The state government shutdown was a prominent topic of discussion at the July 13 meeting of Grand Marais City Council. Although councilors were asked to—and did—approve three permit applications, it was stressed that the actions cannot be finalized unless and until the state also gives the okay.
Scott Puch, speaking on behalf of the American Legion, appeared first before council. He was requesting approval for a temporary onsale license for the Legion to sell beer at its beer tent during Fisherman’s Picnic, Aug. 4-7. Council unanimously granted the request, but City Administrator Mike Roth explained that by city statute, the license can’t be granted without state approval as well. And although the Legion does hold a liquor license, the outside parking lot used for the beer tent is not part of the permitted license area.
Puch said the situation was frustrating. “This is a joke. We have a lease and insurance for the parking lot. Why does the state need to approve it?”
“We can still conditionally approve this request and send it on to the state,” replied Roth. “But we need the consent of the commissioner of Public Safety. There’s no way of getting around it.”
Puch said he understood city officials were in a tough spot, and his anger was not directed toward them. “But this puts us dead in the water,” he said.
Next on the agenda was a new liquor license application from the Harbor Light Supper Club. Again council approved the application, but noted that the establishment will be unable to start business without a state buyer’s card authorizing purchases from a wholesaler. Thus, council agreed to conditionally approve the license, and to waive the $2,500 fee until the state resumes business. (Because the city’s liquor license period ends Sept. 30, it wouldn’t be feasible for the business to purchase the license in the event of a prolonged state shutdown.)
The third permit application was submitted by the Cook County ATV Club, seeking permission to hold a 50/50 raffle at their informational booth during Fisherman’s Picnic. Council approved the application, with the condition that state approval is received before the event.
In a final bit of state shutdown conversation, Councilor Tim Kennedy asked Roth what effect there would be on the city’s budget process, since it will soon be time to start putting together numbers for next year. Roth said he and council would have to “make some assumptions” when the planning begins, but the absence of state government shouldn’t create much of a problem unless the shutdown goes on for an extended length of time. Roth said the city is due to receive $155,000 from the state this year in Local Government Aid; none has been received yet, but the check is not usually sent until July 20. What effect the shutdown will have on that remains to be seen.
On July 20, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law the budget bills and bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature during a special session. At press time, the Minnesota government was reopening for business.
In other business:
. Andrew Smith and Al Taenzer of the Lions Club presented their proposed schedule of events for the 82nd annual Fisherman’s Picnic, which was approved by council. Smith said the Lions Club is working with Arrowhead Transit to once again operate the shuttle bus, and asked for city assistance in establishing some additional handicap parking spots downtown. Due to street closures and other limitations, it was suggested that the handicap parking spaces be designated at the out-of-town bus stops, and the passengers be dropped off at specified places closer to Wisconsin Street.
. Council approved a request from the Cook County Local Energy Project’s George Wilkes to contribute $1,000 in matching funds as the group applies for a $20,000 Lloyd K. Johnson grant. If successful, the grant money will be used to employ a half-time coordinator for a year. There were some questions and concerns about the city getting involved in a long-term commitment once the grant money runs out, but Wilkes said, “We definitely consider this a one-year obligation.”
. Councilor and park board member Bill Lenz gave an overview of the revised agreement between the city and Arrowhead Animal Rescue, and council gave its unanimous approval. Lenz said the new agreement has a lot more restrictions than did the contract with the prior group, but the involved parties still find it acceptable. “This is a service the city is getting for free,” he said. Lenz added that it is still the group’s goal to relocate the animal shelter from the Rec Park to a more suitable site.
. Lenz also reported on the ongoing issue involving parking at Boulder Park, which the Minnesota Land Trust has contended should be prohibited according to the terms of a 1996 conservation easement. Lenz said Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg is looking for photos or some other documentation that will prove the area was used for parking before 1996; if such is the case, parking is an allowable use and can continue. Lenz asked council for input.
The consensus was that the site off Broadway has been used historically for parking. Roth said he could probably come up with the date when the road surface and curb cuts were put in, and council directed Tersteeg to forward council’s belief that parking predates the conservation easement to the Land Trust. City Attorney Chris Hood said the burden of proof is on the Land Trust to prove otherwise.
According to the terms of the conservation easement, if the city is found to be in violation and does not correct the situation, the Trust may restore the area to its prior state and bill the city for the work; if the city prevails in court, however, the Trust is liable for the city’s defense costs.
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