Bev Green of Arrowhead Animal Rescue spoke with Grand Marais city councilors Aug. 26, seeking their support for inclusion of a new shelter facility if and when the city comes up with a plan to remove the existing structure along with other city-owned buildings from the Grand Marais Recreational Park waterfront area.
The move is necessary to accommodate a state Department of Natural Resources plan to upgrade and improve the breakwall and boat launch in the Rec Park. Green was one of a handful of locals who attended a meeting earlier this month with DNR and city officials to discuss the long-term plan. City councilors have been talking for years about possible alternatives for relocation of the buildings and sites for a new maintenance storage facility, including a lot in the Cedar Grove Business Park and most recently, an available site behind the Tomteboda Lodge.
Green explained that the volunteer animal advocates group is contracted by the city to care for animals in the pound, and in some cases to pick up the strays. The group feeds and waters the homeless animals and exercises them as needed, and cleans the small cinder block building. Green said the operation is running smoothly and the work is “fun and rewarding.”
Green said the nonprofit organization raises its own money for pet food and other necessities and enjoys widespread community support. “We have a chunk of change put away and want to remain partners with the city,” she said, describing the existing pound as “a warm safe place, but not the ideal best place.”
As the city moves forward with its relocation process, Green asked only that council keep the animal group in mind and include a shelter in its plans.
Councilors had a positive response to the request. “We’ll keep it in mind as a plan develops,” said Anton Moody, council’s liaison to the animal welfare group.
Kathy Sullivan also attended the meeting and asked council to proclaim Sept. 21 an international day of peace in the city, an effort promoted by the United Nations worldwide. Sullivan said she is planning an evening ceremony in Harbor Park on her own initiative, as was done last year, and would welcome assistance from anybody interested. Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux said he would see to it that the proclamation was issued, and lauded Sullivan for her efforts.
In other city news
. Council received its annual update from Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Peterson gave an overall positive presentation, commending the city for its “very strong” tax base. The attorney said the statewide organization is currently working – and will continue to work – on issues including transportation and sales tax, workforce housing, Local Government Aid, Tax Increment Financing (pilot grant program), broadband and tax credit programs.
. Council signed off on two funding assistance contracts with the Soil & Water Conservation District to make improvements in the city’s stormwater management systems. The first project is installation of an additional rain garden near the front of the library; the other involves a ditch improvement in the alley between Second and Third avenues east north of Fourth Street. Both are in city rights of way, have a 25 percent funding match requirement, a 10-year maintenance agreement, and will be designed and installed by Soil & Water.
. Council approved a resolution authorizing the reassessment of lots in Cedar Grove Business Park. Once the process is completed, each lot will have its own price attached to it, rather than the current practice of pricing every lot at $60,000. It is hoped the reassessments will accelerate the pace of lot sales; the cost of the reassessments will be covered by income from future lot sales.
. Mayor Arrowsmith DeCoux reported that budget talks are ongoing and following a 2½-hour workshop earlier in the week, it looks like the proposed maximum levy increase for 2016 is going to be set at 12.2 percent. Council must set and approve a preliminary maximum budget and levy at its next meeting, but may reduce it before adoption of a final budget and levy at year-end.
. Council adjourned into closed session to discuss the possible acquisition of property on West Highway 61 as a site for new public utilities garages and possibly other city structures. No decisions were made.
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