Grand Marais city councilors met on Wednesday, January 8, for the city’s 2020 organizational meeting.
Council adopted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 2020 optional standard mileage rate of 57.5 cents per mile, which is one-half cent less than the 2019 price.
Stacey Hawkins was reappointed to the Planning Commission, and Steven Aldridge was appointed to the Grand Marais Recreation Park Board.
The appointments are for three years.
No decision was made on whom to appoint to the library board because while Cooper Ternes turned in an application to serve, the council didn’t receive an application from incumbent John Books. Books indicated to Mayor Jay Arrowsmith-DeCoux that he would like to serve another term, but Jay said he hadn’t forwarded that information to anyone.
Council decided to give Books a chance to turn in an application and will decide on a selection to the library board at the next council meeting.
Anton Moody was reappointed acting mayor to take over when Jay can’t make a meeting.
The Cook County News-Herald was designated as the official newspaper of record but not without some discussion.
Tim Kennedy wondered if print media is losing its attraction because of the new forms of electronic media available to the city.
Kennedy also wondered why the News-Herald was just recently publishing minutes from June.
The councilors were referring to old minutes sent at the end of the year, despite countless attempts by the newspaper to get them. Patrick Knight, the city’s communication director, said there was miscommunication between him and a fellow worker on who would be sending the minutes. They have it worked out now, and the minutes will be sent to the paper when they are approved by the council.
Councilor Kelly Swearingen asked to run the minutes in the paper for the coming year to see what feedback the council would receive from the public about the minutes. Anton Moody noted that the minutes were available on the city website and could also be obtained at city hall.
The Grand Marais State Bank, North Shore Federal Credit Union, Security State Bank, LMC/4M Fund, and RBC were all designated depositories for city funds for 2020.
Council appointments to a variety of boards and committees were made.
Anton Moody will continue to represent the city on the EDA and Animal Advocates boards as well as the PUC and Safety Committee, but he gave up serving on the ARDC board. Moody said the ARDC meets in Duluth and on the Iron Range, places he doesn’t have time to travel to. No decision was made on who would take Anton’s position on the ARDC board.
Mayor Jay will continue to serve on the Library Board, Personnel Committee, PUC board, CCLEP, Northwoods Food Project, and act as the city’s liaison to North House Folk School.
Once again, Tim Kennedy will represent the city on the Planning Commission, Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Active Living/Safe Routes to School committee, and the Cook County Parks and Trails board.
Kelly Swearingen agreed to represent the city on the YMCA and North Shore Management boards, and Craig Schulte will stick with serving on the Park Board and PUC Board.
Employee recognition program
Council discussed approving a resolution to start an employee recognition program.
According to the resolution, “The public purpose for this program is to express appreciation and recognition to employees for their service to the citizens of Grand Marais, promote a healthy workplace that aids in attracting and retaining employees, and encourage productivity, creativity, and high morale.”
Programs shall be planned with the purpose of showing appreciation to employees for their service to the citizens of Grand Marais.
Winter and summer gatherings
Twice a year, winter and summer, the city will hold a gathering to recognize the service of employees to the citizens of Grand Marais.
All current employees and employees who were employed with the city for at least 5 years who have retired in the last year, will be invited.
Each gathering will feature a meal, purchased by the city, and a presentation of length-of-service gifts.
In the amounts indicated below, the city will recognize employees who have reached 5-years, 15-years, and 25-years as a city employee with a gift from a Grand Marais business, purchased by the city, related to the city or incorporating a city of Grand Marais design element.
5 years of Service: $25-30
15 years of Service: $75-80
25 years of Service: $100-105
Flowers and cards
As part of the recognition for their service, the city will purchase flowers, cards, and or other appropriate novelty item with a value up to $25 in the event of inpatient medical care of any employee lasting at least one overnight. Unless permission is given by the employee to disclose the receipt of the gift and, thus, the care of the employee, the receipt of the item will be treated in the same manner as private and confidential medical data (i.e., only available to the appropriate supervisor, managers, or human resource personnel).
Memorials
In recognition for the employee’s service, the city may purchase flowers of up to $75 to be delivered to the family of a deceased employee; or to the employee in the event of the death of an employee’s spouse or child.
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