County Commissioner Bob Fenwick reported to the county board Tuesday, April 27, 2010 on his efforts to bring a new community center/pool facility to reality with funding from the Cook County 1% sales and use tax that has been collected since April 1.
Fenwick met with Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes regarding replacing the pool and ball field in the recreation area with county-owned facilities on the county land at 4th Avenue West and 5th Street. He met with ISD 166 Superintendent Beth Schwarz, who indicated she would like to be included in the process as plans develop. Still unknown is how close to the school complex a new community center would be – or even if it would be attached to the school. Also on the list of those he visited were Senior Center representatives, who indicated interest in being involved in the planning process.
The Community Center Committee is doing a good job compiling a list of things that could be included in the new facility, Fenwick said. Plans for the outdoor recreational facilities and ball fields will need to be considered as they design the building. They are working on preparing requests for proposals for companies interested in being hired to design the building.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson reported that Birch Grove Community Center representatives are discussing plans for outdoor recreational facilities to be funded from the 1% tax. They are considering keeping the ice rink where it is to minimize any wetland disturbance and are thinking one tennis court might meet the community’s needs adequately.
Martinson said plans for the Superior National golf course projects to be funded from the 1% are moving ahead, but slowly. In other news:
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The board approved renewal of a conditional use permit for a gravel pit owned by Dean Berglund. As requested, he had removed all noncombustibles from the pit. “He truly did go above and beyond what I was hoping for,” said Planning and Zoning Administrator Bill Lane. “I appreciate his efforts.” The permit is good through 2010. .
The board approved a conditional use permit with a variance for a new electrical substation on the Ski Hill Road (County Road 5) in Lutsen. The .67-acre parcel is owned by Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI). AECI must have a wetland delineation done and may need to buy wetland credits, Bill Lane said. Another stipulation with the permit is that the facility must be screened from public view. The substation will extend to within five feet of the property line, which would leave little room for vegetative screening. Arrowhead Electric agreed to install an eight-foot-high fence with screening slats in it. .
Daniel Berglund of Maple Hill was hired from a field of 20 applicants to fill a Maintenance Worker II position in the Highway Department. His first day, April 28, was Highway Engineer Shae Kosmalski’s last day. Only one person has applied for the Environmental Health position being vacated by Leroy Halberg upon his retirement. The interview team for a new highway engineer will consist of Commissioner Jan Hall, Commissioner Bruce Martinson, Personnel Director Janet Simonen, Highway Department Maintenance Supervisor Russell Klegstad, Engineering/ Office Supervisor Bill Parish, and Walter Leu of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Four applicants will be interviewed. .
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant in the amount of $25,000 was awarded for repair of the Deeryard/Cascade trail system that was damaged by flood in 2008. On behalf of the Cook County Emergency Management program, Patty Johnson of the U.S. Forest Service is applying for a $120,000 Forest Service grant to reduce wildfire fuels on 158 acres of private land in the Tait Lake area. The project would further goals of the Cook County Wildfire Protection Plan.
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