For the first time ever, the City of Grand Marais is going to start charging the Cook County Community Center for the water it uses, including the flooding of the hockey, skating, and curling rinks.
Community Center Director Diane Booth told the county board Tuesday, October 13, 2009 that a meter would be installed November 13, although the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is giving them a year to monitor their water use before billing them for it.
The board said it would cover the cost of water but discussed the issue further when county Maintenance Director Brian Silence brought a request for a water fountain at the tennis courts between Cook County High School and the Community Center.
When the school owned the tennis court property, it maintained a drinking fountain onsite, but when the county traded property with the school and took over ownership of the courts, the school refused to supply water. Is there no negotiating with the school? Commissioner Jan Hall asked.
“They are absolutely not interested in having any part of it,” said Silence. He had talked to school Maintenance Director Mike Groth who said he had discussed the issue with Superintendent Beth Schwarz.
The cost of hookup is estimated at $3,500 to $4,000. Thirteen hundred dollars of that amount would go to the city for a hookup fee.
“We had no idea that upgrading the fountain would be this costly,” said Cook County Tennis Association President Gene Glader. “We don’t have the money to do it. …It is a nice amenity to have.” He said projects like this get expensive when codes are involved.
Commissioner Fritz Sobanja questioned the city’s $1,300 hookup fee and said he would talk to the city about waiving or lowering it.
The county has helped the city with things like roads and plowing, Commissioner Jan Hall stated.
Thecity has started charging the school for its water as well, Commissioner Jim Johnson said. He suggested now might be a good time to discuss with the PUC its new direction. The county funded the sod at the new soccer field, but now it is not being watered. He said he recently saw bare spots on the field due to not being watered.
Hall stated she thought they had a contract with the school that required the school to keep the soccer field maintained.
The board decided to bring up the issue with the city and the school at the next joint city/ county/school/tribal meeting November 19.
The board approved the installation of a fountain at the tennis courts at a cost not to exceed $4,000.
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