The agenda for the Cook County commissioners on January 13, 2015 included discussion of the county land use plan and the Highway 61 corridor.
County Planning Director Tim Nelson asked the board to adopt the Land Use Guide Plan (LUGP) Update Committee’s recommendations to expand the current process now used by the county so that a new plan would become a countywide comprehensive plan.
In 2014 the county board authorized updating the current LUGP and retained John Powers of Applied Insights North to facilitate the process. Nelson said the consultant estimated the cost of the work at no more than $2,625 to complete the full comprehensive plan. That money, said Nelson, would come from the recent grant his department received from the Humphrey Institute Local Governments Innovation Award, which was $5,000.
By updating and expanding the current plan Commissioner Garry Gamble said the county would be able to apply for Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) grants it isn’t eligible to apply for at this time. Nelson also said a new countywide land use plan would work in conjunction with a transportation plan between the county, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Forest Service on items like road easements.
Commissioner Frank Moe asked when the plan had to be completed, and Nelson replied, “At the end of August, but if more time is needed, we can allow for that.”
Moe said he wanted the east end of the county to be included but meetings would have to be set up first. Nelson said Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder townships’ land use plans would be included in the final document.
Following the discussion the board voted unanimously to have Nelson move forward with setting up the work necessary to forming a comprehensive countywide land use plan.
County supports Highway 61 planning
Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth and newly elected Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux brought forward a request asking the county board to approve a resolution for the county to act as the sponsor for a Grand Marais Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Highway 61 Redesign project.
Roth said because the city doesn’t receive state aid streets funding, it needs cooperation of a sponsor that does.
Arrowsmith DeCoux said three public meetings were held to gather information about what citizens would like to see done along the Highway 61 corridor in Grand Marais.
The meetings gave people a chance to identify important destinations in the corridor and opportunities for improvement, Arrowsmith DeCoux said.
Five design issues were identified in those meetings—to design appropriate roadway geometrics; design continuous bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; enhance public space; design appropriate storm water solutions and improve parking conditions.
The city completed a pre-application in 2014 for TAP, which uses federal transportation funds which are channeled through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The city of Grand Marais is requesting $600,000 from TAP, the maximum amount allowed, and if awarded, will provide the necessary match of $150,000.
Although the city’s request would commit the county to oversight and successful completion of the project, Roth said, “We are not asking the county to participate financially or to provide engineering services to the project.”
The city, said Roth, will provide the necessary matching funds, and the city will hire qualified consulting engineers to complete the design and oversee construction. Cook County Highway engineer Dave Betts said he didn’t think the project would take up much of his time and recommended the county grant the city’s request, which the board voted unanimously to do.
The earliest any work would take place is 2019, said Arrowsmith DeCoux, which leaves time for more community input.
County continues membership in Greater MN Parks & Trails
The county board of commissioners approved membership payment of $150 for dues to maintain its Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails (GMPT) membership. Creation of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission has allowed counties outside of the metro area to receive Legacy funds from the state legislature that are used to develop trails and parks. In the past the Twin Cities would get most of the Legacy money because they had shovel-ready projects and proponents argued that because a large share of the state’s population lived there, they deserved most of the money.
Last year the county board appointed Grand Marais City Councilor Tim Kennedy to represent Cook County at the GMPT meetings.
One long-term project the county would like to see completed is single track mountain bike trails stretching from Tofte to Grand Marais, and potentially further throughout the county.
County withdraws from MRCC
After a lengthy discussion concerning the county’s membership in the Minnesota Rural County Caucus (MRCC) board, with Commissioner Gamble saying the county is well represented by two other boards that do much of the same work, Commissioner Frank Moe made a motion to have the county withdraw from MRCC. The motion was seconded and voted unanimously by commissioners to have Cook County withdraw its membership.
The county will save $1,050 in membership fees as well as the cost to send a representative to the meetings.
Gamble said that while a new leader he respected and trusted had recently been elected to head MRCC, “Until they do an organizational assessment, we are spinning our wheels.”
Gamble suggested that maybe the county could join for a six-month period to see if the organization improves, but Moe said, “Sometimes we need to use a hammer and I think this is the time.”
Moe noted the county could rejoin MRCC in the future if it improved its performance.
Want to know more?
. A complete copy of county board meeting minutes may be obtained by calling the County Auditor-Treasurer at (218) 387-3640 or by visiting the county website at www. co.cook.mn.us.
. County board meetings can also be viewed online at www.boreal.TV.
In other business
. The board approved the request of attorney Baiers Heeren to execute a quit claim deed on private property south of the right of way of County Road 97 (Cascade Beach Road).
Any property interest the county has in this section south of Cascade Beach Road is minimal and difficult to clarify, said Heeren, but is potentially clouding the title to the property in question. County Highway Engineer David Betts reviewed and approved the right of way retained by the quit claim deed.
. Seven applicants were interviewed for the Tofte Transfer Station job with Jake Kelahan selected for the position, said Nelson. “All of the candidates were good but Jake has worked for us at the recycling station. He had the most experience so that’s why he was selected.”
. Planning and Zoning Director Tim Nelson was granted a request to work remotely in Rochester, Minnesota for six weeks while a loved one receives medical treatment.
”Due to a serious medical condition of a family member, I will be located in Rochester, Minnesota for several weeks while that family member is receiving treatment. During this time, however, I will be available to continue working on behalf of Cook County via electronic means. I intend to have my office telephone line directed to my cellular phone, and the MIS Department has secured a tablet docking station through which I will be able to have full access to the county network and all of my work files.”
The board had no problem granting the request. Nelson will be gone from his office from January 26 to March 6.
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