Grand Marais city councilors drafted a list of items they want to see included in discussions with the county regarding city support of a new community center and swimming pool.
Addressing the topic at their Aug. 29 meeting, councilors said they were eager to be involved in the planning process, especially since threatened litigation precluded city participation until July 25, when council signed a $57,500 settlement agreement with Burbach Aquatics to resolve the legal differences of opinion. Up until that time, the county and its community center steering committee have been moving forward with planning and design of the proposed $9.5 million project.
“Timing is of the essence,” said Councilor Jan Sivertson. “We got in late, and construction needs to start soon. I fear we’ll lose momentum if it doesn’t happen this fall, and it may never happen.” Sivertson went on to liken the process to dominos: “Things have to line up,” she said.
Among the topics councilors agreed need to be a part of talks with the county as the latter seeks a financial commitment are the city’s settlement with Burbach; demolition cost of the existing municipal pool; the county’s willingness to continue paying its share of the pool’s operating losses until it closes and the new facility opens; the county’s and/ or EDA’s assistance with EDA bond payments that are due beginning next year; and the county’s help with siting and building a new animal shelter.
Additionally, councilors said they’d like to see an operating agreement similar to that between the two entities governing the library. “I see it as similar to that, but a reverse situation where they own the building and we contribute to the maintenance,” said Councilor Tim Kennedy.
He suggested the city contribute half of the annual operating cost up to $100,000, and if actual costs exceed that, the county has to come to the city council and request the additional funds. After all, said Kennedy, the community center project is an important one which will benefit the city, and the city will no longer be on the hook for upkeep of its 35-year-old swimming pool.
Furthermore, said Kennedy, the county should understand that there will be costs associated with the demolition of the old pool and transition into the new one. But it should be understood, too, that the city is getting the land on which the pool building stands to do something with, added Sivertson.
City Administrator Mike Roth said the Rec Park’s master plan calls for the pool building area to be used as auxiliary parking for a new marina/boat launch and improvements to be made to the park’s entrance. Roth estimated the cost of removal of the pool building at about $50,000, and Mayor Larry Carlson said those costs should definitely be made part of the discussion with the county. “We should make sure the county knows we’re talking about this,” he said.
Council directed Roth to draft a “bullet list” of the items to be discussed with the county for further consideration but deferred a vote and adoption until its next meeting when Councilor Bill Lenz can be present to take part in the conversation and “put the final touches” on the list.
In other business, council reviewed the first draft of the proposed 2013 budget. Roth said there are still a few unknowns such as the amount needed for pool operation, EDA business park bond payment, local government aid from the state, and capital improvement projects council may opt to do. Despite that, however, Roth put together a budget showing general fund spending of $1,885,640 (a 1.2 percent increase) and a property tax levy of $825,614 (a 1.3 percent increase) for the coming year, noting that by law council has to adopt a preliminary budget and levy at its next meeting, Sept. 12.
After that, the amounts may be lowered, but not raised, before final adoption occurs at the end of the year.
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