Grand Marais city councilors approved an agreement with the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District that will lead to the creation of a third privately maintained rain garden—this one in the city right of way on East Second Avenue.
City Administrator Mike Roth told council July 30 that the maintenance agreement contains clauses meant to provide protection for the city, which were added since the last two contracts were signed. Notably, the clauses stipulate that the city will be liable to the state for an amount of up to 150 percent of the financial assistance received to install and establish the rain garden if it is not maintained to standards during its 10-year effective life.
Councilors said they believed it was worth taking the risk, especially since the two existing privately maintained rain gardens are actually nicer than those cared for by the city.
Councilor Bill Lenz noted that there are now five rain gardens throughout the city. “The two on private property look good–they really do–and the others do not and they are ours,” said Lenz. “I don’t think this will be a problem.”
Councilor Jan Sivertson wondered who–if anybody–would inspect the rain gardens anyway. Roth said he “severely doubts” that anybody from the state office was going to come up to Grand Marais to inspect the rain gardens. He added that the agreement represents about a $15,000 commitment on the part of the city, which will have to pay the state back if the rain garden is removed or found to be deficient within 10 years.
The new rain garden will be located in the right of way at 405 E. Second Ave., and maintained by Phyllis Olson. Stewards of the other rain gardens are Ed and Kathy Bolstad (Fourth Street and Second Avenue East), and Gina Todd (First Street and Second Avenue West); a fourth privately maintained rain garden under the Soil & Water Conservation District program is also in the planning stages for the library lawn, providing a steward can be found.
In other business, councilors heard an update from Virginia Danfelt of the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) regarding ongoing and planned energy efficiency projects; began discussions about the 2015 budget schedule and priorities; and adjourned into closed session for personnel matters regarding a parks department employee.
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