Grand Marais city councilors put their stamp of approval on plans for a new rain garden near the public library at their June 26, 2013 meeting.
The unanimous vote does not mean the rain garden will actually be constructed—it only gives the go-ahead for Cook County Soil & Water to submit a grant application for the estimated $15,000 project. However, City Administrator Mike Roth said he believes the city has a good chance of receiving the money. The grant applications were due June 28.
The proposed rain garden would be located in front of and on the eastern side of the library building and would be designed to handle the stormwater runoff from the back of the building. City officials have been studying the problem for some time—ever since a buildup of water caused minor flooding in the newly renovated library—and Roth said he believes the rain garden design will provide a solution to that and also alleviate the standing water problem on the library sidewalk.
The runoff accumulates and pools up behind the library following heavy rains and primarily comes off the library roof and that of the adjacent Century Link building. The plan is for the water to be channeled from the back of the library building to a right of way on the east side of the library, under the sidewalk and into the rain garden basin. Roth said some tree stumps will have to be removed, but otherwise the rain garden will not impact the use of the lawn.
Asked about the size of the rain garden, Roth said it will probably be a bit smaller than the existing rain garden in front of the library near the highway. Some concerns were also voiced about the appearance of the new rain garden, but Roth said it will be cared for properly and he already has a contractor lined up for ongoing maintenance.
While on the topic, Councilor Jan Sivertson said she would like to see some more trees planted and landscaping done in front of the building; Roth explained that management of the city-owned property is “tricky” because no specific department is responsible for its upkeep. Although the Parks Department mows the lawn, neither it nor the library nor the Street Department is actually charged with upkeep of the property. Therefore, said Roth, it is up to city council to decide what should be done and implement a plan.
Sivertson said she liked the idea of having more trees in the space, and Roth suggested that that idea be brought up during budget discussions, which will soon be under way. Councilors agreed that would be an appropriate topic to place on the budget agenda, and in the meantime voted for submission of the rain garden application.
Heart of the Continent donation
Frank Jewell and Sandy Skrien appeared before council and gave a brief presentation on “The Heart of the Continent Partnership,” a Canadian-American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working to promote economic, cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Minnesota-Ontario border. Specifically, the representatives asked for the city’s participation in their efforts to partner with the National Geographic Society to designate northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario as a “Geo-Tourism Destination.” Currently, there are 17 such designated areas in the world.
Mayor Larry Carlson said he supports the project (which includes development of a map and website), “and we certainly want tourists here… but that’s why we have a Chamber [of Commerce].” Carlson questioned whether the money needed for the project should come from the city or from the affected businesses and tourism agencies who have the most to gain.
Jewell agreed that local businesses will benefit the most from the project, and said the organization intends to reach out to them for site maintenance once the project is up and running. But, he said, contributions fromT governments are necessary to establish w the set-up and “infrastructure.”
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Carlson then proposed, and council approved, a donation of $1,000.w “That amount shows the great faith of Grand Marais in the project, but also shows concern that public money is being spent,” said the mayor.
By comparison, the city of Duluth, Thunder Bay Regional Tourism and the IRRRB have each pledged $40,000. Jewell said he plans to ask the Cook County commissioners for a $2,500 contribution.
Bakery bike and other goodies—in other city news
. Approval was granted to Staci Drouillard of Lola’s Bakery, allowing operation of her bakery bike on downtown city rights of way during weekends in the summer and fall. Drouillard said she hopes to get permission from some private property owners to operate near their businesses as well.
Roth said the city has no policy governing vendors’ use of public rights of way, but has always considered such requests on a case-by-case basis; to date the bakery bike is the only vendor to gain approval although others have inquired.
. Approval of a Street & Sidewalk Permit for the Fourth of July parade, which will begin at 8 p.m. Bev Wolke of the Chamber of Commerce said the festivities will also include music in Harbor Park preceding the fireworks.
. City Attorney Chris Hood said the necessary verbiage and clauses were contained in a three-year agreement extension with J&M Displays of Yarmouth, Iowa to provide fireworks to the city exclusively. In exchange, the city will receive a 15 percent discount.
. Council granted approval of a temporary liquor license for the beer tent at the American Legion during Fisherman’s Picnic, Aug. 1-4. Rebecca Thompson and Laura Powell-Marxen of the Legion said the beer tent will be operated the same as last year, in the parking lot behind fencing. Councilors noted that the beer tent was well-run and there were no problems before voting on the request.
. Warren Anderson of the Senior Center asked when “bus parking only” signs on Broadway and speed bumps in the Senior Center parking lot would be placed, as agreed on in a meeting with Mayor Carlson and Roth earlier this spring. Roth said the speed bumps would soon be ordered, and it’s probably a matter of “a few weeks” until results are seen. The bus signs have been requested from the Highway Department. “Unfortunately this hasn’t moved along as quickly as we’d like,” said Carlson, adding that an agreement with the city attorney is pending.
The speed bumps are intended to slow traffic which Anderson said poses a hazard to seniors who often use walkers or wheelchairs when entering or leaving the Senior Center. “It’s definitely an issue,” he said.
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