In the span of hours, county commissioners can discuss a lot of topics and make a lot of decisions. Sometimes, they decide that making a decision that day is not a good idea. Such was the case with a request from the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Tuesday, November 16, 2010 for a Superior National at Lutsen golf course loan in the amount of $200,000.
This was actually $25,000 less than the loan the course received from the county last year to help it make bond payments and payroll over the winter. EDA Treasurer Jim Hall reminded the board that all debts to the county on behalf of Superior National have been repaid. About $90,000 of the $200,000 requested would go toward bond payments.
The EDA would consider a bank loan, Hall said, but the state auditor told them they are not supposed to get loans from banks but are required to borrow from public entities instead.
Hall proposed paying half of the $200,000 back by the end of next July and the rest by the end of next November. “We’re going to need dollars quite soon,” he said. The EDA will need to make a bond payment for Superior National before the end of the year.
The golf course’s 2010 revenues were $946,364, up from 2009 revenues of $877,979.
Commissioner Jim Johnson moved to table a decision until the next county board meeting on November 23. He said he needed more time to look over information on the golf course, and he thought the public might want to be present for discussion of the request.
Commissioner Fritz Sobanja said he wanted to see details on things like the golf course’s budget, profits, and losses. Commissioner Jan Hall said she wanted information on the number of employees and what they get paid, and she wanted to see a spreadsheet.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson handed out a document showing that 15,635 rounds of gold were played in 2010. “Play and Stay” packages offered by area lodging establishments resulted in 512 rounds, most of them from Caribou Highlands and Lutsen Resort. Membership fees brought in $72,479, and greens fees brought in $637,016. The pro shop generated $216,054.
With Commissioner Bob Fenwick absent, the board passed Commissioner Johnson’s motion to table a decision on the loan request to its next meeting.
In other news:
. The board approved a motion to hire Energy Management Systems to help the
county develop and implement goals, policies, and strategies for improving energy
efficiency and pursuing renewable energy. The cost, not to exceed $33,000, will be
covered by a grant written by the Cook County Local Energy Project.
. The board revised the county’s Family and Medical Leave Act policy to reflect recent
federal compliance requirements. Eligible personal leave was expanded to include time spent on pressing needs related to an employee or employee’s family on active military duty or preparing for active duty, caring for a family member with a serious military-related injury or illness, or situations in which someone standing in place of
a parent is caring for a child in a way that would qualify a parent for personal leave
under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
. The board approved an application for Lutsen Mountains Corporation to add a
liquor license to its wine and beer license at Summit Chalet. The license will allow
liquor to be served for consumption on-site.
. The board lent its support to a grant application for an Americans with Disabilities
Act North Shore Scenic Drive Accessibility Assessment. The letter, addressed to the Lake Superior Coastal office in Two Harbors, states, “We feel that access to Lake Superior and wayside amenities should be available to all. We have many visitors along the North Shore who would appreciate enhanced access. As our population
ages, we will need more and more adequate access to those areas of the byway that
we have all come to enjoy.”
. The board received copies of two letters supporting a Lake Superior Coastal
Program grant to fund a feasibility study for a septic system at a proposed assisted living facility on Tofte Township property near Birch Grove Community Center.
One, from Schroeder Township Clerk Carol Tveekrem on behalf of the town board, stated, “Given the difficulties of siting and designing suitable septic systems in this area, the grant funding to TSSSD [Tofte-Schroeder Sanitary Sewer District] is essential to the planning for the assisted living facility.”
The other, from Biz Clark on behalf of the Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations, states, “It is clear that the type of waste produced from such a facility would have constituents unlike those from more conventional facilities or residences. In other words, waste products might be expected to contain fairly high levels of pharmaceuticals consistent with the occupants’ needs as seniors. Special attention must be given to this fact when designing a treatment system.”
The board voted to send its own letter of support for the grant.
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