TRAFFIC AND CONSTRUCTION

Shared-use trail construction project along Division Street to start June 23

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:00:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — A joint construction project between Bemidji and Beltrami County that will construct a shared-use trail along Division Street W is set to begin on Monday, June 23.

The Beltrami County engineering department expects work to be complete by August 15, a release said.

The shared-use trail will be located on the south side of the road and will be located between Bemidji High �� and the intersection of Division Street W and Jefferson Avenue.

The project will feature partial road closures and shoulder closures, but the road will remain open to traffic.

Residents are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and to find an alternative route to avoid potential delays, the release said.

This is a joint project since Division Street W is also County State Aid Highway 7, managed by Beltrami County.

For more information about this project, contact the Beltrami County Highway Department at (218) 333-8173.

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Irvine Avenue NW road construction project set to begin June 9

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 16:42:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Beltrami County is set to start a road construction project along Irvine Avenue NW between Northern Township and Turtle River Township on Monday, June 9.

The project will begin at the intersection of Irvine Avenue NW and Townhall Road NW and continue to Turtle River Township. It will include blacktop asphalt overlay and operations along road shoulders.

The project area will remain open to traffic; however, the Beltrami County Highway Department is urging people to find an alternate route to avoid delays.

"Expect ongoing construction activities, including partial lane closures and a one-lane road with flaggers," a release said. "Beltrami County Highway Department urges motorists to slow down and use caution when traveling in work zones."

The county expects the project to be complete by Friday, June 27.

For more information regarding the project, one can contact the BCHD at (218) 333-8173.

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Resolution to file petition to annex approved by the Bemidji City Council

TJ Rhodes — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:26:57 GMT

BEMIDJI — On Monday, the Bemidji City Council passed a resolution to file a petition with the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings to annex a portion of Northern Township following a closed session.

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Click the image above to view the full PDF document.

Bemidji's decision follows a string of events, the most recent of which saw the Northern Township board approve a motion to file its petition to incorporate with the state during a May 12 meeting.

Northern Township's proposed wastewater treatment project plays a role in the city's decision as well.

Bemidji's resolution states that the city feels the incorporation of Northern Township would fix boundaries and prevent the city from growing or serving the area in the future.

The resolution also mentions that the city has invested millions of dollars to handle area growth and meet environmental standards, including work at the wastewater and water treatment facilities.

Because of this, Bemidji feels the Northern Township proposed wastewater facility is a "unnecessary and wasteful" duplication of services and that it is better served to provide municipal sanitary, sewer and water services for township properties along the Lake Bemidji shoreline

Bemidji will file its annexation petition no sooner than May 22, after Northern Township files its incorporation petition. Once both petitions are filed, the state will pair the two together and make one ruling for the area.

Either Northern Township will become a city and permanently set its boundaries, allowing the construction of the proposed wastewater facility, or Bemidji will be granted permission to annex a portion of Northern Township along the Lake Bemidji shoreline, preventing incorporation and the wastewater project.

A decision will be made within one year following the initial petition filing.

Following the resolution, the council approved a motion to appoint Mayor Jorge Prince, Ward 4 Councilor Emelie Rivera and At-Large Councilor Audrey Thayer as liaisons for any future discussions with Northern Township. Ward 3 Councilor Mark Dickinson was chosen as an alternate.

City manager evaluation

On May 12, the council held an impromptu meeting for a non-annual evaluation of City Manager Rich Spiczka. The council chose to wait one week before taking any action deemed necessary from the evaluation.

During Monday's regular meeting, the council revisited the topic and Prince summarized the evaluation.

"The city council chose to conduct a non-annual performance evaluation of City Manager Richard Spiczka," he began. "City Manager Spiczka is doing an effective job and is a good fit for the city. He's doing well with the communities he was supposed to. His temperament and composure facilitate strong leadership. He's improving the culture and stabilization and proficiency in handling the overall management of the city. He can improve on and be better and more timely and consistent in communications and responses, follow through on city council priorities and updates to the city council.

"Goals include being dedicated to service to the community, finding efficiencies and service in the budget and connectivity within all areas of the city and community. The mayor and city council are grateful to have Rich in this position, and thank Rich for his hard work on behalf of the city."

Following the summary, the council approved a step scale pay increase for Spiczka. His salary will incrementally increase over a time frame approved by the council. The specific amount and percentage of increase were not clarified during the meeting. The motion passed 5-1, with Rivera voting against. Ward 1 Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould was absent due to illness.

Then, the council approved to alter Spiczka's contract to extend his severance package from four to six months. This motion passed 4-2, with Rivera and Thayer as the two dissenting votes. Neither expounded on their reasoning for voting against.

The council also discussed altering Spiczka's contract to add an evaluation or check-in every six months as opposed to the one annual evaluation, but did not move forward with the motion.

Spiczka did not comment on the motions during the meeting.

All �� Reunion

The council received a special event permit request for the Bemidji All �� Reunion in July, but did not initially approve it. Instead, the council held a discussion to hear recommendations from City Engineer Sam Anderson and Police Chief Mike Mastin that would alter the event.

Anderson requested that the event utilize street signage, which would direct traffic around closed streets.

Mastin requested that event organizers sign a contract with the Bemidji Police Department to hire two dedicated police officers for event safety.

In the past, the All �� Reunion has worked with the police department, so the recommendation was not unfounded.

The event is working with a private organization to provide event security. Event volunteers noted that this is cheaper, while providing more bodies than the recommended two. They also expressed a fear that a contracted city officer would leave the event if an emergency happened elsewhere.

Mastin countered that if necessity arose, hired security would not have the authority to use force, detain or arrest anyone. He then stated that a contract with the police department would ensure two officers would be at the event for the contracted hours, unless an emergency called for all officers on hand.

Dickinson asked if the department would be at the event regardless. Mastin answered that police may be there, either as spectators or via a routine patrol, but the contract guarantees their presence.

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson spoke in favor of not requiring either recommendation to ensure the event continues without an additional or unplanned expense.

"This whole event, it's happened going on 30 years; we've had it 15 times successfully, without issue, historically, from what I've known," Peterson said. "I'm glad we really emphasize that these are recommendations, not requirements, because if they were requirements, they should be in the ordinance, and they should be directed in policy."

Ward 5 Councilor Lynn Eaton agreed with Peterson's comments and added that the council could hold a future conversation to discuss whether or not the police department should be in attendance for events that include alcohol.

Peterson also questioned if the department could handle the extra work since there is a shortage of officers. Mastin followed that the department cannot force officers to work overtime, but would figure it out.

Eventually, Prince was able to find a compromise. This requires contracted services with the Bemidji Police Department following Mastin's recommendations, but alters the hours served to save the event money.

Peterson made the motion to approve the event permit with the listed alterations.

Road reconstruction project

The council also approved a bid from Reierson Construction Inc. at $4,351,818 for the Middle �� Drive NW and Hannah Avenue NW reconstruction project.

This was initially the city's portion of the Trunk Highway 197 road reconstruction project in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. However, the project was split during a March 10 council meeting due to a federal funding freeze.

This project will begin on Monday, July 7, and will take place throughout two construction seasons, concluding in September 2026. The first construction season will focus on a stretch of Middle �� Drive NW, including the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Middle �� Drive NW and 23rd Street NW.

The project has not changed much since it was reevaluated in March; however, there is one new detail.

Otter Tail Power Company will now construct light poles along two streets in need, including Conifer Avenue NW and a portion of Hannah Avenue NW. Otter Tail expects to have new light poles installed by the end of 2025, but cannot guarantee the timeline. Thus, the poles could be operational by the end of 2025 or 2026.

The council will next meet for a work session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at City Hall to accommodate Memorial Day. All meetings can be viewed on the city website.

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Park Avenue NW construction set to begin May 12

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 09 May 2025 20:13:21 GMT

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji and Reierson Construction, Inc. will begin the Park Avenue NW Improvements Project on Monday, May 12.

The project will focus on the portion of Park Avenue from 15th Street NW to 23rd Street NW. Normal working hours for the project will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and some Saturdays.

A majority of the project area will remain passable to residents living inside the construction zone throughout the project, but roads will be closed to thru traffic. Local traffic will be detoured on adjacent streets.

The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2025, weather permitting. Any questions concerning the project should be directed to the City of Bemidji Engineering Department at (218) 333-1850.

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Bemidji street renewal project set to begin May 9

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 07 May 2025 14:56:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — A street renewal project is set to begin on Friday, May 9, along various streets in Bemidji. The city will work with Sparky's Construction Inc. and will have five main construction sites within city limits.

Streets included are:

Hannah Avenue NW between 30th Street NW and Anne Street NW. Norton Avenue NW between 12th Street NW and 15th Street NW. 14th Street NW from Norton Avenue NW to Delton Avenue NW. The entirety of Taft Avenue NE. Mill Street NE between Taft Avenue NE and Lake Avenue NE.

Working hours for the project will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work will take place on some Saturdays but no Sundays. The project is expected to be completed in September 2025, weather dependent.

The construction sites will be closed to through traffic and detours will be in place. However, the majority of the project area will be passable to the residents who live within the construction sites.

Those with questions can contact the Bemidji Engineering Department at (218) 333-1850.

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Bemidji Solid Waste Transfer Station now under construction until November

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:52:11 GMT

BEMIDJI—Construction for needed site improvements has begun at the Bemidji Solid Waste Transfer Station, located at 751 Industrial Park Drive SE.

Drivers must exercise caution and patience as additional construction crews, heavy equipment and increased vehicle traffic surround the site.

"To enhance safety and efficiency, stay focused while navigating the transfer station and plan your unloading in advance," a release said. "Scrap metal is located before entering the building at an outside drop-off area. All recyclables are in a designated area followed by household waste and non-burnable debris."

Residents should expect and plan for longer wait times. The release recommends that residents consider using a commercial hauler for household waste while construction is happening.

Construction is expected to last through November. Beltrami County Solid Waste anticipates the site will remain fully operational during this time but expects temporary drive-thru lane closures. The after-hours land will be open during closures, but special waste disposal will not be available during closures.

Announcements regarding the site will continue to be made available to the public via the Beltrami County website.

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Bemidji declares 'Week of the Young Child,' approves 1st step of light pole project

TJ Rhodes — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:46:27 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji City Council declared April 5 to April 11 the "Week of the Young Child" during Monday's meeting. Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative board members attended the meeting to witness the proclamation, which was read by Mayor Jorge Prince.

“Be it resolved that the city of Bemidji does hereby proclaim April 5 through 11 as the Week of the Young Child,” Prince said while reading the proclamation, “and commits to investments that stabilize, sustain and support child care and early learning so this essential workforce can continue to support children, families and our economy.”

The proclamation mentions the importance of child care and learning programs to help bolster future generations. This states that early childhood educators are important in guiding children in the right direction and that these educators need to be able to earn a professional wage as essential employees.

Light pole replacement project

The council also approved the first step in a light pole replacement project for the decorative light poles located at the Mississippi River bridge and the adjacent area. The project is necessary as the original light poles, installed in the early 2000s, were made of carbon steel and have deteriorated at the base due to Minnesota Department of Transportation snow maintenance and chlorides. They are now at risk of falling over.

The city has already replaced 17 poles and removed six last year due to fears that they would topple over.

Now, the engineering department estimates there is around $500,000 worth of grant funding available through MnDOT State Aid to replace each with a standard cobra-style light pole as the funding will not cover the city's current decorative style.

This includes 63 decorative light poles within the MnDOT Highway 197 corridor between Second Street NW and First Street E. Funding may only cover light poles within the MnDOT right of way, meaning the city may need to pay for seven to eight poles.

Funding is not available until July. This gives the city time to scout and plan the project before it receives bids. If replacement poles are received quickly, the project could commence in early fall. But if there is a delay, the project will likely wait until next spring, doing all the work in one go. The engineering department will scout the remaining light poles and remove any that are at risk of falling if the project waits until 2026.

Replacement light poles can include banner brackets and electrical outlets to allow the city to continue the usage of banners and decorative lights.

The council approved a professional services agreement with EAPC for $11,500 to provide project drawings and additional details with bidding assistance when the time comes.

Council action

Also during the meeting, the council approved a consultant service contract with the Baker Tilly Advisory Group LP to conduct a compensation study. City Manager Rich Spiczka explained that cities typically do this type of study every five to seven years; Bemidji's last was in 2018.

A job classification/compensation study aims to help develop a pay scale as an effective recruitment and retention tool, address position duties and responsibility changes, address changes in city issues and service level complexities, present pay comparisons, provide union contract negotiation supporting documentation, address organizational structure changes and determine pay equity compliance.

The study can also highlight unique challenges Bemidji faces, including tax-exempt property and related funding challenges, lower valued homes and water well field issues, among others.

Contracted services will cost the city $49,600.

The council also approved a downtown tree removal and replacement project. This continues Bemidji Parks and Recreation's work from 2023 to remove certain trees that have grown too large downtown.

It will be done in two phases. Phase one will remove two trees along Beltrami Avenue NW. The first is located in front of the Cool Threads and 218 Real Estate building and the second is in front of Hard Times. Phase two will also take place along Beltrami Avenue NW, extending to Minnesota Avenue.

The tree project will begin mid to late April, depending on the weather. Work includes concrete flat work, curbing, paver installation and stump grinding. The total estimated cost is $46,546.54.

The council also amended the professional service agreement to the Middle �� Drive NW and Hannah Avenue NW road construction projects. These projects will begin later this year and conclude next year as part of the large-scale State Highway 197 road construction project that was slowed due to a federal funding freeze.

This amendment will cost $97,150 as additional consultant costs accrued due to a few different factors listed by the city engineering department via the council agenda packet. The amendment is financially covered by the state aid construction account.

The council will next meet for a planning board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at City Hall. All meetings can be viewed on the city website.

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2 road projects discussed and finalized by Bemidji City Council

TJ Rhodes — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:25:04 GMT

BEMIDJI — The first new road project of 2025, introduced in January, was approved by the Bemidji City Council during its Monday meeting.

This features the reconstruction of around .9 miles of city road including Hannah Avenue NW, Norton Avenue NW, 14th Street NW, Taft Avenue NE and Mill Street NE.

The project bid was awarded to Sparky's Construction Inc. for $1,303,170.47, under the $1.5 million budget and much under the $1.7 million January estimate.

Construction will begin by May 12, weather permitting, and should conclude by September.

Highway 197 project update

The council also approved a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the consent agenda, which finalized plans discussed at a March 10 work session to alter the State Highway 197 project that recently faced a setback after an $18 million RAISE grant was placed on a federal freeze with no timetable for recovery.

The new plan sees the city use an IIJA Discretionary Match grant of $5.2 million to start its portion of the project. Work along Middle �� Avenue NW will kick off this year and work along Hannah Avenue NW will follow next year.

MnDOT's portion of the project, including the construction of three roundabouts along Highway 197, cannot take place without the RAISE grant.

Thus, the MOU ensures the city still intends to do the project in conjunction with MnDOT.

If the RAISE grant is reinstated, the project will resume without worry. If it is not reinstated, the MOU ensures the city will work with MnDOT to fund the project together. Due to the freeze, it is likely that this project will not break ground until 2027 at the earliest.

The MOU will expire on March 17, 2035, though a MOU is not legally binding.

Council action

The council also approved a DNR Local Trails Connection Grant application for the Cameron Park Trail Access Project. The grant will permit the construction of .21 miles of paved trail alongside Birchmont Drive into Cameron Park, granting pedestrian and bicycle access.

Council was initially weary of the project, believing it might interfere with a popular hill used for sledding. But after hearing the hill would not be affected, the council motioned to approve. There is no guarantee the city will be awarded the grant.

The council approved a few different parking agreements. One simply slates Middle �� Avenue NW and Hannah Avenue NW as no-parking zones to prepare for each road's upcoming construction in the Highway 197 project.

Another assigns Hannah Avenue NW as a detour for the Highway 197 portion of the reconstruction project — again, this portion will likely not begin until 2027. The city will receive a lump sum payment of $105,889 through this motion and will use said funds toward the 2025 road project approved during Monday's meeting.

Finally, the council approved a motion to switch a portion of Park Avenue NW between 23rd Street NW and 15th Street NW to calendar parking to prepare for a different road project. This project will narrow Park Avenue NW and add a sidewalk on the east side. It is estimated to begin in May but has yet to be officially approved. This project was discussed during the Jan. 6 meeting and had a public hearing in February.

The council will next meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, at City Hall for a work session. All meetings can be viewed on the city website.

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New plans for Highway 197 project discussed during Bemidji City Council meeting

TJ Rhodes — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:54:31 GMT

BEMIDJI — A federal funding freeze to an $18 million RAISE grant forced the Bemidji City Council to formulate a new plan as soon as possible to preserve its large-scale State Highway 197 project during Monday's impromptu work session.

City Engineer Sam Anderson presented two options for the council to choose from and after deliberation, the council supported Anderson's second option to keep the project moving forward, despite the unfortunate turn of events.

Anderson strived to preserve the scope and scale of the project despite its hurdles. The second option is no exception.

It utilizes a $5.2 million IIJA State Match grant to entirely fund the city's portion of the project over the course of two — rather than one — construction seasons, kicking off later this year.

The first construction season will focus on a single city project located at the intersection of Middle �� Avenue NW and 23rd Street NW, including the construction of a roundabout.

The projected completion of this project was initially slated for September, which could have potentially interfered with school traffic, something pointed out by Ward 1 Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould. However, as the sole focus of one construction season, the roundabout should be completed before school kicks off in the fall.

The second construction season will come in 2026 and will see the city work on projects along Hannah Avenue NW, including a compact roundabout at the Burger King and Simonson's intersection.

A third construction season will focus on a project led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. With the delay, MnDOT will have time to secure new funding — or wait for the potential reinstatement of the RAISE grant — in order to fund its portion of the project, which features three roundabouts on Highway 197 entering town from the west.

The new timetable sees MnDOT potentially starting its work at the end of 2026, with preparations before utilizing a full construction season in 2027. The city will enter a new Memorandum of Understanding with MnDOT, committing to the Highway 197 portion of work set at a later date once funding is sorted out.

Anderson further explained option two in depth while detailing some benefits.

"We've got a $5 million project that we otherwise couldn't fund as a community done and out of the way," Anderson said. "The other benefit is that we keep the timeline moving; we don't lose a complete, full year."

"Another pro: it gives us one more season to get people aware of what's going on," he later added.

Anderson also expressed his fears of choosing option one, which is to wait a year and see if the RAISE grant is reinstated.

"We're not getting anything from the federal government in terms of any timeline or any commitments to the (RAISE grant). Unfortunately, we're just running out of time to make a decision," he explained. "My fear is that if we wait and the RAISE grant were to disappear, my guess is that the state's is going to pull (the state match grant). That's my gut feeling.

"(With option two) we would actually go out for bid, award it to a contractor understanding that contractor is going to have to commit to two construction seasons. In the interim, if the RAISE grant is to work itself out, we can we get access to it ... as if it had been that way from the beginning. (As if) the funds were never frozen."

This plan is a far cry from the original, which had all work completed by the end of 2025. Despite this, the councilors still expressed a necessity to make progress this year as opposed to waiting, with all council members speaking in favor of option two.

"I still think that the food is at the trough and we should be there; we should grab it as soon as we can," Ward 5 Councilor Lynn Eaton said.

Ward 4 Councilor Emelie Rivera added, "I would agree that the funds are available and that we should move forward to prevent any opportunity to lose it in the future."

At-Large Councilor Audrey Thayer spoke in favor of the project despite not supporting the roundabouts.

"I have not been a strong supporter of roundabouts, but the constituents have," Thayer said. "I'm operating for the constituents, so I will support this opportunity too. Also because of (Anderson's) work and (the city's) hard working staff."

Fiskevold Gould was in favor because the first construction season would not interfere with the school year. She also pointed out how important it is to lock in the grant and use the money before inflation potentially increases costs in the future.

"I know there is no scenario where costs go down if we delay here; costs only ever go up," Fiskevold Gould said. "I think that option two sounds like the best option."

Mayor Jorge Prince also shared support while noting one upsetting reality of the new course of action.

"I don't want to just gloss over the fact that we're talking about three year construction periods, because I think that's something that needs to be noted," Prince said. "I probably agree with the majority of the council; this is probably the best alternative out of not the best alternative. So, I would support that option two as well."

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson was the only council member to be on the fence. After deliberation, he made his decision.

"There were a lot of great questions asked here tonight and Sam, you've had a lot of great answers. So, I would be supportive of option two as well," he said.

While this choice allows the city to ensure the state match grant by moving forward, the council may ponder lessening it's landscaping plans in the future to save money.

With full council support secured, Anderson will finalize the plan and present it at the next council meeting for official approval.

The council will next meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 17, at City Hall for a regular meeting. All meetings can be viewed on the city website.

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Red Lake Nation receives $25 million grant for road improvements

Pioneer Staff Report — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:42:44 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith recently announced Red Lake Nation as one of two grant recipients in Minnesota to make several sections of highway safer and more accessible for travelers.

According to a release, the grants were distributed as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program within the Department of Transportation.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported, delivered a 50% increase in the amount of available funding for RAISE, which provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact.

Red Lake Nation will use its $25 million award to reconstruct approximately 1.2 miles of Minnesota State Highway 1, rehabilitate four miles of existing pavement on Walking Shield Road and extend Walking Shield Road 5.6 miles to the east. Approximately 11 miles of shared use paths will also be constructed.

Other improvements include widened shoulders, sidewalks, installation of street lighting, access improvements, cultural elements, culvert replacements, new guardrail, intersection enhancements including a new roundabout, and stormwater and drainage improvements.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community also received a $25 million grant for improvements.

“Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers and businesses everywhere — including in tribal communities like Lower Sioux Indian Community and Red Lake Band of Chippewa,” Klobuchar said in the release. “These infrastructure projects will create good jobs, support new businesses and make traveling safer for drivers and pedestrians.”

“If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in vital infrastructure like highways that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” Smith added. “It’s great to see this significant federal investment and I’m going to keep fighting to bring federal dollars back to Minnesota.”

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