City councilors began the process of revising Grand Marais’ animal ordinance Nov. 9 and came up with a list of questions and topics for which public input will be solicited during a December meeting. The ordinance review was prompted by a September request from Sarah Metis, who asked council to consider allowing her to board horses overnight in the business... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors voted Oct. 26 to pay off the city’s 2005 refunding bond early, an action that is expected to save $154,000 in interest fees over the next decade. City Administrator Mike Roth made the recommendation to pay off the bond with a $655,000 payment in February, rather than refinance the $875,000 bond for a second time. Estimates... READ MORE >
As a result of city council’s Oct. 12 discussion and 3-2 vote, snowmobilers will once again be able to travel on Grand Marais’ bike trail this winter to get to businesses west of town. But in response to public concern about pedestrian safety, council also authorized the city’s street department to try to keep the sidewalk on the upper side... READ MORE >
Faced with the prospect of a catastrophic breakdown that would close the Grand Marais municipal swimming pool indefinitely, city councilors approved the purchase of two new boilers at their Sept. 28 meeting. The request came before council a year ago, but at that time council rejected the proposal to either repair one of the two aging boilers at a cost... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors voted 4-1 Sept. 14 to pursue funding for the construction of two more rain gardens. Kerrie Fabius, district manager for the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District, presented council with plans for the new gardens, both of which are in city rightsof way, and both of which will be cared for by neighboring property owners.... READ MORE >
Grand Marais City Council authorized its attorney on Aug. 31, 2011 to begin talks with Burbach Aquatics in an effort to resolve an ongoing legal dispute that precludes the city from taking part in a proposed multi-million-dollar community center project. Council’s vote follows similar action taken by the Cook County Board of Commissioners a week earlier during a joint meeting... READ MORE >
City councilors agreed Aug. 10 to grant a company that develops assisted living facilities 120 days to come up with a detailed proposal for Grand Marais. The offer made by Spectrum Health Companies is contingent on the city donating land for the facility. Nancy Grabko, housing director for the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, made the presentation to council... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors held their first discussions of the 2012 budget at their July 27 meeting, and in general the outlook is good for city taxpayers. “We’re in a very good financial position now,” said City Administrator Mike Roth. “We should be able to get by with only a minimal tax increase.” Roth explained that the city’s favorable financial... READ MORE >
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.... READ MORE >
Some Grand Marais business people attended city council’s June 29 meeting to talk about the sudden proliferation of pigeons downtown, and ask what the city could do about the problem. “We’ve always dealt with the sea gulls, but now we have 70 to 100 pigeons on our building,” said Jean Mathis of Security State Bank. She said the pigeons, which... READ MORE >
