The Littlefork City Council Thursday agreed to seek approval from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on Unorganized Township Road 168 from 55 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour.

According to Littlefork City Clerk Mike Fairchild, resident Eddie Williams voiced concern about the current speed limit on the road that is located just off Highway 217. Fairchild reported that the council will request to extend the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit further down UT 168.

In other business Thursday, the council heard an update from Tom Morris, who serves as a representative on the Littlefork Rat Root River project. Fairchild reported that Morris and other officials on the project committee have designated three possible areas to locate a boat access along the river.

Those three locations include: constructing a trail from the bridge on Highway 217 down to the river where a possible access could be located; upgrade the existing access at Lofgren Park; and add an access at the end of Elm Street that is a dead end to the river.

“We are really trying to develop a nice boat landing right there,” Fairchild told The Journal of the possible Elm Street location. “Although it probably wouldn’t happen until 2013, it looks pretty promising.”

The council learned that this week that Grivette Environmental Management of Eveleth is expected to do an asbestos abatement on a condemned property within the city.

The cost to bring in the company is expected to be about $1,800, according Fairchild.

The property is located at the intersection of McPherson Street and Second Avenue and was originally going to be razed in May, however, Fairchild reports that it was discovered the siding on the building contained asbestos.

In May, Fairchild reported the property owner would pay $900, and that would cover the costs of the demolition. Now, Fairchild said the project is expected to cost around $2,900, but said the city has a budget for demolition projects.

The council also Thursday reviewed drawings by architect Jim Cowgill. Cowgill is designing options for the addition to the off-sale portion of the Littlefork Liquor Store.

A committee will narrow which design to bring to the council for approval. Fairchild said no dollar amounts have been given towards the project at this time.