Friday, January 30, 2009
Building Community
Looking for more ways to get involved in our Grand Marais community? Check this out: http://www.bettertogether.org/150ways.htm
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Council Meeting Notes & Setting 2009 Priorities
The Grand Marais City Council once again covered a lot of ground in both today's City Council Meeting and Work Session "2009 Grand Marais City Priorities".
City Council Meeting Notes
Although there were several members of the Public in the Council Chambers, nobody spoke at the OPEN FORUM. I would like to encourage the Public to use the OPEN FORUM to address the Council with ideas or concerns about City Business. The OPEN FORUM is scheduled at the start of every City Council meeting.
Grand Marais Fire Chief Ben Silence presented a summary of the Fire Department for 2008. He detailed the number and nature of the 2008 calls, staffing & training, equipment inventory and equipment needs. Kay Costello thanked Ben and the Fire Department for their work and commitment. Her appreciation was echoed by the full Council.
Walt Mianowski was unanimously approved for a 1-year term on the Park Board. This appointment fills out the Park Board at (7) members. There are still (2) openings on the Planning & Zoning Board, and (1) opening on the Economic Development Authority. Interested Grand Marais residents are encouraged to apply.
Librarian Linda Chapelle and Ann Possis of WTIP gave an overview and invited the City Council to participate in the community-wide program to read "Better Together: Restoring the American Community" by Robert D. Putnam and Lewis M. Feldstein (with Dan Cohen). This Great Community Book Read is co-sponsored by WTIP, the Grand Marais Public Library and Cook County Extension. The overall goal of the project includes building community through bonding within community groups and more importantly, building relationships between individual community groups. The entire community is encouraged to participate in the project. Copies of the book are available at WTIP and the Grand Marais Library.
Certificates of Appreciation were signed by the full City Council for both Evelyn Larsen and Ed Bolstad for their recent contributions to Grand Marais as Mayor and Councilor, respectively. Their public service is acknowledged and appreciated.
Sue Hakes and Mike Roth gave a general overview of Governor Pawlenty's proposed cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA) as announced Tuesday, January 27, 2009. The Council agreed to hold its next work session to discuss the City's Budget and plan ahead for the likely reduction in LGA. This Work Session is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
City Council Work Session "2009 Grand Marais City Priorities Discussion"
The Council held a Work Session to discuss and establish 2009 Grand Marais City Priorities. Among the issues discussed were (in no particular order): 1% Sales Tax, Economic Development/Jobs, City Buildings/Capital Planning, Affordable Housing, Budget, Safe Harbor/Marina, Rec Park Visioning, Pedestrian Friendliness, Communications with Public, Contract/Vendor Review Process, Noise Ordinance.
Limited discussion was begun on most of these issues, but it quickly became clear that more time and thought is needed to flesh out and establish priorities. A full day workshop (tentatively at North House Folk School) has been scheduled for Monday, March 2.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Wednesday, 02/11/09 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Wednesday, 02/25/09 at 3:30 PM Worksession--Budget
Wednesday, 02/25/09 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Monday, 03/02/09 All Day Worksession--2009 City Priorities
(exact time and location to be confirmed)
City Council Meeting Notes
Although there were several members of the Public in the Council Chambers, nobody spoke at the OPEN FORUM. I would like to encourage the Public to use the OPEN FORUM to address the Council with ideas or concerns about City Business. The OPEN FORUM is scheduled at the start of every City Council meeting.
Grand Marais Fire Chief Ben Silence presented a summary of the Fire Department for 2008. He detailed the number and nature of the 2008 calls, staffing & training, equipment inventory and equipment needs. Kay Costello thanked Ben and the Fire Department for their work and commitment. Her appreciation was echoed by the full Council.
Walt Mianowski was unanimously approved for a 1-year term on the Park Board. This appointment fills out the Park Board at (7) members. There are still (2) openings on the Planning & Zoning Board, and (1) opening on the Economic Development Authority. Interested Grand Marais residents are encouraged to apply.
Librarian Linda Chapelle and Ann Possis of WTIP gave an overview and invited the City Council to participate in the community-wide program to read "Better Together: Restoring the American Community" by Robert D. Putnam and Lewis M. Feldstein (with Dan Cohen). This Great Community Book Read is co-sponsored by WTIP, the Grand Marais Public Library and Cook County Extension. The overall goal of the project includes building community through bonding within community groups and more importantly, building relationships between individual community groups. The entire community is encouraged to participate in the project. Copies of the book are available at WTIP and the Grand Marais Library.
Certificates of Appreciation were signed by the full City Council for both Evelyn Larsen and Ed Bolstad for their recent contributions to Grand Marais as Mayor and Councilor, respectively. Their public service is acknowledged and appreciated.
Sue Hakes and Mike Roth gave a general overview of Governor Pawlenty's proposed cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA) as announced Tuesday, January 27, 2009. The Council agreed to hold its next work session to discuss the City's Budget and plan ahead for the likely reduction in LGA. This Work Session is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
City Council Work Session "2009 Grand Marais City Priorities Discussion"
The Council held a Work Session to discuss and establish 2009 Grand Marais City Priorities. Among the issues discussed were (in no particular order): 1% Sales Tax, Economic Development/Jobs, City Buildings/Capital Planning, Affordable Housing, Budget, Safe Harbor/Marina, Rec Park Visioning, Pedestrian Friendliness, Communications with Public, Contract/Vendor Review Process, Noise Ordinance.
Limited discussion was begun on most of these issues, but it quickly became clear that more time and thought is needed to flesh out and establish priorities. A full day workshop (tentatively at North House Folk School) has been scheduled for Monday, March 2.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Wednesday, 02/11/09 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Wednesday, 02/25/09 at 3:30 PM Worksession--Budget
Wednesday, 02/25/09 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Monday, 03/02/09 All Day Worksession--2009 City Priorities
(exact time and location to be confirmed)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
First City Council Meeting of the New Year!
After the swearing in ceremony, the City Council got right down to business on the very full agenda.
Council and Citizen appointments to City Boards and Commissions were made. Here's the new line up for the City Council and the newly appointed Citizens:
Animal Advocates--Bill Lenz
Cable Board--Kay Costello
EDA--Jan Sivertson
Liason to North House Folk School--Jan Sivertson
Library Board--Kay Costello
ARDC--Bill Lenz
North Shore Management Board--Jan Sivertson
Joint Powers Recreation Board--Kay Costello
Park Board--Bill Lenz, Robin DuChien, Todd Miller, Paul Anderson
Personnel Committee--Sue Hakes and Bill Lenz
Planning Commission--Tim Kennedy, Sherri Carlson
Public Utilities Board--Kay Costello, Bill Lenz, Jan Sivertson
Public Utilities Commission--Tim Kennedy, Hal Greenwood
Safety Committee--Tim Kennedy
Broad Band Committee--Tim Kennedy
1% Sales Tax Committee--Kay Costello and Tim Kennedy
NOTE: There are still Citizen Openings on the Economic Development Authority, Park Board and Planning Commision. Applications are available at City Hall. Your participation and involvement is encouraged.
In other business--
The Council decided the Park Board will remain at (7) members. This decision was based on the fact that the Park Board is facing many important issues; there is a lot of work to do.
The Council approved the Park Board request for an additional $13,055 to purchase (4) 30' x 3' finger piers for the Municipal Marina. The new configuration of the finger piers allows an additional slip, room for larger boats, and small craft dockage--all of which will increase revenue potential.
Calendar Parking was discussed at length. The Council supports the County's goal for cost savings, but further work is needed on the snow removal parking plan.
A City Council Worksession has been scheduled for January 28 at 3:30 PM to discuss 2009 City Priorities. This worksession will be held at City Hall and is open to the public.
The Council approved Resolution 2009-01 to authorize the City to make application to the Iron Range Resources Community Business Partnership Grand Program for Grand Marais Downtown Redevelopment Program.
NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING: January 28, 2009 at 4:40 at City Hall
Council and Citizen appointments to City Boards and Commissions were made. Here's the new line up for the City Council and the newly appointed Citizens:
Animal Advocates--Bill Lenz
Cable Board--Kay Costello
EDA--Jan Sivertson
Liason to North House Folk School--Jan Sivertson
Library Board--Kay Costello
ARDC--Bill Lenz
North Shore Management Board--Jan Sivertson
Joint Powers Recreation Board--Kay Costello
Park Board--Bill Lenz, Robin DuChien, Todd Miller, Paul Anderson
Personnel Committee--Sue Hakes and Bill Lenz
Planning Commission--Tim Kennedy, Sherri Carlson
Public Utilities Board--Kay Costello, Bill Lenz, Jan Sivertson
Public Utilities Commission--Tim Kennedy, Hal Greenwood
Safety Committee--Tim Kennedy
Broad Band Committee--Tim Kennedy
1% Sales Tax Committee--Kay Costello and Tim Kennedy
NOTE: There are still Citizen Openings on the Economic Development Authority, Park Board and Planning Commision. Applications are available at City Hall. Your participation and involvement is encouraged.
In other business--
The Council decided the Park Board will remain at (7) members. This decision was based on the fact that the Park Board is facing many important issues; there is a lot of work to do.
The Council approved the Park Board request for an additional $13,055 to purchase (4) 30' x 3' finger piers for the Municipal Marina. The new configuration of the finger piers allows an additional slip, room for larger boats, and small craft dockage--all of which will increase revenue potential.
Calendar Parking was discussed at length. The Council supports the County's goal for cost savings, but further work is needed on the snow removal parking plan.
A City Council Worksession has been scheduled for January 28 at 3:30 PM to discuss 2009 City Priorities. This worksession will be held at City Hall and is open to the public.
The Council approved Resolution 2009-01 to authorize the City to make application to the Iron Range Resources Community Business Partnership Grand Program for Grand Marais Downtown Redevelopment Program.
NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING: January 28, 2009 at 4:40 at City Hall
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Mark your January calendars!
January 12 6:30 PM at the Courthouse
PARK BOARD PUBLIC INPUT MEETING on Rec Park Vision
January 14 4:30 PM at City Hall
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 28 4:30 PM at City Hall
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Check City Hall (387-1848) for further information or schedule changes about these and other public meetings.
Attention City Residents!
There are several openings on City Boards. You are encouraged to apply for a position on the Park Board, Economic Development Authority, Planning & Zoning, and Public Utilities Commission!
Happy New Year!
2009 promises to be filled with challenge and reward for Grand Marais. By working together we can face any challenge and share together in the rewards. I look forward to serving as your Mayor.
January 12 6:30 PM at the Courthouse
PARK BOARD PUBLIC INPUT MEETING on Rec Park Vision
January 14 4:30 PM at City Hall
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 28 4:30 PM at City Hall
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Check City Hall (387-1848) for further information or schedule changes about these and other public meetings.
Attention City Residents!
There are several openings on City Boards. You are encouraged to apply for a position on the Park Board, Economic Development Authority, Planning & Zoning, and Public Utilities Commission!
Happy New Year!
2009 promises to be filled with challenge and reward for Grand Marais. By working together we can face any challenge and share together in the rewards. I look forward to serving as your Mayor.
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