Remote control sailboats are coming to the Grand Marais harbor!
City councilors approved an application for operation of the six-foot-tall vessels at their April 30 meeting. The permit allows Ami Alcala and her son Harley to operate the rental business from a section of cityowned beach at the end of First Avenue between Harbor Park and the Trading Post—the same area previously used by vendors for kayak rentals and airplane rides. Because the enterprise will be conducted on city property, council must grant permission for use of the space.
Both Ami and Harley stressed to council that the small wind-powered boats are noiseless and pose no danger to pedestrians on the beach or other users of the harbor. The remote controls have no antenna that can potentially be hazardous to passersby, and the boats will be stationed in the water when not in use. “There will still be plenty of room on the beach for everybody else,” said Harley. “We’re not trying to take over.”
Alcala said she hopes to begin renting the boats in early May and continue through fall, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The boats will not be run in times of high wind, rain or lightning.
Harley explained that the business will be “completely portable,” with everything taken down and removed every day; there will be nothing left on the beach overnight. Customers will be given brief instructions on how to operate the boats and will be supervised once their boats take off, said Harley, so as not to create interference with other boats or harbor users. Ami said she envisions between six and 12 boats in use at any time, depending on demand. The boats will all be the same model, with the mast standing about shoulder-high.
Councilors were generally enthusiastic about the proposal, which they endorsed unanimously. City Attorney Chris Hood said that although there is some level of liability, the risk seems “pretty low” and the possibility of injury very small. Harley said that the company will be run as an LLC, and he will have the proper insurance if necessary. “We want to keep it fun and easy,” he said.
North House report
North House Folk School Director Greg Wright also appeared before council to present his annual report as required by the lease with the city. Wright said that, in a word, the school is “thriving,” due mainly to the people and businesses who believe in the school and North House’s mission. Wright presented a new booklet, an “around town guide” that lists the school’s supporters, and expressed his gratitude for the community’s widespread backing. The director said enrollments for this year’s courses are on pace to exceed those of last year (by a lot, in most cases), and projections indicate (as usual) the school’s best year ever.
And as growth continues at about 19 percent per year and threatens to grow the school out of its harbor campus, Wright said the school’s board is wrestling with the future. “Is there another piece of property in North House’s future?” he asked. There is some serious need, he said, but directors also recognize that it is the school’s small rustic campus and charm that contribute largely to its success. As a result, a facilities study is under way.
Mayor Larry Carlson thanked Wright and lauded the 17-year-old school for its positive influence on the city. “You have a great program, and we’re glad you’re part of Grand Marais,” he said.
In other business:
. On the recommendation of the planning commission, a preliminary plat application for the Grand Lakeview development was approved. The plan calls for 8.3 acres of property to be split into 24 residential lots with 12 twin homes and two commercial lots on the site currently occupied by Gofer Cabins east of town. The developer, who hopes to begin construction this summer, will have to obtain a number of variances and present more detailed engineering plans to the planning commission before moving ahead.
. Council approved a permit allowing the Cook County Farm and Craft Market to use the city’s municipal parking lot on Broadway on Saturday mornings through the fall.
. Bruce Block of Sydney’s Frozen Custard asked council what it would take to get a street light installed near his business on South Broadway. Block said there is a need due to the amount of pedestrian traffic in the area, and said he’d consider putting up a light himself but it would look better if the light was of the same style as existing poles. City Administrator Mike Roth said there is no policy for where the city decides to put street lights, it’s “whatever council says.” Roth will research if it’s possible to add another light to the system, and if so, what the cost would be.
. A group of city employees presented a statement at the start of the meeting, asking council to avoid a May 8 mediation session by granting laid off union member Charles Christiansen the vacant parks facilities manager position, which has been advertised to the general public. Christiansen, former head lifeguard at the municipal swimming pool, lost his job when the pool closed in January. Later in the meeting, Roth said he and council have been following the established grievance procedure, and council agreed to allow the mediation process to continue as scheduled.
Loading Comments