Housing was a focus of discussion at the September 12, 2013 meeting of the Tofte Township Board—for homeowners and for older people hoping to move out of their homes and into places that would require less maintenance and be more suited to their needs.
The board authorized Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Housing Coordinator Nancy Grabko to mail out a survey regarding potential need for financial help to undertake home maintenance and rehab projects.
Over the last several years, Grabko has procured financing from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for housing rehab projects in Grand Marais, but she would like to offer financing for outlying communities as well. The DEED grants have required that a target area be defined, which has resulted in a focus on Grand Marais where enough need was identified within a concentrated area. Grabko would now like to be able to identify Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder as a target area.
Dick Grabko and Gary Lamppa of Community Resource Development and Jody Anderson of DSGW reported to the board on their discussions with community members in August regarding what they would like to see in the way of senior housing in Tofte. They had developed a design for the project, which ended up being stalled for awhile.
Anderson said people liked the idea of being near Birch Grove Community Center and the elementary school in it so that different generations could interact. They said they would like to see handicap accessibility, hard outdoor surfaces, yard maintenance, a room residents could rent for visitors, common areas such as a workout room and a community room, and transportation options.
Lamppa said people he spoke with wanted two-bedroom apartments with dishwashers, washers and dryers. The amount people could afford to pay each month ranged from $500 to $1,500.
Dick Grabko said a lot of seniors may be living on fixed incomes such as social security, but they may have considerable assets in their houses and properties. If they sold their homes, he said, they might be able to afford to pay $800-900 a month. If they moved to senior housing facilities in Duluth, the amount they paid would be dependent on the value of their assets. The market study that was conducted shows that 10 units at $900-1,000 a month would be workable, he said.
Lamppa recommended three things: 1) For the township board to reaffirm a master plan made previously for multi-unit housing behind Birch Grove Community Center, which could be completed in phases. 2) For authorization to submit a grant application to the Iron Range Resource and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) – half the cost of preparing the application would be covered by IRRRB. 3) Approval for the consultants to draw up a schematic design and develop a funding scenario.
Board Chair Paul James said the master plan includes some duplexes and triplexes. What would they do with those in light of what people said about wanting apartments? he asked.
What they build will depend on their funding sources and what is financially feasible, Anderson replied. People ages 55-85 might have different needs at different ages, she said. They would start by determining what was feasible for a first phase.
“I’m not sure there’s a onesize fits-all,” said Supervisor Jim King. “I can see a mix here.”
“You guys have done a great job getting us back to speed again,” said James. “Thank you very much.”
The board voted to authorize the three recommendations made by the consultants.
Tennis courts
The township is holding numerous contractors accountable for the design of the new Birch Grove Community Center tennis court, which it considers unacceptable. The court slopes down from the centerline on both sides. All three township supervisors signed a letter to architect Tim Meyer of The Meyer Group.
The letter states in part: “Your proposal to split the cost of repairs between Meyer Group, Mateffy Engineering, Tofte and the Cook County Tennis Association is not reasonable in our opinion. Any proposal to split costs should not include the town of Tofte or the Cook County Tennis Association.
“The town of Tofte contends that responsibility for design and construction lies with the architect [The Meyer Group], Mateffy Engineering, and ORB Management, as they were hired to supervise this project.
“A plan of correction needs to reference the USTA standards previously provided (p. 29, Tennis Court Construction and Maintenance Manual).
“We have already lost one season of play on the court; hopefully the required corrections will be completed prior to next season.
“We remain confident that this issue will be resolved without litigation.” A response is requested at the end of the letter.
In other township news:
. The board approved an easement to Dennis Rysdahl through township property across from Surfside for access to the Gitchi Gami State Trail. It covers about 80 feet of land.
. Bids for snowplowing will be published in the Cook County News-Herald.
. The board passed a motion to hire Dori Betts to coordinate the Fourth of July festivities again next year for $1,350. Supervisor Jim King said she did a good job this year.
. The board met with the Birch Grove Foundation board October 3 to discuss ideas for the future of the community center.
. John Nelson continues to work on improvements in the town park. Supervisor King said, “It’s really looking good down there.”
. At the suggestion of County Commissioner Bruce Martinson of Schroeder, the board authorized Clerk Barb Gervais to send a letter to the county requesting that a public hearing on the proposed septic ordinance be held on the West End as well as the one held September 25 in Grand Marais.
. The board authorized Clerk Gervais to send a letter to Jeff Lynch, owner of Sawbill Outfitters, congratulating him on the good job he did on his building. Supervisor King said he followed all of the township’s downtown Tofte design requirements and is bringing jobs to Cook County.
“That building really, really makes downtown Tofte look nice,” King said.
Leave a Reply