The full Council attended today's regularly scheduled City Council Meeting.
Open Forum
John McClure spoke at the Open Forum expressing concerns about the City's Ordinance 2004-01 regarding attendance at City Board Meetings (i.e., Planning Commission, Park Board, etc.). He asked specifically about the date in which a board position becomes abandoned due to absenteeism and how that might impact previous recommendations made by that Board.
John McClure also suggested the City Council examine its contract with Law Enforcement as a possible cost savings for the City.
Agenda Items
A permit approving use of street and sidewalks was approved for the Violence Prevention Center's "Take Back the Night" March to be held as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Scheduled for 7:30 - 9:00 PM on April, 2, the March will begin at Harbor Park and end at the Courthouse.
Harley and Shele Toftey requested a variance from the shoreline setback of Lake Superior to construct a new fish processing facility. The new facility will be 20' from the shoreline, replacing an older building that was just 10' from the shoreline. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this request at their last meeting. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the variance.
City Staff prepared and presented a 2008 attendance report for all City appointed board members still in their positions. Overall, board attendance is good. The Council discussed Ordinance 2004-01 and the need to clarify when a board position is officially abandoned. Don Davison will research this issue and advise the Council.
Craig Schulte and Jim Shinners were both unanimously appointed to the Planning Commission; these appointments fill the last (2) vacancies on this Board. Other members of the Planning Commission are Tim Kennedy, Sherri Carlson, and Carol Backlund.
Council unanimously approved hiring Bob Mattson on a part-time basis in the Property Maintenance Department. The City was fortunate to receive (7) qualified applicants for this position; Bob was awarded the job due to his extensive experience in the Property Maintenance Department.
Council discussed the proposed Worksession Agenda for Tuesday's meeting with the DNR on the Safe Harbor & Marina. This worksession is scheduled for March 17 from 9:00 AM to Noon in Council Chambers. The public is invited.
Councilor Lenz expressed concern about City and County support for a new animal shelter, particularly in light of pending budget cuts. Lenz will continue to work on establishing a cost estimate for this facility. And, although this project wasn't identified as a top City priority, it will remain on the list of possible joint City and County projects.
Councilors Bill Lenz and Jan Sivertson were appointed to the City/County Work Group to formalize the City/County agreement to partner in supporting the Pool.
Mark Your Calendars
Mar 17 9:00 AM Safe Harbor/Marina Meeting w/DNR
Mar 25 3:30 PM City Council Worksession--EDA Priorities
Mar 25 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Apr 8 3:30 PM City Council Worksession--Budget
Apr 8 4:30 PM City Council Meeting
Apr 8 5:00 PM Annexation Hearing
Apr 29 4:30 City Council Meeting
Reminder--the Park Board is in the midst of their Master Planning Process. To learn more about this important work and how to participate go to: http://www.grandmaraisrvparkandcampground.com/plan.html
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Small Craft Harbor & Marina Workshop
Meeting Notice
The Grand Marais City Council has invited the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to a Planning Worksession for a Small Craft Harbor and Marina in Grand Marais. This meeting will be held on Tuesday March 17 from 9:00 AM to Noon in the City Council Chambers. The Public is welcome.
A Brief Recap of Recent History
In 2003, the City of Grand Marais initiated a planning process for a Safe Harbor and Marina development in the Grand Marais Harbor. A Harbor Advisory Committee was appointed to conduct a public planning effort. The Harbor Advisory Committee labored for nearly two years, and ultimately reached consensus on a location. All members of this Committee were willing to accept the existing marina location in the northwest corner of the harbor as the location for the improved and expanded Safe Harbor and Marina.
In April 2007, under Mayor Evelyn Larsen, the City Council adopted Resolution 2007-05. In that resolution, the City agreed to continue participation with the DNR and US Army Corp of Engineers in planning and design of a Safe Harbor and Marina. The City Council, under Mayor Larsen, set forth certain parameters including a location in the northwest corner of the harbor (existing marina location) and a new basin size of about 6-acres.
In March 2008, the Harbor Friends and the Grand Marais Business Council came together before the City Council to lend their joint support for Resolution 2007-05. In a letter to the City Council, they encouraged the City to move forward with an improved marina and basin development in the existing marina location and proposed the remedial action of shifting the existing breakwall to the south as a design starting point.
In March 2009, Mayor Sue Hakes and the current City Council agreed to support Resolution 2007-05 (passed under Mayor Larsen) and identified it as one of their top priorities.
Meeting Goals & Objectives
In response to an email from Mayor Sue Hakes regarding the Stimulus Bill, Congressman Jim Oberstar suggested the City of Grand Marais direct any efforts for a Safe Harbor & Marina project toward the Army Corp of Engineers. Mr. Oberstar requested that we forward a project description and cost estimate directly to him (Oberstar) to forward on to the Detroit Office of the Corp for review and evaluation. A plan for responding to Mr. Oberstar is the proposed goal for the March 17 meeting.
Community Coming Together
Public input has been given and has been heard. This community has worked hard to come to a general agreement on a location and size for a Safe Harbor and Marina in Grand Marais.
I will continue to support Resolution 2007-05 (as passed under Mayor Larsen) for planning and designing a Safe Harbor and Marina in the northwest corner of the harbor and with a new basin size of about 6 acres.---Sue Hakes
The Grand Marais City Council has invited the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to a Planning Worksession for a Small Craft Harbor and Marina in Grand Marais. This meeting will be held on Tuesday March 17 from 9:00 AM to Noon in the City Council Chambers. The Public is welcome.
A Brief Recap of Recent History
In 2003, the City of Grand Marais initiated a planning process for a Safe Harbor and Marina development in the Grand Marais Harbor. A Harbor Advisory Committee was appointed to conduct a public planning effort. The Harbor Advisory Committee labored for nearly two years, and ultimately reached consensus on a location. All members of this Committee were willing to accept the existing marina location in the northwest corner of the harbor as the location for the improved and expanded Safe Harbor and Marina.
In April 2007, under Mayor Evelyn Larsen, the City Council adopted Resolution 2007-05. In that resolution, the City agreed to continue participation with the DNR and US Army Corp of Engineers in planning and design of a Safe Harbor and Marina. The City Council, under Mayor Larsen, set forth certain parameters including a location in the northwest corner of the harbor (existing marina location) and a new basin size of about 6-acres.
In March 2008, the Harbor Friends and the Grand Marais Business Council came together before the City Council to lend their joint support for Resolution 2007-05. In a letter to the City Council, they encouraged the City to move forward with an improved marina and basin development in the existing marina location and proposed the remedial action of shifting the existing breakwall to the south as a design starting point.
In March 2009, Mayor Sue Hakes and the current City Council agreed to support Resolution 2007-05 (passed under Mayor Larsen) and identified it as one of their top priorities.
Meeting Goals & Objectives
In response to an email from Mayor Sue Hakes regarding the Stimulus Bill, Congressman Jim Oberstar suggested the City of Grand Marais direct any efforts for a Safe Harbor & Marina project toward the Army Corp of Engineers. Mr. Oberstar requested that we forward a project description and cost estimate directly to him (Oberstar) to forward on to the Detroit Office of the Corp for review and evaluation. A plan for responding to Mr. Oberstar is the proposed goal for the March 17 meeting.
Community Coming Together
Public input has been given and has been heard. This community has worked hard to come to a general agreement on a location and size for a Safe Harbor and Marina in Grand Marais.
I will continue to support Resolution 2007-05 (as passed under Mayor Larsen) for planning and designing a Safe Harbor and Marina in the northwest corner of the harbor and with a new basin size of about 6 acres.---Sue Hakes
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Liquor Store and the Library
The Liquor Store
Earlier in the week, Pat Hennessy, Liquor Store Manager, showed me around the Grand Marais Liquor Store, an extremely important City Asset. The Liquor Store shares the City Hall Municipal Building with City Offices, the Tourist Information Center and the EDA. The building is certainly large enough for each of these entities, but because the building is a former jail and former fire hall, much of the space just doesn't work. The Liquor Store could use more storage and work space. In addition, the Municipal Building has serious maintenance issues including electrical & HVAC systems, roof and plumbing. Solutions to the immediate storage needs for the Liquor Store are being explored.
The Library
This morning, Librarian Linda Chappell gave me the full tour of the Library. Like the Liquor Store, the Library is squeezed into its space. Every nook and cranny has a purpose and something in it. The Library's role to provide free access to information in a variety of formats is ever changing as technology evolves. Our Library is in good condition; we need to maintain it to keep it in good repair. It's also in a wonderful central location that makes a statement about what we value in this Community.
Earlier in the week, Pat Hennessy, Liquor Store Manager, showed me around the Grand Marais Liquor Store, an extremely important City Asset. The Liquor Store shares the City Hall Municipal Building with City Offices, the Tourist Information Center and the EDA. The building is certainly large enough for each of these entities, but because the building is a former jail and former fire hall, much of the space just doesn't work. The Liquor Store could use more storage and work space. In addition, the Municipal Building has serious maintenance issues including electrical & HVAC systems, roof and plumbing. Solutions to the immediate storage needs for the Liquor Store are being explored.
The Library
This morning, Librarian Linda Chappell gave me the full tour of the Library. Like the Liquor Store, the Library is squeezed into its space. Every nook and cranny has a purpose and something in it. The Library's role to provide free access to information in a variety of formats is ever changing as technology evolves. Our Library is in good condition; we need to maintain it to keep it in good repair. It's also in a wonderful central location that makes a statement about what we value in this Community.
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