County Commissioner Bruce Martinson told the Schroeder town board Tuesday, August 11, 2009 that Tofte representatives had met with Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association (LTTA) representatives the day before. The Tofte representatives “weren’t too happy with LTTA’s position,” Martinson said.
LTTA has been considering moving its office from the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum in Tofte to somewhere in Lutsen, which would impact the ability of the museum to stay open. Tofte had previously asked county auditor-treasurer Braidy Powers to send the 3% lodging tax collected in Tofte directly to Tofte (other than .3% retained by the county to help the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) pay golf course revenue bonds), after which it would disperse the money to LTTA.
This summer, considerable time was spent at Schroeder town board meetings discussing what benefit Schroeder was getting from the lodging tax money that goes to LTTA. “Having the money in your hands gives you a great deal of leverage when talking to them about how they’re treating Schroeder,” resident Tom Spence said.
Supervisor Catherine Johnson said that in 2008, the amount of lodging tax that should have benefitted Schroeder was $13,000 (not including any Schroeder rentals handled from Tofte by Cascade Vacation Rentals).
Spence suggested that Schroeder try to get an agreement from LTTA that Schroeder businesses would show up on its advertising whether or not they pay to be members. Johnson agreed, saying, “We do need to see where our money is going.” She said she believes LTTA should be accountable to Schroeder for how it spends the tax money.
The board approved a motion to send a letter to Braidy Powers requesting that Schroeder’s portion of the 3% tax be deposited directly into Schroeder’s bank account. Rick Anderson said the Cross River Heritage Center would be a good place for a tourist association office. Town Supervisor Bill McKeever, owner of Satellite’s Country Inn (and restaurant), suggested having tourist information at the county line. He said they have customers asking all the time about where things are in Cook County.
Withdrawal from sewer district
The Town of Schroeder has begun the process of withdrawing from the Tofte-Schroeder Sanitary Sewer District (TSSSD), and Tom Spence, an attorney, told town supervisors Tuesday, August 11, 2009 that he would be available free of charge to help with minor tasks related to the process. He reported that attorney Fred Dudderar of Duluth was willing to do the legal work for $200 an hour, a reduction from the $225 he normally charges.
A resolution will be drafted regarding the withdrawal, followed by a public meeting to discuss it. A vote would be required if a petition protesting the withdrawal was signed by at least 5% of those voting in the last Schroeder Township election. Spence estimated that the whole process might cost under $5,000 if a vote was not necessary.
Rick Anderson of the TSSSD board said that he thought the Town of Tofte might want some financial help revising its maps and bylaws.
Withdrawing from the TSSSD will save taxpayer dollars, Town Supervisor Catherine Johnson said. “We’re a small community, and at this time I don’t see a benefit for it.”
Anderson said he would not be continuing on the TSSSD board after January.
Sugarloaf Road
The Town of Schroeder has finally received a permit to complete flood repair on the Sugarloaf Road culvert. Floyd Johnson and Bill McKeever made a plan to discuss how the work would be done. They commented again on their frustration that the area under the road is considered a trout stream, since it dries up every year. “When I went to college,” Johnson said, “there was a study that proved that trout never swim up a dry creek bed!”
Johnson expressed concern over brush obstructing the view of traffic for people entering Highway 61 from Sugarloaf Road. Someone is going to get killed, he said. Commissioner Martinson said he would call about the situation.
The board passed a motion to hire Jerry LaBarge of Little Marais to remove trees alongside Sugarloaf Road that were downed by the spring ice storm. Thewood will be chipped. Thework will be billed at $200 an hour and is expected to take eight hours.
Maintenance
Floyd Johnson reported that he recently lost all the brakes on the grader but used the blade to stop. He thinks the wheel cylinder needed might be more expensive to replace than what the grader is worth, he said. Supervisor McKeever said he would call Roger Hanson to see if he could fix it.
McKeever also said he would call Greg Gastecki about having Edwin E. Thoreson Inc. repair the sinkhole in the town hall parking lot.
The board discussed the prices various fuel companies were charging for propane for the upcoming cold season.
Because the cluster fly problem is much less extreme this year, the board decided not to hire an exterminator to get rid of them.
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