Grand Marais city councilors spent most of their time during the Jan. 9 meeting making appointments to various boards and commissions, with the majority of the positions being filled by incumbents who expressed interest in retaining their posts. However, it was noted that vacancies remain (on the planning commission and park board) and interested residents are still encouraged to apply.... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors’ last meeting of the year was also the shortest. Councilors met for about 10 minutes on Dec. 26 to put the final stamp of approval on the city’s 2013 budget and levy. As adopted, the levy for next year is $824,152.44, which is a 1.12 percent property tax levy increase. The action concludes the lengthy budget... READ MORE >
In an effort to find out the reasons for a proliferation of environmental monitoring wells in downtown Grand Marais, city councilors said Dec. 12 that they would like to speak with a representative of the state Pollution Control Agency. Although the topic has been discussed by council in the past, according to city officials the state agency has never offered... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors began discussion Nov. 28 about a possible “re-treeing” program aimed at the downtown business district and adjacent Rec Park. Councilor and library board member Jan Sivertson began the conversation during her report on a recent library board meeting. Jokingly referring to the proposal as one to provide “more beaver food,” Sivertson said the board heard of... READ MORE >
City councilors granted approval for construction of a new sign on city property and gave a green light to the Grand Marais community connection project at their Oct. 10 meeting. Plans to begin the process for a public works facility, however, were put on hold. The first request was submitted by Sarah Hamilton of Trail Center Lodge. Speaking for a... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors approved on second reading two annexation requests Sept. 26. Both requests came from the owners of the affected properties, and both had been approved on first reading at council’s previous meeting. The first parcel, known as the HRH tract, consists of 4.92 acres and is located west of town near the former Tomteboda property off Highway... READ MORE >
Complying with state statutes, the Cook County commissioners set the preliminary 2013 tax levy for the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) at their Sept. 18 meeting, but that figure—which was left unchanged from the current rate— is far from a done deal. The discussion was sparked when Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers told the board that the preliminary... READ MORE >
Grand Marais’ preliminary tax levy for 2013 has been set, and what it means is that the city can collect 6.3 percent more in local taxes than it did last year. Council members formally adopted the levy Sept. 12 after discussing it with department heads during two work sessions and prioritizing proposed capital improvement projects. The budget that was unanimously... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors drafted a list of items they want to see included in discussions with the county regarding city support of a new community center and swimming pool. Addressing the topic at their Aug. 29 meeting, councilors said they were eager to be involved in the planning process, especially since threatened litigation precluded city participation until July 25,... READ MORE >
Now that the city of Grand Marais can legally participate in the planning process for a new community center, there was some difference of opinion expressed Aug. 8 about just how much that participation should amount to. “We can now discuss this…and we paid a lot of money to be able to do that,” observed Councilor Jan Sivertson in reference... READ MORE >
