Grand Marais city councilors said they have no problem with granting an expansion for the popular Farmer’s Market, which is held Saturday mornings through the summer in the city’s parking lot off Broadway.
Carolyn Kopchik, business manager, made the request March 31. She said the Farmer’s Market, ready to start its 13th season, needs more space to accommodate a growing number of growers and vendors. “Space is tight,” she said, explaining that the area used now is actually on the Senior Center’s portion of the paved parking lot.
In order to include more vendors—there are 23 members now, and a waiting list of about half a dozen—and allow easier access for them to drive their vehicles in and out of the lot to set up, Kopchik asked council if it would be okay if the event expanded into the city’s portion of the parking lot. “Trying to fit anyone else now wouldn’t be safe, and the individual space per member would be too small,” she said of the existing conditions.
Kopchik also said Farmers Market organizers have been looking for another location for the weekly market that was bigger, but so far have been unable to find a suitable site.
It was suggested that Harbor Park be considered, and Kopchik said that has been done. However, that site near the lake would not be readily accessible for the merchants to load and unload their wares, there would be less parking, and the city wouldn’t want vehicles driving through the park to set up and load goods, said Kopchik and other vendors who attended the meeting.
Councilor Tim Kennedy said the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks by allowing expansion into the city lot. TheFarmer’s Market is a draw to the downtown area; Saturday morning is not normally a time when there is a parking shortage downtown; the weekly events take place only during a portion of the year; and both visitors and local residents have made the market one of the more popular attractions in Grand Marais, Kennedy said.
Council agreed, and granted the Farmers Market permission to expand northward into an adjoining section of the city’s lot, occupying a total of 20 additional parking spaces. The Farmer’s Market is held during the summer and fall on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
In other business:
. Dan Anderson was granted a peddler’s permit to once again conduct scenic airplane rides out of the Grand Marais harbor from June through October (weather permitting).
City Administrator Mike Roth said there were only a few complaints last year, mostly about the plane’s low approach over town and the noise, but Anderson said he spoke with the concerned residents and made some adjustments to alleviate their concerns.
. Council approved a request from the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) to submit a grant application for an Iron Range Resources Renewable Grant. The proposed $107,000 project is for installation of a pole-mounted solar energy system at Gunflint Hills Golf Course (or other city location) that would convert light into electricity to be fed back into the power grid. The city’s commitment would be $8,000 plus about $5,000 for site preparation.
Mayor Sue Hakes cast the lone vote against the grant application submission because of the lack of time given council to consider the grant (the application was due the following day); the extended payback period (estimated at close to 30 years); the city’s lack of discretionary funds; and the deviation from the agreement between the city and CCLEP to develop a priority list and stick to it.
Furthermore, Hakes said that if the city commits the requested funds to the energy project, that may mean another project on the priority list won’t get done due to lack of money.
. Cook/Lake County Housing Coordinator Nancy Grabko gave an overview of her agency’s activity over the past year, and outlined the 2009 annual report. Notably, Grabko said nine homes in Grand Marais were rehabilitated, and another 13 in Lake County, through the Joint Housing Initiative.
Grabko commended the Economic Development Authority for its diligence in pursuing the funds, and said she hopes to keep the effort moving in 2010 with another four or five rehabilitation projects in Cook County. To date, just over $130,000 has been secured for those projects.
. With no comment, the second reading of the revised roof sign amendment was approved unanimously. The revision makes only minor changes to the existing regulations, and is intended to prevent a proliferation of billboard-like signs on the top of buildings in the downtown business district.
. Councilor Bill Lenz reported that the Community Center Working Group has been making progress in its quest to design a new facility. The members have visited Grand Portage’s community center and hope to visit others, with the purpose of getting new ideas and learning from the mistakes made in the others’ designs, said Lenz.
One thing seems certain, however: they all need more storage, Lenz said.
. Councilor Tim Kennedy reported that he continues to attend many of the broadband meetings, and the situation continues to change “by the day.” Kennedy said interest in providing the service is growing, and the county’s involvement is becoming less.
Kennedy also told council that the EDA has closed on a business park lot sale to Pete Gresczyk, and the city has been paid $60,000 for its assessment.
. Administrator Mike Roth reported that he received a phone call from state Rep. David Dill notifying him that the city will receive $100,000 in state funding for water and sewer infrastructure improvements thanks to a recently signed bill by the governor. Although the city was not planning on doing any projects this year, Roth said the grant would allow some work to be done, most likely in the form of water main upgrades or fire hydrant replacement.
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