The Grand Marais City Council, with Mayor Larry Carlson casting a no vote, passed a motion to pursue funding for two more rain gardens in the city. Carlson argued that rain gardens, like this one near the Grand Marais Public Library, are an “eyesore.”
Grand Marais city councilors voted 4-1 Sept. 14 to pursue funding for the construction of two more rain gardens.
Kerrie Fabius, district manager for the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District, presented council with plans for the new gardens, both of which are in city rightsof way, and both of which will be cared for by neighboring property owners. Fabius asked for the city’s backing to apply for a grant through the Clean Water Fund to build the gardens, and also requested that the city commit $1,600 to help pay for the construction of one of the gardens. Fabius said the grant requires a 25 percent match from the city, and even though the city will contribute to the project in the form of manpower and resources and get credit for the taxable land value based on a front-footage formula, a monetary commitment would make the grant more “sell-able.”
The rain gardens are intended to capture stormwater run-off from roofs, driveways and parking lots and filter the water before it is released gradually into Lake Superior. Designs for the new rain gardens were done by SAS Landscape Architects of Duluth in 2010 and paid for with a Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program grant. Fabius said designs have been done for rain gardens in four locations, and to date two residents have come forward and expressed a willingness to maintain those on their properties. They are Edward and Katherine Bolstad at 4th Street and 2nd Avenue East and Gina Todd at 1st Street and 2nd Avenue West. Total cost of the project is estimated at about $27,000.
City Administrator Mike Roth said the rain gardens would be a benefit to the city’s stormwater problem, especially considering that the property owners have volunteered to do the maintenance. Much of the run-off created by storms now flows untreated and unchecked into the lake, he said, and the city should do what it can to alleviate the situation when such an opportunity arises.
While there was a consensus among councilors in support of Roth’s comments, Mayor Larry “Bear” Carlson said he was not in favor of the plan. “There’s a big contingent out there that thinks these rain gardens are nuts,” he said, adding that he has spoken to people who believe the rain gardens are “eyesores” that negatively affect their property values. Based on the feedback he has received, said Carlson, “people are not in favor of this at all.” The mayor cited as an example the rain garden that was built on the courthouse lawn last year, only to be downsized and redone a short time later at great expense. He also observed that the rain garden near the library off 2nd Avenue West — which is across the street from Todd’s residence — looks like an overgrown swamp and said people don’t want to look out their picture windows and see things like that.
At the very least, said the mayor, council should hold a public hearing to find out if the affected residents are in favor or opposition to the new rain gardens. Roth said none of the neighbors have been approached about the projects, but said he would be happy to share the plans and make them aware of the proposal. If there is a lot of objection, he said, the plan could be simplified to include fewer tall plants. “It doesn’t need all those plants to work, and the maintenance would be greatly simplified,” Roth said.
Speaking to the perception of the existing models, particularly the library garden, Fabius acknowledged that it isn’t very pretty. “That’s a wild one!” she said when asked about it. “It’s not super-attractive…but that’s why we got a professional design for these [new ones]. They will be more appealing to the eyes, and easier to maintain.”
Fabius was not hired by the county until after the existing rain gardens were already built, and thus was not involved in the planning process.
Councilor Tim Kennedy said he supported the additional rain gardens because the city has an obligation to try to mitigate its stormwater run-off. “This makes sense if we put them in the right place,” he said.
Councilor Jan Sivertson also lent her support, stating that the rain gardens “can be beautiful” if done properly and sized appropriately.
In the end, Carlson cast the lone vote against the city’s financial commitment toward the project.
In other business:
Council approved the preliminary maximum levy for 2012 in the amount of $841,034.98 –about a 2 percent increase over the current levy. Roth and councilors said they would continue working on the budget until the end of the year, with a target of a zero percent increase. State law requires municipalities to adopt maximum levy amounts in mid- September, and a final version by year’s end; until December, the amount may be lowered, but cannot be increased.
Sarah Métis asked council to consider a change in the City Code that would allow her to keep horses at her leased stable in the business park overnight. Current regulations prohibit the keeping of such animals in the city overnight. Mayor Carlson said the topic would be put on the agenda for discussion at council’s next meeting.
On the recommendation of the planning commission, a variance request was granted to Dan and Linda Quick, allowing them to construct a single-story addition to their house on Seventh Avenue West. The request was originally denied last year in accordance with a state Supreme Court ruling. A recent change in state statute now permits cities to grant variances, as long as they are “in harmony with the purpose and intent of the ordinance.” Councilor and planning commission member Tim Kennedy said the matter was taken out of the city’s hands last year, but the commission believed it should have been approved originally. “It made sense before, and it makes sense now,” he said.
Liquor licenses were approved for a dozen businesses, for the period Oct. 1, 2011 through Sept. 30, 2012. Renewals are contingent on a successful background check by the sheriff. A separate request from the Harbor Light for permission to serve alcohol at outdoor events in their parking lot — similar to the beer tent at the American Legion during Fisherman’s Picnic — will be dealt with later, allowing the city attorney some time for research and to gather more information.
Councilor Jan Sivertson said she has heard some concerns about the debris and other construction odds and ends such as I-beams lying about the alley behind the old theater building site. Neighboring businesses have said the debris is obstructing the alleyway and hampering deliveries, Sivertson said. Roth said he wasn’t sure if the area in question was a public alley or private land, but he would look into the matter.
Councilor and Economic Development Authority board member Bob Spry said he was having difficulty attending the EDA’s meetings, due to a conflict with his work hours. Spry, who was appointed to the EDA board as council’s representative, asked if council wanted to replace him or name an alternate due to the absences. Following a brief discussion, it was decided that Spry should bring the matter before the EDA board, and ask about the possibility of changing the day or time of its meetings.
Leave a Reply