As a result of city council’s Oct. 12 discussion and 3-2 vote, snowmobilers will once again be able to travel on Grand Marais’ bike trail this winter to get to businesses west of town. But in response to public concern about pedestrian safety, council also authorized the city’s street department to try to keep the sidewalk on the upper side of Highway 61 free of ice and snow.
The topic was on council’s agenda as a review of last year’s decision to allow the local snowmobile club to groom the bike trail as a link from downtown to the city’s west end businesses.
City Administrator Mike Roth said several written comments were received, both in favor of and opposed to snowmobile travel on the bike trail. He explained that even though the bike trail is posted “nonmotorized,” the law allows the city to decide when and if smaller motorized vehicles may use it. The situation is further complicated, he said, because it is the city’s trail but is in the state right-of-way.
Those who wrote or spoke against grooming the trail cited as their primary reason pedestrian safety, noting that the two uses of the trail—pedestrian and snowmobile—aren’t compatible and pedestrians are often forced to walk on the highway to avoid deep snow or snowmobile traffic. It’s also a hazard for snowmobilers, some said, because they unexpectedly come upon people walking in their path.
Harley Toftey, the Ridge Riders’ trail groomer, said there is some expense— which is paid by the snowmobile club— involved with maintaining the trail and there were some “driveway issues” last year, but he believes the benefits to businesses in the area outweigh the negatives. “It’s a real plus,” he said.
Toftey added that at least one of the affected businesses has made a financial commitment to help with the grooming, and others have expressed their support. Tom Nelson, who owns vacation cabins just west of downtown, also spoke in favor of the trail grooming and said he’d like to see it continue.
Following discussion, Toftey asked why the city couldn’t allow snowmobile traffic on one side of the highway, and designate the sidewalk on the other side for pedestrians.
Roth said—as he did last year—that keeping the upper sidewalk clear of snow is “a challenge,” owing to the amount of snow thrown on it by the snowplows, the narrowness of the sidewalk in places and the limitations of the city’s equipment. Roth said he didn’t believe it was very feasible, but was willing to give it a try if council wished, and stressed that the city will need some help from the county or state. Roth also pointed out that the snow will have to be hauled from the site “every time” because there is no place to store it.
Mayor Larry “Bear” Carlson said he liked the idea and believed it was worth an attempt. “I like for our town to be userfriendly, and for everybody to get along,” he said. “I think there’s room for both, and I propose we give it a try.”
All councilors agreed, except Tim Kennedy and Jan Sivertson. Kennedy said that in the event the sidewalk couldn’t be kept in walkable condition or the snowmobile trail groomed adequately—due to lack of funding or otherwise—it wasn’t an acceptable answer to simply give the pedestrian access to the snowmobilers. Sivertson cited concerns about the “tourism aspect” and aesthetics associated with the pathways leading into the city. “It’s branding for both groups… I see it as more of an issue than people moving around,” she said.
Following the vote, there was a discussion about winter maintenance and use of the bike trail east of town, specifically in the area of the post office and out toward the new Gunflint Trail. However, no consensus could be reached and Mayor Carlson said the topic would be placed on the agenda for a future meeting.
In other business:
Councilor and Public Utilities Commission board member Tim Kennedy reported that there will be no price increases next year in the city’s water, sewer and electric rates. “We’re pretty pleased with our financial position,” he said of the PUC.
Councilor and park board member Bill Lenz reported that the Rec Park, golf course and swimming pool all reported better numbers this year than last; the new boilers at the pool are expected to be installed this week; and the DNR is pursuing plans to construct a boat ramp near the park pavilion and do away with the existing ramp in the Coast Guard Point parking lot due to space limitations. Lenz also said representatives of the Land Trust would visit Grand Marais Oct. 19 to discuss the Boulder Park parking lot situation, which the agency contends is not in compliance with the “spirit” of the conservation easement.
Council approved a street and sidewalk permit request from the Chamber of Commerce and the Cook County Visitors Bureau for the Christmas Festival to be held Nov. 25. The event will combine the tree lighting ceremony in Harbor Park with the annual Christmas parade and will be the kick-off weekend for the North Shore holiday promotion. The fun begins at 4:30 p.m.
Council approved payment of $7,708.10 to SEH as project engineer for the final lift of paving at Cedar Grove Business Park. The Economic Development Authority’s board had previously approved the expenditure.
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