The most recent council meeting was fairly straightforward as councilmembers quickly approved the consent agenda. There was a brief discussion regarding Councilor Michael Garry retaking the oath after concerns from community members were relayed. Legally he had no obligation to redo it, but in a sign of listening to his community, he chose to do so. The council also approved Ben Peters to a three-year term on the Planning and Zoning committee.
The Snowmobile Club expressed written interest that they desire to keep the trail on the north side of highway 61, where it has been located for over 15 years. Council unanimously passed a motion to leave the trail intact through the remainder of the 2021 season. They also noted that it is the responsibility of the city to clear the sidewalks and bumpouts on the south side. All agreed that better signage is needed in the future, especially in designated areas where snowmobiles should cross the highway.
Andrea Orest, the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Coordinator for the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic attended the meeting to request approval of two extensive documents she has been working on. The first was the application to renew our Bike Friendly Community status at the silver level. Grand Marais is currently one of 32 bike-friendly communities in the state of Minnesota. Orest shared that tourists and individuals considering relocation often look for these designations. The council unanimously approved her updated plan.
The second document Orest presented was the updated Safe Routes to School Plan. One of the biggest areas of focus is securing documentation to get the School Zone legally designated so that local law enforcement can enforce the 20 mph speed limit when children are present. The plan also calls for improved signage, specifically in the area of County Road 7 and Fifth Street where the temporary stoplight was installed. There is a need for increased education, which could be accomplished by expanding to include all schools in Cook County, not just those located in Grand Marais. Orest shared that a Boost Grant has been applied for, which would cover the purchase of a trailer. This purchase would allow the existing bike fleet to be stored and transported to various locations around Cook County. The grant would also allow for the purchase of additional bikes, helmets and tools to expand the current fleet.
The final item to be unanimously approved was the Summary Publication of City of Grand Marais Ordinance No. 2020-02. Simply explained, the summary is what will be printed in the Cook County News Herald in regards to zoning dealing with residential uses. The complete text may obtained at no charge from the City Administrator at City Hall.
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