Bob Pranis, chairman of the Cook County Broadband Commission, appeared before Grand Marais City Council June 24 to seek support for a pilot project designed to bring a “co-working” computer facility to town.
Pranis explained that the commission is working on an application for a $25,000 grant through the Blandin Foundation. However, the grant needs to be accompanied by a commitment of about $8,500 in matching funds or “in-kind” contributions. Pranis asked council to consider kicking in some of that and supporting the project with a letter of commitment.
As far as the financial backing is concerned, Pranis said the city’s contribution could come in the form of allowing vacant space in City Hall to be used. Pranis said he and City Administrator Mike Roth looked over the building and there was probably some usable space that would fit the project if council approved of the idea.
The co-working facility is basically a large office space set up to accommodate users in need of Internet access who wish to work remotely. It would include broadband access, desks and other needed furniture as well as office equipment such as a fax machine and printers. Users would rent the space on an as-needed basis by the hour, day or weekly/ monthly.
Pranis said the project under consideration, because it would be done on a trial basis, is designed to be in existence for only one year, after which time someone would take it on and run it as a private business if it proves to be viable. If that doesn’t happen, he said, it would likely go out of existence.
In addition to the city, Pranis said the broadband commission has identified a number of other potential supporters of the project, but the city is the first of those to be formally spoken to. The reception has been positive – the commission is also working to establish some video conferencing sites around the county – said Pranis, and so far pending matches total about $10,000.
Councilors were receptive to the proposal, but because the topic wasn’t included on the agenda and a better evaluation of available City Hall space is needed, the matter will be back for a discussion and vote at council’s next meeting July 8. The grant application is due July 27.
Other items on council’s agenda included:
. Kristin DeArruda Wharton of Cook County Moving Matters presented a summary of the Cook County-Grand Portage Active Living Plan. DeArruda Wharton said the city has been doing a good job on its share of the project—which includes the Highway 61 redesign plan—and lauded councilors for their participation. Elsewhere, she said, Grand Portage has also been making great progress on its portion of the plan with installation of a pedestrian crossing/radar speed sign and development of pedestrian-biking trails.
• On the advice of City Attorney Chris Hood, council voted to correct a legal description that was filed in 2003 regarding a subdivision and subsequent conditional use permit for a property on West Second Street. The permit allowed conversion of a duplex into individually owned townhomes.
. At the request of Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg, council voted to hire Noah Warren and Michael Sussano as seasonal maintenance employees.
. Council voted to act as a joint applicant with the county in support of a request for a “Regional Trail” designation for mountain bike trails and facilities built at Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais and Britton Peak in Tofte. The designation is the first step necessary in making the trail system eligible for support through the Minnesota Legacy Fund for future trail expansion and development.
. Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux said he has been asked by some residents about the possibility of having the city enact a blight ordinance in order to improve the overall appearance of downtown and adjacent areas. The mayor said he planned to meet with the sheriff to find out what can be done through existing ordinances, rather than pursuing the addition of another ordinance which could be perceived as intrusive and would likely be difficult to enforce. It was noted by Roth that the city’s existing ordinances already address those buildings which pose safety hazards.
. Council voted to formally suspend its contract with FVB Energy and end work on the proposed biomass district heating project. It is expected that a report on the project will be provided and then FVB will submit its final bill to the city. Roth estimated that about $31,000 has been paid so far on the $100,000 contract. It will also have to be determined how much of the remaining grant funding must be returned to the source, since the project was curtailed before completion.
. Roth reported that he plans to go forward with plans to construct a rain garden near the library, even though efforts to find a citizen-steward have been unsuccessful. The city administrator said instead staff will be tasked with the job of upkeep of the garden, but he believes it’s important to continue pursuit of the grant because the rain garden will benefit the city by alleviating drainage and flooding problems around the library building.
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