Monday, November 30, 2009

Working Together Downtown!

I want to acknowledge and give a warm thank you to everyone involved in decorating downtown Grand Marais for “A North Shore Holiday”. The friendly collaboration between the downtown business owners, City Staff, Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, and the City Council has resulted in making our town more beautiful, more festive and more welcoming.

It is my sincere hope that residents and visitors alike have an opportunity to enjoy many pleasurable strolls through our newly decorated Harbor Park and downtown streets as they shop for the holidays and gather with friends and family this season.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Thanksgiving Day I am particularly grateful for our beautiful harbor town and all of the wonderful people who live and work here.

Enjoy your time with family, friends and neighbors!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Holiday Parade Tonight in Grand Marais!

Join the fun tonight at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas parade in downtown Grand Marais. The Parade starts at 6:00 PM. If you want to be in the parade, the line-up begins at 5:30 PM in the Senior Center Parking Lot; this year's them is A Christmas Carol.

After the Parade, be sure to stop in at the Senior Center for pictures with Santa. Cookies, hot cider and coffee will be served.

Friday, November 20, 2009

White Tents a Glowin'

The North House Folk School Winterer's Gathering campers are settled in at the School and the Rec Park. The lamps inside the tents and the outdoor fires cast a warm and friendly glow. Join the fun this weekend.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

City Council Meeting and Grand Marais Noise Ordinance Public Review

Mayor Hakes and Councilors Kay Costello, Bill Lenz and Jan Sivertson were all present for the November 18, 2009 City Council Meeting and Noise Ordinance Public Review. Councilor Tim Kennedy was absent. Also present were Mike Roth, Kim Dunsmoor, City Attorney Chris Hood and Librarian Linda Chapelle.

City Council Meeting

Open Forum
No member of the public spoke at the Open Forum.

Consent Agenda
Two items were added to the agenda: 1) Council Letter to the County Board and 2) Store Front Loan Application. No other changes were made to the Consent Agenda.

Council Letter to the County Board
Council reviewed the letter rewritten by Hakes to be presented to the County Board by the Council for specific One Percent Sales Tax funding to build a Community Center/Rec Area and the Grand Marais Library expansion. Council is eager to support both efforts by participating on the Community Center Committee and the Library Board to bring these projects to fruition. Both Hakes and Bill Lenz attended the Community Center Board Meeting on November 17 and asked to be a part of the process. Kay Costello continues to work with the Library Board.

Library Improvement Project
Librarian Linda Chapelle and Library Board Members David Quick and Carol Miller reviewed with the Council their concept drawing for a proposed 3000 square foot addition. They also asked the Council for their support in proceeding with the project. The Library Board will also be talking with the County Commissioners about obtaining One Percent Sales Tax funding for the expansion. Council, Chapelle, Quick and Miller all agreed that the current location of the Library was the best location.

Store Front Loan Application
Bev Wolke presented the Store Front Loan Application letter from the Shoreline Inn Motel for $12,500. Council unanimously approved the loan to repair and replace the Shoreline Inn and Cobblestone Cove sign at the corner of Highway 61 and Broadway.

Business Park Financing
Carolyn Drude of Ehlers & Associates presented the results of the bond sale to pay off the Temporary General Obligation Bond sold 3 years ago (January 2007) for EDA Cedar Grove Business Park infrastructure . Due to the lack of lot sales, the EDA has been unable to repay this debt of $1,630,000. The low bid for the sale of $1,675,000 General Obligation Bonds was presented as 20 years at a true interest rate of 4.2419%. Council unanimously passed the resolution providing for the issuance and sale of these General Obigation Improvement Refunding Bonds.

In a positive note, Standard & Poor's Rating Services assigned the "A" long-term rating to the City of Grand Marais noting "the stable outlook reflects our expectations that the city will maintain its very strong financial position and balanced operations in future years".

SMMPA Contract Extension
Mike Roth reviewed the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) presentation given to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the extension of the power sales contract from 2030 to 2050. Council supported the PUC decision to make this extension to the contract, obligating SMMPA to provide Grand Marais with electricity.

Grand Marais Noise Ordinance Public Review
No members of the public were present for this review of the Noise Ordinance adopted earlier this year. Mayor Hakes and Councilors present remarked that they received no noise complaints after the Noise Ordinance was enacted. Sheriff Mark Falk reported to Mike Roth that there were no music related noise complaints after the Ordinance was enacted. Sue Hakes received positive input from one city resident prior to the meeting; this resident had no noise complaints. Council agreed that the Noise Ordinance was a successful process.

Council & Staff Reports
No individual reports were given.

Mark Your Calendars
Wednesday Nov 19 at 4:00 PM Joint CCST at High School
Wednesday Dec 9 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Wednesday Dec 30 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Another Budget Worksession and City Council Meeting

Mayor Hakes and Councilors Costello, Lenz, Kennedy and Sivertson were all present for the Budget Worksession and City Council Meeting held Monday, November 9. Also present were Mike Roth, Kim Dunsmoor and Attorney Chris Hood. Present for the Worksession were Pat Hennessy, Mike Kunshier and Dave Tersteeg.

Budget Worksession

Pat Hennessy, Liquor Store Manager, gave an overview of Liquor Store Revenues and Expenses to date and the 2010 Budget. Liquor Store sales are up 3.8% through October. The Liquor Store is an important enterprise fund for the City of Grand Marais.

Mike Kunshier, Manager of Gunflint Hills Golf Courses, gave an overview of Revenues and Expenses to date and the 2010 Golf Course Budget. Also discussed were options for 2010 Course Rates. The Golf Course is an important asset to the City of Grand Marais drawing customers to the Rec Park Campground, as well as locals and tourists. Due to a nationwide decline over the past few years in golfing, the Golf Course has struggled and has shown losses. There was some discussion about whether to account for the Golf Course as an Enterprise Fund or change it to the General Fund.

City Council Meeting

Open Forum
Eric Humphrey and Jane Shinners, representing the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association (GMATA), reported several items of interest to the Council including 1) A major effort is underway to consolidate tourism marketing efforts throughout Cook County. GMATA, Gunflint Trail Association, Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association, Grand Portage and the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau are working together to form a 501(c)(3) umbrella organization. There will be (1) Director for the newly formed organization. GMATA will remain in its current location. The Chamber of Commerce will remain an independent entity. 2) A special Customer Service Training will be offered through Cook County Higher Ed on 12/16 or 12/17. 3) Local business owners raised nearly $6K for the North Shore Holiday downtown decorations. This will be matched with $5K from the City of Grand Marais.

Planning Commission Report
The Council unanimously approved Dale Speck's request for a variance from the requirement of a lot to have frontage on a public street. Council supported the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation.

Liability Insurance Renewal
Paul Coe updated Council on the City's Liability Insurance renewal.

One Percent Sales Tax Recap and Next Steps
Grand Marais residents voted heavily in favor of the One Percent Sales Tax Referendum. GM East voted 61.8% YES and GM West voted 70% YES for an overall 66% in favor within the City of Grand Marais.

The Council acknowledged its pleasure in the success of the Referendum, which they had identified as its most important priority for 2009. Together and individually, the Council worked diligently with community members to pass this important tax. Jan Sivertson led the Committee to Pass the Referendum (thanks Jan!); Sue Hakes was also a member of that Committee. Councilors Costello and Kennedy were on the One Percent Committee that worked for nearly a year to to identify potential projects for Sales Tax Funding. All (5) City Councilors advocated for the Referendum publicly and particpated in the public process held throughout 2009.

Also in March 2009, Council identified building a swimming pool within the proposed Cook Community Center as a top priority. Council is ready to begin work in earnest to make this long-awaited dream become a reality. It is important to remember that a Community Center garnered the most support from residents of Cook County during the Public Process Phase of the Referendum Project. Hakes volunteered to participate as a member of the Community Center Committee which will meet this month.

Council discussed the next steps in working with the County to discuss the funding process and when funds will be available for the Community Center/Recreation Area and Library projects. Mayor Hakes drafted a letter to be presented by the full Council to the County Board asking for specific Community Center/Recreation Area funding. Councilor Costello requested the Library Project also be included in this request. Hakes will redraft the letter to include the Library.

Business Park Financing Update
Council voted to move forward in selling General Obligation bonds as planned to pay off the $1.6M debt incurred 3 years ago (January 2007) to pay for Business Park Infrastructure. If the EDA is successful in receiving any grant assistance fro the IRR as requested from Senator Tom Bakk, that money will be used to make the first bond payment.

Council & Staff Reports
Tim Kennedy reported that the Biomass Project proposal submitted in partnership with Ely did not receive Department of Energy grant funding.
Jan Sivertson gave a recap on the One Percent Sales Tax committee.
Bill Lenz prefers the Golf Course not be continued as an Enterprise Fund.
Sue Hakes reported that the DNR and City Staff are working together to find a resolution to the problems with City's Burn Pile. Hakes also reported that the DNR has renewed their effort to provide the City with a draft Joint Powers Agreement to be used as a roadmap for a Grand Marais Safe Harbor/Marina.

Mark Your Calendars
Wednesday Nov 18 at 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Wednesday Nov 18 at 5:00 PM Noise Ordinance Public Hearing
Thursday Nov 19 a 4:00 PM Joint CCST Meeting at Courthouse
Wednesday Dec 9 3:30 PM Budget Worksession
Wednesday Dec 9 at 4:30 City Council Meeting
Wednesday Dec 30 4:30 City Council Meeting

Veteran's Day Thank You

The Veteran's Day Band Concert this morning was a wonderful opportunity for our community to honor all the Veterans of Cook County. A very special thanks to the Veterans who were able to attend today's ceremony, giving all of us the chance to show our gratitude for your service and sacrifice. Thank you Cook County Veterans.

Thanks also to the VFW Color Guard, the High School Band, William Tormondsen, Shelby Anderson, Kale Boomer, Pastor Ditmanson, Richard McKenzie and ISD 166 for creating this meaningful and important event.

Today there is much to be grateful for.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Special Election Results

The Polls close at 8:00 PM tonight. If you've not voted, there is still time to hand deliver your ballot to the Cook County Courthouse. Exercise your right to VOTE and let your voice be heard.

From Community Radio WTIP--

Tune in to WTIP on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for the 1 percent sales tax referendum results. As the ballots are tallied, WTIP Hosts Roger Linehan and Jay Andersen will keep you up to date on the results. Special coverage starts at 8:20 p.m. with updates every half hour.

From Cook County--

The County will be posting the referendum results as each precinct is certified by the County Auditor. Starting soon after the polls close at 8pm, we will begin posting results at http://co.cook.mn.us/