On Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 Cook County commissioners voted to apply for a Conservation Legacy Grant that if awarded could be used to purchase a parcel of landlocked property located near the end of the Old Ski Hill Road in Grand Marais.
The land is owned by John Scheef of Plymoth, MN. For years Scheef has been trying to gain access to it, but with no success.
If the county receives the grant, it would have to provide a 10 percent fund match on the parcel. Commissioners hope that money could come from gifts from people who are happy that the land will not be developed.
In 2015 the county appraised the land for $176,000. Cook County Assessor Betty Schultz said taxes for 2016 are $1,034. Scheef paid $240,000 for the 80-acre property in February 2005.
Scheef ’s property is located approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Grand Marais near the old ski hill. A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Minnesota Biological Survey assigned this area as “high” in biodiversity significance.
A site’s biodiversity significance rank is based on the presence of rare species populations, the size and condition of native plant communities within the site, and the landscape context of the site.
The conflict over access to the land between Scheef and the county has been going on longer than the county has employed Assessor Schultz. Schultz made the request to end the dispute after it became apparent that this would be the best resolution for Scheef and the county.
“Earlier requests by Mr. Scheef to gain access for development of this parcel resulted in considerable feedback by the public as well as county commissioners against development of this property, and the consensus to keep this parcel undeveloped, pristine and available for continued public use,” she said.
Schultz said she had researched the option of the county doing a land exchange with Scheef, but found problems with that idea.
“Due to the statutory requirements as well as the history and restrictions by the DNR Land Exchange Board, it was determined to be a lengthy process which may not meet final approval in the end,” she said. “I have had discussions and meetings with the property owner, Mr. Scheef, Richard Swanson, attorney for Mr. Scheef, Commissioner Garry Gamble, and Cook County Attorney, Molly Hicken.”
Commissioner Gamble said in most cases he was against taking private property off of the tax rolls, but this was one instance where this seemed to be the best option for the county. Gamble said if the county didn’t settle, Scheef could insist the county build a road to his property that would be very expensive to construct, and all attempts to trade this piece of land for state or federal land failed. Commissioner Frank Moe agreed with Gamble’s assessment, and said he thought it would be a win-win for the county and Scheef to end the dispute.
Commissioner Jan Sivertson played devil’s advocate, and asked what would happen if 50 years in the future an acceptable building project presented itself. Could the land be built on if the county purchased it with Legacy Grant funds?
“No,” said Schultz. But the land would be open for hiking, snowmobiling, hunting and other types of recreation. But no building could take place on it, she added.
The grant application opens in August, said Schultz, with awards tentatively scheduled for January 2017.
With that a motion was made for the county to pursue the Legacy grant. Commissioners Gamble, Storlie, Sivertson and Moe voted for and Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk voted against.
“May I ask you why you are against the motion?” Commissioner Gamble asked.
“Because I believe Mr. Scheef knew what he was getting into when he purchased the property,” said Doo-Kirk.
In other business
. The board approved the Pay Equity report as delivered by County Administrator Jeff Cadwell. Every three years the state of Minnesota requires all public jurisdictions such as cities, counties and school districts to submit a pay equity report that demonstrates that all jobs are evaluated and given points according to the level of knowledge and responsibility required to do the job, and that salary adjustments be made if it is discovered that women are consistently paid less than men for jobs with similar points.
. Upon the recommendation of the Water Plan Advisory Committee, commissioners approved the re-appointment of Don Lease and Gary Maciejewski to second three-year terms to the committee.
. Once again the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for $11,350. The money will allow the sheriff’s office to assist U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers in providing extended coverage to the Superior National Forest throughout the summer and fall months. This grant has been awarded to the county since 1999.
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