Seal Coating in 2016

In 2014 the city seal coated a number of roadways within Breezy Point.  Seal Coating amounts to the application of a thin layer of oil like tar with a cover coat of rock material.  The thin tar that is applied rejuvenates the asphalt and fills the voids of minor cracking that occurs in asphalt over time.  The rock material covers the tar to prevent slicking and creates a new wear surface.  This effort is something that is accomplished on road surfaces that are in good shape.  Crack seal in also important to be accomplished prior to seal coating.  It is a waste of resources to apply a seal coat to a roadway that has alligator cracking.   

In 2015 we had intentions again to accomplish seal coating but timing did not work out.  We cooperate with Crow Wing County on a joint bid and we did not have the opportunity to accomplish crack sealing in time for seal coat activities.  With funds available in 2015 we’ll combine them with funds in 2016 to do additional seal coating next summer. 

With two years of resources available in 2016 a considerable amount of seal coating is anticipated.  Seal coating is done primarily in neighborhoods and two areas have been selected.  One grouping of roads includes Beverly Drive, Russ Court, Rolling Oaks, East Street and 5^th Avenue.  The other grouping includes Mohican Circle, Eagle Lane, Sparrow Drive, Owl Circle, Canary Lane, Wren Drive, Robin Lane, Osceola Circle and Oriole Circle. 

The city council has approved the seal coating for these roadways so the process begins.  Plans and specifications will be drawn up by Crow Wing County and they will solicit bids.  Roadway maintenance has taken a back seat in terms of effort and expense but there is concern that we need to take care of what we have.  Pavement management is something we’re now thinking about.     

City Hall Campus

With a long vision the city of Breezy Point developed its City Hall, City Park and Public Safety Building with properties that were acquired through outright purchase and Tax Forfeiture lands.  In years past, the city had the ability to acquire Tax Forfeiture property from the county at no cost if used for a governmental purpose.  Governmental purposes included properties used for public buildings, parks and drainage ways as examples. 

At some time past Crow Wing County had determined that the “gift” of tax forfeited properties to governmental agencies was not the right way to go.  Providing them in this manner meant the properties essentially have deed restrictions.  These restrictions were to be kept track of and monitored as the governmental agency could only use them for their intended purposes.  Properties acquired in this manner could not be sold or exchanged.  If the intended purpose was changed, it could result in land going back to the county.  The county had too many of these types of transactions to keep track of.  They decided the properties, if wanted by a governmental body, could be purchased at a fair market value.  This removed the deed restrictions and obligations by the county in the future to monitor these lands.

Regardless of the county policy of disposition of Tax Forfeited property the city had established a goal of acquiring the lots in the area of the City Hall and Public Safety Building.  This goal was articulated in the Comprehensive Plan to acquire properties within the boundaries of North Drive, North Spruce Street, and Co. Rd. 11.  The city has been acquiring lands as they become available and recently Crow Wing County made all Tax Forfeiture property in the area described available for purchase.  A total of ten lots were on the county sale rooster. 

A price was established by the county for these ten properties at $11,700.  This may not seem to be the market value for 10 lots but they are unbuildable due to access or wetlands.  The majority are also small in size.  The city council agreed to the purchase of these properties making significant headway on achieving the goals for property acquisition.  With these, and other purchases this year, the city still has additional lots to acquire.  That number however has shrunk to 12 lots held by private parties.  It is hoped these too will be acquired in time. 

So you may ask what the city will do with these properties.  Our current needs have been met but the area of the City Hall Campus will likely host a larger park containing another ballfield, perhaps additional walking trails, and with time and especially funding the vision would be to someday have a community center.  You start with a dream and someday, with great effort, you hope to accomplish that dream.