Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux took some time during the Grand Marais City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 29 to inform the council members of the progress being made toward creating a new comprehensive plan for the city. Arrowsmith DeCoux first asked the council to approve a contract with Community Design Group (CDG) and Weber Group, who will provide consulting services for the project. After reviewing the contract and applying a couple of minor corrections suggested by Councilor David Mills, the contract was approved.
In addition to choosing a consulting group, the council also had an opportunity to apply for a $20,000 grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). The grant will help alleviate the cost of putting together the new comprehensive plan. The council approved a resolution authorizing City Administrator Mike Roth to submit an application for the $20,000.
Lastly, Arrowsmith DeCoux updated the council on his and Roth’s combined effort to recruit people for the steering committee that will play an important role in forming the comprehensive plan. The committee’s purpose is to troubleshoot for the plan and come up with ideas that the council will then make final decisions on.
Arrowsmith DeCoux and Roth had successfully recruited six committee members and were hoping to get at least three more. While discussing the six currently recruited members, the council briefly revisited the question of whether or not it was important that members on the committee be city residents. It was noted that the majority of the members gathered so far are city residents and as long as that majority is maintained, it would be enough.
Live from City Hall
The council also received a proposal from Good Measure Media asking if the council would be interested in having their bimonthly meetings video recorded and live streamed. The council is currently taking voice recordings of their meetings. However, the new system would enable people to watch the meeting online as it is happening, or, if they miss it, go back and watch the video on Youtube.
The council seemed interested in the idea. Councilor Tim Kennedy noted that city council meetings used to be videoed and put on the local cable channel, allowing those who watched it to have access to a lot of information that they would not otherwise have had. “I think there’s some real value to it,” he said.
Although also sounding interested in the idea, Arrowsmith DeCoux said he would like to see how city residents feel about having city money spent on this service. According to Roth, the cost would be about $3,000 per year. No decisions were made at this meeting, though Roth said he would put it on the agenda for a future meeting.
In other business
. Terry Breithaupt was present at the meeting to answer any questions about the American Legion’s application for a four-day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Fisherman’s Picnic bingo tent. Council approved the application.
. Council approved a job description for a new position at the Grand Marais Public Library. The position is for an assistant library director to ease the demands on the current director who, according to Arrowsmith DeCoux, is being pulled in too many directions.
. Council also approved a request from the Gunflint Lake Property Owners Association for authorization to sell raffle tickets for the Gunflint Canoe Races Raffle.
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