Intending to put together a steering committee for the comprehensive city plan, the council has been gathering a list of people who might be interested in serving. During the meeting on Wednesday, May 11, plans for the committee began to move forward as the council discussed what the members could expect and who would be qualified to serve on the committee.
Looking over the initial description of duties compiled by City Administrator Mike Roth, the council had a few suggestions to ensure clarity. A couple noted that there seemed to be more emphasis on the process the committee would be following and not enough on the project.
“We want it to be really clear so they know here is what you are doing and this is why,” said Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux.
“To me, it seems there should be greater description as to the actual project itself,” Council Member Tracy Benson added. “Is it clearly stated in here that one of the important things they are going to be doing is not exercising their own opinion. It is taking all this information from all these groups of people and getting to what people really want.”
She went on to say that one of the major goals for the committee is to gather what the rest of the community wants rather than develop the actual plan.
Some additional debate took place regarding whether or not the members of the steering committee should be strictly city residents.
Roth noted that the council, which is composed of representatives who were elected by city residents, would ultimately make the decisions. As a result, members of the steering committee would not need to be city residents.
“You are looking for skill here,” Roth said. “You are looking for someone who is trustworthy.”
DeCoux agreed that steering committee members did not necessarily have to live in the city.
“We’re looking for access. Who can we put on the steering committee who is going to be able to accomplish the goals of the steering committee and who’s going to get us access in the way that we want them to,” said DeCoux. “Are those people who live in the city? I think probably most of them are. But I do think there are a couple of key players that do not live within the city.”
Council Member Tim Kennedy, however, did not agree. “I have a feeling that they should be city residents,” Kennedy said. “That is one of the things about living in the city. It is not that we want to exclude people living outside the city from being part of the process, but I don’t feel like they should be part of the steering committee.” He later added that being a city resident would give the committee members a more vested interest in the project.
No decisions were made, but Arrowsmith DeCoux advised that if it seemed like restricting committee members to city residents would impact the committee’s success, it might be necessary.
In other business
. The council members had little to report at the end of the meeting. Arrowsmith DeCoux said he attended a meeting for the farmer’s market, during which they were able to sort out some misunderstandings and concerns regarding location. In the end, it was made clear that the farmer’s market would remain on Senior Center property for the year.
. The council also looked at a few items for the parks department, approving both the hiring recommendations for three 2016 seasonal positions and for the purchase of two mowers, costing $7,000 total, for the Gunflint Hills Golf Course.
. The council received a permit application for the Fourth of July and Fisherman’s Picnic fireworks display and, after looking over the information, approved the permit.
Leave a Reply