A lot of work has been done by the Schroeder Township Task Force over the last couple of years to create a design plan for the park adjacent to Father Baraga Cross on Lake Superior, said planning facilitator Greg Miron, who took over that task from Jim Norvell who has since moved from the area.
Miron presented the final plan created by landscape architect C.J. Fernandez to the town board at the October 14, 2014 meeting. In that document was a pavilion—or shelter— with a low roof so nearby residents wouldn’t have their view of the lake obstructed; new green space; parking moved from the lake up the hill to allow re-sloping and better drainage to mitigate storm water run-off; two picnic tables; some boulders near the shore to help control erosion; a low rock wall and lots of shrubs and bushes.
The goal of improving the park, said Miron, was to increase its visibility, usability and make it more environmentally friendly.
Two big issues at the park now are its lack of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms and erosion problems, said Miron.
Town meetings have been held to get input from residents, and Fernandez was hired to make schematic drawings using those suggestions. Fernandez unveiled a first set of drawings at last winter’s annual meeting in March and while residents were impressed, they told supervisors they were leery about using town money to pay for park improvements.
“How much will all of this cost and who will pay for it?” asked Charlie Muggley.
“Right now estimated costs are $700,000 to $800,000, but that may change if you can get a grant to hire an engineer to come up with closer estimates of what this will cost,” said Miron, adding improvements would probably be made over a long period of time and therefore the costs would be spread out.
“C.J. lists a variety of places where you can get grants for projects like this,” added Miron.
County Commissioner Bruce Martinson cited a number of sources that may have grant money for park projects, but added, “They are usually matching grants, so the township would have to have the funds to match them.”
“The township went into this not wanting to spend money on it,” said Supervisor Tina McKeever.
“But every time you create something you have to take care if it. You may not have to pay any money for this but I doubt it. The benefits you will be receiving outweigh the money you will spend,” Miron said.
“At the annual meeting the people spoke and they said they didn’t want us to spend money on this project,” said Supervisor Bill McKeever. “I’m not going to vote on this until I can get their input.”
After some discussion the board decided to display Fernandez’s proposal at the Schroeder Post Office and Temperance Traders so the public could review it. The board will also talk to fellow residents and get their opinion on the matter, said Tina McKeever, before voting.
“We really need your vote so we can move forward on this,” said Miron.
One time West End resident Cheryl Erickson who served on the North Shore Scenic Drive Council said it was important for the board to at least vote for the proposal to keep momentum going and to explore the possibility of getting funding.
“In order to get grants it’s important for the owner to support the project,” said Erickson. “It doesn’t mean you are committed to doing it. It just means that you are interested in seeing what can be done.”
Miron said Erickson, who now works for the Two Harbors tourism association, was good at writing resolutions and suggested she write one for the board to consider at its next meeting. Erickson agreed and her resolution will be presented next month.
Recreation
The dock from Dyer’s Lake will be removed as well as the port-a-lets from the park by the end of MEA weekend. Because trash has been an ongoing issue the clerk will look into having signs made to try to deter this activity next summer.
Cemetery
Tina McKeever said the cemetery should be inventoried. “We never updated the old map,” she said. There are 63 unsold lots in the cemetery. Gail Ring said the road also continues to move in the cemetery. “I never knew a road could move until I moved here,” she said.
“The road moves because as trees grow and crowd the road with branches drivers keep moving over,” said Bill McKeever. “We need to do some brushing along the road to correct that,” he added.
Snow plowing
Curt LaBoda put in a bid for plowing the Sugarloaf Road. It went unopened because the township hasn’t advertised for snow plowing yet. However, Bill McKeever said that if LaBoda’s bid was less than 5 percent over his last year’s bid of $200 per plowing the township wouldn’t have to seek bids. Bill McKeever said the township would also request a bid from Isak Hansen’s for snowplowing as a back up. “You never know when someone has a problem and can’t make it. It’s always good to have a back-up plan,” he said.
Muggley said the township hasn’t been able to get anyone else to bid despite repeated encouragement to potential bidders. He volunteered to contact LaBoda to see if he would plow for the same price or within 5 percent of what he did the work for last year. Muggley also said he had talked with various residents about concerns about township roads and bridges/culverts they may have been having, and several suggested having the roads plowed wider this winter. Last winter was a heavy snow year, and snow piled up in record amounts. He also said the township should have one or two people listed on the town’s (almost done) website who people could contact if they have a problem with roads.
Cross River
Skip and Linda Lamb said the viewing area by the Cross River Falls is missing 16 railings. “Some of the wood deteriorated but it looks like kids pulled out some of the railings so they could dive into the big pool,” said Skip Lamb.
“It’s like a death jump,” said Linda. They asked the board to write a letter to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or whoever is in charge of seeing to it that the rails are replaced. The board said it would find the appropriate government entity and send off a letter stating their concerns.
Other Business
. The board approved the liquor renewal license for Temperance Traders.
. The board also approved a motion stating that if the Wanous Cartway is put in on township land that petitioners put $15,000 in a trust to protect the township.
Paul Wanous addressed the board last month and said he had been working for three years to gain access to his land-locked property. He said he had tried to gain access from Cleveland Cliffs which told him no, and while Allete would allow him access he would still have to go through Cleveland Cliffs property which wasn’t feasible. On the west side the VanDorens own property and Mary VanDoren said that while at one time they considered allowing a cartway through their land, they had since put in a road at considerable expense (from the Cramer Road into their property) and at this time weren’t interested in having a cartway also put in.
The board then offered to give Paul Wanous an easement on township property so he could access his land, but stipulated he would need to submit a security deposit. The township’s attorney was contacted and he said $15,000 would need to be deposited in a trust before a cartway could be built.
. The board also signed a revised form for the resolution of the township cooperative agreement with Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority so tax abatement bonds could be sold in support of the renovation of Superior National Golf Course.
Rescue Squad leader Louise Trachta sent her last report to the board. She has retired from her position and handed the reins to younger members. Trachta said there were 16 calls to Schroeder and 17 calls to Tofte last year. She commended and thanked all of the people she worked with over the years.
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