Cook County commissioners held their 2019 organizational meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8
Newly elected county commissioner Dave Mills, District 3, along with commissioners Robert Deschampe, District 1, and Ginny Storlie, District 5, took their oath of office with Cook County Sherriff Pat Eliasen, County Attorney Molly Hicken, Recorder Dusty Nelms, and Auditor/ Treasurer Braidy Powers.
By a 3-2 vote, Ginny Storlie retained her board chair duties, with Myron Bursheim serving as 2019 vice chairman.
Commissioners divvied up assignments to serve as county representatives on various boards and committees and commissions that work through or with the county. Commissioners yearly serve on anywhere from 25 to 47 boards, committees or commissions.
The 2019 mileage reimbursement was set at the IRS rate of 58 cents per mile with the meal reimbursement rate set at $37 per day.
County board meetings will be held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the commissioners’ room starting at 8:30 a.m., with the Committee of the Whole scheduled for the third Tuesday following the Public Health and Human Services morning meeting.
Additional meetings may be scheduled throughout the year as an opportunity to provide education or to gain public input.
The Grand Marais State Bank was designated as the county’s official depository.
The Cook County News-Herald was designated as the official newspaper for publication of legal notices including board minutes, financial statements and delinquent tax lists.
Also approved was a resolution for the county to spread and collect levies payable 2019 from the City of Grand Marais, Town of Schroeder, Town of Tofte, Town of Lutsen, and fire levies from Maple Hill, Hovland, Lutsen Fire, Gunflint Trail, and Colvill as well as to collect levies from special taxing districts: The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, and Cook County Hospital District.
In other action, the board approved the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon event permit. The Beargrease sled dog race will be held Jan. 27-30 starting in Duluth and finishing in Grand Portage. The mushers will run their sled dog teams on snowmobile trails crossing mostly state and tribal land.
Radio Board
A resolution approving modifications to the Joint Powers Agreement forming the Northeast Emergency Communications Board was adopted.
The regional radio agreement is between the following counties and cities: Cook, Aitkin, Kanabec, Pine, Lake, Koochiching, Crow Wing, Carlton, Cass, Itasca, St. Louis County, City of Duluth, City of Hibbing, City of International Falls, and the City of Virginia.
The agreement is to provide “governance structures for the operation and administration of shared emergency response services on both regional and sub-regional basis that will enhance, improve, and provide for efficient, cost-effective delivery of public safety services throughout the region.”
Conditional Use Permit
The county approved a Conditional Use Permit allowing Steve and Sharon Frykman to operate a home business (Art of the Elements Gallery) from their County Road 44 property. Business operations are limited to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday from May 25 to October 7, with an allowance for 10 consecutive days of service with the Fall Studio Tour.
Planning Commission
Greg Mueller, Judy Motschenbacher and John Schloot were appointed to the planning commission for three-year terms. Current planning commission member Adam Treeful and Motschenbacher were also named to the board of adjustment.
Leave a Reply