion of new business. Alderperson Bob Daugherty mentioned an ordinance that was relevant to some violations happening currently in town.

“There is an ordinance stating that vehicles for sale in public parking or in the street are not allowed,” Daugherty said. “You can do that in private driveways but not on the public properties.”

Bar closing times were also a topic of discussion. Alderperson Maureen Otwell asked if it was possible to receive regular updates from the police chief about the progress made downtown to lessen and eliminate altercations that were prominent during earlier summer months.

Other board members responded that it sounded as if the bar closing time downtown was not posing any further worries and that keeping the bar close at a later time should not be an issue in the future.

Alderperson Pat Knox brought up the idea of a possible location on the city’s website that would list frequently asked questions and common ordinances that citizens may not be aware of.

“If we have such a thing as a frequently asked questions packet or webpage for new residents to refer to and help them transition,” Knox suggested.

Hovel suggested a new resource on the website that has information pertaining to overlooked ordinances and frequently asked questions for new residents of the city.

The council also welcomed Matt Wolf, the new cityaAdministrator. Wolf briefly introduced himself.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the great city of Prescott and working for you all and the citizens of Prescott and making this a great place to live and work,” Wolf said.

After these points the meeting adjourned and the next regular meeting will be held on Aug. 23.