There were some questions about fireworks at Grand Marais City Council’s March 26 meeting, but the board nevertheless approved a request from the Grand Marais Lions Club to purchase the pyrotechnics for both the Fourth of July and Fisherman’s Picnic.
Councilor Bob Spry, who is also the person trained and certified to shoot off the fireworks from the beach at Grand Marais Rec Park, presented the request. He said it is basically the same as in previous years, and it’s easier to comply with the federal regulations if the city, rather than the Lions Club, is the entity which applies for and purchases the fireworks. The Lions, as usual, will then reimburse the city for the purchase price of about $6,500 per program.
“There are less hoops to go through this way,” Spry said in reference to the numerous rules and regulations promulgated and enforced by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In response to a question from City Attorney Chris Hood about the necessary insurance, Spry said he believes the Lions International, not the local chapter, provides it, and he will make sure the policy provides $5 million in liability coverage if that’s what is required.
City Finance Director Kim Dunsmoor said she contacted the city’s insurance agent, Paul Coe, who said he believed Grand Marais has no insurance for fireworks in its policy.
Hood said that, “typically, the city should have a certain level of liability insurance…somebody has to be insured,” and suggested that in lieu of the city providing insurance, the city ought to have some type of license agreement with the Lions Club allowing them to shoot off the fireworks on city property.
Spry and other councilors said they were unsure if such an agreement existed, or exactly how the insurance had been handled in the past. Because City Administrator Mike Roth was not in attendance, and he was the person who probably knew the answers to the questions, council approved the request to purchase the fireworks from J&M Displays of Yarmouth, Iowa contingent on proof of sufficient liability insurance and/or some type of agreement between the Lions Club and the city.
. Council granted a request from Cook County Emergency Management Director Jim Wiinanen to contribute $200 toward funding of the 25th annual EMA conference on April 25-26. The city has supported the conference with a similar donation in past years.
. Renewal of a Consumption & Display Permit for the Cook County Curling Club was granted.
. Mayor Larry Carlson, a member of the search committee working to select a new library director, reported that four candidates were chosen for interviews, but one has declined and another from out of state has requested a telephone interview – a request which may or may not be granted. The process is moving along, he said, and it is hoped a new director will be in place shortly after Linda Chappell retires on April 15.
. Councilor Tim Kennedy said a report on a proposed district heating facility should be ready for presentation at council’s April 9 meeting. The business plan will include details on financials, revenues, expected number of customers, etc. Kennedy also conceded that it appears “less and less likely” that the project will be included in the governor’s bonding bill this year. The city’s financial consultant told council last month that without some type of state funding, it is very unlikely the $10 million project can move forward.
. Councilor and park board member Bill Lenz reported that the Rec Park has received several comments regarding a DNR proposal to construct a new boat launch facility, most of them affirmative. Councilor Spry expressed his concern that a suitable place for launching fireworks be included in the plan, noting that he needs to be able to dig in the ground for proper set-up. If an unpaved section is not left for that purpose, Spry said, the people on and near the beach will have to be pushed back farther to comply with the 400-foot setback requirement.
Lenz also cautioned that the plan is “not going to happen overnight” since the DNR has no funding and the city has to remove its garages and other buildings on the site to make way for the new amenities.
. Councilor and library board member Jan Sivertson reported that the library will receive a one-year grant from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund starting July 1. The $10,000 grant will be used to commission local art for the Grand Marais Public Library. The preliminary information was given to the library board by director Linda Chappell so the board could begin setting up criteria for soliciting artists for the project. Several other libraries in the Arrowhead Library System have already completed similar projects in the last five years.
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