“I hope you’re giving out points today for persistence this morning,” said George Wilkes of the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) when it was his turn to speak to the Cook County commissioners on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Wilkes was back to make a second appeal for funding to support a part-time coordinator for CCLEP.
At the March 11 county board meeting, Wilkes and Virginia Danfelt of CCLEP asked for $4,000, which the county contributed to CCLEP last year. That request was denied and Commissioner Sue Hakes made a motion to contribute $2,000 instead. That motion also failed. The board said the donation was not budgeted for and it wouldn’t be fair to other non-mandated organizations who have been instructed toplanfora5percentreduction.
At the latest meeting, Wilkes said CCLEP acknowledges its mistake in not following proper budget procedure. He said CCLEP is now on the county’s non-mandated funding request list for 2015 and he said the organization would now follow the proper procedure for the 2015 budgeting cycle. In light of that, Wilkes said CCLEP had modified its request from $4,000 to $3,000.
Wilkes said he thought the county taxpayers got a “pretty good deal in 2013” as the county got the services of a half-time coordinator for a number of projects that benefit county residents.
He noted that the Grand Marais City Council had approved a contribution of $2,000 toward funding the CCLEP coordinator on March 12.
Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk made a motion to deny the request. Commissioner Garry Gamble seconded, stating that 93 percent of CCLEP’s budget is comprised of wages for personnel and that there is a 10 percent increase there. He also pointed out that the increase for the cost of contract services was increased by 76 percent. “Looking at these figures, I support the motion to deny,” said Gamble.
Commissioner Sue Hakes talked about CCLEP’s efforts. She said CCLEP is most closely affiliated with biomass, but she said it offers a “wealth of other activities.” She noted that the group had helped with community center planning; had established a ride share program; was involved in the Active Living Steering Committee; had helped people evaluate their homes and do projects that helped reduce heating bills and more. She said she understands that the coordinator got a raise, but said she doesn’t think the coordinator is overpaid.
“I think the volunteer hours we get from CCLEP, the forward thinking and the leadership demonstrated by CCLEP is admirable…So, I’m not going to vote to deny the request,” said Hakes.
She added, “I would just like to remind the county board that the last time they were here there was discussion about some willingness to support the request with city support. Now you’ve gotten city support, so I hope that the board will grant some sort of financial support.”
Commissioner Doo-Kirk said she agreed that CCLEP offers a great benefit to the county. “My husband takes the contractor courses and gets educational credits. I don’t deny they do great work, but the basis is we’re asking non-mandated other people to make cuts. I don’t think it’s right to cut the people we’ve supported for decades and then hand out money to someone else.”
Commissioners Bruce Martinson and Jan Hall said they agreed with Hakes that CCLEP brought benefits to the county. Martinson said he would be comfortable contributing the same amount as the city, $2,000.
The motion to deny failed and Commissioner Hakes said she actually would like to contribute $3,000, but because the city contributed $2,000, she made a motion to do the same. The motion passed, with Martinson, Hall and Hakes voting in favor and Doo-Kirk and Gamble in opposition.
In other business
. County Highway Department Supervisor Russell Klegstad told the board that William “Husky” Kloster had announced that he would be retiring on April 4, 2014. Klegstad said Kloster had been a great driver, taking care of the Gunflint hill and County Road 8. “We’re going to miss him a great deal,” said Klegstad.
Commissioner Doo-Kirk moved to accept Kloster’s resignation “regretfully.” A motion also passed to authorize advertising for a replacement.
. Klegstad also asked for approval to purchase a 2015 GMC Sierra 4WD crew cab truck for $36,476.81 to replace one that was totaled in a rollover accident last summer. The county received $16,313.75 from insurance for the totaled truck that will be used toward the purchase. The truck would be purchased from Nelson Auto Center in Fergus Falls, MN, which is the dealer for state bids. The board approved the purchase unanimously.
. Planning and Zoning Administrator Bill Lane brought forward a request for a conditional use permit from Jean Kloster-Jezierski and Edward Kloster, seeking approval to use an RV for storage on their property on Maple Hill.
. The county board reviewed liquor or tobacco licenses for two businesses, approving an off-sale beer and tobacco license for Gail Thompson, the new owner of Clearview General Store and an onsale wine, on-sale beer, off-sale liquor and tobacco license for Lisa Mesenbring, owner of Chicago Bay Marketplace.
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