In the words of Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes, it’s “no secret the EDA has had some financial problems,” and on June 9 city councilors spent their hour-long work session discussing those problems and potential solutions. TheEDA has two beautiful assets, said Hakes— Superior National golf course in Lutsen and the Cedar Grove Business Park in Grand Marais— and since... READ MORE >
It’s been five years since City Council last took up the issue of dilapidated and hazardous buildings in Grand Marais, but that doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. On May 26, City Administrator Mike Roth and City Attorney Chris Hood laid out the options for the latest effort to allay the problem. Hood was asked by council last month... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors held a spirited one-hour debate May 12 concerning the pros and cons of allowing a home-based business in a residentially zoned neighborhood on the west end of town. In the end, council passed a motion directing city staff to prepare a conditional use permit with a number of stipulations, and to present the revised version to... READ MORE >
Any projects the city of Grand Marais undertakes next year will have to be scrutinized, scrutinized, and scrutinized again. That was the consensus of city councilors April 28 after Finance Director Kim Dunsmoor outlined the existing budget and a preview for 2011 during a special work session. City Administrator Mike Roth was absent. Dunsmoor explained that Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed... READ MORE >
Can anything be done to improve the appearance and safety of the old theater building in downtown Grand Marais? That’s what City Councilor Jan Sivertson wanted to know April 28, when she posed the question to the city’s attorney, Chris Hood. Sivertson, whose family owns the art gallery adjacent to the former theater on Wisconsin Street, said she has been... READ MORE >
Tristan Beaster of Cook County Soil & Water visited Grand Marais city councilors April 14 to talk about the agency’s ongoing effort to improve the city’s storm water runoff design. Specifically, Beaster raised the notion of creating more rain gardens around town—this time on privately owned land with the consent and financial contribution of the property owners. Beaster explained that... READ MORE >
Grand Marais park board members set their list of 2010 priorities during the April 6 meeting at the Rec Park. The list, which includes six projects, will be forwarded to city council for further consideration, but is dependent on available funding and requests from other city departments. City Administrator Mike Roth explained the process to the board members, and urged... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors said they have no problem with granting an expansion for the popular Farmer’s Market, which is held Saturday mornings through the summer in the city’s parking lot off Broadway. Carolyn Kopchik, business manager, made the request March 31. She said the Farmer’s Market, ready to start its 13th season, needs more space to accommodate a growing... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors began their March 31, 2010 meeting by hearing from three parties during the open forum portion of the agenda. Mark Sandbo, representing the Grand Marais Lions Club, gave a progress report on the club’s efforts to create additional restrooms in the downtown area. The Lions proposed the idea last summer, and said that although they didn’t... READ MORE >
It’s a go. The park board approved without dissent an agreement with the Northwoods Food Project that will allow the establishment of community gardens in the Rec Park beginning this summer. “We look forward to this endeavor. It is certainly a precedent to have a municipal park interested in promoting community gardens for both locals and summer residents,” wrote Melinda... READ MORE >
