The sign has a solar panel on top, and a motion sensor to start up the flashing lights on the sign itself.

During their work session, held before the regular meeting last Monday night, the Blue Earth City Council had a discussion on repair work for a damaged electronic flashing light crosswalk sign on Highway 169, and whether it is the city’s or MnDOT’s (Minnesota Department of Transportation) responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the sign.

The issue was raised by councilman Dan Warner and concerned a set of flashing LED-light crosswalk signs on Highway 169, at the intersection with Fifth Street.

The signs have motion sensors and flash when someone walks up to them.

“I had noticed one of the signs was on the ground with its wires loose,” Warner said via video conference at the meeting. “It was not functional. I contacted Wes (Brown, city engineer) and Jamie (Holland, Public Works director).”

Warner said he was also concerned about the paint for the crosswalk itself having been worn off and not repainted this year.

“So I reached out to MnDOT with Dan’s questions,” Brown said. “I learned MnDOT had already picked up the sign and taken it back to their shop for repairs.”

However, Brown also learned MnDOT felt the city was responsible to repair and reinstall the sign, according to the agreement between the city and the state back when the improvements and roundabouts were installed on Highway 169.

“I looked through the agreement with MnDOT and it is silent on the maintenance of the sign issue,” Brown said. “However, MnDOT says it was an oversight and should have been in the agreement.”

It was noted the sign really wasn’t working correctly before it fell, or was pushed, over.

“In my opinion it is not the responsibility of the city,” Brown said. “MnDOT does do the maintenance on static highway signs.”

The council discussed removing the photo eye motion sensor, and just converting the sign to a standard push-button cross walk sign.

MnDOT and it is silent on the maintenance of the sign issue,” Brown said. “However, MnDOT says it was an oversight and should have been in the agreement.”

It was noted the sign really wasn’t working correctly before it fell, or was pushed, over.

“In my opinion it is not the responsibility of the city,” Brown said. “MnDOT does do the maintenance on static highway signs.”

The council discussed removing the photo eye motion sensor, and just converting the sign to a standard push-button cross walk sign, especially if they are to take over maintenance of the signs.

However, it was noted that the sign has been put back into position and was operating.

“So what is our best path forward,” Warner questioned.

Mayor Scholtes said he felt the city should get an estimate on what it would cost to turn the light into a push button operation, instead of motion sensitive.

“We care about this sign,” Scholtes said. “We have kids that use this to cross the highway to school.”

Other council members agreed, saying it was important to have the sign and crosswalk in place.

Brown also discussed the poor condition of the striping, for the crosswalks as well as the turn lanes and fog lines.

There was also more discussion on which entity, city, state or county, is responsible for the maintenance on the highway.