EYOTA — Finding your way around Eyota is about to become a bit simpler.
At its meeting on Thursday night the city council voted to buy a sign and survey the site for a second sign to help visitors better locate the city and its businesses and services.
Kathy Enerson, director of Eyota’s economic development authority, asked the city council to buy a way-finding sign to be installed on Minnesota Highway 42, just south of its intersection with U.S. 14.
The sign would welcome visitors to the city and direct them to landmarks such as the historic downtown, city hall, fire department, post office, county deputy, financial district, commercial park, school and assisted-living facility. The sign would include arrows pointing to each item on the list.
"The way-finding sign is a way to convey location and direction to travelers," Enerson said.
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The second sign being considered is a welcome sign that would be installed on U.S. 14 just west of the same intersection. The city would need to have the proposed site of the sign surveyed and work out a 10-year lease agreement with the owners of the property.
Other business
In other economic development news from the meeting, the council voted to continue offering a break on city fees for new home and commercial building permits. Mayor Wes Bussell said the permit fees waiver has been in place in Eyota for several years and that it has helped the city attract new construction.
"We’ve had about four or five houses built each year," Bussell said. "I know last year they haven’t had any new houses in Dover or St. Charles."
While Eyota’s proximity to Rochester might also be a factor, Bussell said, he’s certain the fee waiver has helped attract new-home construction.
The city also agreed to pursue a Community Forest Bonding Grant from the state Department of Natural Resources. The grants, which are designed to help communities diversify their trees to ensure plenty of shade trees once the emerald ash borer beetle arrives, will reimburse a qualified community up to $25,000 for money spent on approved tree species.
Councilman Tony Nelson said the city’s park board supports the efforts to acquire grant money for species diversification.
"The only drawback is that you have to spend money first," Nelson said. "But you get reimbursement later, and we have the money."
