How soon will projects funded by the recently authorized Cook County 1% sales and use tax get underway? That was one of the topics seventeen elected officials and employees of Cook County, ISD 166, and Grand Marais discussed Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Cook County High School (CCHS).
The county wants to proceed in an orderly way, County Commissioner Bruce Martinson reported. Collection of the tax could begin as soon as April 1, 2010.
Martinson and county board chair Fritz Sobanja agreed that the board would not be ready to make any decisions until at least January on the seven capital improvement projects that could be funded by the tax.
Mayor Sue Hakes said she believes the proposed community center/pool project generated the most community interest before the November 3 referendum, and a library addition was one of the first projects to be identified. The council is ready, she said, to “roll up our sleeves and go forward.” The current Community Center board is also excited to get going, she said.
Commissioner Sobanja said he had met with the committee working to bring a biomassfueled heat and energy plant to Grand Marais, one of the seven projects authorized for 1% funding. Coordinating that project with other public building projects, such as the community center/pool and a proposed joint maintenance facility (not to be funded from the 1%) will be important, he said. Thecommittee anticipates the possibility of a biomass plant that could eventually bring heat to downtown businesses as well as public buildings in Grand Marais.
“I would hate to see the community center/pool project be held up by the biomass project,” Hakes said. Several months ago, Hakes had disagreed with the city council’s decision to apply for a federal stimulus grant for a biomass plant, which would have required a $6 million city match. Thatgrant was denied.
School Maintenance Director Mike Groth was also not in a hurry to see a biomass plant in Grand Marais. The school just put $4 million into a new heating system, he said, and he didn’t want to see it become obsolete.
It’s not like we’ll be breaking ground in 2010 on any 1% projects, said Sobanja.
“Why not?” said Hakes. The community energy is there, she said.
The county needs to hire design services, set up a governance structure, and figure maintenance and personnel costs, Sobanja answered.
“We need to get things going,” said Hakes. She said she would like to be on a committee to organize the project. Hakes and Sobanja discussed others being considered for such a committee, such as city park staff and community center committee representatives.
The county board would need to approve anything that is done, Commissioner Martinson said.
Joint maintenance facility
By cutting out county Maintenance Department administrative offices and 5,000 square feet of heated garage space, Commissioner Martinson reported, the county’s share in a proposed joint vehicle maintenance facility was reduced from 53% to less than 35%. Total square footage went from about 80,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet – about the size of six Gene’s IGAs, according to Mayor Sue Hakes.
Five other public agencies— the City of Grand Marais, ISD 166, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Arrowhead Transit— continue to pursue the possibility of sharing space.
Reducing the square footage would not increase the cost per square foot to the other five agencies for the facility itself, but their share in other costs such as architectural fees, would increase.
City Administrator Mike Roth recommended hiring an architect to determine the total cost. Each entity needs to make sure that initial space and cost estimates are workable for them, he said. He offered to manage the project.
The current site of the county garage is being considered for the facility.
School plans
School board member Eric Kemp reported that because the school’s audit showed a financial picture somewhat better than expected, a referendum considered for next fall might be postponed. The school board is interested in finding out what the community wants the school to do. Should they still try to have a referendum?
The school needs to have a good plan, said Superintendent Beth Schwarz. The money will follow the plan.
Mayor Hakes said she has heard that referendums that specifically outline what the money will be used for have a better chance of passing.
Some community members have been asking for more than college preparatory classes, school board member Leonard Sobanja said. He wondered if this was a common opinion.
Kids coming out of CCHS don’t seem to have strong carpentry, building, or industrial skills, Commissioner Fritz Sobanja said. Community colleges on the Iron Range have developed two-year degrees to teach things kids routinely learned to do in high school 40 years ago.
Industrial jobs may be increasing, Commissioner Sobanja said. Winnipeg is probably going to become the largest railroad hub on the continent. It will have a line to Vancouver, expected to be the greatest port in North America.
The next joint meeting of the city, county, school and tribe will be Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the courthouse.
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