City officials are seeking applicants for several advisory boards, among them a newly formed traffic commission created in large part after a fatal hit-and-run earlier this year.
In May, Danilo Aguilar died while checking his mailbox after being hit by an alleged drunken driver speeding along 119th Avenue. His death shocked the town and raised questions about how to curb speeding in residential areas. The City Council approved two new police positions for neighborhood traffic enforcement.
Council Member Jason King proposed creating the citizens task force on traffic.
"About 80 percent of the e-mails and complaints I get are related to residential traffic," King said. "It was obvious something needed to be done."
Seven residents will serve two-year terms on the traffic commission, which will make recommendations to the City Council about local street safety and issues ranging from pedestrian crosswalks to installing new traffic signs and signals.
About $25,000 has initially been set aside for the commission to use in the coming year, King said.
Those interested in applying to the traffic commission or other advisory boards can contact the City Clerk's office at 763-785-6122 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us. Applications are being accepted through the end of the year.
Hannah Covington
